When the Edinburgh International Festival launched in 1947, it was inevitable that a fringe event would follow. Beginning with just eight companies of performers in five venues, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (known as “the Fringe”) is now the biggest arts festival in the world, and welcomes tens of thousands of performers across over 250 venues every August. Given the scale of the Fringe – almost 3,000 productions this month – navigating the array of shows on offer can be a challenge, so a visit needs some planning to make the most of your time and budget.
First things first
Many famous performers and writers found their big break at the Fringe, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, when her hit show Fleabag premiered in 2013. The tradition of discovering emerging stars, especially those who have won an award, is often characterised by winning a Fringe First.
