In just over a week’s time, Ventnor Fringe Festival returns for the 13th time since it first began way back in 2010.
The number of shows on offer has grown extraordinarily in that time and now, as well as acts travelling from far and away to perform, the Fringe has inspired locals to explore their creativity.
20-year acting hiatus
Customers of Hursts Ironmongers in Ventnor will no doubt recognise William Nixon from the photo above. What you may not know about him, is that William is a former actor, having not trodden the boards for some 20 years.
Being hit by a car speeding in excess of 60mph in a city centre, which resulted in being technically dead for three minutes, a fractured skull in three places, a massive brain haemorrhage, subsequent epilepsy, and suffering with short-term memory loss, meant he not only had to leave the Submarine Service, but could also no longer learn lines to perform on stage.
Taking on four parts
Fast forward 20 years and with some nudging from his good friend, pianist Simon Davies, and encouragement from William’s wife, he succumbed and took on the challenge of performing The Soldier’s Tale at Ventnor Fringe.
The long-forgotten task of learning lines has been amplified because William has decided to take on the role of not one, but four characters in the play.
Simon Perry sat down with William at the weekend to hear more about the challenge he’s set himself (listen below).
The Soldier’s Tale
The Soldier’s Tale, based on a Russian folk tale, is filled with mystique, suspense and delivers a cautionary message. Williams says that it may have been written a long time ago, but the message resonates today.
William will be joined by dancer Helena Biggs, pianist Simon Davies and Mr X, a world renowned violin virtuoso whose identity must remain in spoken form only.
Stitching together
William explained that this will be the first show that he’s done without a Director: each member of the cast has got on with their own responsibilities and then slotted them together when they meet for rehearsals,
“It’s a little bit like a needlework club, where you’d go home and stitch a six inch square of cloth and then the needlework club comes together in the village hall and stitches them all together to make a patchwork quilt.”
You may have seen William and Simon perform at Fringe before. One year there was a secret gig planned where the performer didn’t turn up, so Simon played the piano and William sang comic songs.
It’s been like ‘going home’
William says rehearsing for the show has just been like ‘going home’,
“Just like going home, back in the theatre, back learning lines, back with people talking about art and music.
“This play is a cautionary tale about wanting what you have and having what you want, but I think my story is a cautionary tale for people because I think this play has made me wish I tried earlier going back to it, not waiting. Don’t fear failure, because you can live all your life in fear.”
Listen to the podcast
Listen to the full 25 minute conversation between Simon Perry and William Nixon, which includes more detail about William’s accident 20 years ago, how the play came about, the rehearsals and more by clicking on the play button below. You can pause and return to it if needed.
Where and when
William, Simon and Helena (and Mr X) would love to see local support for this event.
The Soldier’s Tale will be performed at St Catherine’s Church on Tuesday 25th July between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.
Tickets are £10 each and can be booked via the Ventnor Exchange Box Office, by calling (01983) 716767, or by popping into Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor PO38 1SW.
