Latest news with #FreeFringe
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Readers' letters: Give the Fringe's favourite uncle the freedom of the city
A reader says it's high time the founder of the Free Fringe got official recognition Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... On Tuesday on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, I bumped into, and then had the honour of chatting for half an hour with, the icon that is Peter Buckley Hill. Peter who? Peter Buckley Hill, the man who in 1995 with just one show, Peter Buckley Hill and Some Comedians, single-handedly created PBH's Free Fringe, that revolutionary initiative which offers free stages to performers, free shows to punters – theoretically free, but stick in the bucket what you can afford – and an endless stream of customers to hundreds of independent local businesses who otherwise would have lost trade to obscenely priced pop-up bars and food vans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Millions of people have been entertained by the PBH Free Fringe, many thousands of whom have then been inspired to bring their own productions to Edinburgh. Additionally, those punters have also taken home a memory of both the Fringe and the city which they would not otherwise have had, as will be recalled by everyone who ever attended or performed at one of Peter's legendary, riotous, chaotic, shambolic, hysterical, joyous and always – always – open and welcoming gigs at the Canons' Gait pub. Peter Buckley Hill created the Free Fringe in 1996 This year alone PBH is responsible for more than 600 free shows in 43 spaces. In an increasingly more corporate, elite and financially challenging environment for performers and punters alike, Peter has, year in year out, delivered the most successful outreach programme across the entire British arts scene. Somewhere out there, the Edinburgh Fringe still has a soul and it is Peter Buckley Hill. Peter's getting old. I noticed that, and he acknowledged it. It's now time to thank – officially – the Fringe's most beloved, idiosyncratic, visionary, empathetic, iconoclastic, benign old hippy. So, come on Edinburgh City Council, how about giving the Fringe's favourite uncle the Freedom of the City? Ross Smith, London Land tax Ian Petrie (Letters, 7 August) argues for a local tax based on land values rather than property. A laudable argument, but as a resident of Edinburgh (my home city) he will be aware that it is famous for its tenements. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How would you appraise them? Possibly a share of the building's imprint. But it would need to be executed in such a way as not to be unfair to those in detached properties. Something that could fall under the law of unintended consequences. C Lowson, Fareham, Hants Energy resilience According to the message issued by SSEN on 5 August, 'Storm Floris has been the most damaging summer storm in recent memory'. It impacted severely on the electricity network throughout the North of Scotland, with supplies to thousands of households being disrupted. Sadly, this has become an all-too-frequent occurrence in recent times and it is very obvious that there is a complete lack of protection and resilience built into our power distribution systems throughout Scotland. Electricity consumers in Scotland pay approximately 56p every day in standing charges. With more than two million households paying this charge each day the total capital being raised off the backs of bill payers is in the region of £500 million annually. The whole point of the standing charge is to provide capital to repair and maintain the network. It seems that wires on matchsticks do not make for a particularly resilient system in the context of stormy weather. The experience of people living in the North East in recent times tells us that the storms are not only becoming more frequent but they are also growing stronger. Instead of standing charge money being used to fund new pylons to export Scotland's electricity it is time that the money our bill payers contribute is used to create a resilient distribution network. Cables should be buried; stronger masts constructed when they need to be carried and sound engineering applied to what is a fundamentally simple problem so that Scotland's citizens don't need to worry about the power going off every single time there is a storm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Energy is a matter which is reserved to Westminster. As electricity consumers in Scotland have learned in recent months, Westminster is not prepared to act on our behalf if it considers that it may have an adverse impact on consumers in England. The time is now ripe for matters related to the generation and delivery of energy in Scotland to be dealt with at Holyrood by the elected government of Scotland. Jim Finlayson, Banchory, Aberdeenshire Renewables banking on wind power is the Achilles heel of our present dash to save our world from calamity. The cost of scaling up wind power in terms of the impact on our environment is such that our country will be left with little countryside that will not be impacted in a negative way. As an example, here in Scotland – and many hill