Ventnor Fringe Festival celebrates their 15th year this month and boy, what a bumper programme they have lined up this year. More than 216 performances spread across ten days means there will be something for everyone.
OnTheWight has put together a selection of special picks and with the festival almost upon us (19th to 28th July), you’ll need to grab your tickets fast.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
A compelling solo show based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Victorian novella, ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ is a mystery tale about the inexorable conflict between good and evil.
In this faithful adaptation Stevenson’s gripping narrative is brought vividly to life through a combination of powerful story-telling and masterful character creation.
It takes place at Ingram’s Yard, Dudley Road, Ventnor, PO38 1EZ on Saturday 20th July 2024 at 2pm. Suitable for ages 12+. Tickets are £12 for adults, or £6 for under 25s.
Secure your seats by booking via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office website.
Chris Milner-Journeyman
For one night only, folk star Chris Milner-Journeyman, brings his unique thought provoking songs and stories to the Fringe.
Chris’s fans here on the Isle of Wight will be delighted to hear many of his well known songs ‘Lemon and Blue’ , ‘Changing Role of Woman’ , Back In The Limelight’ and ‘Colours of Wealth’ on the set list as well as new and engaging stories of his life and travels.
He will be performing at The Flowersbrook Inn, Ventnor on Wednesday 24th July 2024 at 9pm. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for under 25s, £8 each for a group of four, or £5 for Culture/Unlimited Pass 2 for 1.
Secure your seats by booking via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office website.
Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend
With passion, humour, emotion, and an array of characters, Mark Stratford takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of Victorian theatre and the extraordinary, yet conflicted life of the great Victorian actor-manager, William Macready – the man to whom Charles Dickens dedicated Nicholas Nickleby – from his first tentative steps on stage in a tatty country theatre to his final ever performance at the mighty Drury Lane!
Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend takes place at Ingram’s Yard, Dudley Road, Ventnor, PO38 1EZ on Friday 19th July 2024 at 2pm. Suitable for ages 11+. Tickets are
Secure your seats by booking via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office website.
The Last King of Porn
From the award-winning playwright Alessandro Onorato, staged by the milanese group “Underluminal” this classic-on-the-making has shocked audiences in Italy, Croatia, England and Scotland, and has always been highlighted by critics as a real one-off.
It’s an explicit drama about sex, love, family, suicide and much more, with the story set in the waiting room where the actresses are waiting to perform; the atmosphere moves in short time from comic-sexy to an anxiety filled thrilling situation, where hidden interests come out.
The Last King of Porn takes place at Ingram’s Yard, Dudley Road, Ventnor, PO38 1EZ on 23rd, 24th and 25th July at 5pm. Suitable for ages 16+. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults and £5 for under 25s.
Secure your seats by booking via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office website:
Tuesday 23rd July | Wednesday 24th July | Thursday 25th July
Andy Roberts
Andy Roberts, a well-known singer-songwriter on the Isle of Wight, presents “Boulevard Days,” a one-man show that weaves narrative, drama, and music into a captivating performance.
“Boulevard Days” includes not only narrative and drama but also some of the original songs Andy penned during his time in Paris. He plays these songs on the very same (now vintage) guitar introduced in one of the scenes at the Café Mazet in the Latin Quarter.
The show takes place on Tuesday 23rd July between 1pm and 2pm at the Pier Street Playhouse. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for Under 25s and £9 each for a group of four.
They can be purchased from the Ventnor Fringe website.
Piano Smashers
Piano Smashers is a play by Rupert Page and Rob Thompson about unwanted inheritance. Vera bequeaths her precious piano to her children in a will. They really do not want it but will they ever bring themselves to dispose of it?
Following a successful debut at Ventnor Fringe UK in 2023, Piano Smashers has since flourished and returns now fully fledged. These performances follow hot on the heels of a Brighton Fringe debut and will be followed by an Edinburgh run in August.
Three punchy performances take place at Pier Street Playhouse on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2024. All shows begin at 6pm. Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for Under 25s. 12+.
Book your seats via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office
Second Time Around
Second Time Around are a well established Isle of Wight trio, featuring strong vocals and harmonies and a multi-instrumental approach with a solid core of folk at their musical centre.
Their rich and varied soundscapes allow them to weave together many genres of music and song of not only traditional folk, but early jazz, Americana, gospel and World music that has kept their audiences entertained and guessing for over a decade.
They’ll be performing their latest album and also revisiting favourites from previous recordings and a few new surprises for good measure.
Second Time Around are performing on Friday 19th July at The Flowersbrook Inn between 4pm-5.30pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, or £7.50 per ticket for a group of four.
Book now via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office.
Zedhead – stop-motion film debut
Zedhead is an experimental stop-motion film made by a Ventnor-based creative, over the last 18 months.
The film tells two stories. Firstly, the story of an artist, who embarks on an journey that he’s ill-equipped to navigate. And secondly, it tells the story of the film’s hero, who embarks on an even greater adventure, into the depths of what it means to be a human.
Zedhead will be screened on Tuesday 23rd July at 2pm and 2.40pm. Tickets, which are £3, £5, £7 (pay what you can) can be purchased online from the Ventnor Exchange Box Office.
‘Murder, She Didn’t Write’
Don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and get your ‘finger of suspicion’ at the ready for your sleuthing pleasure with Degrees of Error.
They’ll create a classic murder mystery on-the-spot every afternoon in this ingenious and original improvised comedy production. You, the audience, become the author as the cast act out your very own Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece live on stage.
‘Murder, She Didn’t Write’ takes place over three days, 23rd July to 25th July, in the Big Top, Flowersbrook from 6pm. Tickets are priced between £18-20 each and include CulturePass 2for1 offers (what’s this?).
Book your seat online via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office (make sure you select the correct date).
Tatty Devine’s necklace-making workshops
Calling all budding jewellery makers: get crafty with Team Tatty and make a summer-ready flower bunting necklace or a mini-bunting necklace.
Choose from an array of laser cut pastel, pearl and mirror acrylic bunting pieces, before learning how to hand link five flowers of your choice onto a gold or silver-plated chain. What are you waiting for?
Both workshops take place on Saturday 20th July at The Flowersbrook Inn. The mini-bunting workshop from 12pm and 1pm, whilst flower bunting workshop is between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
These jewellery-making workshops are suitable for beginners. 16+
Book for Mini Bunting Necklace Workshop | Book for Flower Bunting Necklace Workshop
art-house-life: Reality Disrupted
art_house_life opens its doors once again during Ventnor Fringe Festival, this year offering access to an exclusive contemporary art show running from 19th -28th July.
This year nineteen local, national and international artists have been selected for their innovative and exploratory use of lens-based media, including the currently controversial AI.
You can look forward to traditional and digital photographic, mixed media, interactive and immersive encounters at 35 Madeira Road, hosted daily by albedo marz and Jo Kori.
Entry is free, but you will need to book either a morning or afternoon visit via the Ventnor Fringe Box Office. Opening times will be 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4.30pm.
Park and ride shuttle bus
Don’t forget that if you are coming from outside Ventnor, a park and ride at the Rugby Club has been organised by Ventnor Fringe. You can park for £5 per day in the Rugby Club and catch the shuttle bus to all the venues.
A shuttle bus pass for the ten days costs £20 and you can travel as much as you like every day on the bus. Alternatively pay £2 per journey.
You don’t have to use the parking facilities to use the bus to get around the town.
