Cheaper Edinburgh Fringe shows on the way

Under the banner Five Pound Fringe, all shows at the Tron pub and the GRV at next year’s festival will be just £5.

And organisers hope that more venues will come on board between now and next August, too.

The move follows complaints that shows at the big venues in the Edinburgh Comedy Festival are often too expensive, frequently topping the £15 mark for an hour’s stand-up.

But the growth of the Free Fringe and Free Festival operations, where audiences make voluntary contributions after the show, has demonstrated a cheaper way is possible.

The Five Pound Fringe is being put together by comedy agents and promoters Good Sense Of Humour, which will be programming the Tron and GRV next year.

Coordinator Lisa Keddie said: ‘These spaces will be at the centre of the Five Pound Fringe umbrella, but we’re actively encouraging any venues or performers to take part in the movement.

‘Our main aim is to reduce costs, both for the performer and the punter. By offering tickets at a lower price we hope that audiences will be more willing to take a risk on an unknown show.’

Unlike the free organisations, comedians will have to pay to perform, with a guarantee against box-office takings and a marketing fee. But Keddie estimates it will be around half the cost of being in one of the ‘big four’ venues comprising the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

Published: 9 Dec 2008