Alicia Adejobi chats to Camden Fringe co-founder Zena Barrie on the five-year journey of the arts festival.
You wouldn't be wrong in thinking that it would take more than one woman to start up a theatre company, a hypnotherapy business and a festival which takes place in one of London's busiest areas. In actual fact it does take just one woman and that woman is Zena Barrie. The one-time assistant box office manager reveals how she was “particularly bored of working for posh men for long hours and very little thanks” so decided to combine her skills with that of fomer colleague Michelle Flowers', which led to the beginning of a decade-long partnership.
That was in 2000. Fast-forward to 2006, it is the first ever Camden Fringe Fetsival and all it took was a few emails, the Chortle comedians forum and some flyers. Two days later you have a fully programmed festival. It turns out that Barrie and Flowers didn't even attend the début of their masterpiece - they were at Camden's mother festival, the Edinburgh Fringe. After leaving Martyn Donnelly, a trustee staff member, in charge, was it really worth missing? “We had a miserable time in Edinburgh, he had a great time in London and many of the shows did well”. What had initially started out as an “experiment” quickly turned into something which exceeded the two co-founders' “fairly low expectations”.
In its first year, the Camden Fringe started out with just 22 acts performing 57 shows over 4 weeks in August. Celebrating its 5th year, the festival has become even bigger and now boasts 207 different shows and nine venues across one of London's most popular areas. But why has this relatively small festival become one of the best places to be in the summer months? “The main benefit for a performer is that you can be a bigger fish in a smaller pond”, explains Barrie. “They can afford to take a few risks at the Camden Fringe, and there isn't the same stress involved with doing a show for Edinburgh”.
Performing the same show every night for a month can be extremely stressful for Edinburgh comics, not to mention costly. While it does remain extremely popular, it seems each year more punters and comedians are choosing to stay on their doorsteps and enjoy the Camden Fringe without the two million people and extortionate prices. “Edinburgh is still a brilliant place to be in August, Michelle and I both absolutely love it”, reveals Barrie. “But it has just become too expensive for people to perform there or to see shows. A lot of people and industries surrounding the festival have become very greedy”.
Last year saw more than 10,600 paying customers attend the Camden Fringe and 82 shows selling out. This can only mean that the part-time hypno-therapist feels a great amount of pressure to make 2010 even more impressive? “It takes an awful lot of time to prepare. We finish the paperwork at the end of September, then we have to turn our thoughts to the next year. What do we want to do differently? How can we do things slicker next year?”, admits the savvy businesswoman. “In January the applications open again and it's busy, busy, busy”. By the sounds of things, the Camden Fringe is on the go all year round and has become a growing success for the two women whose ten-year friendship Barrie describes as a “miracle”.
With so many visitors coming into the local area, the festival is proving to be positive all-round. “About 90% of our audiences come from outside Camden so we are bringing business into the borough, people are selling drinks, meals and last minute props because of us”, explains Barrie. So can we expect even bigger things for next year? “It's hard to say until this one is over and done with”.
Barrie reveals that she is doubtful 2011 will expand too much. Giving some words of wisdom she says, “It's good to fill your boots properly before you get the next size up”.
To see all Camden Fringe comedy, click on the following venues:
Roundhouse Studio
Camden Head
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
The Sheephaven Bay
Etcetera Theatre
For more details visit: www.camdenfringe.org
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