Edinburgh Fringe 2024.

The 2024 Edinburgh Fringe is fast approaching running from the 2nd- 26th August 2024.

Two of the larger organisations this year have faced reorganising their venues due to losing buildings they have regularly used as venues beyond their control. The two affected are Gilded Balloon and Greenside. Darren Neale at the new Greenside venue is planning on opening a press office too where members of the press can escape the chaos of the Fringe and catch up on reviews and organising schedules, which is a huge help for members of the press.

I spoke to Katy and Karen about their transfer this year for the Gilded Balloon as the Teviot is closed for refurbishment. As we transfer our full operation into two of our pre-existing venues, it’s a chance to refresh our programme this year. We’re looking forward to bringing a bigger and better operation to Patter House for 2024 including some brilliant programming – from kids shows to international comedy, thrilling theatre and lots of famous faces.

“We will, of course, miss Teviot Row House which has been a major part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe operation since 2001, but we look forward to returning next year for a big pink birthday bash to celebrate 40 years of Gilded Balloon. Planning is already underway for 2025’s very special celebrations, but in the meantime, we can’t wait to welcome Fringe fans back to Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland for a month of wonderful shows.”

Hundreds of performers will be attending for the first time in 2024 as they do every year. The advice I have heard from other performers is to pace yourself, try to make friends with others working in your venue and not get too “hung up” on whether you can tempt the press in or not. There are fewer of us and it’s overwhelming for the press too speaking for myself I don’t want to let anyone down and know it is inevitable.

Potty The Plant last year at Gilded Balloon.

The reduction in accommodation availability this year have seen prices rise and become completely unaffordable for some. Independent reviewers and other members of the press are often self funded too and we pay for everything ourselves to be there so we certainly understand the financial pressure. I go because I avidly want to be part of tge Edinburgh Fringe and support those who participate.

I have been emailed and approached on many occasions to add a show to my pre-Edinburgh “One to watch list”. I categorically do not produce one of these at any time for the simple reason, that if I haven’t seen a show I don’t believe that I can endorse it even if it turns out to be the best show of the festival. However, some reviewers like Louise Penn who runs loureviews doesn’t attend in person but offers interviews and publishes ahead of the Fringe, although she isn’t accepting any more requests this year. All this support is a vital part of the Edinburgh Fringe run-up.

While working on this article I felt it was important to include Alex Petty who runs Laughing Horse and has been running free Fringe shows now for 20 years, I now feel old hitting that milestone – and the free shows are something that I think has become a vital part of the Fringe since the idea of free shows began. That and ‘pay what you can’ ticketing, which we now also do, benefit performers in getting a more cost-effective way of performing at the Fringe, and also allowing the audience to get out and see much more of the arts for the cost of just donations, or for nothing for those who can’t afford it. We have several thousand performances of 380 shows, and it’s great to be back to doing something comparable again this year to our pre-COVID years.

One of the hardest-working press teams at the Edinburgh Fringe is the “Derek Awards” run by its founder Derek Newlan. A great team who are friendly and huge advocates supporting as many people as they can during the Edinburgh Fringe.

Chopped Liver and Onions by Blue Fire Theatre Company at The Space.

One show to either go and watch or agree to be part of as a performance if you are approached is “Pick of the Fringe” run and hosted by the charismatic Mervyn Stutter. Almost every day he compiles a range of shows to feature and endorse, encouraging audiences to go and watch them. Some Fringe goers swear by the show and go and see the recommendations. Stutter is a huge positive part of the Edinburgh Fringe and can be seen every year in his pink jacket. The Fringe needs more characters to help acts get noticed.

2024 is set to be one of the biggest Edinburgh Fringe yet. Good luck to the new venues and all the first time performers, press and those working in one of the venues. My top Fringe tip “don’t forget to eat”! Trust me this happens more often than you realise.

For more information about the venues and shows mentioned above please visit the link below.

Photos are all taken by myself during the August 2023 Edinburgh Fringe.

https://www.edfringe.com/

https://www.mervspotfringe.com/

https://greensidevenue.co.uk/