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Putting on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?

Have you ever wondered about putting on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?

In September, when Edinburgh’s festival season ends, ambitious actors and comedians begin planning the following year’s Fringe Festival. If you are thinking of doing it yourself, consider that it takes at least a year to get all your ducks in a row. Fortunately, the Fringe Society offers a lot of useful information.

So what does it take to put on a show? Well, of course, it probably takes self-confidence and enough cash to get there, but really, if you think you’re talented, no one else has to agree to you doing a show at the Fringe.

You don’t have to apply, and technically you don’t even have to register with the organizers, although as you will see, it is quite difficult to attract any audience if you don’t.

Anyone can put on a show

Anyone who wants to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival can do so, but they must be well organized and willing to put in a lot of effort. The Fringe Festival does not produce or fund any shows. They do not invite anyone to perform or pay any artist.

But they do provide a wealth of resources. Many are free, but if you sign up, they can be even more useful.

What you need to do yourself

  • Produce your show
  • Make your own way to Edinburgh
  • Find and pay a place
  • Find and pay for your own accommodation
  • Produce your own brochures and posters and distribute them around Edinburgh.

What the Festival Fringe Society does

  • Produces the festival program that includes all shows that are registered (see why this is a good idea?)
  • Produces the downloadable companion guide to choosing a venue, a guide that lists venues for shows and offers tips on choosing one that suits your budget and production.
  • It operates an online search service for venues looking for shows.
  • Provides a venue checklist with everything you need to know before signing contracts with venues.
  • Produces several more incredibly useful, Edinburgh-specific How To Guide, including:
    • How to put on a show
    • How to sell a show
    • How to run a place
  • Provides monthly newsletters with lots of essential and timely information and advice.
  • It has a password protected area with exclusive information for artists.
  • Organize the street performers and “show clips” that appear on the main street.

Other festival services for artists and shows

The Press Office produces newsletters and tips, generates publicity for the festival and shows, and provides liaison opportunities between promoters and shows for shows hoping to tour after The Fringe.

The box office puts the tickets on sale two months before the festival starts and sells at least 25% of the tickets for all the shows in the program. The box office also organizes ticket promotions, such as at the e-ticket tent and the Half-Price Hut, and provides companies doing presentations with reports on their ticket sales.

Fringe Central has meeting and communication facilities for press, artists, producers, company members, and venues. At Fringe Central, participants can:

  • Find internet, Wi-Fi, photocopiers, telephones, fax and newspapers.
  • Get advice on advocacy and networking opportunities.
  • Rental of rehearsal space and other rooms at reduced prices
  • Join professional development events, talks, and workshops.
  • Just hang out with other participants in the cafeteria and bar.

Important sources of information

  • Visit the participant download page for a variety of information and tips.
  • Watch videos on Additional Information Sessions for participants
  • If you’ve never done it before, the Planning Your Show page on the festival’s website has brilliant tips.
  • For tips on everything, download a pdf of The Fringe Guide to Doing a Show.
  • The Fringe Society steps in with advice on Budgeting and Finance, including a budget planning tool and information on fundraising.

How much does registration cost and what does it include?

If you register your show, you will be included in the print and online programs and the Fringe app – these are Fringe-goers Bibles and if you want an audience, you need to be in them. The registry also includes:

  • Professional Development Events at Fringe Central in August.
  • Personalized advice on how to manage marketing and media campaigns
  • Personal advice on professional development, touring your show, contacts.
  • Year-round support, from choosing your location, legal and licensing matters and information for international companies

The costs for 2018 were the same as in previous years, but there is always the possibility that they will increase for 2019. Check the registration pages on the Fringe website after January and sign up for their newsletter to keep track of costs and services. The newsletter subscription is at the bottom of the Putting on a Show page.

  • Full run of 6 or more performances : £ 393.60 (discounted before March 15 to £ 295.20)
  • 3-5 gigs limited run – £ 204
  • Limited run of 1-2 performances – £ 96

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