Llangollen Fringe Festival 2008 - line up announced

Jun 3 2008 by Rebecca Edwards, Chester Chronicle

THE Llangollen Fringe Festival has once again lined up a programme of top performers, TV names and international superstars.

The 2008 festival, which kicks-off on Thursday 17th July, is based at Llangollen Town Hall, but this year incorporates as well St John's Church for acoustic music and the Hand Hotel as a Fringe Club, promises another eclectic mix of music, mayhem and four nights of comedy.

Artists include Ex-Catatonia star Cerys Matthews on Monday July 28, North Wales blues sensation Cherry Lee Mewis on July 17, acoustic band Show of Hands on July 18, female double bass player and vocalist Miranda Sykes, Misty’s Big Adventure and New Yorker Thomas Truax who plays a collection of home made instruments.

There is a Welsh language comedy night, headlined by S4C’s own PC Leslie Wynn (Tudur Owen), on Sunday July 20.

The next three nights of comedy include Reginald D Hunter, who is becoming a regular on Have I Got News for You these days, Paul Foot, often described as the new Kenneth Williams or even Frankie Howard, Hal Cruttenden, the ex Eastenders actor turned stand-up as well as Alistair Barrie, Glenn Wool and Keith Donelly.

Jazz makes a welcome return to the Fringe line-up on Thursday July 24 in the guise of a Jazz Guitar Celebration with Gary Potter and Billy Thompson.

The final Friday July 25, will see a band at the forefront of the British Asian fusion scene in Kissmet. The band, who are half Indian and half English, fuse the cultural traditions of both, including elements of bhangra, raags, rock and funk creating a truly unique sound.

The band performs in Punjabi, Hindi and English and blend dohl drums, tablas, guitar, keys and vocals.

Sunday July 27 sees virtuoso guitar playing with maestro Simon Jones bringing the very best of his flamenco art to the Town Hall.

Tickets for this years Llangollen fringe can be bought either on-line at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by phoning 01978 860600.