Festival Info

What is a ‘Fringe’ festival?
The term comes from the Edinburgh Fringe which started in 1947 when a group of local theatre companies turned up uninvited to the first Edinburgh International Festival and produced plays on the outskirts of the city, hoping to cash in on the audiences attending the main event. The name was coined by Robert Kemp, a Scottish writer who wrote about the events happening “on the fringe" of the official programme.

Today there are many fringe festivals across the world who abide by the original principle started in Edinburgh: that nothing is programmed and that there should be no selection process. Anybody can bring a show or act to the Fringe, they pay a small fee to the organisers to help them find a venue, accommodation, transport etc but then keep all profits from their own ticket sales.

Why Ventnor?
Almost every fringe festival takes place in a major city. By contrast Ventnor offers a unique environment to work and perform in; relaxed, inspiring and far more affordable then many cities. Ventnor is a cultural hotspot on the Island and the Fringe aims to provide a blank canvas for artists, both of the Island and from the rest of the UK and internationally, to showcase their talent as well as provide an alternative location for those who want to perform in a more intimate, collaborative space.

Who runs the Fringe?
The Ventnor Fringe is managed by a team of students from the Island studying across the country who return each year to encourage artists to perform, collaborate and make work in Ventnor. They are supported by a committee of advisors. The Fringe is a not for profit organisation that receives no government funding.

How do I buy tickets?
All the events are ticketed individually as every event is run separately under the banner of The Ventnor Fringe. Check the Box Office part of the website for details. There are also many free events, which will be announced nearer the time.