Edinburgh Festival Highlights
This piece won a prize run by Edinburgh Fringe and sponsor AJ Bell via twitter for best fringe festival highlight/s
Every year in the month of August Edinburgh becomes a bustling hive of activity whilst the Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes over the City. Everyone from actors to comedians and anything in between take to the streets and venues, to pimp their wears and visitors flock to enjoy them. However, this year has been cancelled for the first time in over 70 years, unsuprisingly due to COVID-19, much like everything else. Fingers crossed 2021 it will be back bigger and better than ever, if thats possible, as its always pretty BIG and brilliant. I spotted a tweet the other day by AJ Bell, Fringe Sponsor asking, 'What makes the Fringe for you?' - the acts, who you share it with or a particular moment and it got me thinking about what has made it so special for me in the past. How about you?
I am fortunate enough over the years to have worked and visited the Edinburgh Fringe several times doing different jobs including handing out flyers, market research and front of house amongst others. Each time meeting an amazing mix of people, hearing incredible stories, seeing shows before they completely blew up and witnessing things on the street which would normally be looked upon as unusual on a regular day but not during the Fringe.
Throughout August, Edinburgh opens up and becomes a playground for art, theatre and expression where you can see any show you desire at the drop of a hat, drink cider on a makeshift lawn, spot a minor or major celebrity wandering the streets just like everyone else, enjoy an impromptu flash rave in an underpass, spot awesome outfits everywhere and much more but these are the things springing to mind!.
Over the years I have seen SO many amazing shows on a whim (mainly due to a free pass - the joy of working for a venue). There have been poingant performances, touching on subjects that day to day may not be openly talked about such as grief, making friends in adulthood, mental illness, infertility, child loss and other topics by brilliantly diverse performers. On the flip side, I've seen incredible dancing, singing, cabaret or observational comedy where its easy to spend the night laughing so hard and learning so much.
There have been times throughout the year I have had a random thought about something, such as, 'its harder to make friends as an adult?' and wondered am I the only one who thinks this? Does anyone else get this? then head to the Fringe and yep, other people feel the same way, as there is a whole show dedicated to it, which is very refreshing and often, much needed.
The Fringe is not just about the shows but the stuff on the street, anytime, any place, anywhere. The Royal Mile is one not to be missed and guaranteed there are always great street performers, musicians and artists to be seen.
It is easy to get lost in the crowd or in a sea of flyers at the Edinburgh fringe, so to make a real impact promotion wise you have to go the extra mile. I have seen some of the most inventive Marketing ideas from performers to get people to see their show.
As I am reminiscing about my favourite moments, a Flash Rave in an Edinburgh underpass springs to mind, hosted by The Lords of Strut. After a hard week at the office what better way to celebrate and welcome the weekend? All pretty standard. The weekend has landed! Can't beat a soundsystem in a shopping trolley hosted by two Spandex clad hosts with loads of people having a good old dance to top tunes. Or can you?
What else makes the festival? The Edinburgh Fringe is high on the style stakes, those in and out of costume and its a great place to check out different street styles.
With any festival, or anything else for that matter, it comes with the good and bad, there are the incredible life changing moments, shows and conversations, as well as, the ones you really could have done without. There have generally been more good shows than bad but I have sat through a few I wish I hadn't, you know the ones? five minutes in and are wondering whether you can make a swift exit without anyone noticing. The answer is usually no, goodbye one precious hour of my life to rubbish theatre.
So what really makes the Fringe? For me, its a tough call. I can't quite put my finger on one particular thing but its more a combination of different things, the people you meet, comedy moments, connection, the awesome spots to have a drink, the vibrancy, the spontaneity and seeing shows which may move or make you giggle.
It was hard to pick an actual favourite, as there have been SO many but here are a few highlights.
Showing Ronnie Corbert to his table to watch some brilliant Jazz music
Watching Briefs and being blown away by the brilliance
Having a chat with Miriam Margoyles about which shows she had seen whilst lots of Harry Potter fans gathered around
Seeing 'Puppet Up' and its improvised genius - so funny!
For one year only (fingers crossed) the streets of Edinburgh are emptier than an average August, potentially to the delight of some (dustbin men and local residents trying to get to work in a hurry) and dismay of others (anyone that works, performs or is involved working in at the Fringe). If you have never visited Edinburgh during the month of August, do it, its an experience, whether you want to take in some shows or get lost in the atmosphere, spend a fortune or be frugal, stay sober or get drunk, it is all possible. Fingers crossed for 2021 being the best yet! The one thing that often goes a miss when all these brilliant events are happening is the people who work behind the scenes. There is so much hard work goes into putting on a performance, the performers, production staff, front of house, lighting and so on. Where would we be without art, theatre, music and any other brilliant entertainment? I mean, it would be a very dull and unexpressive world, no doubt, one with many more issues than there already are.
TIPS FOR VISITING THE FRINGE
Some tips for visiting the Fringe, if you're going in 2021, for those with both little and lashings of time. If you are heading up to the festival, especially if its a swifty visit, plan what you'd like to see in advance. Time is precious, and not to be wasted trying to find shows you might like or wandering aimlessly trying to find them. However, if you have lashings of time, wander aimlessly, you’re bound to find something that appeals.
Wear sensible shoes, you'll be walking a lot!
Check out the half price hut, you’ll bag a bargain.
Consult the programme and plan
Spend sometime on the Royal Mile, taking it all in, for FREE (donations to the street performers obviously!)
Talk to people and get recommendations
Take note of ALL the inventive promotion
Take the flyer, it makes life so much easier and better for the person handing them out too
Allow extra time to get to your show
Allow beer time, the venues are vibrant, fun and it really would be rude not to
Don't overload, enjoy!
