Artistic Breeze on the Streets of North London: What Caught Our Radar as Camden Fringe Continues at Full Speed!

With the arrival of August, those unique backstreets, cozy pubs, and independent theatres of North London have transformed into a vibrant festival ground. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Camden Fringe has been spreading tremendous energy across the city since August 3, with over 400 shows spanning theatre, comedy, dance, and spoken word across more than 20 venues.

Even though we’ve left the first half of the festival behind us, there’s still a delightful lineup waiting to be discovered! So we sat down with the team and pulled up the second half of the program, gathering the shows taking the stage from August 13 until the end of the month that we’re most excited about and can’t wait to grab tickets for.

A Soul We Don’t Want to Miss in Its Final Hours: Beats + Strings

• Venue: Hen & Chickens Theatre | Date: August 9 – 14

Kansas City music group Beats + Strings is bringing a literal “Soul Renaissance” to North London. We only have a few days left to catch those soulful melodies where acoustic strings meet electronic vibrations and percussive rhythms. Grabbing an afternoon drink before entering the weekend and catching this acoustic feast is our top priority this week!

A Wedding Chaos and Plenty of Prosecco: We Are Doing Really Well

• Venue: Lion & Unicorn Theatre | Date: August 16 & 17

Taking its name from that familiar line we’ve all said to a successful friend, “We Are Doing Really Well!” describes itself as a mix of Fleabag and Bridesmaids. In the play, as three friends fueled by prosecco wait for their partners in a wedding and prom dress shop, the bride-to-be suddenly disappears… Promising a full Sunday evening laugh with its ironic tongue and chaotic atmosphere, we can’t wait to see it!

Narnia Meets Horrible Histories: Fritz’s Tale

• Venue: Rosemary Branch Theatre | Date: August 16

Although Camden Fringe is usually known for its adult-oriented shows, this play adapted from Philip Pullman’s story Clockwork appeals directly to the fairy-tale enthusiast inside us. In a story about an ice-cold ice age king who lasts forever and his dying son, three actors bring a full 15 different characters to life. Described as “Narnia meets Horrible Histories,” this production is a fantastic theatre getaway for the weekend.

Real Mind Reading Guaranteed: The Great Soothsayer

• Venue: The Water Rats | Date: August 23

Since it’s the only show in the festival’s “mind reading” category, it was impossible not to feature this play on our radar. With Katie Trantor stepping into the role of a 19th-century spiritual medium, the play offers a spooky yet equally hilarious experience that draws the audience right in. Guaranteeing “Fake Mustache! Real Mind Reading!”, we are eagerly looking forward to this mystical show on the evening of August 23.

A Deep and Hard-Hitting Mother-Son Narrative: 3 Phone Calls

• Venue: Lion & Unicorn Theatre | Date: August 23 and 30

Mother and Son Productions, consisting of Alby and Elric Stockley, comes to us with a deeply moving play based on real phone calls between them. Courageously tackling sensitive themes such as gay abuse and assault, 3 Phone Calls is a candidate for one of the festival’s most powerful dramas. With a Q&A session following the play, we’re sure to have a deeply meaningful evening of theatre.

A Dance Inside Magical Frescoes: Chronos

• Venue: Courtyard Theatre | Date: August 30

Taking the stage on the closing day of the festival, Chronos is an ethereal dance performance inspired by Buddhist Dunhuang frescoes discovered in Chinese caves. As flowing ribbons, layered tulles, and ritualistic movements continue, the timelessness on stage is suddenly interrupted by keyboard sounds and a ringing telephone. We’ll be at this show on August 30 to put a visual and spiritual exclamation point on our Camden Fringe adventure.