walkers can testify to this – there are few areas at present whether travelling to or actually walking, the views of pylons and wind turbines do not intrude massively. It is highly likely that our present leaders have seriously underestimated future energy needs as we move toward the requirements of robotics, data centres, future manufacturing needs and travel, let alone household and office needs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Imagine how this country would look with the present relatively small number of green power turbines and pylons then scale that up in your mind by at least a factor of four for wind turbines, two for much bigger pylons, ten for battery storage plus the infrastructure to reach housing and offices. It is the scaling up of energy production to cope with future energy needs that should be driving where we look to source energy. At present, nuclear is only proposed as a base load back up to wind when the scale-up factor of nuclear should be screaming loud and clear 'choose me'. The obvious win for nuclear is that small generators can be located closer to the customer, reducing energy transport infrastructure such as pylons with the other benefit of not requiring back-up infrastructure in case of failure. Present-day nuclear generation has the ability to reuse waste, which reduces the waste element considerably to the extent that our present nuclear waste, as I understand it, has become an asset rather than liability. What's not to like? A Lewis, Coylton, South Ayrshire Lose-lose strategy Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Both SNP and Labour have retained their presumption that there will be no new oil and gas developments in Scotland or in the rest of the UK. Ed Miliband, the minister mostly responsible for these decisions, has a very obvious and strong antagonism towards fossil fuels; many, with reason, feel he is an eco-zealot. These two parties are in the main responsible for the loss of 13,000 oil and gas jobs in the past year alone. Their attitude surely will leave the country almost totally reliant on intermittent and unreliable and environmentally questionable wind as well as expensive foreign oil and gas imports while also shedding highly skilled jobs at an alarming rate. In the meantime, Norway is cashing in and filling the gap left by the SNP-Labour's dangerously premature abandonment of our precious energy resources, decades too early and sadly for no other reason than posturing. Alexander McKay, Edinburgh No surprise It should come as little surprise that one of the more intelligent members of the SNP, Kate Forbes, has decided to stand down from the Scottish Parliament. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She has clearly recognised the inability of the First Minister to deliver basic public services for the people of Scotland as she did during the SNP leadership election in 2023 when she was openly critical of the track record of Humza Yousaf. It was also during that leadership election process that she endured some poisonous rhetoric from within her party relating to her views on abortion and gay marriage. One might fairly come to the conclusion that her decision to step down from the discredited Scottish Parliament has much to do with her faith as well as her intelligence in abandoning a sinking ship. Richard Allison, Edinburgh Bright light dims Yet another bright light in Holyrood goes dimmer, as the Deputy First Minister has announced her intention to stand down from politics in 2026. Kate Forbes MSP certainly lit up the Chamber back in 2020 as the first female to deliver a Scottish Budget (at short notice) and she brought ability and commitment to her new-found position. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To be an MSP in such a rural and geographically taxing constituency (Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch) would be difficult for anyone, but for a mother with a young child it presents a scenario which raises questions. Should the boundary commission be considering geographically halving the constituency to make it manageable, should parliament be looking for future possibilities for such a geographically spread constituency? After all, the make-up of constituencies should not be solely dependent on achieving the number of voters, it should be manageable in the interest of constituents and representatives. Catriona C Clark, Banknock, Falkirk Vocabulary lesson I would like to thank Mark Boyle (Letters, 6 August) for introducing me to a wonderful word I have never heard in all my 83 years – snollygoster: an unprincipled person, especially a politician. Rosemary Shaw, Edinburgh Write to The Scotsman
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Glasgow comedian reveals the reality of £7,000 Edinburgh Festival Fringe 'slog'
