54-show programme announced

The Stand has become the first Edinburgh Fringe venue to put tickets to all its shows on sale.

The city’s comedy club has added a fifth venue this year – at the boutique Metropolitan Hotel just down the road from its permanent venue – and will host 1,100 performances of 54 shows this August

Although Assembly has released tickets for some of its bigger shows, including Jimeoin, Daniel Sloss and the Pajama Men, the Stand’s move to put all its tickets on sale today is a first.

Big names on the venue’s 16th festival roster include Phill Jupitus, Fred MacAulay, Mitch Benn and Omid Djalili as well as returning regulars such as Andy Zaltzman, Simon Munnery, Alun Cochrane and Stewart Lee.

International acts include Canada’s Craig Campbell, and America’s Dave Fulton, Todd Barry and Lee Camp; while Richard Herring will be recording his daily podcast at the club every afternoon.

Acts performing in the new fifth venue include Robin Ince, Ava Vidal, Phil Nichol, Lloyd Langford and Josh Howie.

Director Tommy Sheppard said: ‘We’re proud to be at the heart of the fringe – and by keeping ticket prices down and artists’ costs low we’re defending innovation and experiment that keeps its spirit alive.’

Tickets are available here.

Meanwhile, Assembly has announced the full details of its George Square base this year, while its usual home in New Town is being renovated.

It will operate three wooden spiegeltents in George Square Gardens: the Bosco Tent (seating 180), the Dans Palais (275) and the Teatro Spiegeltent (400).

It will also run the 520-seat George Square Theatre, two theatres in the David Hume building and a temporary theatre in a garage. This is in addition to the Assembly Hall on the mound.

William Burdett-Coutts said: ‘After 30 years on the Fringe, Assembly is going through a massive re-invention brought about by the closure of the Assembly Rooms as a festival hub.

‘ The effect of this had been to threaten the future of the organisation, but we are delighted to say that thanks to the support of Edinburgh University and their belief in Assembly we are moving from George Street to George Square. In our new world we are creating a new festival hub around the gardens and spaces around the square, which will work in conjunction with the Assembly Hall.

‘This is a massive challenge to the organisation but is founded on the ability of our great festival team to build something new.’

Published: 4 May 2011