Hi everyone. Been quiet on the surface, but rest assured we are very busy behind the scenes. Here's an update on where we are with programming. durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/2026/05/1...

Okay folks. The (soft) deadline for applications passed, and things have gone absolutely nuts. Artists: we intend to get back to you with slot offers later this month. For more details on where we are and what what we're doing, come this way: durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/2026/04/0...

Wow, five free fringe applications in three days. Damn, we're going to have to work harder to accommodate this.

🎭 Durham Free Fringe is back for 2026! 29 Jul – 2 Aug, free to perform & free to watch. Artists across theatre, comedy, music & spoken word can apply now. Read more ➡️ www.northeasttheatreguide.co.uk/2026/03/news... #DurhamFringe #NorthEastTheatre

Hear last year's participant Dan Husband talking about his poetry and prose book "Love in Shorts". www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (Starts at 17:00)

And it's official! It's Not Cluedo is coming to @oldjointstock.bsky.social Theatre in Birmingham on 30th April, on my way to Brighton Fringe. Still pinching myself. More details here: chrisnevillesmith.info/wp/2026/02/2...

Aaaaannnnnd ... Applications are OPEN for Durham Free Fringe. Read all about it here: durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/2026/01/1... If this appeals to you, apply here: durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/apply-to-...

Okay, it's all set. We're going to do it.

It's coming ...

Right folks, Aadil and I had a productive meeting today to set plans for Durham Free Fringe 2026, including venues and an earlier timetable for programming. Expect to share this with you in early January.

We're back. Still a long way to go for planning Durham Free Fringe 2026, but we're ready to start sharing news of our plans. Our new decision: we want Durham Free Fringe to be an artist-run event. For more about what this means, read here: chrisnevillesmith.info/wp/2025/11/2...

Testing testing ... is this still working?

*Waves*

One month ago, @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social was underway. It already feels like a lifetime ago.

Do us proud.

One week ago, @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social began. This feels like a lifetime ago now.

A few more personal reflections of @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social on my own website, going public for the first time on just HOW stressed I've been. chrisnevillesmith.info/wp/2025/07/2...

One final edit on the website.

And that's a wrap. Four days and six shows later, Durham Free Fringe 2025 is done. Thank you to everyone who took part, came to shows, offered venues or supported us in any other way. We're going to have a big rest now, before planning Durham Free Fringe 2026.

So that's the end of @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social day 3 and our last day in our main space of Holy GrAle upstairs. We're not quite finished, a couple of days in smaller spaces still to go but after months of stress I can't believe how well this has worked.

Good to have you. Best of luck for Dundee Fringe.

Good evening from the Wear

Thanks to @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social for letting me test out my revised Philosophy Storytime & giving me my first go at improvised murder mystery—my melons were thankfully innocent Thanks to the Holy GrAle for gifting the space Also friends and known associates for coming No show photo so a river

Wow. Another full house tonight, this time for the mixed bill comedy. Hope to post some photos soon, but they're on my camera and that'll take some time to transfer.

This means I’m on my way to Durham!

Good morning from the Tay (Dundee Rail Bridge Edition)

Our very first day of Durham Free Fringe: 6.00 p.m.: Philosophy Storytime: Erotic Tales of & for Lovers of Wisdom Kathrine Cuccuru A genre bending performance uniquely blends theatrical storytelling and philosophical conversation to make you gasp, laugh, think … and maybe even a little horny.

TODAY! @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social Who is joining us for #Philosophy Storytime? 6-7pm, The Holy GrAle, #Durham

Only one more sleep until you put me to the test…

Two days. And a look at what we have day by day. Full schedule on our website. durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/

Aaaand ... Our website is live. All listings available in one place. durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp

6 shows, 10 performances, 5 days, 2 venues ... And it starts in 4 days.

NEWLY ADDED! Ben Bradley in association with ShellShock Improv brings us THE DURHAM IMPROV JAM. Added to our programme at 4.30 p.m. on Friday 25th July at the Holy GrAle.

Our opener for Durham Free Fringe.

Thank you to Fringe Review for their coverage.

The countdown has started! Don't go away, we are almost ready to announce something new.

Many thanks to Tracey Sinclair for including us in her weekly newsletter. Durham Free Fringe begins one week today.

And here's the @buxtonfringe.bsky.social review of It's Not Cluedo. Just a one-off at Buxton, but on again for @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social on the 23rd July.

Well, are you wondering…? Come see #Philosophy Storytime at the #Durham Free Fringe (@durhamfreefringe.bsky.social)

🎭 Durham Free Fringe hits the city 23–27 July with FREE shows in pubs & bars! Comedy, storytelling, philosophy, and more—no tickets, just turn up & donate if you can. Full preview 👇 🔗 www.northeasttheatreguide.co.uk/2025/07/prev... @cns-theatre.bsky.social

Looking forward to seeing you.

Ditto Durham Free Fringe, on the 23rd July at 7.30 p.m. Performers from either Durham Fringe or Durham Free Fringe are welcome.

Happy #worldfringeday from the new kid on the block. Durham Free Fringe joins the Fringe scene in our city on the 23rd - 27th July.

"I want you understand ... I am not a bad person. I can't do anything right by you ... But if all the things I do are bad, what difference does one more bad thing make?" DOCTOR COPPELIUS @buxtonfringe.bsky.social 9/10/15/16 July Scrivener's Bookshop, then 26/27 July @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social.

We are proud to announce the schedule for the very first Durham Free Fringe.

Okay, we have a schedule. Just running this past the right people, and we can then announce this to you.

Yeek.

Flyers have arrived. Massive faff to get them, but they're finally here. @buxtonfringe.bsky.social @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social

Chris Neville-Smith @cns-theatre.bsky.social brings DOCTOR COPPELIUS to Durham Free Fringe. Coppelia is a mechanical doll, whose creator tried to bring her to life by stealing the life of an innocent man. Now the tragic villain from Delibes' ballet gives his side of the story.