Edinburgh Festival

[Dan The One Man Band]

I'm heading to Edinburgh for the Fringe. I haven't been there in 5 years. Can anyone relay some experiences (good or bad) they've had in the last couple years? I had a fab fest the last time and am hoping to repeat. Is there anything I should know about before I commit to going?

Cheers,

DTOMB

[Rex Boyd]

I haven't worked Edinburgh since 8 years ago but I do know that the main street action has moved from the Mound up to the Royal Mile. It has also become more formalized and structured by the the Fringe Office scheduling three main pitches each day. There are still opportunities for shows at the Mound and various other places around town, but the main circle show action now operates under this new draw-names-out-of-a-hat system each morning to get your time slot. Most of the responses I have heard from performers the last couple of years is that the hats are good and you don't have to wait around in the cold all day for a show like you used to do. For people that like to bust out as many shows as possible this new system may not be agreeable, but you do still have the choice of trying other smaller pitches through the day if you've only got the one main show scheduled.

Best thing about Edinburgh though is hanging out and enjoying the indoor elements of the festival with your mates at the end of the street performing day. Everyone should go there at least once.

Rex

[ 06-27-2002: Message edited by: Rex Boyd ]</p>

[stickman]

Been there the last 2 years of the festival. If your walk-by you have a 30 min time limit, set locations. Not sure how it's arranged though, not allowed to do walk-bys after the first year. (discoverd after my first attempt I wasn't a walk-by show, but had arrived broke) For a circle shows it works on the lottery system. Most circle shows have already come across it. Convent Gardens/Sydney/etc.. Show up in the morning, and hope you get a slot. Hope it doesn't rain/hail during your slot, etc.. Not that this should stop you from performing if it does. Worked in both already there. Audiences can be good, but more performers then slots. All the theathre groups doing there little shows on stage to try to get people to come to there venues at the same time. You do need to be insured, though they might sell you limited insurance for the festival. Contact them directly for this. Last year the mound was shut down, since they were building a tunnel underneath it or something. Might still be for all I know. Accomedation also sky rockets during festival. If you decide to do it, feel free to contact me. I enjoy doing it, so I'll be back this year. Hope you find this helpful, also check out their webpage. www.edfringe.uk (http://www.edfringe.uk) or something simular. If anyone is subletting a house and has a room, etc.. free let me know I'll gladly help pay to avoid the over priced backpackers this year.

Stickman
http://www.weeble.org

[The Invincible Mal Fortune]

I'll be at Edinburgh again this year - if anyone is looking for cheaper accommodation, the best bet may be to stay in some of the outlying towns and take a bus/ train into the city.

Good places to look are Stirling (hey, I was born there), Kirkcaldy, Livingston, Dunfermline or Falkirk.

Send me an email if you want a specific recommendation.

Mal