Monthly Archives :

June 2021

Good News

1000 1000 Ventnor Fringe

Ventnor Fringe is all systems go, here is everything you need to know about how this year’s festival will take place.

Like everyone we’ve been eagerly awaiting the Government’s latest announcement and while the decision to delay the lifting of final restrictions is disappointing, we’re working hard to ensure that Ventnor Fringe will return next month.

Restrictions on events and venues are now due to be lifted on 19th July, just in time for the festival, which will take place from Friday 23rd July – Sunday 1st August.

We’re optimistic that this will be the case, but as we’ve all learnt over the past 18 months nothing is certain and we need to make sure we’re prepared for any eventuality. With that in mind we’re made a few changes to this year’s event:

Standby Tickets
Once a performance has sold more than it’s socially distanced capacity ‘standby tickets’ will become available. There are tickets that will be valid if Government restrictions are eased before the festival. However, if restrictions are extended and social distancing has to be kept at the current recommended levels, these tickets will be fully refunded.

Digital Programme
We’ve made the difficult decision not to produce a printed brochure this year. Rules on restrictions are not likely to be confirmed until 12th July and we don’t want to produce a programme with inaccurate information. Instead, we’ll be producing ‘Venue Timetables’ which you’ll be able to download from our website and print at home, or pick up copies from Ventnor Exchange.

Event Alterations
To accommodate the possibility of social distancing we’ve had to make alterations to a small number of events already on sale. This has included moving some acts to larger venues, or adding additional performances. All ticket holders affected will be contacted directly by our team.

Free Fringe
Although some events will be announced sooner, we’ll be revealing the full line up for the Free Fringe after the Government announcement on 12th July.

Thank you to everyone for all of your patience and support in these challenging times, we’re going to do everything we can to bring live performance back to the Isle of Wight and can’t wait to see you this summer!

4 Top Picks For All The Family

1000 1000 Ventnor Fringe

Keeping all of the children, parents and grandparents entertained can be a challenge, so we’ve taken a look though the programme to pick 4 shows that we think will keep every generation captivated.

From pirates to acrobats, musketeers to puppets these are shows that will make you laugh and cheer as we celebrate the return of live performances!

1.)  Treasure Island

Long John Silver and his crew of salty old sea dogs are weighing anchor at Ventnor Botanic Garden with the pirate classic, Treasure Island. Quantum Theatre’s performances are always popular at the Fringe and this year will no doubt be the same. Packed full of action, drama, sword fights and sea shanties this is an open air theatre show that worth setting sail for! Book Tickets

Where? Ventnor Botanic Garden

When? Wednesday 28th July, 6pm

 

2.)  The Three Musketeers

Sharpen your swords, lace up your boots, and stick a great big feather in your hat! Magicians and performers Morgan&West present a fun for all the family retelling of Alexadre Dumas ‘The Three Musketeers’ and we can’t wait! Can the dashing Musketeers retrieve the Queen’s prize diamonds? Will the nefarious Cardinal Richelieu get away with his dastardly scheme? Is it an enormous mistake to wear such elaborate costumes at the height of British summer? Morgan & West have performed all over the UK as and on TV in Penn & Teller: Fools Us, The Slammer and The Next Great Magician. Book Tickets

Where? The Magpie, Parkside

When? Saturday 31st July & Sunday 1st August,  3pm

3.)  The Greatest Showpeople!

Back in 2019 Parkside become the home of a beautiful new black and white Big Top called The Magpie. It hosted some brilliant shows but there was a notable lack of circus for a circus tent! Well, no more, as Newcastle’s finest Let’s Circus bring The Greatest Showpeople! to Ventnor Fringe. Expect acrobatics, trapeze, comedy and juggling in this family friendly extravaganza. There is more capacity for this one, but tickets are selling fast and it looks likely to be one of this year’s best sellers.  Book Tickets

Where? The Magpie, Parkside

When? Wednesday 28th July 3pm + 7pm, Thursday 29th + Friday 30th July 7pm

4.)  The Puppet Van Presents The Lost Colour

Join Malcolm Brushell, a professional painter and amateur alchemist, on his quest to find the pinky-est pink paint on the planet! Through cracking rocks, mashing every conceivable vegetable, and even bottling and fermenting his own cow’s wee, he has created every colour imaginable, except this one.

