Some of this year’s best Edinburgh Fringe shows are coming to Preston for special preview nights before they head to Scotland for the world’s biggest fringe festival.
Preston arts venue ARTCH Studios will host two nights of shows on Thursday 12 June and Friday 13 June, featuring stand-up comedy, spoken word and performances.
Performers from the seven shows are travelling from across the country to perform in Preston
Organised by Garry Cook, these shows build on the success of his previous work in the city, bringing world-class Edinburgh Fringe shows to Preston as part of Lancashire Fringe Festival.
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“I’m absolutely thrilled to put on these two nights of Edinburgh Fringe preview shows,” said Cook. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, so to get the opportunity to do it at ARTCH Studios is brilliant.
“Some of the performers, like stand-ups Abbie Murphy and Sam Serrano, I have wanted to see live for yonks. Others like Ajaz Qureshi and Clementine Bogg-Hargroves – who is doing her new character comedy show Shaun Guff: Enuff is Enuff – I have worked with before and am delighted to have them back. They are stepping up to the next level of their careers.
“For all of these performers, I’m a bit worried next time round we won’t have a venue big enough to host them, but the time is right to see them now. People are going to love seeing them live.
“If these shows are a success there is the possibility of programming more shows in Preston during July, right before Edinburgh Fringe festival kicks off in August. So I would say to anyone who has not been to see a live show ever, or in a long time, to come down and see what all the fuss is about.”
Cook is also keen to encourage people to visit the venue, ARTCH, which has become a magnet for creatives since it opened last year in Gradwell Street off Marsh Lane.
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“ARTCH has already had a huge impact in Preston, attracting audiences to the venue who have not previously had anywhere to go. If you have been to one of the cool events there already, please come to this and continue to contribute to what is fast becoming Preston’s biggest success story.”
In line with the audience development work of Enjoy the Show, these shows continue Preston’s position as the cheapest place in the UK to see live performances.
Tickets for the shows are available from Skiddle. You can buy tickets for one night or the combined two-night discounted ticket, which makes the price of each show less than £5.
The full list of performers is below.
Thursday 12 June
The Lancashire Poetry Relay Team (spoken word)
Five people performing poetry that is fundamentally full of fun and funny to boot. A mixture of poems, songs and comedy with lots of audience interaction.
Jacob Nussey: Primed (stand up-comedy)
Spilling the secrets of Amazon life with his trademark sharp jokes and a deadpan delivery, Nussey dives into the absurdities and chaos of warehouse life.
Tim Biglowe: Landlubber (stand up-comedy)
A high-energy comedian who has moved from a canal boat to dry land. After giving up the #boatlife dream, is the world of air fryers enough for this hippy’s inner-peace
Sam Serrano: Mars (stand up-comedy)
In September 2021, Sam Serrano was spat at in the street for wearing make up. Fast forward to 2025 and they’ve written a show about it to make hate crime lucrative.
Friday 13 June
Abbie Murphy: Garage Girl (WIP) (stand up-comedy)
A love letter to UK Garage and the iconic tunes that defined a generation. This show is for anyone who lived it, loved it or discovered it in its revival.
Ajaz Qureshi: Groundling (spoken word)
A nameless protagonist and a wounded mythological being are bound by a fragile connection in a haunting allegory of self-love and self-liberation, where the ultimate act of love is letting go.
Shaun Guff: Enuff is Enuff (WIP) (character comedy)
Join Clementine Bogg-Hargroves (Guff) for this very serious seminar filled with pyrotechnics, PowerPoint presentations and personality.
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