Edinburgh Festival

[Pedro Tochas]

I want to do street shows in this festival.
Where can I get more information about it?

Is anyone going to do shows there?


Thanks,
Pedro

[Butterfly Man]

Hey Pedro,
I've done Edinburgh several times and it was always good ... there is no info. on working "the mound" as far as I know. Watch out for bag pipers mad.gif

ride on Pony Boy,
Moth

[Rex Boyd]

The Mound action has moved to the Royal Mile. It's better for shows because it strings it out over more area. The Fringe office now manages the daily draw for time slots to do shows on 3 stages. There is still a bit happening on the mound but bigger crowds now expect shows up on the Mile. I haven't done it myself for several years now but all reports are that shows and hats are generally very good although you shouldn't expect to get more than one or maybe two shows a day. For the first time there were a few acts paid to be there last year. I don't know how well they were received by the busking majority. Anyone else know?

Rex

[stickman]

Worked it the last 3 years. Festival is a lottery pitch for circle shows, so no guarantees of a show at all. It depends on the number of performers at the draw at 10am and luck of the draw of course. (Been getting crowded) Accomedation is a pain so book ahead. Insurance, is required if you use fire, knifes, etc.. No showup fees, accomedation offered, etc.. If you don't do well, tough luck. Having said that, it's been one of my favorite festivals. I love the people, and wish I were going this year.

Stickman
http://www.weeble.org

[martin ewen]

It can all get to be a bit rabid and crowded and competitive and the crowds are all from out of town and smug and jaded and cheap (but thats OK, in fact thats just fine *frown on*)
Although I may suggest a sneeky little sidestep if you in fact find that you are not making enough to live or cannot be bothered waiting hours for your chance to have a spontanious lifestyle.
The train to Glasgow takes an hour and costs 6 pounds or so, Buchanan st is just outside the station at the glasgow end and its a wide old pedestrian street.
Theres also suckihole st (sic) down one end which is cheaper and more real than anything you'll see downtown in Edinburgh and argile st down the other end which has a mall and where you will have large coins thrown hard at your head by bored youth.
My pic is Buchanan. I stayed in Edinburgh and worked glasgow every day and made as much or more in a far more laid back atmosphere (except for the heroin addicts and the guys who threaten to scar your face with their knives and Glasgow hardman wannibies, but at least their not tourists)
And then at the end of the day i would either drink heavily with newfound philosophic thugs or go back to edinburgh and dance into overhead fans at clubs and have my head explode with blood while all around me people fainted.
Scottish people are mostly pale and thin and drink heavily and have their own personal caches of one liners. They are very casually disfunctional and you cannot domesticate them so don't even try.

[Peter Voice]

Martin, you beat me to it.

Pedro, if the weather is fine, don't compete in Edinburgh, catch the train to Glascow then write here and tell us about your adventures.
It really is "one of those places".

[chickenman]

How's the airport in Edinburgh with customs? I hear London is the toughest to get through. Hoping Edinburgh will be more lax. Would it be safer to ship our props over there early to a friend?(would cost a ton)

Anyone know of an insurance company in the U.K. that will cover six foot high slackrope? I hear Dixon Chambers does not.(could be a lie to keep yet another slackrope act from coming to scotland.

--Chickenman(Daredevil Chicken Club)

p.s. Martin, that 'fan' story is the best stilt story I've EVER heard. (second best is the orange juice stilt story in japan)

[stickman]

oh how I miss the 100 junkies in the front row of my shows in Glasgow. Let me count the ways. Ok done. Got to 2! Made me love my working elsewhere, and let me use all that material I'd never use anywhere else. Every performer should do it at least once, if you want a really hard core experience try working it at night!! I did once, and will never forget it. Local performers are great to drink with afterwards, so worth a stop if only for that.

Stickman

[martin ewen]

Um...about that fan story. Its probably 500 words plus and its on p.net somewhere and it comes from a time where I'd just write stuff up and post it. I have no copy of it.
anyone remember what topic its under? I'd love to find a way of going back and looking at more than 50 posts, just to grab it all so I could get some good one liners for other uses.

