Fringe bigwig wants a shorter event

One of the leading lights of the Edinburgh Fringe has called for the festival season to be shortened.

William Burdett-Coutts, artistic director of the Scotsman Assembly, said the event goes on too long, Losing It energy.

He called on the Fringe and the International Festival to make their timetables coincide.

At the moment, the earliest Fringe previews start from July 31, and the last event on the international festival calender is on August 31.

Burdett-Coutts said that was beyond a festival's natural lifespan. "Four weeks becomes dull," he added.

"It's stupid the two festivals remain apart. Let's get them back together again."

Burdett-Coutts was speaking at the official launch of his venue's programme - with 66 shows, the biggest in his 24 years on the Fringe.

He said; "I can't understand why people hate the Fringe. The initiative this festival provides is extraordinary.

"The Commonwealth Games is a minnow compared to what goes on here in Edinburgh."

Published: 2 Aug 2002