The Buxton Fringe Festival
Survey shows Buxton Festival Fringe standing firm against economic downturn.
An Award being given out at the Buxton Fringe Award Ceremony.
We really feel as if we are on the map both at a local and national level and would like to thank all our long-standing supporters including main sponsor the University of Derby Buxton.
”Fringe Chair, Stephanie Billen
Buxton Festival Fringe presented its eagerly awaited Fringe Awards on Sunday, July 24 in the Dome, home of Fringe sponsor, the University of Derby Buxton.
Chair Stephanie Billen gave a warm welcome to the Mayor and Mayoress of High Peak, Councillor David Lomax and Mrs Hilary Lomax, Opera House Chief Executive Andrew Aughton and Fringe supporter Trevor Osborne of The Osborne Group as well as to Fringe committee members, Fringe Friends, reviewers and the all-important performers, who attended in high numbers. She also praised the high standard of entrants to this, the 32nd Buxton Fringe: "It's the biggest Fringe ever but I'm particularly excited by the quality this year. I love giving out awards but I am also very aware that some performers may be disappointed. The truth is we greatly appreciate all of you."
In the much sought-after theatre categories, Shadow Syndicate, a youth drama group from Mansfield, were double winners - with their drama, Fugee, winning Young Production, and Chris William winning the Young Actor award for his role in the show. The play Big Daddy Vs Giant Haystacks won Theatre Production, with Nick Danan winning the Actor prize for the title role in the sell-out production of Macbeth in Poole's Cavern.
Local winners included Packhorse Poets, artist Andrea Joseph, the exhibition Playing with Pattern, singer Laura Monaghan, Derbyshire City & County Youth Orchestra and High Peak Magicians' Society.
The Fringe is very grateful not only to the people and venues of Buxton for their support but to its financial backers including main sponsor the University of Derby Buxton, The Osborne Group, High Peak Borough Council, The Old Hall Hotel (who have specifically funded the awards certificates), and, a new funder for the Fringe, The Cavendish Shopping Arcade.
The Economy
With regard to the local economy, taking into account both visitor spend and performers putting on events, there was an estimated expenditure associated with the Fringe of £351,146 - an increase of 10.5% on last year and an indication of the money spent on food and drink, accommodation, venue hire, tickets and more.
The Fringe remains a huge local draw with some 33% of the audience coming from SK17 postcodes and nearly half from the SK postcode area. 44% of this year's entrants also had SK postcodes.
Equally exciting for the future of the Fringe is the fact that the average age of audiences is dropping (from an average age of 48 last year to 44 in 2009), suggesting a younger audience is now being drawn to the event and ensuring its continued success into the future.
Ticket Sales
Ticket sales were healthier than expected with the two large managed venues reporting significantly increased ticket sales; Underground Venues found ticket sales up 25% on the previous year and on the Fringe website Nice Venues talked about its 'highest average audience numbers in 15 years of running venues'.
Feedback
Fringe chair Stephanie Billen sums up:
"We are delighted with the positive feedback from entrants and audiences. We really feel as if we are on the map both at a local and national level and would like to thank all our long-standing supporters including main sponsor the University of Derby Buxton, Trevor Osborne of the Crescent Spa Hotel Project, the Old Hall Hotel, the Opera House and the Borough Council and our wonderful volunteers and venues."
Quotes from Fringe goers:
'Fringe is great! Lots of suitable for teens stuff this year, which is good!!!'
'Long live the Fringe - it's better than the main Festival'
'Fringe goes from strength to strength and really brings Buxton alive each summer'
'The highlight of my year!'
'The best Fringe in the world!'
Quotes from performers:
'We love the Fringe because it allows us to innovate and do something different'Pauline Townsend, High Peak Artists' & Craft Workers' Association
'Fringe means meeting new friends and seeing old,
A chance to practice, show off and be bold.
A time to strut your stuff and make a name,
Support the rest and hopefully... find fame!' Poet F. Philip Holland
"Buxton Fringe is one of the highlights of my year. It is a welcoming and supportive festival without the trappings of commercialism. It is a place where creativity is encouraged and new talent fostered. There is a real sense of community between performers, audience and the Fringe committee."Matt 'Lab Monkey' Pritchard
"The Buxton Fringe Festival paves the way from pipe dreams to professional practice."Jaacq Hugo, The Off-Off-Off Broadway Company
"The Buxton Festival Fringe is a great and vibrant event for all the arts."Nigel Thorne, The Bronte Legacy