[chickenman]

Martin,
I didnt read the fan story from a post, you told it to me at charlies after a 'freebie' night in arlington for Dan Foley. Did he pay you anything for that "gig"?

I'm sure you could recite that story just as well again...
after a few beers.

when are coming back to boston? I'd love to hear more...

-chickenman

[Pedro Tochas]

So...

Where is the draw??

And I just show up and say: I am a street performer.
????

Or I need something more???

[ 07-06-2003: Message edited by: Pedro Tochas ]</p>

[Dan The One Man Band]

Make sure you say you are a "street performer" and not a "busker". It's the only place in the world I've been that makes a distinction. Street Performers do circle shows and get a place to leave there gear whereas buskers have to haul their crap everywhere and can do 20 minute "pass by" shows on small pitches.

You show up and register with the Fringe office and then you can enter the draw.www.dantheonemanband.com (http://www.dantheonemanband.com)

[Pyromancer]

Does anyone knows it's still allowed to use fire? Or can anyone at least confirm that it was allowed last year?

[stickman]

Pyromancer fire was allowed last year, provided you have liablity insurance. I paid for mine each year at about 50 to 100 sterling for the time I was at the festival. If anyone can sugguest a cheaper rate for liability for Europe please let me know.

Stickman

[Dan The One Man Band]

Last year there was an 8:30pm curfew on the royal mile. Police were pretty strict on enforcing it. Makes for a whole different Fringe experience from the "free for all" of years past.

Fire music and comedy work better by night.

D TOMB

D's Tomb (http://www.dantheonemanband.com)

[newyorkstreetdean]

Does anybody know if its still just arrive and try to survive or do you need to contact the festival and register like the theatre people do?

From photos this looks like a great fest but the reviews I've found here are back and forth. Is the festival worth traveling for or is it better to save the cash and stay home to work?


Thanks for any input!

[MarcusM]

2 years ago when i performed there there was paper work and an office I had go to. I will try looking up the contacts. But there are times in which u have to perform at certain spots.

[gav]

You could just rock up, but it's best to register in advance.
http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=653&area_id=36

[UCO]

20 min shows, I can imagine that crowd build is shorter than most but I'm just getting warmed up in that time,
Is it a situation where the other buskers watch the pitch or is there a rep from the festival present?

[Guy]

Edinburgh used to be great. But is now overcrowded with street acts during the festival. Which can mean only one show a day, unless you are working the mound for which you have to get up even earlier than the draw for the festival controlled spots.
If you are going to work Edinburgh make sure you are there for "Fringe Sunday" when you will be able to perform lots of very big shows, if you have an amp (The bigger the better)! Also bear in mind that it rains an awful lot in Scotland, so you probably won't be working everyday.
I lived and worked in Glasgow for one season and it was enough to make me emigrate to the states. The crowds don't clap they just tap the tops of their arms.
The period of the Edinburgh festival is probably the best time of the year to work Covent Garden as all the performers leave for Edinburgh.

[UCO]

Insurance is just for those props that are potencialy dangerous right? Does it go for audience participation too?

[vernon]

Hi Stickman...Worked Buchanan Street, quite a lopt in the past month or so...and yes I agree with you, the crowds are soporific and slightly deranged at times...especially the white shell suited chavs...but the money is gooooooooood.Am back home in london and the money is not as good as there.
Anyway, vis a vis the Edin Festival...always worth a try...I think you have to register (no fee) with the festival office (see Cathy) and then on the day a draw at 10am...for the pitches. Three of them on the Royal Mile and two on the mound.
Not heared about anyone being paid...to be there though...very interesting if this is the case though...
Vernon

[clara]

http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=654&area_id=36

i'm a statue, not a circle performer, so the deal was a bit different. i got a permit, and a set spot for a set period of time (at the courts between one and three.) i could finagle other people's spots, if they were going to be gone for a day, and people frequently "invented" spots.

but circle shows are different.

there's a draw at ten (suckers ;) ) and it's for three or four spots around the royal mile.

i had a lovely time, people were incredibly friendly, and if i have enough $ to travel this summer (nothing against harvard sq. of course, but i've a special place in my heart for scotland!) I'll head to Edinburgh again .

