We have a fantastic line-up of shows on in the Colne River Room as part of the Fringe Big Weekend at the Pump House:

17 & 18 July: Every Brilliant Thing (Theatre)

You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid’. She finds it hard to be happy. You start a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world, everything worth living for. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling.

In this one-of-a-kind solo show, a man looks back at his life and the glimmers of hope that carried him through. All told through a list of every wonderful, beautiful and delightful thing—big, small and everything in between—that makes life worth living. Written by Duncan MacMillan and Johnny Donahoe and performed by John Ash, this hilarious, poignat story of a boy's attempt to help his mother through her depression blends comedy, storytelling and audience interaction to bring you an unexpectedly life-affirming look at 'just making it through'.

After being performed in over 80 countries - from a living room in the middle-east to Broadway and the West End, this beloved, heartfelt hit of a solo-show comes to Watford Fringe for two performances only.

18 July: Boiling Frog (Theatre)

"Boiling Frog" is a new play, originally written for film in 2020, and reworked in 2026 as a one woman stage play. 19 year old Bella embarks on a Gap Year to escape her difficult family relationships by working on an organic farm in Australia. After being caught up in the horrific Black Summer Bushfires of 2019/20 she begins to suffer severe PTSD trauma. Returning home to the UK, she is desperate to deal with her eco anxiety and heal her psychological wounds. With her world turned upside down, Bella joins Extinction Rebellion and her life begins to open up in unexpected and wonderful ways. The play contains references the climate crisis, eco anxiety and related mental health issues, politics

18 July, 9pm: Phil Green - The Boy Who Nearly Grew Up (Comedy)

Phil is determined to stay young, but the middle aged are trying to recruit him at every turn. Can he outrun them forever? Following three sold-out Edinburgh Fringe runs, multiple award nominations, over 20 million views on TikTok, selling out London's Soho Theatre and a UK tour, Phil brings us his latest work-in-progress show. As heard on BBC Radio 4. 'Phil Green is the real deal... he wows the room into gushes of laughter' British Comedy Guide. **** The List. **** NorthWestEnd.co.uk. **** TheatreAndArtReviews.com.

19 July, 11am and 2pm: The Amazing Adventures of a Girl called Red (Family show)

“And it is written that she will be dressed... all in red”

In a time when Fairies rule over Humans with a cruel tyranny, a prophecy is written that a half human, half fairy child will bring peace and love back to the world... so the Queen of the Night hires a wolf to get rid of her. Featuring a Sheep that wants to leave the flock, a Grandmother trying to take stock, and chock full of songs from the award winning Ross & Williams, this fabulous retelling of the familiar Red Riding Hood tale was originally a smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Adapted from the original musical, now a one person storytelling, with a full cast of characters and Puppetry.

19 July, 8pm: A Beginners Guide to Mansplaining (Music)

Vince "Too Tall" Taylor – A Beginners Guide to Mansplaining
Despite being the first punk in West Somerset, Vince "Too Tall" Taylor is still trying to make sense of a confusing world. If you like deep meaningful songs and sensitive humour he is NOT for you but if you want songs about dead cats, high fibre diets or forgetting names then stick around. This tall but modest man will take you on his journey from teenage punk to accident-prone singer-songwriter.

In a varied musical career Vince has performed on the same bill as the Clash, Def Leppard a