On the Fringe of culture

Jul 4 2008 by Rebecca Edwards, Chester Chronicle

FROM comedy to Asian fusion, the Llangollen Fringe Festival promises to rock the small town this July.

The festival will be based at Llangollen Town Hall from Thursday July 17, with some acoustic music at St John’s Church and a club venue at the Hand Hotel.

Former Catatonia star Cerys Matthews returns on Monday July 28, with her mix of folk, pop and country-inspired music.

The festival will also include North Wales blues sensation Cherry Lee Mewis on July 17.

Acoustic band Show of Hands on July 18 play an array of instruments from slide guitar to fiddle and a South American cuatro.

Playing with them will be Miranda Sykes, one of the few female double bass players in England and an accomplished guitarist and vocalist.

Misty’s Big Adventure play on Saturday July 19 with infectious melodies influenced by The Beatles, The Specials and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

They’re joined by New Yorker Thomas Truax whose show runs the fine line between unique and insane!

There then follows four nights of comedy, with the Fringe’s first ever all-Welsh language comedy night headlined by S4C’s own PC Leslie Wynn (Tudur Owen), on Sunday July 20.

From July 21-23 highlights include Reginald D Hunter, who is becoming a regular on Have I Got News for You, Paul Foot, Hal Cruttenden, the ex-Eastenders actor turned stand-up, Alistair Barrie, Glenn Wool and Keith Donelly.

Jazz returns to the Fringe line-up on Thursday July 24 with a Jazz Guitar Celebration with Gary Potter and Billy Thompson.

Friday July 25 will see a band at the forefront of the British Asian fusion scene – Kissmet.

Sunday July 27 sees an outstanding night of virtuoso guitar playing with Simon Jones.

Tickets from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or 01978 860600.