Ventnor Fringe Festival will be lighting up the Isle of Wight this summer, offering a dazzling array of performances that spotlight both top acts and emerging talents.
From juggling and comedy to immersive theatre experiences and classic literature adaptations, there is a performance to captivate every taste.
Here is a sample of News OnTheWight picks for the Fringe. Many shows are starting to sell out, so make sure you act fast to secure your tickets.
Stepping out with ‘Out of the Box’
Circomedia veteran, Darryl J Carrington, is set to charm the Ventnor Fringe Festival with his extraordinary show, ‘Out of the Box’. Filled with excitement and unpredictability, the show features a masterful blend of improbable situations and challenging interactions. Audiences can expect a fusion of world-class juggling, skillful manipulation, and creative TikTok trick shots, all delivered through the gentle art of non-verbal clowning.
The show will take place on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of July 2023, each day between 11am – 12pm at The Big Top, Steephill Road: Book tickets
A tribute to theatre with ‘Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend’
Honouring a Victorian theatre legend, ‘Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend’, written and performed by Mark Stratford, delves into the fascinating world of Victorian theatre. This compelling new show tells the story of the great Victorian actor-manager, Macready, the man to whom Charles Dickens dedicated ‘Nicholas Nickleby’. It’s an intriguing journey filled with passion, humour, emotion, and an array of characters.
The performance will take place on Saturday 29th July at 5pm at Boniface Studio, St Catherine’s College: Book tickets
DARKFIELD’s latest immersive experience
ARCADE is the latest immersive audio experience from DARKFIELD. But this isn’t an ordinary arcade and these are not ordinary arcade machines. Every machine offers you the chance to enter the world of the game and choose your own unique journey. You can choose a side, win or lose the war, search out a more peaceful route, or join a cult promising a better version of reality.
Darkfield can be experienced daily (exc. Monday 26th) from 1pm on Friday 21st July to 9:15pm on Sunday 30th July in The Town Square (outside St Catherine’s Church) Church Street, Ventnor: Book tickets
Kylie-inspired sex-pop adventure
Sex-Ed Revisited is a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ interactive comedy uncovering missing gaps in knowledge when it comes to female-focused sex education and our relationship with pleasure. This Kylie-inspired sex-pop adventure takes its audience on a quest for climax; delving into anatomy, kinks, and sexual romanticisms.
Sex-Ed Revisited takes place at The Nest (Ventnor Park) on 22nd and 23rd July, between 10pm and 11pm: Book tickets
Quantum Theatre returns with Beatrix Potter’s magical tales
Enjoy this enchanting new adaptation of two of Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales: The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves in all sorts of scrapes, caught In a net, trapped by a snarling cat and face to face with Mr McGregor himself! How will they ever escape? Can Old Mr Bunny come to the rescue in time? And whatever will Mr McGregor make of all those footprints in the flower beds?
The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny will be performed between 3pm and 4.30pm on Sunday 30th July 2023 at Ventnor Botanic Garden: Book tickets
A flight of magical fancy with Midsummer Night’s Dream
Quantum Theatre presents a brand new production of Shakespeare’s most enduringly popular play of love and intrigue, magic and celebration set on that most dangerous of nights when fairies are abroad and nothing is as it seems… With a quarrel raging between Oberon, King of the fairies and his Queen, Titania, four young lovers become entangled in their magical affray and soon no mortals are safe in those bewitched and bewitching woods outside Athens.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed from 6pm on Saturday 29th July 2023 at Ventnor Botanic Garden – on the top lawn by the Visitor’s Centre: Book tickets
Join Mole and Ratty for adventures at The Wind in the Willows
Spring is in the air and Mole has found a wonderful new world. There’s boating with Ratty, a feast with Badger and high jinx on the open road with that reckless ruffian, Mr Toad. What more could such firm friends wish for? But after Toad’s latest escapade lands him in jail, can the friends join together and beat the wretched weasels who’ve taken over Toad Hall?
Wind in the Willows will be performed from 1pm on Wednesday 26th July 2023 at Ventnor Botanic Garden: Book tickets
Experience the magic of spontaneous Shakespeare
With story and verse improvised in the moment, enjoy a riotous new Shakespeare play every time – performed by a whip-smart cast. Packed with priceless wit, lyrical smarts, romance and double-crossing, this leading ensemble do the Bard proud with a new one-act hit every time, inspired by audience suggestions.
There are two performances of Impromptu Shakespeare to choose from: 5.30pm on Saturday 22nd or Sunday 23rd July 20923 at The Magpie, Ventnor Park: Book tickets
How to survive the apocalypse
Brought to you by OnTheWight and The Book Bus, How to survive the apocalypse promises to be a riveting exploration of humanity’s survival in the face of daunting challenges, from climate change to AI and toxic politics. The discussion will centre around how we can remember who we are, remember what’s important, and pull together in the face of these challenges.
OnTheWight And The Book Bus Presents … How To Survive The Apocalypse takes place on Sunday 23rd July at Ventnor Arts Club between 3-4pm: Book tickets
Don’t miss out
Don’t miss this chance to experience an unforgettable summer of performances at the Ventnor Fringe Festival. Book your tickets now and immerse yourself in a world of creativity and inspiration.
Enjoy the magic of live music, comedy, theatre and more under the summer sky on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
See Events OnTheWight for full listings of what’s taking place at Ventnor Fringe Website in 2023. You’ll find more than 100 shows on offer.
