Tom Green

One of the best things about the launch night of the Write Now season at the Brockley Jack last night - apart from the excellent Compression by Joy Wilkinson (on until 20th Feb) and extracts from Fighting (by me, on from 23rd Feb) and The Bitch From Brixton (by Kate Gallon and Kate-Lynn Hocking, from 2nd March) - was meeting people from several south London theatres.

It made me realise how much theatre there is in south London and led me to wonder how much more could be achieved if some or all of the venues worked together. (Judging by the conversations I had last night that's not happening much at the moment)

The truth about fringe theatre in this country is that it is mostly a fairly marginal activity - apart from to those involved - except during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In those three weeks thousands of people take a chance on new work by people they've never heard of and the media lavish those same shows with attention.

Trouble is, the Edinburgh Fringe is full-up. It really is. Hats off to them but the cost of venues has got ridiculous and for those of us hundreds of miles away transport and accommodation have to be added on top of that.

So why hasn't London developed it's own fringe festival? Or, for that matter, just south London? Not to compete with Edinburgh - that would be foolish. But to establish a few weeks a year when fringe is in the spotlight, awards are given out and, most importantly, the public are encouraged to buy tickets and go.

Please do it, someone.