Scratch Night at Ventnor Fringe, Bosco Theatre, Ventnor Park
Sunday 26 July | 7–8.30pm
Pay What You Can
After a successful debut at Cowes Fringe in 2025, Scratch Night returns this summer as part of Ventnor Fringe, bringing together four exciting new works from Isle of Wight performers.
Produced by the IW Creative Network, in partnership with Mayflower, Scratch Night is all about giving artists the chance to test new ideas in front of a live audience. Whether it’s theatre, spoken word, music or dance, audiences experience work at the earliest stage of its development and play an important role in helping shape what it becomes next.
One of last year’s Scratch Night performers was Tim Cooper, who used the event to test material before developing it into a full-length show. This year, Tim returns to Scratch Night as host, while also bringing his new show, ‘The Courtesan, the Prince, Three Lovers and a Poet’, to Ventnor Fringe – demonstrating exactly how these early development opportunities can help artists grow new work.
This year’s Scratch Night features four brand-new works in development:
Olly Fry – Temp
A powerful new play exploring burnout and mental health in teaching, following a first-time drama teacher navigating impossible expectations.
Downland Movement Collective – Rewild
A new contemporary dance work inspired by the Isle of Wight’s changing coastline, exploring movement, nature and renewal through dance and the writing of Liam Patrick Harrison.
Deadman – Quay Memories
An extract from a new theatre work commissioned by Creative Island and Quay Arts as part of CAN YOU HEAR US?, exploring Newport’s historic quayside and the stories that shaped it.
Noah Johnson
An original musical inspired by the mythology of sirens, blending contemporary songwriting with modern sea shanties in a haunting new story.
We’re delighted that Tim Cooper will be guiding audiences through the evening. One of the Isle of Wight’s best-loved poets and spoken word performers, Tim knows exactly what Scratch Night is all about – having experienced first-hand how sharing work in development can help it grow into a full production.
Georgia Newman, Deputy Director of Creative Island and Lead for the IW Creative Network, said:
“Scratch Nights create an important space for Island artists to take creative risks, try something new and hear directly from audiences while their work is still developing. There is something really special about experiencing an idea at this early stage and knowing that your response may help influence where it goes next. We are delighted to be working with Mayflower once again to provide this platform for new Island work and to showcase such an exciting range of artists and creative practices at this year’s Ventnor Fringe.”
Tickets are Pay What You Can, making the event accessible to everyone while supporting the development of new creative work on the Isle of Wight.
Book your Scratch Night tickets – CLICK HERE!
Also see Tim Cooper’s full Ventnor Fringe show
If you’d like to see where a Scratch Night can lead, don’t miss ‘The Courtesan, the Prince, Three Lovers and a Poet’, Tim Cooper’s new full-length spoken word show at Ventnor Fringe.
Following his appearance at last year’s Scratch Night, Tim has developed his work into a moving and humorous hour of poetry, storytelling and stand-up exploring love, relationships and the choices that shape our lives.
Friday 24 July | 8.30pm | The Bijou @ Fringe Village
Book tickets – click here.