A spirit of April Fools’ Day frivolity filled the Royal Seven Stars Hotel in Totnes on 1 April, as 130 people gathered for a high-energy drag bingo fundraiser in support of Totnes Fringe Festival 2026, raising £1,600 to help deliver the Festival from 9–12 July.
Hosted by acclaimed South West drag performer Roberta Calamari, the evening was a vibrant mix of comedy, live vocals and audience interaction. Known for her razor-sharp wit and bold stage presence, and as a fantastic singer with a powerful, expressive voice, Roberta transformed a classic bingo night into a playful, immersive experience. With guests dressed in glitter and colour, and music keeping the dancefloor alive courtesy of DJ Zaid Al-Rikabi, the atmosphere was creative and full of joy.
A wide range of prizes were generously donated by local businesses, including; a wine tasting evening for eight from Totnes Wine; a carving course from Orchard Carving Studio; a two-night glamping stay at Wilderhus Glamping; vouchers for Somewhere Sauna in Mothecombe; tickets for The Barn Cinema; and mugs from China Blue.
All funds raised will go directly towards supporting artists with fair fees and performance opportunities, delivering an ambitious multi-venue programme, keeping ticket prices accessible, creating opportunities for young people and emerging creatives, and covering essential production, marketing and accessibility costs.
Danielle McIlven, Director of Totnes Fringe Festival, commented: “The night captured exactly what Totnes Fringe is about: creativity, connection and a sense of shared joy. Seeing so many people come together to support the Festival in such a fun and generous way was incredibly special, and we are very grateful to the local businesses who donated prizes and everyone who came along and made it such a success. It gives us real momentum as we build towards July.”
Totnes Fringe Festival is entirely volunteer-run and independently funded, with no core public funding, made possible through community donations, fundraising events, small grants, crowdfunding and the support of local businesses.
“Sponsorship plays a vital role in making the Festival happen,” continued Danielle. “Every contribution directly supports artists, enables ambitious programming, and helps keep the Festival accessible, inclusive and rooted in the community.
“For local businesses, sponsoring Totnes Fringe offers a genuine connection to a growing and highly engaged audience. With over 3,000 attendees and 11 sold-out shows last year, we know that the Festival brings increased footfall into the town and creates opportunities for businesses to be visible as part of something positive and widely supported.”
Totnes Fringe Festival welcomes conversations with businesses who would value meaningful visibility and connection through the Festival’s targeted promotion across print, press and digital channels. Supporting the Festival is also a way to play an active role in strengthening the cultural life of the town, helping to ensure that bold, live performance continues to thrive in Totnes.
To explore sponsorship opportunities, please contact: lucy@totnesfringe.uk
https://totnesfringe.uk/
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