Emma Purshouse
@emmapurshouse.bsky.social
Freelance writer, novelist, performance poet and lover of all things Black Country. Editor of The Blackcountryman magazine. One third of Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists.
Janet kicked things off this afternoon in K Teas Cakes with some superb storytelling! 😊
Midlands Fringe@midlandsfringe.bsky.social · 2w agoA sublime show from storyteller Janet Crouch for her hour of Stories From Staffordshire, including tales of love, loss, trees, shillings, and more, taking on us an emotional journey. @pandemonialists.bsky.social
Nothing to add. Tina was immense.
Midlands Fringe@midlandsfringe.bsky.social · 2w agoThis Is Not Therapy by Tina Sederholm was certainly therapy for the audience this evening, discussing her career in performance poetry, her love for Indiana Jones, Hitchikers Guide and its meaning of life, as well as finding our own meaning. Phenomenal performance 🥳 @pandemonialists.bsky.social
If you get the chance to see this show then go. It's superb.
poets and prattlers@pandemonialists.bsky.social · 2w agoThis evening, at 6pm, #MidlandsFringe welcomes 'Beethoven – Edge of Silence' to the city's Arena Theatre. This event will be in the Tilstone Studio space, and it's a PAYF event. We're really looking forward to it! 😊
Setting up for this evening’s #MidlandsFringe show “The Punkawallah’s Rope” by Chrys Salt in the Tistone Studio. 6pm start. A PAYF event. Come along! 😊
Wow. Phil Ellis was so unbelievably good at #MidlandsFringe this evening. We laughed, laughed, and laughed some more. Comedy genius. Thank you to everyone who came. 🙏
Nottingham's finest!
Midlands Fringe@midlandsfringe.bsky.social · 3w agoThe second show in The Qattery this evening is Ben Macpherson, playing his excellent version of a kind of poetry bingo. Very entertaining and a great addition to the fringe line-up! 🎉 @pandemonialists.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social
Hull, you did yourselves proud. 😊
Midlands Fringe@midlandsfringe.bsky.social · 3w agoThe final show of the day was none other than Hull's finest, The 4 Johns! A brilliantly furious, surreal comic show with several guest Franks, this was a wonderful end to what has been an incredible day. 🤩 @pandemonialists.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social
This multi-media performance explores the vibrant textures, voices, and contradictions of a continent both dazzling and daunting. ‘…. a feast of vivid poetry, harmonious voices, exquisite drawings and evocative music’.
Its rooted in Chrys Salt’s highly regarded collection The Punkawallah’s Rope which marked the 70th anniversary of the Partition of India and was born from her performance at the Kolkata Book Fair in 2016 and an immersive month in Kolkata and North East India.
The Punkawallah's Rope - Chrys Salt Wednesday 22nd July 2026, Tilstone Arena Theatre, Pay-As-You-Feel, 6pm, Rating: Universal www.midlandsfringe.co.uk/shows/22ndju...
***** (Mirror). 'Every moment he is on stage something funny, and then funnier, is happening' ***** (Scotsman). ****½ (Chortle.co.uk).
Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide
Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide
chortle.co.uk
Following his three big award wins at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, Phil, the very definition of funny bones, presents his new show in readiness for the Edinburgh Fringe. Jam-packed with laugh-out-loud profound silliness, superbly crafted gags and constant surprises.
This will be your chance to be among the first people to hear Phil’s new material and help him decide what will – and won’t – make it into his new show. Not to be missed!
Work in Progress - Phil Ellis Wednesday 22nd July 2026, Arena Theatre, 8pm, Rating: 18+ Headline show! £15 full price and £12 concessions, tickets available here: wlv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/... Note: This show will be BSL Interpreted
Coming to @midlandsfringe.bsky.social Photo by @tessafoley.bsky.social. My house is ankle-deep in sequins and tassels. Come and see me! Sat 25 July, 5.45pm, The Pack, 25-26 Queen Square, Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TQ. Turn up, pay-as-you-feel www.midlandsfringe.co.uk/shows/25thju...
Beethoven - Edge of Silence - Mike Venables Thursday 23rd July 2026, Tilstone Arena Theatre, Pay-As-You-Feel, 6pm, Rating: 12 The mystery of Beethoven's Immortal Beloved brought to life through theatre and live music. www.midlandsfringe.co.uk/shows/23rdju...
Shazia Mirza is an award winning British stand up comedian and writer, and this is a work-in-progress show for her new tour starting later in the year.
Work in Progress - Shazia Mirza Thursday 23rd July 2026, Arena Theatre, 8pm, Rating: 18+ Headline show! £15 full price and £12 concessions, tickets available here: wlv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/... Note: This show will be BSL Interpreted
The tales in this show all have a link with Staffordshire. Some will be based on actual historical events. Local legends and myths form a significant part. There will certainly be a ghost story. The stories may be amusing, comical perhaps ridiculous.
Stories from Staffordshire - Janet Crouch Friday 24th July 2026, K-Teas Cakes, 4pm, Pay-As-You-Feel, Rating: 12+ www.midlandsfringe.co.uk/shows/24thju...
"Stunning" ***** Three Weeks. "Funny, insightful, tender, Sederholm exceeds expectations and offers an hour of genius storytelling." edfringereview.com
edfringereview.co
Aged 57, Tina’s worked out that life’s not all about winning big trophies. But how else do you measure a successful life? Join her as she interrogates Indiana Jones, Douglas Adams and a Famous Poet to uncover the answer to Life, the Universe and basically Everything in under 55 minutes.
Based on an imaginary first draft, this is a different version of the play before it was famous. Lots of laughs. A few well-known lines. No boring bits.
This is not Therapy - Tina Sederholm Friday 24th July 2026, K-Teas Cakes, 5.15pm, Pay-As-You-Feel, Rating: 12+
