Durham Free Fringe
Durham Free Fringe aims to offer performance spots to all who apply, which has been made possible by the addition of two venues. Redhills Durham Miners Hall will be the hub for the many spoken word acts taking part. Meanwhile, The Market Tavern joins The Holy GrAle as a second pub-based venue, and these spaces will host the majority of music events. The Holy GrAle and Market Tavern will begin hosting events on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th July, Redhills will then run from Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August. The Sunday will also feature a music finale at the Holy GrAle.
Here’s the line up for 1st August:
The I’m OK Project – Richard Eyers
Mental health has never been more important. I’m OK is a series of photographs and words from North East photographer and storyteller, Richard Eyers and the people that he meets. The words are their own; what they have chosen to share. They are unedited. Each portrait is inspired by conversation and the words that have been shared. Exhibition in the Miners’ Hall cinema room, with talks at points through the day. From 3.00 p.m.
Erasmus Croc’s and Aaron Wright’s Guide To Life
Erasmus Croc is the world’s first poetry crocodile, performing alongside his young protégé, Aaron Wright. Together they present their guide to life, the universe and everything through spoken word, poetry, low-tech props and bubbles. Expect tales of possessed tumble dryers, blinged-up slugs and other surreal wonders. Soak in sumptuous visuals and audacious auditory skills as a crocodilian delivers rhythm and rhyme, aided and abetted by his star pupil. A playful, poetic, and joyfully strange Fringe experience. 3.25 p.m. (45 min)
John Hobson: Funny Onion
A standup comedy performance poetry show featuring poems about vegetables as well as Rebecker the double decker, a useless football referee and a stovepipe hat. Funny Onion made its debut earlier this year in Sheffield to a sell-out audience and has played at multiple venues at the Buxton Festival Fringe during July. 4.15 p.m. (60 mins)
LEDGE: Principles of the Mind
What if the impossible was just a matter of belief? Join psychological entertainer Ledge as he demonstrates the hidden powers of YOUR mind through stunning mentalism. In this 45-minute journey, discover how belief, visualization, silence, and change shape reality itself. You’ll witness thoughts read, predictions revealed, and the boundaries between possible and impossible blur. This isn’t just a show—it’s proof of what becomes possible when you truly believe. Prepare to question everything you think you know. 5.30 p.m. (45 mins)
Stories from the Streets: Dan Husband
‘Stories from the Streets’ strays away from the one hour show to be broken down across a weekend, whilst allowing other spoken word talent and opportunity to showcase their style alongside me! Think less all my ramblings, think more ‘Husband Material presents:’ D.L. ‘Dan’ Husband is a North East England born & bred writer, poet and performer. With two collections (HMVI & HMV II) published alongside a score of individual pieces in various publications, he pens poetry and prose with acid in the inkwell & compassion in the heart. Unflinching writing and performances at various venues and Fringe festivals discussing addiction, homelessness, life, love, growth and all that lies in between. He has also featured on BBC upload ‘best of 2025’ show and the Northern Voices podcast. “He’s absolutely FAB” (Emma Millen, BBC UPLOAD). Guests: Gary the Hat, Gaeran Southern, Kev Robson, Adam Berkeley, 6.15 p.m. (10 min)
Georgia Goodson: Terrible Beautiful
Things Georgia Goodson Georgia builds a set around her latest publication, with bits and pieces thrown in from the previous, as well as some unpublished work that is building for a potential future release. Big themes of grief, nature, loss, love. 6.30 (30 min)
Domesticon.
An Antifragile Poetry Play Pip McDonald / The Notorious PIP An experimental solo spoken word & comedy performance unpacking lived (and dead) experience of domesticity, consumerism, grief, mothers (mams), relationships, supermarkets, education, and health through performative poetic outputs. Trigger warnings: grief, death and Tesco. 7.15 p.m.
Mwelwa Chilekwa: ReSIStance
Women are the villains and society is the judge, jury and executioner. Our heads lay bare on the guillotine and with one false move… But this show changes our story and empowers others. A passionate and emotive one-woman show featuring poetry to SMASH the patriarchy. From light-hearted topics like school life and dating to the more darker aspects: abuse and sexual assault. Trigger warning for those topics, this is how the world is. Experiences far too many women and girls, myself included, face. Why? Together, no matter your gender, we are going to put the sis in resistance! 8.20 p.m. (60 min)
