Pulse set to beat in Ipswich

GREEK tragedy, gay theatre, comedy thriller, solo performance, groundbreaking dance and drama - those are just a taste of what's on offer at this year's PULSE 08.

Organisers of the Ipswich-based 8th PULSE Fringe Festival have today announced a line up of 36 shows.

Held in six venues across the town, the festival was established in 2001 by the New Wolsey Theatre.

The festival provides a platform for new and emerging artists and fresh approaches to performance in all disciplines.

Festival director Stephen Freeman said: “I think that the festival offers an amazing opportunity for the residents of Ipswich and beyond to gain access to work that wouldn't ordinarily be performed in the town. It's like our very own slice of Edinburgh.

“On one single night in the festival you can see a piece of visual art, watch a play in the most unusual surroundings followed by some of the most cutting edge technology-made music! And if that don't float your boat, what about seeing rehearsed readings from some of the most exciting new theatre companies? We've got it all - from gay theatre to contemporary sitcom!”

The festival provides a platform for new and emerging artists and fresh approaches to performance in all disciplines.

Mr Freeman added: “PULSE is an important platform and it's very exciting that Ipswich has become a showcase for new talent. Nurturing artistic ambition and excellence, PULSE showcases the most cutting-edge, boundary-breaking performing arts from the region and beyond.”

Taking place from May 29 to June 15, PULSE offers a mini-season of events, live gigs and performances.

PULSE 08 features work at various stages of development, giving participants the opportunity to try out new work when audience feedback can make a critical contribution.

Mr Freeman added: “The audience's response to work at this point in its development is invaluable.

“It is also an interesting experience for the audience who rarely has an opportunity to contribute and it's possible that some of this work will be developed further for PULSE 09, giving them the opportunity to see how the work has progressed.”

The other PULSE 08 venues are Sir John Mills Theatre, The Steamboat Tavern, The Regent Theatre Ballroom and New Wolsey Studio.

Visit www.pulsefringe.com for this year's performance schedule and for more information.

Tickets range from £3 to £7 and can be booked on 01473 295900.

Beachy Head - an exploration of the lives that end at the base of the famous landmark.

The Mother's Bones - the story of three generations of women and their relations to each other.

Bacchic - a provocative, seductive and highly visual update of Euripides' classic Greek tragedy.

Seriously Stand Up - four breakthrough comics.

The Visible Men - comedy dance.

Correspondence - a play the story of a man and woman traveling though the night.

The Forgotten - a victim of the Holocaust tells his story.

The British Ambassador's Belly Dancer - the true story of ambassador Craig Murray's mistress Nadira.

One, Nineteen - set against the backdrop of coastal floods.

The Iron Eyelashes - the lives of Peiter and Anna - siblings separated by the Berlin Wall.

Quake - the story of tenor Caruso as he battles his way across earthquake ravaged San Francisco in 1906.

Horsemeat - dance which confronts love, life and sexuality and becoming 25.

This year PULSE is working in collaboration with The Town Hall Galleries in Ipswich.

Six artists have been included with work ranging from painting to sound installation.

Julia Devonshire, arts project officer at the galleries, said: “It is a very exciting opportunity for developing artists. Art incorporates an enormous range of talents and its inclusion in PULSE acknowledges this and gives it a critical relevance within the arts at its most inclusive. We are very excited to work with PULSE and looking forward to a great Festival.”

Work will be displayed in The Chamber at Town Hall Galleries and at the New Wolsey Theatre.

The other PULSE 08 venues are Sir John Mills Theatre, The Steamboat Tavern, The Regent Theatre Ballroom and New Wolsey Studio.