In a series of interviews, we are chatting to artists involved with the 2024 Wandsworth Fringe. The Fringe Festival runs from 7th until 23rd June.
In this interview, we chat with Work and Play Scrapstore about Hazelfest.
Where did your arts career begin?
[We’re not an artist or performer but a venue staging a festival so hopefully this answer will be appropriate]
The charity began over 35 years ago with the same message it has today - to avoid waste, be sustainable and give everything a second life. We began life in a portakabin on Franciscan Road, Tooting and moved to our current warehouse on Blackshaw Road in Tooting almost ten years ago.
What can you tell me about your show?
It’s the sixth year of Hazelfest, a free green festival staged over an afternoon providing fun for all the family, with live performers, craft stalls and free food, snacks and drinks.
Where did the idea for the show come from?
We wanted to give back to the local community, and particularly to the residents of the social housing estate where we are located, many of whom do not have access or funds for arts and crafts materials for their children.
How do you prepare for a performance?
We rely 100% on local community performers all professional in their craft, so the Polka Theatre is running the storytelling, the Ambrose Academy of Acting is staging the songs from Matilda, the Clapham Grand venue is running the dressing-up stall, Kes from Heart in Art is a professional face painter, and Tooting Community Kitchen is bringing the free food, and so on.
What is the message of your show?
Don't buy new! All our craft stalls use materials from Scrapstore, all of which have been donated by eco-minded businesses as surplus or waste, which we re-purpose and divert from landfill and incineration to the tune of 60 tonnes year
If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?
Fox’s Milk Chocolate Rounds: rich shortcake biscuit smothered in rich milk chocolate - because they’re over the top, super indulgent, decadent and totally addictive, just as Hazelfest is! We have a loyal band of attendees who come back year after year, wanting more!
Can you describe the show in three words?
Fun - Free - Colourful
When can people see the show and follow the journey beyond?
Sunday June 23rd, 2-5pm. No pre-booking/ticketing required. Our website will run a blog and video after the event which will filter down to our social media channels too.
You can find out more from https://www.wandsworthfringe.com/whats-on-2024/hazlefest-2024
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