WAF 2017

WAF 2017 was, simply put, our biggest and best festival yet.

Over two weeks in May (5-21), WAF burst into South West London, bringing a treasure trove of creativity to over 13,000 people with over 140 events across 65 venues.

Something for everyone

Every year, the festival offers a truly eclectic mix of arts and events including comedy, dance, spoken word, opera, theatre, and music.

2017 highlights included Hoops & Loops – a showcase of circus performances, Hidden Heathbrook – two days of exciting outdoor art, Drunk Magic – stories and magic tricks, Flutter- theatre based on a love letter to a high street bookies and Bicycle Ballet’s Blazing Saddles – an outdoor promenade dance performance & cycle-about.

Here are some of the lovely things our audiences said:

‘Fantastic gig at a charming venue with great character’

‘Great show, some lovely surprises and interesting work’

‘Very impressed with the line up of acts and activities’

‘keep nurturing and supporting artists and fringe activities, they help to build communities’

‘Different cultures coming together’

‘Kids doing something positive’

Bringing the community together

WAF prides itself on bringing the arts to all corners of the borough – a key aim is to enhance a sense of belonging and community. We were delighted to hear that:

88% of visitors to WAF felt the festival enhanced a sense of community in Wandsworth

86% said encouraged people to participate to the borough’s life

89% that it was good for the borough’s image

92% that the festival was welcoming to the whole community

Capturing the imagination

This year the festival really captured people’s imagination outside of the borough with two features in Time Out, an interview with our fantastic Fringe Producer Cath Mattos on BBC Radio London, a feature in Metro and a whole array of local media coverage.

Reaching far and wide

In 2017 WAF’s digital platforms were hugely successful in spreading the word of WAF. Our new, more engaging website saw a visitor and page view increase of more than 100%, whilst our Twitter and Facebook followers grew by over 50%. Not to forget our fledgling Instagram page which is going from strength to strength.

Follow us @wwfringe #waf2018

See here to get a taste of
what WAF offered in 2017