Landmark cinema is new Fringe venue

A landmark art-deco cinema is to be put into service as a new Edinburgh Fringe venue.

The former Odeon Cinema on Clerk Street is closing this month, after being sold to a property developer to be made into flats.

But before its demolition, the building will be used to provide five new performance spaces during audience, offering a total of 1,200 seats.

The new site is an offshoot of The Pod, the marquee in Festival Square that was one of the most high-profile new venues last year.

This year, the Pod will be in The Centre for Sports and Exercise, next door to The Pleasance Courtyard.

The new venue, to be called Pod Deco, is slightly off the main Fringe track, about five minutes south of the Pleasance. (Map)

Fringe director Paul Gudgin, said: "Last year, The Pod was one of the Fringe's biggest hits. We are delighted The Pod will return and thrilled that the arrival of Pod Deco will mean the opening of a new Fringe venue right in the heart of the city."

Jenny Eclair, Jimeoin, Danny Bhoy and Perrier newcomer Gary Le Strange are among those already confirmed to appear in the Pod venues from August 4 to 29.

Published: 6 Apr 2004