[scot]

Got accepted to Ed Fringe this year for my theater show and I think I'll be street performing to profit/ break even.

Any news on Glasgow?
Do you think it would be smarter to live & busk in glasgow, then train to Edinburgh for my daily shows?

I'm looking for more ways to save money. looking at around 2700 for theater rental plus 1000 for fliers and pr plus 800 for lodging.

I'm really excited.

Also; any cultural differences that may be pronounced in audience response?

[Frisbee]

Hi scot,

I heard from Fred about your show, congrats. The people who had venue shows at Edinburgh 2005 that were also good street acts did well.
The two that come immediately to mind are Dave McSavage and Gamarjobat.

Gamarjobat was selling out everyshow, they went on the street at day, did juggling tricks and circus skills, passed the hat and fliered for their shows and really rocked it.

I do not know about McSavage's audience turn out, but his street shows were always huge and really funny, I can not imagine that his theatre shows were any different.

If you want more info about Edinburgh email me or call and I would be happy to answer from my P.O.V. and I am sure we will see each other there in 2006.

[gav]

Being part Scottish I feel it only fair to warn you that scotsmen
a) do not like americans
b) don't appreciate food based humour
c)do not like non scottish people refering to themselves as Scot
d)manifest all there dislikes in the form of a Glasgow kiss.

Thankfully for you, the Scots are equalized by the British at festival time.

[Frisbee]

<I feel it only fair to warn you that Scotsmen
a) do not like americans>

I had a situation with a Scotsman that was difused but could have been ugly, I am happy to have had Arizona Jones there on my side. He saved my life, Thanks AJ.

Overall, I found the people of Scotland really great and friendly...maybe they thought I was Canadian.

[clara]

Overall, I found the people of Scotland really great and friendly...maybe they thought I was Canadian. [/B]

i found them to all be very pleasant as well.

perhaps they just wanted to get in my pants?

regardless i shall be there, with bells on, and lotsa silver paint, in august.

cheers!

(oh, and last i heard, princes st was open domain.....)

[Rex Boyd]

Here are some great photos from Edinburgh that I stumbled upon on the net.

http://fringe-photographer.blogspot.com/

http://eddieizzardstolemyphotos.blogspot.com/



cheers,


Rex

[smallbrown]

At the moment, just in case you haven't heard the High Street is being re-cobbled. This is expected to finish in 2007.

The work will be stopping for August and Christmas/ New Year.
All work should/ will be clear for the Festival.

The High Street will probably not be cobbled, it's being given a tar surface while they re-shape clean and fix the origonal cobbles for relaying.

Parliment square is still cobbled, but now free of the scaffolding round St. Giles. (Nicer back drop for photos)

[martin ewen]

Thanks rex. I hadn't seen Vince for about 10 or more years and it was a pleasent flashback.

I heard something along the lines of him giving his old mum a new pair of shoes and her making a fuss over it as she's one of those, "oh don't worry about me , you know you shouldn't waste your money" Deflective personalities who spend their energies thinking of others.
And he'd purchased and slipped the deeds of the house she'd rented most of her life in with the shoes.

I was working in Copenhagen at the same time as he was being subjected to a statistical anomaly, people in and around his show were dropping from epileptic fits at the rate of one a show.
He was concerned and we were merciless.

Yeah just thanks for the link and pics that brought that stuff back

[malkav powermann]

how is the border crossing ? do you need papers?

also the links farther down are years old so there is no info
did i read right that there is there paper work you should do before showing up expecting to do a circle show?

[Rex Boyd]

The following comes from the official Fringe website:


If you would like to be part of the Royal Mile action as a busker or street performer, you need to apply through the Fringe Office. Enquiries can be made to Cathy Dick, High St Co-ordinator, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 180 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1QS or email Cathy@edfringe.com from early 2006.

