application procedure

• The programming of the Regular Venues is decided by drawing the names of companies who have applied from a hat.
• The on-line application form will be live between Monday 18th November and Friday 13th December.
• The draw will take place on Sunday 15th December. Companies able to commit to three performances will be drawn first followed by companies unable to make that commitment. This will establish the order in which places will be offered.
• 10 slots are reserved for North Devon companies, 2 slots for International companies and the other 35 slots are available to companies from across the UK. If there aren't sufficient North Devon or International companies to take up the reserved slots, these slots are then open to companies from across the UK.
• One application per company - though companies can also apply for an Alt Space slot.
• The first 47 companies drawn from the hat will be offered a place and asked for initial confirmation so that the matching of companies to venues can begin.
• A waiting-list will be established.
• A firm commitment from companies will be required by Friday January 17th, by which time venues will have been allocated. The firm commitment will need to be sealed by the payment of the £100 participation fee (£65 of which is refundable so long as the agreed performances have been delivered) and the provision of a marketing image, publicity copy and required technical information. If these aren't forthcoming by January 17th then the slot will be offered to the next company on the waiting-list that fits the requirements for the vacant slot.
• Productions in Regular Venues must be between 30 mins and 60 mins in length. There will be a one-hour technical rehearsal programmed in. There will be only 15 minutes available to set-up and get-out before and after each performance.
• Ticket prices for 2020 will be £6, £4 concessions and a Frequent Fringer Voucher that works out at £3 per ticket (6 tickets for £18). 100% of ticket money is returned to the company.
• Companies are responsible for their own Public Liability Insurance. We will need to see confirmation. We will happily advise on cheap options.
• Music used in a performance may be subject to PRS or PPL terms and conditions, dependent on the precise usage.
• We do our best to provide free billets for out-of-town companies in order to keep the cost of participating low. In return for being billeted, companies and individuals will be asked help out with four hours of volunteer duties that support Barnstaple Fringe TheatreFest.

the venues

For 2020 we have seven Regular Venues. The layout and technical infrastructure in these venues varies, so please read the descriptions below.

• The Baptist Hall has a flat-floor stage area 5m wide x 6m deep with raked seating for 60. It is configured as a black-box studio space. Basic warm and cold lighting states will be available along with some ability to separate areas. There will be a sound system installed. There are sensitivities that have to be observed with regard to content - specifically, alcohol and strong language are non-starters.
• The Golden Lion Tap has a stage area 5m wide x 4m deep with staggered seating for 60. Basic warm and cold lighting states will be available along with a limited ability to separate areas. There will be a sound system installed.
• St Anne's Arts Centre is a versatile space that can be played with audience on two sides or in the round. In that configuration the acting area is roughly 4m x 8m. End on is possible but sightlines are tricky. There is seating for 50. Basic warm and cold lighting states will be available along with a limited ability to separate areas. There will be a sound system installed.
• The Guildhall has a large carpeted performance area - 7m x 7m - and raked seating for 80. It is an historic, civic building that used to be the magistrates' court and which is still used for the official business of the town council. It will be blacked-out and equipped with a sound-system and lighting.
• The Southgate is an intimate, well-focussed space above a bar-bistro. The performance area is approximately 3m wide x 2m deep. It will have lights and sound and seating for 30. Because the seating capacity is lower than elsewhere we offer companies four performances so that they can make up the potential audience numbers.
• The Castle Centre has a low stage, 5m wide and 3.5m deep. We install a lighting rig - from stands at the back of the auditorium - and a sound system. There is flat-floor seating for 60 with some higher chairs at the back to help sight-lines.
• The Tent on The Strand is 7.5m wide and 12m long. The height of the sides is 2m, sloping up to an apex of 4m height. The stage area is 7m wide and 4m deep. There wil be seating for 60. We must be mindful that what happens in the Tent can be heard outside, so content must be suitable for a public arena. Lighting and sound will be installed but the impact of the lighting cover is restricted by natural light - there is more of a grey-out than a black-out.

application form

follow the link to the Regular Venues application form which will stay live until 13th December

you might also be interested in Alt Space information

questions?

You are more than welcome to contact us with specific questions.

"We saw some fab shows as well as making great connections with new audiences and promoters whilst at Fringe TheatreFest - may it go on from strength to strength!"