Performers have warned of the rising costs of the Fringe Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Glasgow comedian has raised the lid on the financial and mental stresses of performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, admitting it is a 'slog at times'. James Gardner, who is performing at the festival, said his show has cost him more than £7,000 so far in venue, accommodation and production costs. He described the stress of monitoring ticket sales 'the worst form of doom scrolling you can get'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish comedian James Gardner said his Fringe run had so far cost him £7,000. | PA Posting on social media, Mr Gardner told his fans: 'It's a real privilege to be able to go and do the Fringe for a month, but it's also a slog at times, certainly mentally. 'I'm checking my ticket sales every two minutes, it's the worst form of doom-scrolling you can get. Every time you refresh the ticket portal and don't see sales (which if you do every two minutes you won't) you start catastrophising about the month that's still ahead of you.' The comedian revealed his venue - in the basement of Le Monde on George Street - had cost £2,000. However, Mr Gardner said the deal he had brokered with the site allowed him to keep 100 per cent of his ticket sale revenue, unlike other major venues, which take a cut of the earnings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His comments come in a year when many Fringe performers have warned that spiralling costs have priced them out of bringing a show to the festival. 'Putting on a show costs a lot of money,' Mr Gardner said. 'I'm really happy to have more control over my earnings, but I'm over on the New Town with less footfall, which has made it much more difficult to get people in from flyering as the folk that wander around and take chances on shows are normally over in [the] Old Town. 'I've got to take responsibility for that 'cos I made what I thought was the right call based on how many folk came to see me during the last two Fringe shows.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said he believed it would have made more financial sense for him to perform at the Free Fringe, when audience members pay a voluntary contribution at the end of the show, but that he had been unable to secure a venue. The comedian said he would try to do so next year and 'go with the flow'. Mr Gardner also laid out other costs of performing in Edinburgh, including £1,550 for a month's accommodation in a single-bed dorm in a university halls, £1,200 for a director and £1,000 for PR. He said registering a show with the Fringe costs £380, while 'to get a few posters and A4s on lampposts' costs around £700, plus printing charges. 'You don't get paid until at least the end of September,' he said. 'So not only are you having to pay out all these costs, you then incur the daily Edinburgh Fringe prices for food and drink.' He added: 'There are lots of stories and examples of comedians going to the Fringe, playing a room at the Pleasance or whatever [big prestige venue] and having a great run, which is mostly sold out, and still owing their agent or promoter money, which is wild. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'What's crazy is everyone else gets paid in that supply chain - the promoter, the venue, the PR agency, the people doing the flyers, the tech person, the bar staff and the director etc. Doesn't seem right does it?'
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – ANGLE OF THE NORTH: NATALIE DURKIN ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The way the performers interact during the initial stages is often a very good sign of what is to come. As Fringe-goers entered the pub for Angle of the North and were greeted by an effervescent Natalie Durkin, it was clear that this was going to be an enjoyable show. So it proved. The real essence of the Fringe The atmosphere was warm, with about 25 people crammed in the small back room of the Southsider pub ('let me warn you, it's going to get f***ing warm in here!). This is the real essence of the Fringe. As the audience waited, they were 'treated' to a series of 'bad Eighties tunes'. Though primarily stand-up comedy, music was going to play a role in the show – Durkin's singing was unexpected and impressive. There was a nice mix of ages in the room, so the tunes would have been familiar to many. Again this added to the sense of ease in the room. The audience seemed to sense that they were in good hands and would not have to battle through 'Fringe Cringe'. The show proved to be far from that. Collective, collaborative atmosphere Durkin did a great great job of creating and maintaining a nice collective, collaborative atmosphere. This was through the character of her interactions with the audience. She was never harsh and no one was put on the spot. We all felt included. This encouraged people to contribute, including a couple on the front row whose entertaining interactions with Durkin really added to the show. Durkin's off the cuff remarks and reactions demonstrated a performer that was relaxed and sharp. There were no awkward silences. The relaxed feel of the show meant she could go with the flow when things didn't go quite as planned ('that was clearly not meant to happen – but let's just go for it'). She carried the audience through it all. She even made the setting up of the mic stand into a feature of the show! Am I becoming middle class? Her main focus was on the questions of culture and class. More specifically, of her own unease – having moved to a rather posh area of North London from the North East of England. Trips to the Hampstead Heath bathing pool still made her feel uneasy given her working class roots. 