Guide to what’s on in and around Guildford this September

We will begin our monthly roundup with our great friends at the Guildford Fringe Festival, which returns for the 13^th year this September. The Festival runs from the 5^th to the 20^th, with live events taking place at venues in and around the town centre, and there really is something for everyone including plays, poetry, cabaret, children’s shows, exhibitions, free events and comedy, lots and lots of great comedy! You can see the full line-up and book tickets here. The Fringe really has become an established part of the Guildford social calendar, with many events selling out so you will need to be quick. Everyone at Mandolay would like to wish Charlotte, Nick, and the entire team at Guildford Fringe the very best of luck…here’s to another Crackerjack Festival. It’s a star-packed month over the road at G Live, with appearances from Professor Alice Roberts, Formula 1 Legend Nigel Mansell CBE, Astronaut Tim Peake, and bona fide national treasure, the outrageous and remarkable Miriam Margolyes For lovers of great comedy the fabulous Jason Manford (Manchester City fanatic and all-round great guy) takes to the G Live stage on Friday 12^th, followed by Joanne McNally on the 17^th, Kerry Godliman on the 19^th, Paul Chowdhry on the 21^st and the one and only John Bishop, with a run from the 26^th to the 28^th. Sir Tony Robinson kicks off a packed September programme at the Yvonne Arnaud with his show ‘From Black Adder to Alfred the Great’ followed closely by the magnificent Suzi Ruffell on the 12^th. Among other highlights at ‘the Arnaud’ is a very special candlelight concert billed as ‘the ultimate tribute to Luther Vandross’ on the 14^th. Winner of the 2022 Women’s Prize for Playwriting Karis Kelly never disappoints. Her play Consumed promises to be a spectacular production as four generations of Northern Irish women reunite under one roof to ‘celebrate’ a 90^th birthday party…it will be a brilliant exploration of family dynamics, and it’s not to be missed. Is it too early to mention Pantomime? Oh no it’s not, and tickets are now on sale for Guildford’s biggest and best family show. Beauty and the Beast starring Lucy Benjamin, the fabulous Peter ‘PG’ Gordon and the frankly brilliant Matt Pinches, it really is a Guildford institution, and we cannot recommend it highly enough. For a complete change of place and pace, head to the Spectrum for some blazing ice hockey action as our very own Guildford Flames welcome Cardiff, Nottingham, Coventry, and Sheffield to town. Another packed month of events in Guildford.