As the great Tina Turner once asked, “what’s love got to do with it?”
Well Tina. I’ll tell you. EVERYTHING TINA. ITS HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT.
I am Miss Reid and my mission this Ventnor Fringe is to get some eyes meeting over crowded rooms, some sweet nothings whispered in to ears and some Disney style love duets happening (flying carpet optional). So, shall we begin?
Our first contestant is the darling Miss B and she is, without question, just the most adorable package of loveliness I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. She enjoys porridge, red wine and vans.
In fact, she is looking for a man with a van. If you would like to meet Miss B and discuss vans, please email a photo of your van to Media@vfringe.co.uk, or pop into the press office with van details.
Let’s envelope Ventnor in a fog of love. A mist of affection. A low, damp cloud of hugs and kisses.
The Ventnor International Festival has begun its mission to delight and bewilder the minds of the Fringe. Houston, prepare to have your mind thoroughly blown.
Last night proved to be an awfully big success, darlings. The International Festival side was kick-started (not physically, we at Fringe don’t condone physical violence) with Toby Thompson’s intimate Caravan Sessions. Parkside comedy then closed the evening with a witty comical show at the Parkside venue.
The specials on the menu for this evening: Three truly scrumptious local screenings located at the Ventnor Arts Club and the euphoric musings of Toby Thompson. One of many returning Fringe artists, Toby will be performing an intimate show for up to five lucky spectators in our vintage Caravan Debby located in Parkside over the course of this week.
Prior to Toby Thompson will be two local screenings of Ventnor orientated films all for the price of a small donation. The first, 150 Years of Steam, celebrates the historical innovation of steam on the Island, including footage of the land that time forgot: Ventnor Station. Following 150 Years of Steam will be Unseen Ventnor, consisting of unearthed film and video depicting the Great Storm of 1987. You can watch these cinematic masterpieces from 3pm onwards at Ventnor Arts Club.
If you’re as excited as I am then make sure you head over to the Exchange to pick up your tickets or face the consequences of missing these spectacular performances, thus lacking your own interjections when your friends are reminiscing.
Local screenings: 150 Years of Steam: Wed – 2pm @ Ventnor Arts Club Unseen Ventnor: Wed – 3pm @ Ventnor Arts Club
Slightly vertically challenged, ABSOLUTLEY ADORABLE young lady wants to know the answer to the following questions…
Do you enjoy tweed?
Do you feel life is better with red wine on tap?
Do you find yourself in the odd Shakesperian play?
Do you have a pulse?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then I will be willing to consider your application to be a doting suitor. Please drop a post it note through the artist registration window at The Exchange with your vital statistics and phone number. I’M WAITING FOR YOU. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
Note from the Editor – Someone please respond, she hasnt let me leave the press office for three days. For god’s sake PLEASE SOMEONE MALE RESPOND.
Looking for an adventure? Join us for a unique experience at the ventnor fringe in a very special secret venue to the sounds of special guests including boogie belgique.
Ventnor has a notorious history of once being a hive of activity for smugglers, rogues and retrobates. Keeping their activities secret, they hid their loot from the customs officers in safe houses, caves and secret passageways along the island’s south coast.
Unbeknown to most is the story of one of the most prolific of these characters, who hosted a secret society in Ventnor that began over 300 years ago. So few knew of their activities that when their meeting place was abandoned at the outbreak of the first World War it was left as it was – untouched and undiscovered – until now.
Among the old ledgers and manuals left behind in the old Post Office (now the Ventnor Exchange) was an undisclosed document, left forgotten at the back of the old vault. What at first seemed like a postal phrase, then perhaps a war time code, soon transpired with a little more research, to be something much more exciting; the founding document of the Blind Mole Society.
Once a year this group of tricksters and merry makers would convene in a secret location, revealed in the document, for the Blind Mole’s Ball, an annual gathering to celebrate their spoils. Now 101 years since their last meeting you are invited to revive this legendary tradition for one last time.
The Ventnor International Festival has been in the works for a number of months now, so no; it wasn’t in retaliation to Brexit. There are many uncertainties after the events of June 23rd, but Fringers can be safe in the knowledge that whatever happens with Article 50, it will make little difference to the Ventnor Fringe. The team are more determined than ever to maintain partnerships overseas, all be it Europe, the USA or anywhere else in the world.
One of the biggest features of the International Fringe will be the ‘Portrait of a Town’ exhibition. The origins of the piece go back to French street artist, JR and his project ‘Inside Out’. This was a huge venture that captured portraits of local people in towns across the world. I suppose you could say that Ventnor is adding to JR’s collection.
Julian Winslow and Alice Armfield have spent weeks taking and editing the photographs and having already seen a number of the final snaps, I can confirm that they are flattering yet maintain a real and raw photographic spin.
“It’s been a brilliant way to meet new people and give us the chance to talk to those whose faces we recognise day to day around the town – and what an amazing collection of faces we have!” – Jack Whitewood.
The piece will be two hundred A1 photographs of various Ventnor characters plastered across the floor of the Plaza, in a very Mary Poppins’ Bert-the- street-screever style. You can watch this masterpiece set-up from 12pm on the seafront today. Photographs will be plastered to the floor with a mixture of sugar, warm water and corn flour. So eco-warriors please don’t worry, it’s all biodegradable.
This International Festival has its very first poet in residence in the form of familiar face; Toby Thompson. Toby has been returning to Ventnor Fringe most years since his debut in 2011. In 2013 and 2014 Toby came back for our Library Lock In; performing alongside names such as Dizraeli, JJ Bola, Akala, Kate Tempest and Reeps One. You can catch a snippet of Toby in The Parkside today @ 2pm.
