Fringe season kicks off

All the major Edinburgh fringe venues launched their programmes today.

Although the festival does not officially open until Sunday, with a parade through the streets of the city, the key venues laid out their wares for journalists early, as preview shows have already got under way.

Our pictures are from the Gilded Balloon bash, hosted by Andrew Maxwell, top, and the venue was keenest to push its comedy credentials, with no serious dramas showcased.

There was, however, a male stripper dressed as a policeman, left

During the event, former Neighbours star Lucinda Cowden, centre, admitted she thought the soap "dreadful" and launched her bid to shake off her image as goodie-goodie Melanie with a song littered with the strongest four-letter words.

And former Juice Pig Sean Cullen, right, who promises erotic laser swordfighting in his show, was the most warmly received stand-up

Published: 2 Aug 2001