Devon artists to take centre stage at Totnes Fringe fundraiser

Live music, theatre and spoken word will take over Totnes later this month as the Totnes Fringe Festival builds momentum towards its 2026 programme.

The festival will host its second fundraising event on Wednesday, May 20 at the Barrel House Ballroom, following the success of its April Drag Bingo night. Organisers say the latest event will showcase a diverse line-up of Devon-based performers in a lively evening of entertainment.

Funds raised will go directly towards supporting artists, keeping ticket prices affordable and transforming venues across the town into performance spaces during the festival, which is set to run from July 9 to 12, 2026.

The Totnes Fringe Festival, first launched to celebrate grassroots arts and community performance, aims to bring together theatre, comedy, music and spoken word across pubs, halls and public spaces, creating what organisers describe as a “network of performance venues” throughout the town.

The upcoming fundraiser will be hosted by Totnes-based actor and poet Jonathan Mason, and will feature a mix of music, spoken word and theatrical performance.

The line-up includes emerging singer-songwriter Luke Marzec, known for his atmospheric, multi-instrumental sound, alongside performer and poet Poppy Jayne-Jones, whose work explores connections between self and nature. Theatre company Vox Theatre will also perform, bringing their comedic reinterpretations of classic stories.

They will be joined by the Barrel House Trio, featuring Tracie Gillies, Gabriel Beamish and Will Tyler, with additional acts still to be announced.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, with tickets priced between £5 and £12 in a bid to keep the event accessible while supporting the festival’s growth.

Festival director Danielle McIlven said: “These events bring people together for a great night out while directly supporting the Festival. Every ticket helps us back artists, keep performances accessible, and transform spaces across Totnes into something really special,” she said.

Tickets are available via the Barrel House Ballroom website – https://barrelhousetotnes.co.uk/