The concept of a Fringe for Chelsea, similar to the Fringe in Edinburgh, seemed a natural one to Festival Director Tim Richardson. As a theatre critic and garden writer, with an actor/comedian past, Tim knew the Fringe model well. The Chelsea Fringe Festival was indeed an idea whose time had come and, in 2012, Tim’s bedtime brainwave became a reality, with more than 100 events taking place as part of the inaugural Chelsea Fringe.
We’re still planning to have a strong online presence in Chelsea Fringe 2022. But in anticipating our first #IRL (for some of us – translation – “in real life”) Chelsea Fringe for two years, we’re looking forward to a spectacular profusion of gardening activity. The idea is that anything goes, as long as it’s interesting and connected with gardening, gardens, plants or landscape. Come and see!
Yes. The Chelsea Fringe is entirely independent of the main show organisers but we’ve been careful to keep them informed and involved every step of the way. Our vision is for a mutually beneficial relationship, as there is between the Fringe and Festival in Edinburgh.
The Fringe is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC).
Absolutely. The idea has always been for this to be an annual event and it’s not just limited to London either. We’ve had satellite events occurring outside London and artists and designers coming from all over the world to participate. In our last live Chelsea Fringe in 2019 there were not only UK satellites in Aberdeen, Brighton, Cambridge and Kent but also further afield where Argentina, Australia, Canada, Italy and Japan hosted Chelsea Fringe events. We’re looking forward to new satellites joining us in 2022. And by continuing our strong online presence we’re hoping for even greater world-wide participation!
