Underground Venues was founded in 2005 by the Buxton-based theatre company Three's Company, based on experiences of Fringe festivals and venues across the UK.
Underground runs two performance spaces beneath Buxton's Old Hall Hotel, plus a full-time box office and the legendary fringe club. We aim to create an unforgettable atmosphere, and to bring together as many disparate acts and styles as possible.
“It's a mark of the success of Underground Venues that it's become a place to simply hang out during the Fringe, day or night.”
Robbie Carnegie, Buxton Fringe Review
Now in its fourth year, 2008 saw our most successful Fringe with over 40 shows including stand-up, new writing, jazz, poetry, folk music, Shakespeare and sketch comedy. Our programme was seen by over 3200 people and picked up 5 awards from the Buxton Fringe (including Best Production, Best Actor, Best Comedy Show and Best Music Performer).
“Underground Venues is adept at finding new talent, sometimes so new that it hasn't even found a name for itself.”
Stephanie Billen, Chair of the Buxton Fringe
Yaz recently graduated with a first-class degree from Central School of Speech & Drama (London) and is widely involved in performing, directing, producing and designing for theatre. He also likes to dabble in film, playing the guitar and graphic/web-design (as you do). With several years of venue management experience, Yaz established Underground Venues with Tom in 2005. More about Yaz Al-Shaater »
Tom is a writer and theatre producer who (for reasons he is still trying to fathom) recenty spent three years reading Philosophy and Theology at Oxford University. He also enjoys caving, unicycling and playing the ukelele (though not at the same time). With Yaz, and Michael Grady-Hall, he also runs Three's Company. More about Tom Crawshaw »
Ronia has worked with Underground Venues since it was formed in 2005 and in 2007 ran Underground's off-shoot venue The Infants Hall. She recently finished studying at Atlantic College near Cardiff and is newly returned from six months in South America. She has a varied range of experience in the arts enjoying acting, painting and playing the cello and in 2006 appeared in Three's Company's premiere of Play On Words.
James is in his second year reading Music at Somerville College, Oxford. His musical interests vary from J.S. Bach to Jethro Tull - with large gaps in between. When not engaged in singing obscure choral music, he spends his spare time honing an impression of a Parisian busker by playing various squeezebox instruments. This is his second year with Underground.
Jari is (amongst many other things) trying to do a PhD in Numerical Analysis at Oxford. He's been heavily involved with Bath University Student Theatre over the last four years (both from the acting and organising side) having been treasurer for the past two. When he finds the time, he plays the piano and occasionally messes about with computers.
John is currently studying at Queens College, Belfast and has many years experience with both Underground Venues and Three's Company doing everything from building staging to engaging audience members in experimental performance. John also enjoys capoeira, the World Service and Soviet literature.
Also joining us for 2009 are Michael Grady-Hall, Mariam Bell and James Marshall, among others...
