This year's Buxton Festival Fringe is officially under way - and there's plenty on the agenda to keep audiences entertained.

A lot has happened since the bumper Fringe to mark the event's 40th anniversary in 2019, with last year's event having to be scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic with the majority of performances online. 

The 2021 edition - which runs from 7 to 25 July - will feature over 100 entrants in categories including theatre, comedy, dance, film, spoken word, visual arts, music and more.

There's a mixture of live events both indoors and outdoors, as well as online entertainment. 

Given the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Fringe has decided not to print its traditional listings programme this year, but has instead published a handy fold-up guide (pictured) featuring a map and an overview of how to buy tickets and the kind of entertainment on offer at its many venues in the town and beyond.

Find out more about this year's event, including ticket information, by visiting www.buxtonfringe.org.uk. 

During the Fringe, the Fringe Information Desk, in its new home in the Pavilion Gardens Conservatory near the restaurant, is open every day from 10am to 7pm.

Among the highlights...

This year the award-winning Buxton Art Trail is reinventing itself as Art on the Railings, an outdoor exhibition on Buxton’s beautiful Broad Walk, where a host of local artists will be showcasing and selling their work. 

Designed to capture some of the atmosphere of the Montmartre art district in Paris, Art on the Railings takes place on Saturday 10 July from 10am to 4.30pm.

Organiser Linda Rolland said: “This should be the biennial Buxton Art Trail this year but, because of Covid, we had to completely rethink what we could do. 

“We have brought back Art on the Railings, one of our earlier ventures, which will be something really fun and low Covid-risk as it is all outdoors.” 

Patricia Hartshorne returns to her favourite fringe venue at the Old Clubhouse in Buxton - and she’s bringing Marlene Dietrich with her. 

Dressing Up Dietrich is a fast-moving 60-minute cabaret, based on the life, loves, songs and images of the cross-dressing bi-sexual icon – via a suitcase full of hats, suits, sequins, and suspenders. 

The show is on Friday 9 July, Sunday 11 July and Monday 12 July at 2.30pm and Saturday 10 July at 8.30pm. Tickets cost £9 / £8 / £7. 

Take the Water by is the inaugural exhibition at The Nail Boudoir, a new art/design space in the heart of Buxton at 10b St Anne’s Square. 

The space is run by Nick Charnley and will be open daily through the Fringe from 10am to 4.30pm. Booking a slot in advance is advised. 

The Geography of Me is a solo spoken word show by award-winning Canadian poet Rose Condo.  

In a deftly crafted blend of poetry and prose, Rose traces her travels through foreign and familiar lands, taking audiences on a journey through the hilarity and heartbreak of her travels.   

Rose said: “After many months of not being able to travel beyond our own homes, it is a joy to share a show that celebrates journeys and discovery.” 

The show is on Thursday, July 22 (7pm), Friday, July 23 (3pm), Saturday, July 24 (3pm) at Buxton United Reformed Church. 

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