Chichester Fringe is back for 2022

After a successful debut in June 2021, where its shows were 100% livestreamed, this year Chichester Fringe is bringing the magic of performance to a live audience.

At the same time, selected shows will be livestreamed for audiences to watch at home.

This year promises a fantastic mix of performances, from Indie musician Jacob Palmer, comedy from TikTok stars The Sugarcoated Sisters, puppetry from Dodo Dramatics, drama from new young company Juvenile Theatre, as well as brand new musical The Girl in the Mirror.

Chichester Fringe will take place at three venues in the city this year: Graylingwell Chapel, Chichester Canal and Oxmarket Contemporary.

The fringe will start with a bang in the recently-refurbished Graylingwell Chapel, where shows will run over three days (Friday 1st July to Sunday 3rd July). Each evening there will be a show packed with a variety of performances, and there will be daytime shows on the 2nd and 3rd July as well.

Katie Bennett, co-producer, says “Our aim is to make the fringe accessible and affordable. We’re doing this by offering tickets at affordable prices and offering NHS, Student and Equity discounts, and by livestreaming each evening show at Graylingwell.”

The evening shows will be hosted by Katie Bennett and Josh Bowness and will run from 7pm until 10pm, culminating with a play or musical. Friday night’s finale is The Girl in the Mirror and Saturday’s Comedy Night climaxes with a new comedy by Wyrd Sisters.

During the day on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July, there’s Chris Beaumont’s music hour on the xylophone, a musical showcase from Arabesque School of Preforming Arts and a new play entitled Blue Balloons Pink from Juvenile Behaviour, a company formed by national youth theatre members. There will also be a 70-minute puppetry masterpiece entitled Astra as well as a 50-minute Musical Comedy Show from The Sugarcoated Sisters. Catch these two funny ladies before they take their show up to the Edinburgh Fringe!

A screened weekend takes place online from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th July featuring online material submitted by performers, and includes the daytime shows recorded from the previous weekend at Graylingwell Chapel. This material will also be freely available via our website.

Chichester Canal is home to a further three events, starting with Comedy on the Canal at 6pm on Thursday 7th July. This unique event sees comedians take to the waves and entertain on a canal boat, complete with a supper of fish and chips. Amelia Stephenson and Zara Cassidy who debuted their first ever stand-up sets at last year’s fringe are back by popular demand. Performing alongside them are Matt Hansen and Max Marchesi.

A Music & Art showcase of incredible artists will be held on Thursday 14th July at 7.30pm at Oxmarket Contemporary. Wander the galleries and experience new music, including a mini-musical from Marchesi & Fowell Productions and classical guitar with Stuart Ironside. The evening also stars Jacob Palmer and Rachel Hogarth, who both gave amazing performances at last year’s Chichester Fringe to great acclaim.

On the final day of the fringe, Saturday 16th July, two events take centre stage at the Canal. At 6.30pm, Poetry @ The Canal from Chichester Open Mic Poetry will be teaming up with local poets to perform their own work and some of their favourites for the perfect early evening. Then things get lively from 7.30pm at The Canal Upstairs as we present Cabaret @ The Canal, featuring MC Chris Fowell, vocalists Charlotte Wiggins, Georgina Volkes, Comedian Elle Van Der Horst and puppetry company Dodo Dramatics.

Will Allenby, Senior Lecturer at the University of Chichester, said, “The University of Chichester Conservatoire is absolutely delighted that the Chichester Fringe has offered so many opportunities to graduating students for professional engagements. It’s offering a great variety of entertainment and shows - what a fabulous asset for our beautiful city." Jonathan Clark, Shoreside Director of the Chichester Ship Canal Trust, said, “We are delighted at the Canal Trust to welcome the Chichester Fringe to Comedy on the canal as well as Poetry and Cabaret at the Canal. Working together gives us both a chance to showcase both our wonderful canal and some great local performers. What better way to spend a July evening?”

Chichester Fringe 2022 will be giving performers opportunities to perform in a safe space, to develop, thrive and showcase their skills. It introduces new talent, provides a wide variety of shows and offers a really amazing night out!

Ticket prices range from £5 to £25.

To find out more, see the fringe website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To find out about all the acts and links to their social media platforms please visit https://www.chichesterfringe.co.uk/2022schedule