Festival aims to bring 'Edinburgh magic' to city

A festival held in Wolverhampton this summer hopes to bring "a bit of Edinburgh magic" to the Midlands.

The Midlands Fringe festival is set to be held at three venues in the city centre, with 15 shows, from 25 to 27 July.

It is organised by Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists, a collective of Black Country poets, writers and performers including Dave Pitt, Steve Pottinger and Emma Purshouse.

"We've been talking about doing it for a few years, we felt like it would be great to have something and use the small venues that are available," said Mr Pottinger.

The festival is funded by just under £9,000 from Arts Council England.

The venues are K Teas Cakes, on St George's Parade, Cafe Royale, on Victoria Street, and The Lych Gate Tavern, Queen Square.

There will also be two headline comedy shows consisting of two "top comedians" who will perform their Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows at the Arena Theatre. These performances are not funded by the Arts Council money.

Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists said it had begun taking submissions for performers, adding that due to the size of the venues, shows would need to be one or two performers.

Submissions must be entered by 7 June.

"Wolverhampton is blessed with great transport links and vibrant independent venues," said Ms Purshouse.

"We hope to make Midlands Fringe an annual event, building it year on year, bringing the best in fringe and comedy here to celebrate our city."

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