The Durham Fringe Festival returns for five days this July with a programme that’ll knock your ruddy socks off.

Last time I checked, the Durham Fringe website had 112 events listed for this year’s festival. 112! (One hundred and twelve!) And talk about all bases covered, they’ve got the lot including cabaret, stuff for kids, circus events, theatre, stand-up, music, magic, dance, physical theatre, and spoken word. Obviously I can’t list all that good stuff here, but after a deep dive, a few shows in particular caught my eye, shows such as Amity – Back From The Brink (pictured). This is the powerful story of acclaimed and multi-award winning singer/songwriter Amity who went on a voyage of self-discovery that took him from a breakdown in lockdown all the way to the Royal Albert Hall. I also love the look of Love Hurts, the latest from acclaimed theatrical troupe Two Foolish. It tells the story of Death, who has traded in his cape and scythe for a purple suit and a more user-friendly vibe. But when he comes to collect an ageing Huddersfield dominatrix, he finds he’s more than met his match… Another production that’s piqued my interest is Leslie Bloom Solves A Murder. This sees Leslie Bloom welcoming all new members to the Toddingham Neighbour Watch and features a delicious combination of crafted comedy, pure silliness and whimsical improv. Some of the productions had me sold as soon as I read their names (I’m looking at you Accident Avoidance Training for Cutlery Users: Advanced & Improvers and A History of The Last Conservative Government, In Their Own Stupid Words), but, in truth, I could have filled this whole magazine with everything that looks worthy of your time. Check their website, and then plot your own highlights.

Durham Fringe Festival, 23-27 July, durhamfringe.co.uk