Fringe theatre can be a valuable starting point to launch a career in the theatre. Here are the stories of some of those who have started in fringe and gone on to achieve professional success.
Tom Whalley, actor
Fringe beginnings
I packed a single suitcase and moved to London in 2014 to study musical theatre and was lucky enough to begin my career as a performer appearing in some really fantastic shows with some very talented and richly creative people on the London Fringe. She Loves Me (Landor), A Little Night Music (Rose & Crown), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (King’s Head) Hotel for Criminals (New Wimbledon Studio Theatre, London).
Why the Fringe?
The Fringe is a vitally important testing and breeding ground for new, innovative and exciting talents and shows. The restrictions of venue size and often budget have the opposite effect of challenging creatives to really make something special and memorable for their audiences.
Working on the London Fringe introduced me to a number of inspiring creatives and performers who helped shape the performer and creative I am today!
Professional Work
Pantomime credits include: Winnie Wouldhave, Beauty and the Beast; Granny Hood, Little Red Riding Hood; Fleshcreep, Arbuthnot and the Beanstalk (The Customs House); Silly Simon, Jack and the Beanstalk – 2024; Louis La Plonk, Beauty and the Beast – 2023; Wishee Washee, Aladdin – 2022/23; Muddles, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs – 2021/22; Buttons, Cinderella – 2019 (Sunderland Empire); Fleshcreep, Arbuthnot and the Beanstalk (The Customs House); PC Pong, Aladdin (Rhyl Pavillion 2018; Assembly Hall – Tunbridge Wells 2017; Theatre Royal – Bath 2016; Sunderland Empire 2015).
Filming credits include: Deej, BT ‘6 Fothergill Street’ (Mini Series); Shoplife (BBC Three).
Touring credits include: The Mad Hatter, The Mad Hatter’s Circus (UK TOUR: 2022 & 2023); The Queen of Pantoland, Once Upon a Panto; Maeve of the Ring, Aladdin Goes Pop; Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland; Dame Trott, Jack and the Beanstalk; Glinda/Wicked Witch of the West, Looking for Oz.
Stage credits include: Mr Toad, The Wind in the Willows (Kew Gardens); Dr Lacloche, Hotel for Criminals (New Wimbledon Studio Theatre, London); Dr Willy Von Whackoff, Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (King’s Head Theatre, London).
Howard Hudson, lighting designer
Fringe beginnings
I worked for over 10 years lighting over 100 shows on the fringe and Off West End. Highlights included productions of Titanic, Parade, Grey Gardens, In The Heights and Mack and Mabel all at Southwark Playhouse with many productions at the Finborough, Upstairs at the Gatehouse and Landor Theatre amongst many others.
Why the fringe?
Working in fringe theatre gave me the opportunity to really learn my craft and to experiment in a way that isn’t possible on larger scale productions. I was often rigging, focussing, programming and fixing the lights myself. I learnt how to light work on extreme budgets and I think a lot of those lessons I still carry with me today – the art is the same – even if now I might have more lights.
Working on the fringe also led me to meet many of the directors, designers and producers I still work alongside today as we have all continued our professional journeys alongside each other. Having those long term relationships started years ago is vital to the career I have today.
Professional work
& Juliet – four productions currently running worldwide including Broadway with several more planned for the next few years.
The new production of Starlight Express playing in Wembley
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is about to open at the Shaftesbury
Nominated for a Tony Award, three Olivier Awards and winner of two Whatsonstage Awards and three Off West End Awards.
Joaquin Pedro Valdes, actor
Fringe beginnings
My very first show in London was at a fringe venue – the garden of the Eagle Pub in Vauxhall. It was right after the first lockdown and the entire city, entire country was just wanting a sense of normalcy and hope.
Our little show, Fanny and Stella The Shocking True Story, ran at the venue to a socially distanced audience for a month. It was funny, raucous, zany and just gave the audience just that bit of escape that the world so needed. We were the only show running in the country and it felt really special. It might not have been the West End, but that was my London debut and it introduced me to the industry. I remain very grateful for that experience.
Why the fringe?
Fringe theatres are the bloodveins that keep the UK theatre scene pulsing and living. In fringe theatre you get brave producers, creatives and performers who are willing to take risks all in the spirit of theatre making. Trying out new material, new works in nontraditional venues.
Professional work
Major UK Touring Venues: Miss Saigon, The Lion King, The King and I
West End: Heathers The Musical, Death Note The Musical
Fringe: The Bakers Wife, Pacific Overtures (Menier Chocolate Factory), Song of Songs (Park Theatre), Killing The Cat (Riverside Studios), Then Now and Next (Southwark Playhouse), The Frogs (Southwark Playhouse), Fanny And Stella (Eagle Pub Vauxhall).
Markus Sodergren, actor
Fringe beginnings
Marry Me a Little and The Story of My Life were the first two of my fringe experiences. And two of the most important for my career, without a doubt. I have met some of the most talent and hardworking people during my time within fringe theatre. And it’s also showed me that it is really all about hard work.
Why the fringe?
Fringe Theatre opens up a world for more ideas and work. It gives people an opportunity to share ideas, and gives actors the opportunity to really explore the work.
Professional work
I just finished an international tour of Grease as Sonny, before that I played the beast in Beauty and the Beast and was part of the World premiere of the musical Here & Now – The Steps Musical at The Alexandra in Birmingham.
