Peckham Fringe returns this year with an innovative and entertaining line-up of nearly 30 shows, curated by the local community. The festival runs from 1 May to 6 June 2025. This year’s Fringe marks an exciting expansion into Canada Water Theatre, alongside its regular venues of Theatre Peckham’s Main Theatre and Studio 1. By increasing its reach across Southwark, Peckham Fringe is dedicated to providing more artists with the opportunity to showcase their work while enhancing accessibility for local residents to experience theatre on their doorstep.
Now in its fourth year, Peckham Fringe was set up in response to the barriers that artists face to putting on their work. With an unyielding commitment to amplifying voices, breaking down barriers and providing a platform for emerging and established artists alike, Peckham Fringe has firmly established itself as a key cultural event in London’s thriving artistic landscape.
Ahead of the Fringe we caught up with Suzann McLean MBE, artistic director and CEO of Theatre Peckham.
What can you tell me about this year’s Peckham Fringe?
This year’s Peckham Fringe is an exciting celebration of community-driven theatre, running from 1 May to 6 June 2025. We’ve expanded the festival to include Canada Water Theatre alongside our regular venues at Theatre Peckham, meaning even more artists and audiences can be part of this experience. The line-up is as diverse and exciting as ever, with nearly 30 shows covering everything from theatre and dance to spoken word and comedy. It’s a festival that truly reflects the spirit of Peckham and the incredible talent in London.
How do you approach making the line up for the Fringe?
The selection process for Peckham Fringe is deeply rooted in community involvement. Our dedicated Ambassadors, who are local community members, play a crucial role in curating the festival each year. They bring insight into what resonates with the local community and beyond. We place a strong emphasis on inclusivity and representation, ensuring that a wide range of voices, particularly those that are often underrepresented, are highlighted and celebrated throughout the festival. This approach ensures a vibrant and diverse programme that reflects the spirit of Peckham. It’s about giving artists the platform to showcase their work while ensuring the programme is as inclusive and ambitious as possible.
The selection process for Peckham Fringe is deeply rooted in community involvement. Our dedicated Ambassadors, who are local community members, play a crucial role in curating the festival each year. They bring insight into what resonates with the local community and beyond. We place a strong emphasis on inclusivity and representation, ensuring that a wide range of voices, particularly those that are often underrepresented, are highlighted and celebrated throughout the festival. This approach ensures a vibrant and diverse programme that reflects the spirit of Peckham. It’s about giving artists the platform to showcase their work while ensuring the programme is as inclusive and ambitious as possible.
Now in its fourth year, how have you seen the Fringe grow?
It’s been incredible to watch Peckham Fringe grow over the last four years. What started as an opportunity to give artists a platform to showcase their work without the traditional constraints often faced in the theatre industry, has now become a key cultural event in London’s artistic calendar. Artists who have showcased their work here have gone on to achieve great things, and audiences are increasingly recognising Peckham Fringe as a place to discover new and exciting theatre.
What are your hopes for the Fringe going forwards?
Looking ahead, my hopes for Peckham Fringe is for it to continue to grow in size, influence and impact. We’ve built a platform that celebrates diverse creatives, helps launch careers and provides opportunities for underrepresented voices. My vision is for the festival to remain responsive and adaptable to the evolving needs of our local community, so that it stays true to its roots. I also want to see the festival expand its reach, drawing in more audiences and connecting with more industry champions. Ultimately, I hope Peckham Fringe becomes an even more integral part of Southwark’s cultural fabric showcasing the rich variety of talent that London has to offer. The possibilities are exciting, and I believe we’ll continue to amplify our impact within the wider arts sector.
It’s been incredible to watch Peckham Fringe grow over the last four years. What started as an opportunity to give artists a platform to showcase their work without the traditional constraints often faced in the theatre industry, has now become a key cultural event in London’s artistic calendar. Artists who have showcased their work here have gone on to achieve great things, and audiences are increasingly recognising Peckham Fringe as a place to discover new and exciting theatre.
What are your hopes for the Fringe going forwards?
