Essex talent takes to the stage at Colchester Fringe Festival 2026

Essex students and graduates are at the heart of Colchester Fringe as it returns for its sixth year to take over Colchester city venues with live theatre, cabaret, drag and comedy.

The 10-day festival runs from 21 October to 1 November with over 75 shows across 7 venues.

The Festival Director Dr Cameron Abbott-Betts is a PhD Theatre Studies graduate and former staff member with the School of Language, Literature, and Media (formally the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies.)

The University of Essex is a hub of talent and creativity, and we’re delighted that as ever, students, alumni and other members of the Essex community are involved in performances across the festival.

Here are some of the shows involving Essex graduates and alumni and how you can catch them:

Ashes to Ashes, Lust to Dust

Alumnus Dan Casey brings his show Ashes to Ashes, Lust to Dust to Colchester. Through all-singing, some-dancing comedy, he revisits terrible flirting, questionable hookups and the trials of modern gay dating, uncovering a more heartfelt story about confidence, self-worth and overcoming shame. Expect embarrassing confessions, plenty of laughs and, perhaps, a little resurrection of the self.

Headgate Theatre - Sat 31 October - Sun 1 November

Her Name

Aniya is studying for a BA in Film and Drama at Essex. Her Name reimagines the story of Wu Zetian, the only woman in Chinese history to rule as emperor in her own name, as she stands trial before history. Created and performed by Aniya, this contemporary solo performance explores ambition, identity and gender, questioning how women in power are judged and remembered differently from men.

Headgate Theatre: Sat 24 October - Sun 25 October 

Birth Plan

Actor and theatremaker Sharmila Peake is a member of our Essex community. A former staff member, she also recently appeared on our Lakeside Theatre stage with A Two Women Hamlet. Her latest piece Birth Plan, is a new one-woman show that explores birth and parenthood, as a tragi-comic story relayed between increasingly frequent contractions.

Headgate Theatre: Sat 24 October - Web 28 October

Pseudonym

Essex alumnus Deanna Strasse brings her semi-autobiographical poetic one-woman show to Colchester Fringe. Pseudonym, a raw and intimate look at self-discovery, identity, and the art of becoming hit the Lakeside Theatre to fantastic reviews in February 2026.

Three Wise Monkeys: Mon 26 October - Sun 1 November

Bag for Life

TAA Very Much Theatre Company feature Essex alumni. Their show Bag for Life follows the staff at Sandy's Superstore during its 25th Anniversary in this highly anticipated farcical comedy.

Headgate Theatre: Thu 22 October - Fri 23 October

(a play in a) DARK ROOM

(a play in a) DARK ROOM is an intense, disturbing, often funny, and unapologetically messy exploration of queerness. Noah Pantano, who studied for a Theatre Studies PhD at Essex, writes and performs in this visceral, sensory-driven, psychological thriller.

Colchester Arts Centre: Fri 30 October - Sun 1 November