A volunteer-run eclectic spread of theatre, comedy and music, the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival returns for its fourth year across more than 20 venues. Big-name highlights include Phill Jupitus as Porky the Poet (Mon 6 Jul, King’s Arms, 9pm, £10, www.ticketweb.co.uk ) and Tim Burgess’ roving residency Tim Peaks Diner, which promises star guests like actor Paddy Considine (Sat 11 & Sun 12 Jul, Albert Square Chop House, 1pm & 6pm, see our preview). Watch out for the zombies and audience-participation aplenty in a new theatre version of Shaun Of The Dead (Wed 22- Fri 24 Jul, Dancehouse, 8pm, £14.25, www.ticketweb.co.uk), and revelations from a high-class, plus-size escort in The Coin-Operated Girl (Sat 4 Jul, Salford Arts Theatre, 7.30pm, £10, www.ticketweb.co.uk). A founder member of The Fall, Una Baines and her new outfit Poppycock perform at new band bonanza WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE? THIS IS! alongside Elbow-tipped Salford talent Turner and others (Sat 4 Jul, Kings Arms, 7pm, £12, www.ticketweb.co.uk).

Wed 1 – Fri 31 Jul, various venues, www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk

Wed 1 Jul - Fri 31 Jul
Words:
Wire Editor
Published on:
Tue 28 Jul 2015