Free Fringe
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
Free Fringe gigs across the city attract record audiences.
Thanks to crunched credit and quality performance, the number of free shows at the Edinburgh Fringe is up from 460 shows to 575 this year at 33 venues around Edinburgh. The shows, which range from stand-up comedy, sketch shows and cabaret to music, poetry and magic, usually take place in a pub or bar. The venues hope the bar takings will cover their costs and the performers ask for a small contribution if the audience enjoyed the show.
The Free Fringe, which was founded by Peter Buckley Hill 13 years ago, is more than 50% bigger this year than last, with 176 shows at 19 venues. "Just because we are free doesn't mean we take anyone,” said Buckley Hill. “We look at all the applications during the year and take the best ones."
The Laughing Horse Free Festival was set up three years ago and offers 233 shows in 14 venues, again mainly pubs and bars. Alex Petty, artistic director of the Laughing Horse Free Festival, said: "Normally in the first weekend we have single figures coming to our free shows but this year they were getting 50 to 80 people, it's been remarkable. "I think local people have been staying at home in Edinburgh because of the credit crunch.”
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