VENUE GUIDE 2025
Use this guide to choose your Ventnor Fringe venue. If your show doesn’t suit any of the venues please get in touch artists@vfringe.co.uk and we may be able to help find you a suitable space.
Alternatively, if you have already identified another venue in Ventnor that is not part of this guide and you would like to organise independently please tell us in your registration form.
You can find the venue Accessibility Info on our website
The Bosco
(Part of The Fringe Village) Ventnor Park, Park Avenue (PO38 1LE) - Tented Venue
Capacity: 185
Making its first appearance at Ventnor Fringe this year, The Bosco Theatre is an original Dutch "Kermis-circus" tent which was built in 1909. It was used by the Ophof family who performed their own family circus in it.
This is a round structure with a diameter of almost 13 meters under a steep canvas roof rising to around 7 meters. It is a darkened space in brown and red with a wooden stage floor. There is raked seating for 185 people in a half moon shape. The performing area is 7 meters deep in the middle and 13 meters wide. The back is covered by a black backdrop. The Bosco Theatre combines great intimacy with a considerable capacity for an audience. A very fine setting for children's theatre, musical acts, stand-up comedians, puppet theatre and cabaret in particular.
The Bosco Plan
The Bijou
(Part of The Fringe Village) Ventnor Park, Park Avenue (PO38 1LF) - Tented Venue
Capacity: 50 Seated
This is our smallest tented venue in the Fringe Village. The Bijou is most suited to test out new work/ work in progress shows, especially storytelling, spoken word, talks and small scale theatre pieces. There will be basic lighting, audio track playback and a small raised stage. This beautiful Indian festival tent creates an intimate atmosphere up close with audiences.
The Big Top (Name TBC)
(Part of The Fringe Village) Flowersbrook, Steephill Road (PO38 1LF) - Tented venue
Capacity: 300 in Thrust)
The Big Top has a real wow factor and is the largest venue at Ventnor Fringe. It is situated at Flowersbrook field near Ventnor Park. This venue suits circus, larger comedy, theatre or music shows as well as cabaret. This venue has a full PA, lighting rig and radio mics available. The height of the tent is suited to larger circus shows and there is a bigger stage (10mx10m) for theatre with large casts and sets and technically a more complex lighting design.
Big Top Plan
The Rotunda
(Part of The Fringe Village) Flowersbrook Field (PO38 1LF) - Tented Venue
Capacity: 300 Standing / 150 Seated
New for 2025, The Rotunda is a smaller 16m diameter circular tent, suited for both standing gigs and seated shows. Located in Flowersbrook, next to the Big Top, it's a great location a few minutes walk from Ventnor Park. Full backline provided, with a capacity of 150 seated or 300 standing. Great for stand up comedy and gigs in particular.
Ingrams Yard
Dudley Road (PO38 1EF)
Capacity: 55/ 71 depending on stage size
Ingrams Yard is centred around a courtyard, providing a new social space in the centre of Ventnor where there will be a bar, food and buskers. The building itself is set to be converted over the coming years into a new arts centre, but for the time being will open as a ‘ pop up ’ venue during the Fringe with a 55/71 seat studio theatre (depending on the stage size required) located on the first floor. The space will o er a full blackout, with raked seating. Suited to small scale theatre, puppetry, spoken word, storytelling and stand up comedy.
St. Catherine’s Church
Church Street (PO38 1SW)
Capacity: 150 seated
Traditional church with modern features and facilities opposite the festival Box O ce Ventnor Exchange St. Catherine’s is commonly used throughout the Fringe for music performances, but is also suitable for some theatre, talks or workshops. There is a raised stage and PA but no blackout for this venue. There is a grand piano available to hire. The Makers Market also takes place here on Saturday daytimes.
Ventnor Arts Club
Ventnor High Street (PO38 1RZ)
Capacity: 45 seated (36 for film screenings)
Ventnor Arts Club is a unique, intimate performance space, taking the form of a converted 1920’s bank. It runs day to day as a private members club but opens up to the public during the festival. Ventnor Arts Club has played host to musicians, talks and film screenings as well as stand up comedy and solo acts. There is a basic PA and audio playback plus a HD projector and surround sound for film screenings. This venue also has a blackout and is well located in the middle of the High Street.
Pier Street Playhouse
Ventnor Baptist Church, Pier Street (PO38 1SJ)
Capacity: 60 seated
The Pier Street Playhouse is an intimate performance space located on the ground floor of Ventnor Baptist Church. There is a raised stage area and this year there will be a full blackout. In the past this space has been particularly popular for daytime children’s shows, new writing and small scale theatre. The venue is in a great location with good footfall, approx 3 mins walk from Ventnor Exchange, Ventnor Arts Club, St Catherine’s Church and Ingrams Yard which are all located in the town centre.
BUSKING VENUES
The Bandstand - Ventnor Park
The Park is the beating heart of Ventnor Fringe, recreated at the ‘Fringe Village’ during the festival it’s a perfect meeting point for festival goers. The park is also the street food hub with a bar - the perfect place to relax in between shows or to soak up the atmosphere. The Victorian style Bandstand in the centre of the park is equipped with PA, backline and a sound technician on duty - a great place to perform to a captive audience whether its music, spoken word, circus, theatre or dance. The hours for performance are normally 12pm - 6pm
Fringe Square - Church Street
The Fringe Square is a small public space located outside St. Catherine’s Church and opposite Ventnor Exchange. It’s the location of The Book Bus, a 1930’s Parisian bus which turns into a book shop! There is a small outdoor busking stage for music solo/duos, spoken work, or other readings and poetry. The area may suit some open air theatre but has a gravel surface which may not suit some physical performances. On Saturdays the Church hosts a Makers Market, providing space for local craftspeople and artisans.