Please note that all applications for High Street Traders, Buskers, Hairbraiders, Statues and Portrait Painters will be available from early 2006

[chickenman]

i have a small flat if anyone is still looking for a place to call home for the month.

email me if you are interested..

iamchickenman@hotmail.com

[Rex Boyd]

I made it up to Edinburgh for a few days this year and had a really great time hanging out with all the performers. Best wishes and thanks a million to everyone who was there making the festival such a wonderful event.

I also was very fortunate to meet Andrew Brown, the Edinburgh photographer who has made it his passion to document the street performers and all the other colourful characters who liven up Edinburgh during the Fringe. Andrew has been as busy as ever this year, once again taking more amazing photos from the Fringe. Have a look at his latest posting at:

http://thelastpictureshow.blogspot.com/


Cheers,

Rex

[Doctor Eric]

scot and I are doing a two-man theater show entitled propsaganda this year.

We are morons.

We need these informations:

Where to stay. Scot wants a flat, he is a fragile flower, and needs an hour and a half to get his hair perfect. I need a private room if I am to properly prepare methamphetamines for sale.

Where to work. We're going to be doing street shows to survive and promote, and all of the posts in here are a few years old, so what's the skinny now?

How to get in. Our tickets are bought, are we going to have a hassle at the airport? Can I wear my turban?

Where to play. I want to drink sullenly. It sounds like that might be difficult in the middle of a month long festival

Who's there? Is anybody in the area right now?

Who else has done theater shows there? any advice?

erm... please infer any questions I may have missed.

[Frisbee]

Hey Eric,

Here is a few of your questions answered, if you need more, email me. I have been there the past two years with Fred.

1. You should not have a problem with immigration, they know that a lot of performers are coming in for the Fringe. Whether you are in a theatre or not is not much matter.
When you get to immigration booth they will ask you why you are in Scotland, tell them you are going to the Fringe Festival. Stamp in your passport and you will be on your way.
To make you feel better you can ask the theater you are performing in to send you a letter stating that you are performing in there venue as a part of the Fringe Festival.
The Fringe is a cultural event and bylaws state that if you are performing at a cultural event no visa is required.

2. To stay cheap and clean and safely...stay at the hostel...get one of the three that are just off the royal mile. They are converted college dorms, so you will have your own room, and depending on where you stay you will have to share a bathroom with either 3 other rooms or there will be multiple bathrooms on a floor for 10 rooms.

if you stay the same place Fred, Paul and myself stayed last year there are only 4 rooms per flat. if you book early, maybe we can all rent one space for the 4 of us that way it is not any strangers.

3. There is a morning draw for the circle shows it happens at 10am every morning. ( I forget the square name, but once you get there ask any performer and they will point you in the right direction.)


4. Make SURE you have liability insurance or you will not be allowed in the draw! That is UK liability insurance. you can get the best deal thru actors equity. It is different than equity in the U.S. and anyone who is a performer may join, then you can be umbrellad automatically under there policy.

5. There are two types of performance venues for the street. Circle and sidewalk.
Circle will have 3 pitches that are scheduled and then the mound is a great unregulated pitch (except regulation by performers) you will be allowed to use your sound here, but not on any of the official fringe pitches.

If you want to do a smaller sidewalk show, you may find that you will get more than the one show per day that the circle pitch will offer you.
Side Walk acts will sometimes get 2 or more shows in a day...but they are smaller time schedules.

There is also Fringe Sunday (usually the second Sunday of Fringe) which is a huge day of promotions in the park and that is another whole story.

[martin ewen]

I spent under 10 pounds and an hour and went to Glasgow and had the place to myself, there's Buchanan st right starting right next to the railway station and it's upmarket [for glasgow] but still pretty damned edgy. I made good money and surfed the harrowing situations as they arose.
[The only lime I've been confronted and actually had to stop my knees trembling but it ended up with them apologising]

RBM= Richard Bucknal Management based in london but he's a really good british agent and has represented perrier winners and works really hard.
Ask around, he'll undoubtedly be there. He's bigtime, worth a shot. He doubled my fees every time i got a callback.

Thats all, it was a while ago. Good luck