850 comedy shows vie for attention

This year’s Edinburgh Fringe programme has been released – with a mammoth 2,453 shows vying for attention.

That record-breaking figuremarks a 17 per cent increase on last year’s festival.

With around 850 shows, comedy makes up 35 per cent of the programme, as it did last year, followed by theatre with 29 per cent.

New venues include The Pleasance at Ghillie Dhu, at the West End of Princes Street, and Assembly in Princes Street Gardens.

Fringe chief executive Kath Mainland, said: ‘Edinburgh in August will be bursting with the most talented artists from every area of the arts world.

‘As the largest arts festival, the Fringe attracts performers and audiences from every corner of the world. I look forward to welcoming them to Edinburgh and kicking off what is set to be the biggest and most exciting Fringe to date.’

The listings are not yet available on the EdFringe website, but for details of more than 500 of the comedy shows, click here.

Published: 10 Jun 2010