Applications have started to roll in for this year’s festival and a number of people have asked to know a little more about the venues. So, here’s a quick guide to some of the primary venues we’ll be programming work into during Plymouth Fringe Festival 2017.
The Lab, Theatre Royal Plymouth
The Lab is Theatre Royal Plymouth’s studio space. It seats 40 people during the festival in an end on configuration. It has a simple yet adaptive technical set-up including a mixture of RGBW LED lighting and traditional lanterns. The Lab has a high-quality projector and a screen built into the back wall.
It is a low-ceilinged space and the floor isn’t sprung so it is less suitable for highly physical pieces. It is also worth bearing in mind that audiences cross the stage whilst entering the auditorium.
Performances in The Lab usually take place from 2pm onwards.
Companies who have previously performed in The Lab as part of Plymouth Fringe Festival include: Bea Roberts, In Bed With My Brother, Tremolo Theatre and Giggling Flamingo.
The Lab, Theatre Royal Plymouth
Barbican Theatre
The Barbican Theatre auditorium is a 111 seat venue in Plymouth’s historic, cobbled Barbican area. It has a large stage and a sprung floor. Because of this, we tend to programme shows with larger casts, very physical performances and dance in this space. It has an elaborate technical specification and is set up on a fixed rig for the duration of the festival.
We can’t guarantee being able to add anything to this and any such requests must be discussed in advance with the Festival team and the Barbican Theatre Technical Manager.
Performances at Barbican Theatre usually take place throughout the day often including some shows for family audiences during the morning and early afternoon.
Companies who have previously performed at Barbican Theatre as part of Plymouth Fringe Festival include: Arch468, Scratchworks Theatre Company, Above Bounds and Josh Coates.
Barbican Theatre
The House
The House is Plymouth University’s performing arts centre. During Plymouth Fringe Festival, we programme The House’s studio space. This is a flexible space which seats 50 in multiple configurations. The space also has a sprung floor and therefore is suitable for both dance and physical pieces. The House studio is equipped with a high-end LED lighting rig.
If you would like to present your show at The House, please let us know if you wish to use it in any configuration other than end-on as we will need to take such turnaround into account during scheduling.
Performances at The House usually take place towards the end of the week and begin at 4pm.
Companies who have previously performed at The House as part of Plymouth Fringe Festival include: Toby Peach, Alix Harris, Owl Young and Blasted Fiction.
The House, Plymouth University
Other Spaces
As the festival approaches, we are often approached by–and actively seek out–less traditional venues for inclusion in Plymouth Fringe Festival. If you have a performance which takes place in a non-traditional space or outside the please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Likewise, if you manage a venue in Plymouth (be that a bar, pub, library or anything else!) do drop Matt a line at matt@wemaketoast.org
We have previously presented work during the festival in everywhere from historic gardens and cosy pubs as well as walkabout pieces which take in the whole city as their stage.
Companies who have previously brought outdoor work to Plymouth Fringe Festival include: Aminal, Ripple Theatre, First Line and Dissolve Theatre.
Basic Space at Plymouth Fringe Festival 2016
To find out more about applying to Plymouth Fringe Festival 2017 as well as to download an Information Pack and Application Form, please head to plymouthfringe.com/Apply2017
