It’s difficult to put into words how we are feeling ahead of this year’s Gothenburg Fringe, following six months of uncertainty, disappointment, determination, hope and finally excitement.
Like every aspect of society, the performing arts world has taken a number of painful blows this year, with performances postponed and cancelled, support lacking, motivation dropping and uncertainty taking hold as artists around the world scrambled to make the most of a dire situation.
When the Fringe movement began in the 1940s, it was born in the wake of a worldwide crisis and evolved to become a community with over 200 festivals around the world. What more inspiration do we need to kick our asses into gear and bring you a Fringe, in the safest way possible, and treat you to some delightful shows.
While the majority of festivals have focused solely on streaming during this time, we felt going down that route would not serve anything of real value to the local community – so we pushed ahead with a smaller-scale, fully local Gothenburg Fringe.
While the concept of Fringe theatre is still relatively new in Gothenburg, the interest from local talent in taking part is a testament to the work done in recent years and the festival’s increased reputation.
We are incredibly excited and proud to use the Fringe as a platform for rising and established performers from Gothenburg and the Västra Götaland region to showcase their talent and potentially begin a journey into the Fringe community which can take them around the world.
As is the case every year, there is something for everyone at this year’s event - all ages, all tastes and languages. Although all of the acts are based here, there is a fine mixture of performances in Swedish and English, we even have a show in Spanish!
You’ll find specific information for each and every performance within our programme, which should whet your appetite for some great shows on 3-6 September. Not sure what to see? Well, choose a show that looks good to you, ask a volunteer or friend to recommend one and then select one totally at random – that is an ideal way to get the true Gothenburg Fringe experience.
Uncertainty is a bit of a theme in this text and understandably so, but there are a couple of things we are certain of. We are certain you’re going to enjoy the Fringe we’re bringing you this year, certain that the local artists performing will be thrilled by your support and belief in their work and certain that our brand of uncensored, heartfelt and genuine performance art will grow stronger as we move past this global health crisis.
Chris O’Reilly, Giulia Giubergia and Hanna Gödl
Gothenburg Fringe 2020 Directors