A line up of household names and rising stars will be descending on Richmond next month to test out their best banter at this year’s Barnes Fringe festival.

The annual event is back for its third year and will feature a range of comedians and comics testing out their material, on July 9 – 15, at the OSO Arts Centre, Barnes.

Headlining the event is one of Britain’s top comedians, Lee Nelson, known for his elaborate pranks on public figures including Sepp Blatter, Kayne West and Donald Trump.

Gyles Brandreth, OSO Ambassador, said: "However exciting the Edinburgh Fringe is, it does have one major drawback - it's in Edinburgh.

“Luckily this year the Fringe is coming to us in the form of some fantastic preview shows at the OSO - there are even Fringe shows for children.”

Joining the comedian are a variety of comics including Lynn Ruth Miller, Ed Gamble, Matt Forde, Phil Wang and many other established and emerging talents – previewing their work in an intimate setting before they travel up to Edinburgh.

Simon Danciger, Chair of Trustees, said: "The Barnes Fringe has always been one of the highlights of the OSO's calendar- a great opportunity to bring top-tier comedy to the heart of Barnes.

“Having Lee Nelson headlining the Barnes Fringe is a real game-changer - he is one of the nation's best-loved comedians, and it will be amazing to see him in such an intimate venue, before he inevitably goes on the sell out venues five times the size in Edinburgh.”

A day out for the whole family, with a variety of children's shows this year, including performance from local favourites, Really Big Pants and the new Summer pantomime, Hemlock Bones and the Case of the Missing Marsupial.

http://www.osoarts.org.uk/barnes-fringe-2017/