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Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008
Dates for 2008: 3 - 25 AugustTel: +44 (0)131 226 0026
Whilst maintaining its fundamental principle of open-access for all artists, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has evolved from its humble beginnings, founded in a disused pub near the Royal Mile in Edinburgh's Old town. The Fringe's history dates from 1947 when the Edinburgh International Festival was inaugurated. From the outset, the event was designed as a post-war initiative to bring Europe and its citizens together through culture and its first year was such a success that it attracted more performers than intended. Conscious to the fact that there would be a large crowd and press interest at the first Edinburgh International Festival, six Scottish and two English production companies turned up uninvited and staged unscheduled and spontaneous performances. Since then, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has transformed into the world's largest arts festival, now bigger than its more prestigious counterpart, The Edinburgh International Festival.
As the Edinburgh International Festival showcases what some like to call 'the high arts', the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival is more eclectic grass-roots answer to its official counterpart up the road. In 2003, The Fringe experienced a major breakthrough selling over one million tickets for the first time.
The Edinburgh Fringe's eclectic jamboree stages something in the region of 1800 separate shows that populate every square inch of Edinburgh City Centre. It is not surprising that this is now the world's largest festival of its kind, attracting anybody who can raise the finances to pay for a venue. The Edinburgh Fringe is not only tailored for student and amateur productions, this colourful event plays host to a plethora of professional fringe companies, stand up comedians, small-scale productions and leading productions bound for the West End and Broadway, all vying for space at Edinburgh's most eclectic and dynamic arts festival.
This is the most exciting time to visit Scotland's capital where you can marvel at productions performed by students from across the globe, particularly from North America and Australasia or catch a performance by regular Fringe performers, The National Youth Music Theatre. The next day, you can see Hollywood and International megastars with the likes of Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins who both performed at the Edinburgh Fringe 2002 and Christian Slater who appeared in 2004. You do not know what lies ahead at this event of many surprises.
In order to find your bearings at the Edinburgh Fringe, it is recommended to check the daily Festival Guides, featuring shows from breakfast through to the small hours. The Scotsman (Scotland's National Newspaper and sponsors of the Fringe First Award) also provides you with coverage and recommendations of the Fringe's eclectic and delightful maze of performances. There is always the exciting annual build up to the prestigious Perrier Awards for the best stand-up comedy which has featured leading UK and Irish comics over the years.
Among the highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe are of course, the bizarre, the eccentric, the less good and the sheer pretentious performances adding a unique flavour to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Fringe also hosts a plethora of children's shows and attention grabbing productions (shows for an audience of one often happen) with each year featuring a distinct theme. Part of the fun at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is sifting through the events guide, eliminating the not-so-good and catching the top acts before everyone else does.
The main programme for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is usually issued in June each year and Fringe festival goers are informed with updates and changes from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's website. Don't forget to attend the spectacular Fringe Sunday on Holyrood Park, staging the most vibrantly colourful showcases of street theatre and entertainment during the Edinburgh Festival Season.
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