Last but by no means least, the premier of Berlioz: Glydebourne (Film) in the Ventnor Arts Club at 6pm. For those not familiar with the operetta, it’s a unique account of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing by Laurent Pelly
Gaudy Bunting, a new, up and coming theatre company from Dorset, are exactly as you’d picture them to be; a theatrical Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc. So yes, essentially Perkins and Giedroyc .
Co-founders Hazel Marks and Katharine Piercy established the company whilst studying for their Masters in Devised Performance at the University of Winchester. Their work is devised from a variety of different strategies, personal experiences and skills the duo learnt from conservatoire-based training.
Gaudy Bunting is a warm welcome to Ventnor on a summer’s evening. They truly incorporate fervent qualities that reminded me of two mothers picking their kids up from school. The resemblance is uncanny.
With their elated and bubbly style, they share quite a quirky, broody sense of humour. The “How to Never Forget Anything Ever Again” show takes you on an absurd journey of how our busy lifestyles can affect our ability to remember, well, anything and everything really. Shopping lists, dry cleaning, picking up the kids… If you can remember to name it, you’ve probably forgotten it and it’s too late.
Much to my dismay I have a shockingly terrible memory for the ripe old age of 19. If you can sympathise with me on that, whatever age you are, then this show is definitely one to see this week.
Through comedy, song, dance, and a lot of “splendid!”, Marks and Piercy’s alter egos “Miss Hazel” and “Miss Katherine” explore these ideas at this year’s Ventnor Fringe Festival on 12th and 13th August 8:30pm-9:30pm at Pier St. Playhouse.
So, as the fictitious forecast correctly predicted we had some sizzle sunshine on saturday morning, and about time too! There were many a short short, plenty of shades and sun hats galore, but one particular bonnet that caught my attention was that of a Miss Ava Amande. I caught her just outside the sewing shop checking out some fabric that looked remarkably similar to her glamorous summer frock. With a loose knit wooled jumper, and co-ordinating red wedges, this black and red combo is just genius for our changeable summer/autumn weather. Upon asking her what she was doing on her travels to Ventnor she revealed that she was in fact a Shakespearean actress, playing the role of the queen in the Fringe festival’s ‘Shakespeare’s Richard II & Marlowe’s Edward II.” ! So fringer’s, top tip for saturday… BE A QUEEN.
Winter Springs certainly wowed the woodlands on Tuesday night, with encore upon encore, the crowd would have happily had them play all night! The fabulous 6 piece band describe themselves as a “Harmony led, folk/pop, singer-songwriter collective” and have been compared to the likes of Bon Iver and Fleetfoxes.
In an interview after the show I congratulated the group on their fabulous set and shared with them a cheeky review note I’d made during the show …
“A happy version of Bon Iver/Daughter that would definitely give the cast of ‘Pitch Perfect’ a run for their money!” – Winter Springs
Of course that mustered a little giggle among the group and myself, but jokes aside, as a band, Winter Springs have some s.e.r.i.o.u.s harmony magic that’s too good to miss! So if you were deterred by the gloomy grey of Tuesday night, not to worry! You’ve got another chance to catch this fabulous folk pop band. They’ll be performing at the Woodland stage from 10pm-10.45pm on Friday 14th and also have their brand new EP ‘Summer is Coming’ on sale at the Exchange.
This is not one to miss, if you like 5 part harmonies, mad mandolins and singers sippin’ on chai tea, Winter Springs are a must watch for the week.
Playing again at the Woodland Bar on Friday @ 10pm.
Fancy a bit of harp? Silly question, of course you do. We are very proud to be able to welcome the wonderful 2 Blondes and A Harp.
Fronted by the beautiful Glenda Clwyd and Lowri-Ann Richards, a duo that have been featured in composer Mason William’s (Classical Gas) top 10 performers poll for BBC Radio 6 International. If you’re looking for an eclectic combination of masterful arrangements, beautifully sung songs and a slice of pizazz, you’ve found the right act.
Their choice of music is not something one could put a finger on, featuring covers from Coldplay to Bessie Smith, Led Zeppelin to Judy Garland, Welsh folk to Lady Gaga!
The cabaret act drags the harp kicking and screaming into the 21st century! Be sure to catch them tomorrow and Saturday evening from 8.30pm at The Ventnor Arts Club.
The Keep Smiling Vegan Café is a mystery machine of happiness at this year’s Ventnor Fringe. Their unmissable van, decorated bright blue with a large sun painted on the front, will be situated in front of The Observatory Bar.
I myself, have recently turned vegan and personally find it tremendously difficult to pick up a filling meal that hits the spot. But fear not! The Keep Smiling Vegan Café will be providing an extensive menu of handmade vegan yummies, ranging from an all-day vegan breakfast to mouth-watering chilli nachos with fresh tomato and lime salsa; all served with a warm smile.
A variety of their scrumptious goodies are handmade, adding that secret ingredient of TLC. Their menu boasts a comprehensive assortment of homemade food, including carrot cakes with lemon and walnut toppings, bliss balls and a personal favourite of mine, sweet and crunchy syrup and apricot flapjacks.
The van’s popularity is evident as their stock is already flying off the shelves (not due to the tremendous winds we’ve been having recently).
Whether you are a diehard vegan or simply a health enthusiast, I would strongly recommend heading over to The Observatory to enjoy the blissful weather we’re having for this year’s Ventnor Fringe 2016!
