'We will return with a renewed purpose. We will persevere.'

The 'big 4' Edinburgh venues have all issued their own statements in the wake of its afternoon's news that the Edinburgh Fringe is not going ahead as usual this year. Here they are:

Pleasance

As part of a collective agreement with other venue operators and The Festival Fringe Society, it is with great sadness that The Pleasance Theatre Trust has taken the decision to suspend planning for the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe season. This follows the suspension of operations at the Pleasance Theatre in London earlier this month. 

While the Pleasance remains hopeful that we will be through the worst of this crisis by August, public safety remains their top priority. 

It is clear that there are a great many uncertainties and this constantly evolving situation has the potential to create a great deal of personal risks for performing companies, artists and venues. The ‘unknown’ is undoubtedly one of the Fringe’s most exhilarating characteristics. However, in this instance, it is one that creates critical challenges. It is for these reasons that the decision to suspend has been made now. 

The Pleasance has stood proudly at the centre of the Fringe community for 35 years and exists to champion great voices, ideas and experiences – an ethos that remains unchanged. Committed to supporting artists, the Pleasance will be refunding any deposits and marketing fees already paid by companies. 

As part of the communication with existing ticket holders, the Pleasance will be giving audiences the option to convert their tickets into donations that will be shared between the venue and performing company. 

Anthony Alderson, director of the Pleasance, says: ‘Our primary concern is for public safety. In light of the current risk to public health, and with so much uncertainty about future risk, we firmly believe there is no alternative but to suspend any plans. 

‘We also want to avoid the significant financial liabilities that performers and visiting companies could have by going forward. 

‘I sincerely thank and congratulate all of those artists that have spent so long creating such incredible work. We truly hope that it has not been in vain. Our programme is curated with works that excite and challenge us – this remains the case. These artists continue to be part of the Pleasance family and, whether it is in London or Edinburgh, we would be delighted to continue discussing future opportunities. 

‘In time, when restrictions are lifted and life returns to a new kind of normality, we will reopen and once again capture that undefinable Fringe spirit that embodies all those who perform with us, work with us and visit us. 

‘Our London theatre’s doors will open as soon as we’re able and we will return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe galvanised within a renewed purpose. We will establish new ways to support artists and even better routes to help audiences discover them. We will thrill, amaze, provoke and entertain. We will persevere. We hope we can do this together.’

Underbelly

For the past few weeks, in conjunction with the Fringe Society and all our festival partners, we’ve been working hard to explore all avenues to put on this summer’s festival. 

However, due to the continuing spread of the Coronavirus, the increasing threat to people’s health, and the potential need for an extended period of social distancing, we have taken the collective decision to suspend our 2020 programme as it stands. 

This means that as of today we will be taking shows off sale and automatically refunding any ticket purchases made for Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe 2020 less booking fees and charitable donations.

Whilst we are suspending our 2020 plans and fully supporting our artists’ withdrawal from this year’s Fringe, please be assured that we remain committed to returning fully in 2021. Underbelly has provided a stage for new and established artists at the world’s greatest arts festival for more than 20 years and we plan to do whatever we can to continue to do this in the future.

We are very sad to have had to make this decision – particularly for the artists who have made such great work and for all those people for whom the festival is so important.

We’ll be in touch once we have more news but for now, stay safe and look out for each other.

Assembly

For the past few weeks, in conjunction with the Fringe Society and all our festival partners, we’ve been working hard to explore all avenues to put on this summer’s festival.

However, due to the continuing spread of the Coronavirus, the increasing threat to people’s health, and the potential need for an extended period of social distancing, we have taken the collective decision to suspend our 2020 programme as it stands.

This means that as of today we will be taking shows off sale and automatically refunding any ticket purchases made for the 2020 Assembly Festival minus booking fees.

Whilst the immediate future is uncertain, we are optimistic that the pioneering spirit of the Fringe will continue.

So, whilst we are suspending our 2020 plans for now, and fully supporting our artists’ withdrawal from this year’s Fringe, please be assured that we remain committed to returning fully in 2021. Assembly Festival has provided a stage for new and established artists at the world’s greatest arts festival for the last 40 years and plans to do whatever it can to continue to do this in the future.

We are very sad to have had to make this decision – particularly for the artists who have made such great work and for all those people for whom the festival is so important.

We’ll be in touch once we have more news but for now, stay safe and look out for each other.

Gilded Balloon

For the past few weeks, in conjunction with the Fringe Society and all our festival partners, we’ve been working hard to explore all avenues to put on this summer’s festival. 

However, due to the continuing spread of the Coronavirus, the increasing threat to people’s health, and the potential need for an extended period of social distancing, we have taken the collective decision to suspend our 2020 programme as it stands. 

This means that as of today we will be taking shows off sale and automatically refunding any ticket purchases made for the 2020 Gilded Balloon programme for this Fringe, less booking fees.

Whilst we are suspending our 2020 plans and fully supporting our artists’ withdrawal from this year’s Fringe, please be assured that we remain committed to returning fully in 2021. Gilded Balloon has provided a platform for new and established artists at the world’s greatest arts festival for more than 35 years and we plan to do whatever we can to continue to do this in the future.

We are heartbroken to have had to make this decision – particularly for the artists who have made such great work and for all those people for whom the festival is so important.

We’ll be in touch once we have more news but for now, stay safe and look out for each other.

Published: 1 Apr 2020