Cookham Discussion Board

The organiser of the Reading Fringe Festival had been fretting over the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the annual event after the huge success of last year's event.


The good news is that the 2020 event has been awarded emergency funding by Arts Council Engand.

There is more good news for the Jelly organisation, which was also successful in bidding for funding to develop a programme of ‘at home’ residencies with artists.

The cash means a wide range of events will be held between Friday, July 17, and Sunday, July 26.

Two flagship commissions have been announced.

One is the international theatre and dance project Called Love, Sex & Zombies, which is led by Fiona Leonard and explores connection during a post-apocalyptic world.

The second is a family adventure from writer Helen Eastman, whose work includes Bicycle Boy, In The Night Garden Live and Alby the Penguin Saves Christmas.

Ticket sales increased by 60 per cent and more than 100 events were attended by 5,000 people in 2019.

The organisers hope to put on around 30 events in 10 days. The majority will be either free or a donation only basis.

Any Reading artists who want to get involved can email Sarah@readingfringefestival.co.uk  for an event form.

All the donations collected go to the artists involved.