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STARBURST’S Durham Fringe Festival Picks 2026

Written By:

Ed Fortune
MoonTeam

Going strong since 2021, The Durham Fringe Festival brings fringe fun to the ancient city in the North East of England.

Running from July 29th to 2nd of August, the Durham Fringe is rapidly becoming an off-ramp of sorts for shows coming to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, making it a vital cog UK’s network of fringe theatre, feeding into the arts culture that is such an important and unique part of the UK. Let’s take a look at five shows we think STARBURST readers will enjoy.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Death and Life
In a premise that not so much breaks the fourth wall but more discretely murders it and then chalks out an outline, this play pits the famous detective against the being that hates him the most; his creator Arthur Conan Doyle.  A one man tale of murder, mystery and more.

INFESTATION
Set during 1916, a soldier returns to the English countryside, having served his country in the great war. Alas, he has changed greatly, and something terribly sinister lurks within. A tense and interesting story present by the Durham Student Theatre.

ALEX REDMAN – Sunshine Space Cadet
Space travel is a great metaphor  for the eccentric and strange challenges, and an excellent way of presenting odd and hilarious anecdotes. Alex Redman’s debut show explores the joy of living strangely.

IT’S YOUR ROLE
Fantasy TTRPG inspired comedy show’s have become a staple of the fringe scene.  Join a team of experienced D&D improv performers as they explore funny fantasy worlds.

Will BF: MOON TEAM IIIV
Moon Team is the best/worst movie that never existed, apparently. This surreal sketch comedy show hangs together over the idea of non-existent sci-fi movie. None of it is real; or is it? (No, it’s not. That’s the point.)

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