The Apollo is delighted and honoured to be hosting two visiting productions during the forthcoming IWCF.

Ventnor Exchange are happy to announce the return of the Isle of Wight Children’s Festival this Easter half-term on Thursday 21 & Friday 22 April with a new expanded programme based around Newport Town Centre. The festival, which began in 2018, had a hiatus due to covid-19 restrictions but is coming back with a bang to bring joy to Island families and children – encouraging creativity and inspiring young minds. The festival is spreading out to create a ‘fringe’ atmosphere so families can pick and choose which events they’d like to go to. Venues include the Apollo Theatre, St. Thomas Square, Independent Arts Creative Hub, IW Youth Trust, Waterstones and the Museum of Island History plus many other businesses in the town. 

The festival is supported by Newport’s High Street Heritage Action Zone. HAZ is a Historic England scheme working to boost economic growth using the historic environment as a starting point. The event is part of a wider project working with many Newport based partners working collectively towards breathing new life into Newport Town Centre. 

Apollo Theatre will host two ticketed puppetry shows: Lyngo Theatre’s Puss in Boots and Indigo Moon Theatre’s shadow puppetry Mermarella – a Cinderella story of the sea.  Both are suitable for ages 4+.  Here’s a clip from Puss in Boots to give you a taste of the treats in store!

There will also be a free outdoor show in St Thomas’ Square – The Lost Colour, performed entirely on top of the Puppet Van. A lot of the events are free and do not require booking in advance including the art and performance workshops featuring artists Adam Gaterell, Teresa Grimaldi, Studio Wren and Vanessa Warry Dance. After a hugely successful event in February, The IOW Story Festival will also be bringing storytelling to Waterstones  from local authors Neal Layton and Jules Marriner as well as professional storyteller Sue Bailey (But That’s Another Story). 

Check out the whole list of what’s coming up at the Isle of Wight Children’s Festival Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd April 2022 at ventnorexchange.co.uk more will be added in the coming weeks so keep an eye out! 

Book Tickets for theatre shows at: ventnorexchange.co.uk // call 0198 716 767 // In person at Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor PO38 1SW

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