Ventnor Exchange, the Island’s new arts centre and creative hub, has today (Tuesday) announced its summer season, following a hugely successful spring which has seen an impressive mix of theatre from across the UK make it’s way to Ventnor, culminating in three sell out performances from London based Puppeteers String Theatre.
Created by the team behind the award winning Ventnor Fringe Festival, the Exchange combines an intimate theatre, record store and craft beer bar, stocking an ever-growing list of specially beers from around the world.
Highlights in the upcoming season include the multi award winning film noir detective comedy Bane, a trilogy of shows created by local actor Joe Bone, which has toured around the world and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most number of characters played by a single actor – a huge 136!
Travelling all the way from Canada, thanks to support from the Ontario Arts Council, Miss Caledonia tells the story of Peggy Anne Douglas, desperate to escape the rural drudgery of farm-life in the 1950’s. Featuring live music this is a heart-warming exploration of optimism and reality performed by the brilliant Melody A. Johnson.
Also announced today is a transfer from the Brighton Fringe ‘JACK’ – a strikingly brutal comedy about the life and times of Jack McRay; a Yorkshire born, call-a-spade-a-shovel, 40-a-day, alcoholic, diabetic and comedian Joe Wells’ acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe show.
Alongside theatre shows there is a wide array of talks and debates, many of which are free, a monthly spoken word night and the Young Creative’s programme, which offers a wide range of opportunities for 11 – 19 year olds as part of the Isle of Wight’s new Youth Offer, giving young people a chance to work with professional artists as well as experience special trips and events.
For more information on these and many other upcoming events visit
www.ventnorexchange.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01983 716767.
Featured photograph by Idil Sukan
