Fringe venue's fundraising idea

Would you spend £75 to be in the same room as Jo Brand?

Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms is certainly hoping so. Under a new scheme to drum up much-needed funds, the venue is offering Fringe-goers the chance to buy their way into its VIP bar.

But critics say comics are ten-a-penny on the streets of Edinburgh in August, and doubt whether punters will be prepared to pay for the privilege. And there’s also the question of whether famous people will attend a bar if its exclusive status is eroded.

For the Assemby Rooms, though, anything is worth a try. The venue is short of cash after mobile phone firm Orange pulled its £150,000 sponsorship.

So it is offering three levels of ‘friends’ schemes – at £10, £30 and £75 – to try to recoup the money. All offer various ticket deals, with the most expensive allowing access to the so-called Star Bar throughout the festival and mingle with the venue’s performers, including Brand, Rory Bremner and the ‘big Hollywood star’ expected to front the production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

Artistic director William Burdett Coutts told The Scotsman: "This is an opportunity for our supporters to really become involved in the whole Assembly experience. We are always looking to build on our relationship with the audience and to give them greater access.

 "This year we are without a major sponsor so we will be relying on our smaller ones to drive ticket sales."

Published: 9 Jun 2004