More observant readers may have noticed some mysterious new two-dimensional cartoon faces popping up in Tring’s shop windows in the recent weeks and thought they were literally seeing double.
The new cardboard army is going into battle on behalf of Tringe Festival organiser Ben Moorhouse and has been catching the eye of locals for quite a few weeks.
An annual event, the Tringe always offers a star-studded bill of the latest and greatest funny men and women in the comedy world.
This year’s line-up at Pendley Court Theatre includes Stewart Lee, Russell Kane and Ed Byrne, who each have a cardboard cutout twin in various locations in the town.
Ben said: “It’s a very sweet campaign, and it’s worked really well. In fact I’ve even had other festivals approach me, wanting to use the idea. I think they’re rather envious.”
Ben said he has had people comment favourably on the campaign and that it is a constant reminder to buy tickets for the shows. Show stars are also fans of the 2-D campaign.
Ben, who lives in Tring, offered the cutouts to the performers as a momento, and said they were keen to acquire the cartoon version of themselves.
The talented cartoonist behind the animated likenesses is Elliott Quince, a designer at Tring marketing firm Four Seconds, where Ben works.
London-based company Service Graphics takes care of printing the designs before they’re shipped to Tring and begin making an impact.
Ben said he hopes to capture as many of the artists with their cardboard alter-egos as possible, and aims to run the campaign again next year but with a fresh take on the concept.
The Tringe begins on June 30 with the Roving Comedy Night and runs until July 20, promising ‘three weeks of the best stand-ups’.
For more information and tickets, visit www.get-stuffed.biz.
