Sell a Door Annouces Double Fringe Festival Hit

With the first London Fringe Festival taking place this year, national fringe producing theatre company Sell a Door Theatre Company were faced with a dilema. The dates of the London Fringe clash with the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the biggest festival in the world. The company, originally based in Liverpool where the company were formed at Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, is now based in London. Artistic Director David Hutchinson says:

"We were really faced with a difficult choice that we didn't want to make this year. We will be returning to the Edinburgh Festival for the third year now, having built up our number of productions in Scotland to six. Yet, as we are based in London, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of such an exciting festival. The fact that I am Scottish myself only complicates matters further."

Having attended the London Fringe Confrence at Tiger Tiger organised by events co-ordinator Felicity Jackson, Hutchinson got talking to Greg Tallant, the man behind the London festival. Greg said

"Fringe theatre happens across the capital throughout the year, and doesn't pack up at the end of August like it's Scottish counterpart. We would be foolish to exclude the wonderful projects that happen outwith the official dates of the festival, and so are inviting companies to sign up to the festival even if they aren't performing in August"

Luckily for Sell a Door, they have managed to link the work they are bringing to Edinburgh to London. Three projects will premiere in London, including a new musical "Next Thing You Know" by American writers Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman, along with Where the Solitary Eagle Flies, written by Hutchinson himself. These will feature at the Rosemary Branch Theatre, and marks the first production the company have done in the 60 seater venue, just off Old Street tube station.

Sell a Door will also include their production of The Philanderer, set to take place at the Greenwich Playhouse 20th July - 15th August into the London Festival Fringe billing. Hutchinson says"

"We are thrilled to be taking part in both festivals. Whilst people always warn us of taking on too much at the same time, I feel this is a fantastic opportunity to share our work with theatre goers in both the Scottish and English capitals. Hopefully other companies heading up to Edinburgh will consider a 'pre-ed' season in London, and help to make the first London Fringe Festival a huge success"

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