James Haddrell speaks on exciting new shows from the Fringe coming to Greenwich

Last week I unveiled the first three of our Edinburgh Festival transfers, heading to Greenwich as part of our Pick of the Fringe programme in October – the biographical cabaret Gertrude Lawrence, a lovely way to spend an evening, the award-winning high-tech social media meditation Sad-Vents, and the acclaimed, claustrophobic horror tale, The Hunger.

Continuing the programme, on October 8, a uniquely local show finds its way back to South-east London after an acclaimed and award-nominated run in Scotland.

From writer and performance artist Jenny Witzel, and directed by Luke Lewin Davies, Creekshow explores the dangers of regeneration, told through the lens of Jenny’s experience of living on a houseboat on Deptford Creek.

Bringing to life an archive of artefacts borrowed from the Creekside Discovery Centre, The Scotsman called the show a “poignant depiction of what is lost when local histories are forcefully overwritten by gentrification”, while To-Do List called it “a powerful call-to-action.”

Then, on October 15, Maria Telnikoff is to bring the show that British Theatre hailed as “an absolute delight” in their five-star review – My Dad Wears A Dress.

This show about growing up with a trans female parent, written by and starring Telnikoff, is filled with hilarious tales from her school days, showing the difficulties of fitting in as a young person and the fears we feel about being labelled as “outside the box”.

On October 18 and 19, we’re delighted to be welcoming one of the shows picked by Fringe Review as a hidden gem at the festival – Henriette Laursen’s Gate Number 5.

Told with a fusion of live action and film, the show tells the story of a love story unfolding against the background of this country’s immigration laws.

Fringe Review described the show as “exceptionally clever” and said it “should be compulsory viewing” so I think that’s definitely one to watch in the season.

Then on October 19 and 20, award-winning author Oliver Mol arrives from Paris with his debut theatre show telling the true, funny and heart-breaking tale of a 10-month migraine, a job he found on the railway when there were no other options, and his ultimate recovery.

Possibly one of the most intriguing shows in the season, and one which would resonate with anyone who’s ever suffered with constant pain, this show offers a stunning portrait of affliction, creativity and failure. However, it is also an unexpectedly uplifting, award-winning story of hope and laughter.

With more shows set to be announced here next week, I’m so proud to have extended the lives of so many exciting shows from the Fringe, and to be bringing to Greenwich this special glimpse of the very best that the festival has to offer.

With so much work having gone into each of these shows, we are all delighted to have been able to create this opportunity for more people to see them – and I know audiences are going to love them.

Picture: Jenny Witzel in Creekshow Pictures: Elly Welford