Fringe focus: History and power

Two particularly interesting Fringe events are taking place in the coming days.

Otto English is an author who is at the frontline of the battle against rumour, myths and wrong headedness. His fascinating book Fake History explains why some of the stories we know about people such as Winston Churchill are just plain wrong, and shows how one B. Johnson is at least partly responsible. Appropriately enough, English will be speaking in the Churchill Room at Wanstead Library on Friday evening.

Wanstead Book Festival presents Otto English

On Monday, documentary-maker and artist Dan Endelstyn will be speaking about the power of film and art to change society. Endelstyn knows about being an activist – he is currently involved in a project to turn his Walthamstow street into a renewable power station, funded in part by his emergency currency, pictured. He is speaking at the Larder on Monday.

The power of film

Can’t stop the music

Here’s something which – unusually – is being added to the Fringe schedule. It’s the much loved fringe acoustic night, with the best of local singer-songwriters and performers, upstairs in the Bull on Friday night. It’s being put on as ever by Ali Macqueen, above, who – you might remember – has had a pretty eventful couple of years, musically).

Details below.

Live Fringe Music Special

Wanstead Festival postponed

Redbridge Council has decided to postpone this Sunday’s Wanstead Festival, following the announcement that the Queen’s funeral will be taking place the next day.

It has not yet announced a new date for the festival but is hoping to find an alternative in the next few weeks.

Most Wanstead Fringe events are going ahead, including Saturday’s Jumble Trail. However the decision has been taken to cancel Sunday night’s comedy night with Jeff Innocent.

Fringe comedy impresario Jon Fentiman said: “Good live comedy is normally great, life affirming entertainment. However, putting on a comedy night on the eve of the Queen’s funeral just doesn’t feel right.

“It has been a difficult decision, but I have decided to cancel this Sunday’s Wanstead Fringe Comedy Night at Eton Manor Rugby Club. I sincerely apologise to all those people who have purchased tickets. They will receive a full refund or alternatively may exchange their purchased tickets for the Wanstead Fringe Comedy Night at Eton Manor on the following Sunday, 25th September, which will be going ahead as planned, with Mark Simmons headlining.”

Ticket holders will be contacted directly.

Thursday night’s visit from Costa Book Award-winning poet Hannah Lowe, who was scheduled to speak at Wanstead Library as part of Wanstead Book Festival, has also been postponed. Again, ticket holders will be contacted directly.

Wanstead’s vigil

Picture: Redbridge

A vigil on Christchurch Green on Monday evening was attended by hundreds of people paying their respects to the Queen.

Fringe focus: A week for poetry

As the Wanstead Fringe goes into a rather unusual week, it feels fitting that poetry is on the agenda.

On Wednesday evening at City Place Coffee there will be a Spoken Word Night – a fantastically creative mix of poets, performers, improvisers and spoken word artists. When the Fringe held a similar event last year attendees were delighted by being able to hear raw talent so close-up. Tickets can be booked below.

Spoken Word Night

One of the nation’s most celebrated poets, Hannah Lowe, who won last year’s Costa Book Award, will be at Wanstead Library on Thursday evening speaking about her poems and her time time teaching in Redbridge and elsewhere. It’s a very rare opportunity to meet and hear from Hannah, and poetry lovers are strongly encouraged to book tickets now. This event has now been postponed.

POSTPONED: Wanstead Book Festival presents Hannah Lowe