Looking ahead, my hopes for Peckham Fringe is for it to continue to grow in size, influence and impact. We’ve built a platform that celebrates diverse creatives, helps launch careers and provides opportunities for underrepresented voices. My vision is for the festival to remain responsive and adaptable to the evolving needs of our local community, so that it stays true to its roots. I also want to see the festival expand its reach, drawing in more audiences and connecting with more industry champions. Ultimately, I hope Peckham Fringe becomes an even more integral part of Southwark’s cultural fabric showcasing the rich variety of talent that London has to offer. The possibilities are exciting, and I believe we’ll continue to amplify our impact within the wider arts sector.
Peckham Fringe is a perfect reflection of my artistic vision for Theatre Peckham. At the core of everything we do is the desire to provide a platform for underrepresented voices and to create work that is bold, innovative, and socially relevant. Our Fringe embodies that spirit, giving space for artists to take risks, experiment, and tell stories that matter. It’s a festival that celebrates diversity, challenges norms, and allows theatre to be an accessible, empowering tool for change.
For me, theatre should be for everyone and keeping it affordable is central to that. We keep ticket prices low to ensure that theatre is within reach of as many people as possible, particularly those who might not have the means to attend more expensive venues. When it comes to the work we stage, our focus is on the power of the stories being told, the text, and creating experiences that resonate deeply with our audience. While we may not have the large programming budgets that some other theatres do, our programme is driven by creativity and resourcefulness. We invite our audiences to engage with the story and the performances, using their imagination to fill in the gaps where elaborate sets or expensive theatrics might be expected. In the end, it’s the compelling narratives and the authentic performances that truly captivate, and that’s what we prioritise on our stage.
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
I was in my early teens, and I went to see a production by the Black Mime Theatre Women’s Troupe. It was the first time that I had seen a play without words, and I was amazed at how deeply it resonated with me. I was mesmerised by the depth and power of the storytelling, and themes of race, identity, and aspiration. The performers conveyed raw emotion and nuanced experiences through movement and expression, captivating me way deeper than traditional dialogue ever could. Looking back, it was this production that revealed to me the potential of theatre as a vehicle for social change. It ignited my passion for the arts and has been a guiding force in my approach to theatre ever since. The complex characters and their journeys highlighted the importance of representation and authenticity, reinforcing my belief that every story has a right to be told.
I was in my early teens, and I went to see a production by the Black Mime Theatre Women’s Troupe. It was the first time that I had seen a play without words, and I was amazed at how deeply it resonated with me. I was mesmerised by the depth and power of the storytelling, and themes of race, identity, and aspiration. The performers conveyed raw emotion and nuanced experiences through movement and expression, captivating me way deeper than traditional dialogue ever could. Looking back, it was this production that revealed to me the potential of theatre as a vehicle for social change. It ignited my passion for the arts and has been a guiding force in my approach to theatre ever since. The complex characters and their journeys highlighted the importance of representation and authenticity, reinforcing my belief that every story has a right to be told.
How do you reflect on your career to date?
I feel a deep sense of pride in the work we’ve done at Theatre Peckham. There have been challenges, of course, but they’ve shaped me into the leader I am today. I’ve always believed in the power of theatre to transform lives, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some amazing people who share that vision. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but I’m also excited about the future. There’s still so much more to do, and I’m eager to continue pushing boundaries and making theatre accessible to even more people.
I feel a deep sense of pride in the work we’ve done at Theatre Peckham. There have been challenges, of course, but they’ve shaped me into the leader I am today. I’ve always believed in the power of theatre to transform lives, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some amazing people who share that vision. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but I’m also excited about the future. There’s still so much more to do, and I’m eager to continue pushing boundaries and making theatre accessible to even more people.
The people who walk through our doors every day with stories to tell. Some are seasoned creatives, while others are yet to realise their potential. The team I work with at Theatre Peckham are inspiring, we are all passionate about finding new ways to use our stage to uplift and empower our community. The impact that is made on our stage is a constant reminder of why I do this work.
Why should anyone take a chance on any of the shows at Peckham Fringe?
The artists you’ll see at Peckham Fringe are telling stories that matter and they’re exploring themes that are relevant and urgent. The productions are fresh, bold, and exciting. Whether you’re a theatre lover or just looking for something different, there’s something in the festival that will speak to you. Not only that, Peckham Fringe is where you get to see the next wave of theatre makers, so every pound spent on a ticket is an investment in the future of theatre.
Peckham Fringe runs from 1st May until 6th June. Visit https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/peckham-fringe-2025-shows-events/ for full listings.
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