The Lost Colour is the first custom designed show from The Puppet Van, a show entirely performed on the roof of a van which sounds brilliantly suited to Ventnor Fringe.  An energy fuelled physical show full of clowning, puppets, and paint, aimed at younger children but we think this one is charming enough to keep the whole family entertained. The show has its roots in the history of pigment making and follows a loveable independent artist up against a huge corporate pigment making conglomerate. Book Tickets

Where? Parkside

When? Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th July 11am & 3pm

Discover Everything At Ventnor Fringe

Take a look at the full programme of events taking part at this year’s Ventnor Fringe. More shows are being added every day!

5 Best Selling Shows at Ventnor Fringe…So far!

1000 1000 Ventnor Fringe

It’s June, which means the countdown to Ventnor Fringe has begun! With less than 8 weeks to go we take a look at the hottest tickets in town so far.

With the full programme of shows expected to be on sale by 21st June, there are undoubtedly still gems to be discovered, but with a wide range of events now announced we thought it was time for us to take a look at those shows selling fastest, which you might not want to leave too long to book up for.

1.)  Flo & Joan

Off the back of a countrywide tour, musical comedy duo and sisters Flo & Joan are heading to Ventnor Fringe for the first time to test an hour of new material. You might have seen them in a certain building societies TV ads but it was watching folk ballad inspired  ‘Lady In the Woods’ that got us hooked – “And she produced milk like you’ve never seen” Book Tickets

Where? The Magpie, Parkside

When? Friday 23rd July, 7pm

 

2.)  Joe Black: Decopunk

Isn’t it about time drag made an appearance at the Fringe? It seems like you lot agree as these tickets are flying out like death drops – sickening! At the time of writing there are just 48 tickets left! Infamous cabaret misfit and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s miscreant Joe Black invites you to indulge in a gloriously raucous gin soaked musical cabaret extravanganza. It’s going to be fabulous. Book Tickets

Where? The Magpie, Parkside

When? Friday 23rd July, 9pm

3.)  The Greatest Showpeople!

Back in 2019 Parkside become the home of a beautiful new black and white Big Top called The Magpie. It hosted some brilliant shows but there was a notable lack of circus for a circus tent! Well, no more, as Newcastle’s finest Let’s Circus bring The Greatest Showpeople! to Ventnor Fringe. Expect acrobatics, trapeze, comedy and juggling in this family friendly extravaganza. There is more capacity for this one, but tickets are selling fast and it looks likely to be one of this year’s best sellers.  Book Tickets

Where? The Magpie, Parkside

When? Wednesday 28th July 3pm + 7pm, Thursday 29th + Friday 30th July 7pm

4.)  Impromptu Shakespeare

Back by popular demand, Impromptu Shakespeare are veterans of the Fringe circuit, having performed six critically acclaimed runs at Edinburgh and now back for a second time at Ventnor. Bursting with love, poetry, comedy, tragedy, mistaken identity and everything in between, the company brings you an entirely new and unique ‘Shakespeare’ play inspired by audience suggestions to delight Shakespeare nerds and newbies alike. Both performances for this are booking up fast.  Book Tickets

Where? The Magpie, Parkside

When? Thursday 29th + Friday 30th July 3pm

5.)  Gengahr

One of the first shows we announced back in 2020 before the plague hit, indie stalwarts Gengahr are heading to Ventnor Fringe to play their much anticipated live show, and we can’t wait! The band released their third album ‘Sanctuary’ last year which features a more expansive and ambitious sound than ever before. Produced by Bombay Bicycle Club’s Jack Steadman, it will appeal to fans his work as well as Alt-J, Django Django and Glass Animals. Book Tickets

Where? Harbourside

When? Friday 30th July, 7pm

Discover Everything At Ventnor Fringe

Take a look at the full programme of events taking part at this year’s Ventnor Fringe. More shows are being added every day!