Cabaret, comedy, music and dance: What’s on at Wandsworth Arts Fringe 2024

With theatre, live music, comedy and dance spread across venues from estates to churches, Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) is throwing this summer’s biggest party.

Celebrating its 15th birthday this year, WAF is showcasing 130 arts events from more than 40 venues between June 7 to 23.

From locations including parks, streets, churches, estates, libraries, pubs and dedicated venues, WAF will present bold conversations from exciting artists and creative risk-takers as it gears up for London Borough of Culture 2025.

Whether you’re a festival fan, a family, or just looking for something fun to do near you, WAF has something for everyone, with 17 days and nights of performances, exhibitions and things to do happening all over the borough. 

Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights of this year’s programme.

The comedy line-up offers the chance to check out incredible new shows as well as work-in-progress acts from some of comedy’s biggest names. 

Harriet Kemsley and Ania Magliano, two of the comedy industry’s biggest hitters, collide on June 10, followed up by Taskmaster’s Sophie Duker and Live at the Apollo’s Celya AB, for their latest show on June 11. 

June 23, will be an Objectively Funny all-dayer where you can sit back to watch a day of previews from some of the best in the business, namely Alex Franklin, Kiran Saggu, Rosalie Minnitt, and Lorna Rose Treen.

Welsh stand-up Vix Leyton delves into the human psyche, exploring the notion of people pleasing in Antihero on June 16, whilst Funny Women Award winner Kate Cheka offers her thoughtful – and sometimes filthy – observations on all big issues like sex, capitalism and pop culture.

WAF also has a jam packed schedule of theatre and dance, from an immersive adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakesqueer set a Midsummer Night’s Rave on June 8 and 9, to Dylan Dodds show about the dangers of obsession, GroundDodds Day, on June 11 and 12.

Finding a moment of calm, visitors can go on adventures and create their own art in WAF’s workshops and special events.

Stroll from Battersea Power Station to 575 Wandsworth Road to discover Khadambi Asalache’s vibrant home, immerse yourself in storytelling and unleash your artistic potential in their workshop Home is Where the Art Is on June 12 and 15.

Or, try out an evening of classical music with Serene Sounds: A Classical Sound Bath Experience on June 14.

Elsewhere, live music line-ups offer sounds and songs from across the world with The Alchemy of Heritage: An Afrological Sound Art Experience, on June 7 and 9.

The beautiful church of St Mary’s Battersea will play host to the exciting and fun-filled Battersea Jazz Festival Fundraiser on June 14.

There’s also fun for the whole family with puppet shows, arts and crafts and acrobatics including Treasure Island: A Musical Advench-Arrr, on June 22 and 23, and On The Clouds Kids Yoga, offering free yoga for children and young people from various venues across the festival.

Wandsworth Arts Fringe is the borough’s flagship arts event, transforming Wandsworth into a creative playground every summer, nurturing local artists and offering a testing ground for established creatives to try out new ideas.

Tickets Book tickets online at www.wandsworthartsfringe.com

Pictured top: Kate Cheka, who will perform her work in progress show, A Messiah Comes on June 16 (Picture: Benny J Johnson)