Article on Woodstock Fringe vocals by Nathan Sparkling

NOTNestled a few hours drive from New York is the town of Woodstock, home to America’s oldest arts and crafts colony at Byrdcliffe. Alongside around 30 buildings stands the Byrdcliffe Theatre, which inspired artistic producer Wallace Norman to launch the Woodstock Fringe in the early 2000s.

The three shows that make up The Voices of Woodstock Fringe will perform at Space UK on the Mile

He came across a dilapidated Byrdcliffe Theater that looked like it hadn’t been used for about six years during a walk in 1999. His inquisitive nature led him to the doors, and a stiff piece of paper helped him open the hook and eye fixture. who kept the doors closed. It was when he looked around and finally found himself on stage that he knew there was something here – opening his arms and shouting at the empty theater “I want you, I want this!”

The Woodstock Fringe was born in 2002 and grew over the next decade to become a 6-week festival of theater and local productions, with up to 40 performances each season. Some participants boasted Tony Awards, while others got their start in writing and acting on the Byrdcliffe stage.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, The Woodstock Fringe, under the artistic production of founder Wallace Norman, is set to bring three theatrical productions to Edinburgh as a collection – The Voices of The Woodstock Fringe.

His brother’s keeper – a play created by Wallace in the Playwrights Lab at the Woodstock Fringe – is a story of brave survival. It traces the journey of the central character William from age 10 to middle age. As a teenager, who like many young LGBTQ+ people suffered brutal abuse at school. He also finds himself at the side of Brother James, his priest, who takes a “particular” interest in him. The play explores important issues of abuse within the church, and in middle age William finds the courage to confront his abuser.

Wallace told Broadway Baby: “The Woodstock Fringe was a labor of love for me, for a decade we produced a theater and song festival in my hometown of Woodstock, New York. It seems right to mark the 20th anniversary of the festival by bringing these three pieces to Edinburgh, a true festival of celebration and appreciation of artistic endeavor.I hope that the public will come to see these unique pieces and hear the voices of Woodstock.

In a completely different register, Doris does Edinboiger’s bangs tells the story of a not like the average old lady from Brooklyn, New York. It’s an outrageous comedy that sees Bette Siler – the writer and actress who worked with famed Stella Adler – play the role of Doris. Doris has no theatrical experience, she regularly forgets her lines – but performing at the Edinburgh Fringe is on her ‘fuck it’ list. The show is his chance to connect with an audience – list his best friends.

Bette told us: “This comedy piece started out as a web series during the pandemic but I couldn’t bring myself to perform it on Zoom so I’m thrilled Doris is getting her day on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe – I’m Je am not sure Edinburgh audiences are ready for it!

Bette’s husband completes the trilogy of shows from Woodstock with his Like a sack of potatoes. Ric Siler describes the creation of his own genre of theater – mountain gothic. This show is described as a journey the audience will never forget. A farmer with two pretty girlfriends who knows how to keep their boyfriends in line is challenged when one of his daughters marries an abusive husband and finds that more drastic measures are needed. We are told to expect suspense with a hint of humor.

In Ric’s own words, “I’m really excited to bring my show to the Fringe, which is a free art giant. The largest artistic showcase with an audience coming to see theatre. I can not wait to go there !

The three shows that make up The Voices of Woodstock Fringe will perform at Space UK on the Mile.