Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is often called the Edinburgh Fringe and sometimes just the Fringe. It is one of the arts festivals collectively termed the Edinburgh Festival. It takes place annually in the city of Edinburgh during August. It was originally set up to complement the Edinburgh International Festival but now dwarfs it. The Edinburgh Fringe is the world?s largest arts festival.

The Fringe Today

In 2005 the fringe sold 1,335,000 tickets and was the 3rd year in a row that they sold over 1 million tickets. The website states there was "26,995 performances of 1800 shows in 247 venues, and hosted 16,190 performers". It was the largest festival on record. 2005 was the first year that the Metro Half Price Ticket Tent was used, offering special ticket prices for different shows each day, it sold over 45,000 tickets.

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Today the Fringe exists over many different venues but can be sampled by visiting the Royal Mlle around St. Giles Cathedral. This historic and busy area is pedestrianised during the Fringe period and becomes the focal point where members of production casts hand out flyers, attempt to sell tickets for their show.

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Use of technology

Over half a million tickets have been sold online, since the official website was launched in 2000. An E-Ticket Tent was introduced in 2004, allowing people to book tickets online at the festival. The website also lets people post there own reviwes and ratings for shows. In 2005 a text rateing system where audience members could 'text' in ratings out of 5 for shows they have seen. All major venues are now using electronic and computerised ticketing systems that are linked to the central fringe system.

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Festival FM was launched in 2004. It broadcasts during the festival on 87.7 FM within the city, and streams on its website from a temporary studio in Bristo Square. It features interviews with performers, reviews, and competitions.

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High profile shows

In recent years, high profile plays have been performed at the Assembly Rooms on George Street using stand up comedians. 12 Angry Men was produced in 2003, directed by Guy Masterson, starring Bill Bailey and Stephen Frost.

Related Topics:
12 Angry Men - 2003 - Guy Masterson - Bill Bailey - Stephen Frost

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A year later, Masterson directed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but quit the project before it opened http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/critic/review/0,1169,1285926,00.html, and was replaced by Terry Johnson. The problems continued when Christian Slater twice contracted chicken pox, and the opening was further delayed. However, tickets for the run sold out before opening. The production subsequently transferred to the Gielgud Theatre in the West End.

Related Topics:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Terry Johnson - Christian Slater - Chicken pox - Gielgud Theatre - West End

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In 2005, Masterson's production of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, starring Bill Bailey and Alan Davies, became the fastest selling show in the festival's history http://www.theherald.co.uk/goingout/44161.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/news/2005/05/12/19262.shtml.

Related Topics:
2005 - Neil Simon - The Odd Couple - Alan Davies

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Some feel that the fringe is not the place for these high profile shows but should be reserved for more experimental and independent theatre.

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