The Bath Fringe Festival returns with action-packed first week

The Bath Fringe Festival has returned to the city this week with a variety of events including live music and comedy, as well as shows and workshops for children. 

On 26 May at The Grapes, comedian Mark Rutterford presents his show Love Stories, a whirlwind romance of stories, chat and laughs about love. Also at The Grapes on 28 May, short-form comedy improvisation group Improv Wolves will create new sketches on the spot, based on audience suggestions - you might see a film noir detective pastiche, hear surprising confessions from some of the most famous names in history, or the debut of a brand-new improvised song.

Head to Chapel Arts on 27 May for Ma Bessie's combination of classic blues and jazz tunes from the inter-war years with a selection of original songs and hand-picked covers from the last 50 years of popular music. Or, for live music of a different pace, grab a pint at The Grapes on 28 May and enjoy Bristol-based musician Charlie Limm's original folk songs with beautifully haunting vocals, guitar and flute, drawing influence from the female folk artists of the 1970s. 

Friends fans and comedy punters alike will love comedian Dylan Dodds' 'Friends 2 (Friends Still Not Included)' at Burdall's Yard on 26 and 27 May. Eight years ago, Dylan Dodds asked himself a question. “Could he BE any more ridiculous?” The answer, it turns out, is yes. As he was the same age as the characters in Friends, he started blogging about the show every fortnight, and wondered how things have changed since the 1990s. Find out about all the Friends related coincidences that happened, and the time he got a tattoo because the show told him to. It's a feel good show that examines the problems currently facing people in their 30s - how do you build a family and move forward when suddenly everything stands still?

Children will be able to get in on the fun too, with the Bath Fringe Children's Festival at Alice Park from Monday 29 May - Saturday 3 June. From 11am-5pm each day of half-term week, families can hang out in the lovely open green space of Alice Park. 

The Bath Fringe Children’s Festival is back! Half-term week in Alice Park there’s a busy schedule of shows and workshops for kids and families. Mon 29th May - Sat 3rd June 11am to 5pm every day. 
The week is full of magic, Alice Park is a lovely open green space you can bring the whole family and hang out for the day with a picnic or food from the cafe. As well as the playground, skate park, mini bike track and tennis courts, there will also be a range of activities to get involved in, including family yoga (free with donation), The Great Jaydini magic show (£5), the Johnny G puppet show (£5), and many more. Tickets are sold on the door on the day for all shows.

To stay updated on the festival, follow on Facebook & Twitter @bathfringe, and Instagram @bath_fringe.