It's festival season in Kingston upon Thames, and Nub News is here to help you make the most!

FUSE International, organised by Creative Youth – the same charity behind arts venue FUSEBOX – is a 10-day festival of all manner of the weird, the wonderful, and the talented.

Their packed programme crams over 40 events between 28 June and 7 July, and has something for everyone, including music, theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word, circus acts, and more.

But with great choice comes great indecision – where do you start? We can't decide for you, but we can certainly lend a hand! 

Here are some of the Editor's top picks from the festival's 2024 programme.

1 – Little Dragons

Head to Arthur Cotterell Theatre on Saturday 29 June to see Acrosphere Circus' incredible Little Dragons. (Photo: Via Creative Youth)

About: The circus is coming to town! 

This show from Acrosphere Circus is about the inner voice of children and finding their circus feet through 2024 – the year of the Dragon. 

Aerial and acrobatic arts, contortion, dance and theatre come together into an uplifting show about children's resilience and learning in life.

When: Saturday 29 June @ 7:30pm. Runtime: 90mins.

Where: Arthur Cotterell Theatre (ACT) Main Stage, Kingston Hall Road, KT1 2AQ.

Price: £12.

2 – The Womb

The Womb's cast: writer Aylin Rodoplu, Tara Mcmillan, and Gabriela Mahé. (Photo: Elise Xiaqi Eriksen via Creative Youth)

About: For those who missed our article, The Womb is a production from international female-led theatre company Co Theatre.

The 'absurd' play tells the story of three women lost in a place they can never leave.

Debuting in November 2023, the show's 27 short scenes use witty, fast-paced dialogue to tackle themes of sexism, misogyny, and patriarchal norms to name a few.

However, the production's cast say: 'Be prepared to laugh at how utterly ridiculous this play is'

(The show has content warnings for allusions to sexism, sexual assault, abortion, suicide, trauma, childbirth.)

When: Saturday 29 June @ 7pm. Runtime: 45mins.

Where: Rose Theatre Studio, 24-26 High Street, KT1 1HL.

Price: £12.

3 – How to Urn a Living

How to Earn a Living is rich in antics and wacky characters. (Photo: Berserk Theatre)

About: A merry story of murders and morality, Berserk Theatre's inventive new play How to Urn a Living 'spooks and delights with physical comedy and witty dialogue'.

Set in a funeral home, this farcical comedy subverts expectations of grief and death, questioning how class, religion, responsibility, traditions, and more impacts our relationship to death before begging the question: is it OKto capitalise on death?

(This show has content warnings for death, abuse, cults, homophobia and depictions of death.)

When: Saturday 6 July @ 7pm. Runtime: 60mins.

Where: Rose Theatre Studio, 24-26 High Street, KT1 1HL.

Price: £12

4 – This Is 10

Studio K is coming to FUSE International to celebrate 10 years of dance in neighbouring Richmond-upon-Thames. (Photo: Alex Ferrelly via Creative Youth)

About: Richmond-based dance troupe Studio K proudly presents its 10-year anniversary showcase.

Get ready for an evening brimming with exhilarating performances and dynamic choreography spanning a spectrum of styles, from the infectious energy of street dance to the emotive storytelling of contemporary.

The show will feature a blend of group, duo, and solo performances from Studio K's youngest rising stars to their most seasoned performers: each dancer brings their own unique passion and skill to the spotlight.

When: Sunday 30 June @ 7pm. Runtime: 70mins.

Where: Arthur Cotterell Theatre (ACT) Main Stage, Kingston Hall Road, KT1 2AQ.

Price: From £12.

5 – The Game of Zones

You've received a message from the unknown of the Abandoned Zone. It's asking for help – but are you brave enough to answer the call? (Photo: Twickenham Youth Theatre via Creative Youth)

About: The up-and-coming performers and writers of Twickenham Youth Theatre (TYT) are returning for their third year at FUSE with a futuristic take on the mystery genre.

The Game of Zones is a unique family-friendly mix of drama, comedy and suspense. It all starts with a single communication from the near-forgotten Abandoned Zone…

"The Abandoned Zone is not a place to roam, a place to go or a place to call home. When the moon rises over there, strange things happen. Stay away. Beware.

"We are the citizens of the 'AZ'. Cast away from the Outside World so afraid of our powers that they would do anything to keep us out. There are three divisions here; two peaceful, one forgotten. Here we have lived and here we have thrived.

"A place outside society. A place where we can be ourselves. A place to feel safe until...

"...the year is 2069 and our people are disappearing one by one. The Outside World does not seem to know or care. We are truly alone.

"If you are reading this message you can make the difference. For one evening only we welcome you into the Abandoned Zone. The question is: are you brave enough to join us?"

(This show uses smoke/haze and strobe lighting.)

When: Tuesday 2 July @ 7:30pm. Runtime: 70mins.

Where: Rose Theatre Main House, 24 – 26 High Street, KT1 1HL

Price: From £14.

Remember, this is just a small selection of performances from FUSE International's 40+ event programme. (Photo: Creative Youth)

For more local events beyond FUSE International, please check our What's On section here.

Our weekly roundup will return to normal next week. If you want to see your local event included, submit it on our site for free using the Nub It button in our What's On section!