With 45,000 performances – a quarter fewer than in 2019

The programme for the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe has been published today – revealing that it will be about a quarter smaller than the last pre-pandemic event.

A total of 45,182 performances are in the programme this year, compared to 59,600 in 2019, a reduction of 24 per cent.

The number of total shows has fallen 21 per cent, from 3,841 to 3,013. That’s fewer even than last year’s 3,171 – although the 2022 programme was released a month later than usual and more shows are likely to be added to the online box office in the coming weeks.

Festival organisers have put less emphasis on growing the event in recent years given the pressures on accommodation and infrastructure an ever-expanding Fringe causes.

Comedy remains by far the biggest section of the programme, with 1,109 shows – 36.8 per cent of the total – compared to theatre’s 803 (26.7 per cent).

Despite the cost of living crisis, there has been a significant reduction in the number of free and pay what you want  PWYW) shows. This year, there are 308 free and 463 PWYW shows compared to 706 and 404 respectively in 2019 – a combined fall of 30 per cent.

The Festival Fringe Society has identified some of the main themes of this year’s event as class, climate crisis, gender identity, mental health, national health services, neurodiversity and racial identity.

Among the more unusual venues are Lady Haig's Poppy Factory, which makes the Royal British Legion Remembrance Day poppies. It is hosting the Recovery Through Comedy Show, featuring stand-up sets by Armed Forces veterans.

Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘Getting the programme out into the world is such an important moment for everyone involved in the Fringe, and most of all for the thousands of artists coming to Edinburgh this August.

‘The ideas, originality and passion that performers bring to Fringe stages every year is testament to the role that Edinburgh plays in celebrating and promoting their work to the world

‘To all the artists, venues, workers, technicians, promoters and support staff, thank you for making it happen, we wish you a wonderful Fringe. To Edinburgh’s local business community, we thank you for your continued support, and to Edinburgh and Scotland’s residents who come out in their thousands, and all our Fringe-goers who keep this phenomenal event relevant and sustained by coming to see the work, we can’t wait to explore the Fringe programme with you this August.’

Fringe Society President Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whose show Fleabag debuted at the festival in 2013, added: ‘I am so proud to continue to be a part of this phenomenal event, 10 years after Fleabag premiered there.

‘This programme will hit the Fringe with the creative wildness, political provocation and huge cultural impact that the festival delivers year after year, at a time when we need it most. 

‘We need help processing what the hell is going on in the world as well as being treated with the imaginative escape that only the immersive experience of the Fringe can provide. Whether your appetite is for theatre, dance, music, circus or street performing, August in Edinburgh will have it all. The only thing it needs now, is you!’

The theme for this year’s Fringe programme and marketing campaign is Fill Yer Boots.

» Chortle’s Edinburgh Fringe listings

Published: 8 Jun 2023