Ventnor Fringe Festival is now well underway with the first day of shows ticked off the list.
Head to Ventnor over the next nine days for 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 really is a performance to captivate every taste.
News OnTheWight picks
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.
And remember, whatever the weather (most events take place in tents under cover), you can be assured of a great time.
EarsPeeled presents … A Day @ The Fringe
After last year’s sold-out show, local promoters ‘EarsPeeled’ are delighted to be returning to Ventnor Fringe Festival today (Saturday 22nd July 2023) to once again take over the Big Top, putting on a ‘day festival inside a festival’.
Headlining this year’s Day @ The Fringe is:
- Coventry-based alt/indie band FEET
- Dublin’s Fizzy Orange
- Bristol’s Grandma’s House
- London’s Freddy Merkky
- Froglands PK – ‘Freak folk and psych rock’ band
- The Optimists – Isle of Wight Festival 2023 Main Stagers
- Pet Lounge – Guy Page’s side project (drummer of Coach Party)
- Mouth – debut performance from a side project by some members of Plastic Mermaids
- Panda Swim – Grunge Pop four-piece
- BOCA – Local favourites
- Muffy – Brand New pop project
- George Street Kids – AAA Records’ very own punk act
Tickets are just £20 for the entire day (ten hours of live music 1pm-11pm) and can be booked via the Ventnor Exchange Box Office, the Fringe Village Box Office in Ventnor Park, by calling (01983) 716767 or by popping into Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor PO38 1SW.
A journey through six decades of albedo marz’s artistic journey
art_house_life @ 35 Madeira Road opens this year on two floors with a (free) tour of recent paintings, collages, assemblages, drawings and 3d artworks by albedo marz exclusively for Ventnor Fringe 2023.
albedo marz is celebrating six decades as an artist this year, and in addition to a stunningly coherent display of artworks produced within the last two years on the ground floor, he will also be giving visitors a rare opportunity to access his upper floor studio.
There will be two talks by albedo marz on Sun 23rd and Sun 30th July 3pm-4pm, open to everyone.
art_house_life @ 35 Madeira Road is open daily 21st-30th July, 11am – 1pm and 2.30pm – 4.30pm: Book tickets
Free Will and Other Myths
Marina and Charlie want to take you on a journey. A Journey of Stories. A Journey about Choices. The choices we think we have and we think we make. And if we actually make any choices that matter at all.
Now you have the Free Will to choose to come and see it … You do have that choice, right?
The performance takes place Saturday 22nd July 2023 between 5pm-7pm at St Boniface Studios. 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
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
Unwanted Objects
Old teddy bears, abandoned chess sets and ships-in-bottles… Every item in this mysterious and magical secondhand shop has its own history to share and tale to tell.
Unwanted Objects, a new story and song show from acclaimed duo David Head and Matt Glover.
Unwanted Objects takes place at The Magpie, Ventnor Park on Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th July between 5.30pm and 7pm: Book tickets
Remembering John Renbourn
A recital/workshop recounting John Renbourn’s influence on the 60s folk/blues boom.
Performed by close friend, Dave Bill, the show is done in the style of one of John’s guitar workshops via songs and tunes from his first two albums plus humorous reminiscences of the times Dave shared with him over nearly five decades.
Remembering John Renbourn takes place at Ventnor Arts Club on 25th and 26th July 2023 at 9.30pm: 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
The Molly Downer Musical
Scripted and orchestrated by Time Nor Tide Players CIC, this musical is a bona fide Isle of Wight production, written by Islanders for the show.
The narrative addresses hard-hitting themes of inequality and superstition, rooted in an 18th-century backdrop where the protagonist, Molly Downer, grapples with societal judgment and alienation.
The performance takes place on Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July from 12.30pm-2pm at St Boniface Studios. Book tickets
Experience soulful melodies with Oliver Hipkins and Casino Moon
Transforming unheard narratives into contemporary music and spoken word. This is a deep exploration of the human condition and a search for meaning by unearthing the stories that connect people with places.
It’s more than folk. It’s soul-stirring poetry fused with dynamic and energetic melodies. Casino Moon embrace the unexpected and unconventional, creating a sound that’s uniquely their own.
Oliver Hipkins and Friends will be performing at St Catherine’s Church, Ventnor on Friday 28th July from 7.30pm: Book 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
Three Cheese Straws for a Pound
Now nearly 30, he should be getting his act together, but it’s hard when the world doesn’t make any sense. What do you mean you can’t walk through a drive-thru?!
Ben Ashurst is going back to a simpler time, back to when three cheese straws were a pound. This warm, light-hearted stand-up comedy show hilariously highlights the things in life that Ben thinks should be simple… but aren’t.
Three Cheese Straws for a Pound will be performed at Ventnor Arts Club on Saturday 29th July between 6pm-7pm.
Generously Ben is inviting you to ‘Pay what you can’ – although please remember that artists have to pay registration and venue fees: 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
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
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.
Image: © Julian Winslow
