The Etties are very much a bit of fun to celebrate those smaller shows and venues that all too often will get overlooked in the bigger awards. We’ve put together our shortlists with the help of our team of reviewers and much like all awards, it’s very subjective!
What constitutes a fringe venue is always a source of great argument here at ET, and one we still don’t have the perfect answer for. But to be considered for our Best Fringe Venue Ettie, we have set a simple criteria; a capacity of under 100 and a place we visit regularly in our busy schedule.
We visited over 150 venues during 2024, the large majority of which we would consider Fringe. So whittling that down to just six has been tough, but we managed it! So here’s our shortlist for 2024…
Camden People’s Theatre – If your definition of a fringe venue is one that really gives a home to new exciting work with very little budge, then there’s no doubting this one’s fringe credentials.
Last year we found ourselves here 20 times to review a show, including 5 times for Camden Fringe, plus a few more times for their regular reviewer social events, which really has helped bring this venue to more people’s attention. Whilst we didn’t give any 5’s here last year, we did give out 10 4-stars (and a single 1-star and a couple of 2-s). But given that so much of its work is fresh and often still finding its feet, we reckon that’s quite a good return in stars!
We also had a lovely chat with the new Artistic Director, Rio Matchett, back in October. She’d only been in the role for a few days so it was fun to get her thoughts on the venue. And hopefully we’ll chat to her again in 2025 to find out just how it’s all going.
Etcetera Theatre – Another truly grass roots fringe venue right in the heart of Camden. It’s a wonderful little space, with raked seating meaning you really don’t struggle for a view. It’s also a venue that makes itself very available for new artists wanting to put on their work at very affordable costs.
Whilst we may have only given 2 4-stars out of the 13 shows we reviewed here in 2024, what we love is that it’s a place that artists can test new work, take a risk and just use the space to work out what works and what doesn’t. It’s also a very essential part of Camden Fringe – 7 of the 13 shows we reviewed were part of the festival.
Hen and Chickens Theatre – Almost opposite Highbury and Islington Station, this pub theatre is another essential cog in our reviewing calendar, especially during Camden Fringe. And much like many other pub theatres, it has a wonderful intimate feel to it. Extra bonus points for some of the more comfy seats in a pub venue, no risk of getting a dumb backside here.
In 2024 we managed 18 reviews here, including a 5-star for How You Died, which played as part of Camden Fringe. There were also 8 4-stars handed out during the year.
Lion and Unicorn Theatre – Another black box pub theatre, located above one of our favourite pubs, where you’re always likely to find someone from the show you’ve just seen to chat to soon after the end of the performance. This is a very sociable little venue indeed, and a great place to hang around after a show for that very reason.
We found ourselves here a massive 23 times during 2024, although we were surprised to see only 8 of those were for Camden Fringe! We gave out a lot of 3 stars here during the year, but did still manage 7 4-stars.
Little Angel Theatre – An amazing little place that is dedicated to the younger members of the audience, although they also took part in Camden Fringe in 2024, making for quite an interesting mix of shows.
But it’s their TYA output that we know well, even gaining a 5-stars for Lottie the Travelling Doll, which is one of two Little Angel Theatre shows nominated in our TYA category. We found ourselves here 9 times in 2024, 8 of which by our TYA expert, Mary. Mary also loves a good puppet, and so another reason this venue is such a favourite, with plenty of puppets on display to show off their work.
Old Red Lion Theatre – This pub theatre is certainly a great place for horror lovers with its GrimFest now seeming to be a regular feature. It’s an absolutely perfect venue for a little fright, with its creaking floors and perfect blackout, although we also worry there’s been a death or two on those stairs leading up the space!
But it’s not just a place for those who like their theatre a little spooky. Outside of that they have run their Fresh Fest, giving opportunities to new creatives, and then a steady stream of great theatre all year round.
We found ourselves here 22 times last year, including 6 for Camden Fringe and a few more for GrimFest, and whilst we never gave any 5-stars, they did receive a whooping 14 4-stars!
The winner will be announced on 3 March during our Runn Radio Show.
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