Ticket sales for Totnes Fringe Festival almost doubled in its second year, with organisers reporting nearly 4,000 tickets sold across the four-day event.

The festival, which ran in July, recorded an estimated 4,350 audience attendances, up from 2,011 tickets sold during its inaugural year in 2025.

More than 80 performances were staged across 17 venues throughout Totnes, compared with 67 performances at 11 venues last year.

The programme included theatre, comedy, dance, spoken word and live performance, alongside free events held in streets, cafés, shops, gardens and other public spaces.

Organisers said the festival was supported by 109 volunteers and 4,000 printed programmes, with performances taking place in locations including churches, pubs, gardens, the Rotherfold and Leechwell Gardens.

Even Totnes’s distinctive telephone box was used as a performance space.

Festival director Danielle McIlven said the event had become something involving the wider town rather than simply a programme of performances.

She said: “We’re incredibly proud of the quality and range of work brought to Totnes this year, but what makes the Festival truly special is seeing the whole town embrace it.”

She added that the festival allowed people to explore different parts of the town, support local businesses, and experience performances in unusual locations.

Organisers said 80% of ticket income was returned to participating artists, while discounted Pay Less tickets and child prices were available.

Local businesses also supported the festival by sponsoring venues and performances, displaying promotional material and helping to attract audiences.

East Gate Bookshop sponsored the Leechwell Gardens venue, which hosted free family performances during the festival.

Owner Nigel Jones said: “Totnes Fringe is exactly the kind of event that makes Totnes the fabulous town it is.”

He said the sponsorship had also helped the bookshop reach new customers and added that the business planned to support the festival again.

Feedback gathered after the event was largely positive, with artists praising the programme and audiences, while volunteers highlighted the friendships and community atmosphere created by the festival.

Organisers said many performers reported full or near-full shows and made new professional contacts, including potential bookings and collaborations.

Audience members described the event as having a “lovely vibe” and a “wonderful atmosphere”, while others called it their “favourite Fringe”.

The festival also received praise for its volunteers, who could be identified by their orange T-shirts.

Organisers said the event provided an opportunity for people in South Devon to see live performance close to home, at a time when access to dedicated theatre venues and touring productions can be limited.

Ms McIlven said the festival had demonstrated what could be achieved in a town without a dedicated theatre.

She said: “Theatre wasn’t confined to one building. It spilt into streets, gardens, cafés, pubs and public spaces, creating experiences that people will remember long after the Festival has finished.”

The organisers said their ambition was for Totnes Fringe to become an established platform for artists and audiences outside major cities.

The festival will return from Thursday, July 15, to Sunday, July 18, 2027.

Organisers are now seeking artists, volunteers, sponsors, businesses and others interested in supporting next year’s event.