Ventnor Fringe Festival is back. Returning from 21st to 30th July and today (Friday) the first shows in by far the largest and most exciting programme to date go on sale.
Early highlights to be announced include the acclaimed Barely Methodical Troupe’s International award winning smash hit BROMANCE, five star circus about camaraderie and affection. Audacious, touching, exhilarating tour-de-force of physical heroics where handshakes become handstands and backslaps become backflips. It looks set to take The Big Top, a new venue introduced last year, by storm.
A Day At The Fringe
Following last year’s sell out event local promoters EarsPeeled return with A Day At The Fringe, a whole day music takeover headlined by Coventry based Alt/Indie band FEET, alongside the likes of Dublin’s Fizzy Orange, Bristol’s Grandmas House, London’s Freddy Merkky, and an array of Island talent.
Other musical offerings announced include international psych explorers Flamingods who combine Eastern and African influences, purveyors of some of this year’s most catchy earworms, Gengahr and BC Camplight, moniker of maverick songsmith Brian Christinzio.
The Philadelphian is considered one of indie music’s most forward-thinking artists with a discography which acts as a soundtrack to a life rife with bad fortune, mental illness, running afoul of the law, and ultimately absolute redemption.
Family fun
Families will be pleased to see the return of two time Audience Choice Award Nominees Let’s Circus to the boutique Magpie Tent with a brand new show Happy Daze.
Also returning is award-winning Japanese duo Witty Look, whose on-stage characters jump right out of the world of manga and cartoons. Meanwhile The Handlebards turn their hands to JM Barrie’s Peter Pan in a special three-hander adaptation with their signature comedic style.
Cabaret and drag
For fans of cabaret, breakout star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2, Ginny Lemon explores the intersections of their working class identity, queerness, disability but with a distinct acidic wit, aesthetic and unique perspective on life have made them one of the UK’s most celebrated drag and performance artists in Pick ‘n’ Mix.
Comedy
Much of the comedy offering is yet to be announced but two time Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee Ahir Shah (Live at the Apollo, The Mash Report, BBC 2) returns to curate and host The Pick of The Fringe, a selection of some the best comics from across the festival and always an early event to sell out.
Stay tuned
With around 150 shows expected to take part, new additions to the programme will be added regularly to the Website and audience members looking for advice or recommendations can also visit the festival box office at Ventnor Exchange (open 7 days a week from 10am) or by calling (01983) 716767.
News shared by Jack on behalf of Ventnor Fringe. Ed