'Am I becoming middle class?'. Her new life was at odds with her upbringing and some of her preferences, much preferring kebabs to avocados. There are familiar themes in British comedy but were done well, not hackneyed. The show was fast-paced, with engagement maintained right throughout. Nice changes of pace and tone helped, as did the shifts into song; songs which were humorous and well performed. The themes also shifted, from very light to quite dark at times. This all gave the performance a nice texture. Though she described it as a work in progress show, it's clearly progressing well. The shows 40 minutes passed quickly and highly enjoyably. An excellent advert for the Free Fringe The performance was very much in tune with the principles of PBH's Free Fringe. The whole setup was very minimal (a black sheet, a synthesizer and a microphone); all rather different from the more 'professional' rooms at the big venues, where the lighting and flow of air may be better. Durkin's 'bucket speech' was spot on; not begging for money, but paying tribute to the Free Fringe, outlining that working through it was the 'only reason' she could perform in Edinburgh. This highly engaging show was an excellent advert for the Free Fringe. A good reason to explore the Fringe outwith the big venues. ANGLE OF THE NORTH: NATALIE DURKIN is part of PBH's Free Fringe. No booking required – just turn up. It runs at the Southsider – Side Lounge (venue 148) from 16:30 – 17:10, until August 24th Like this: Like Related
Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Five of the best free Fringe venues
E dinburgh comes alive in August, but while the Fringe is full of incredible venues and countless must-see acts, the costs quickly add up. That's why the Free Fringe is so special — it offers more than 350 free (or pay what you can) shows in 22 venues across town, allowing you to enjoy some of the city's best pubs, bars and cafes for less than a fiver. Here are five of the best venues. An institution of Edinburgh's late-night scene — 'Drops' is the Guinness-flavoured slice of Ireland all Fringe-goers need to experience. Hidden in a cul de sac between Grassmarket and Greyfriar's Kirkyard, the bar will host Irish Comedy Free-For-All, UK Pun Off. If you've had enough Jameson to stomach it, try #ComedyKaraoke. 7 Merchant Street Westside Rodeo on George Street Two worlds collide in Westside Rodeo on Edinburgh's illustrious George Street. It's a handsome Georgian townhouse on the outside, but a whole other world as you head downstairs to be met by hay bales, cowboy hats and of course, a mechanical bull. Join last year's best new act runner-up, the comedian James Beckett, for our top pick: Stutter Island. 51A George Street • The highs and lows of the Royal Mile: A flyerer's guide to the Fringe The City Cafe in the Old Town Fancy a latte with your laughs? Grab an all-day diner-style breakfast at the City Cafe, an Old Town venue that hosts a huge number of shows and even features (relatively) family-friendly shows throughout the afternoon. Kick off with Ben Ashurst's Breakfast Club stand-up show at 10am — boozy brunch vibes guaranteed. 19 Blair Street • Edinburgh Festival 2025: the best shows to see this year One of a trio of pubs — the Pear Tree and the Counting House both also host free Fringe shows — spanning three stories of one of Edinburgh's picturesque tenements by the uni. Between them, the trio have everything from speakeasy vibes and a sun-trapped beer garden to a show for all tastes. Our top pick at West Nic? Not My Audience combines Mock the Week with unpredictable crowd participation. 32-38 West Nicholson Street For a slightly more laid-back vibe, the Hanover Tap (formerly Jekyll and Hyde) is one of the Free Fringe's longest running venues and welcomes back 100% Funny Feckers for its fifth sell-out run. Tucked just off the hustle and bustle of Princes Street, The Hanover Tap is a perfect spot to wind down after a day in the thick of the Fringe. 112 Hanover Street
Scotsman
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Free Children's Shows: Here are 11 shows for the kids with completely free entry
August is fast approaching which means it's time to scour the Edinbugh Festival Fringe programme for the best shows to see. The physical programme has over 3,350 shows across 265 venues, meaning it can be a daunting task to work out what exactly you are going to see. It can be an expensive business too, with many shows at the bigger venues now costing over £20 for the first time - and that's doubly the case if you are booking tickets for the while family Luckily, there's a Fringe experience for all budgets, including hundred of free shows that just ask you to turn up early and queue to be sure of a seat - and that includes shows for kids. Of course, they're not necessarily entirely free - you'll be asked to check some money into a bucket (or increasingly make a contactless payment) on the way out, with £5-£10 being a ballpark figure for a show that you have enjoyed. Some shows also give you the opportunity to 'pay what you want' in advance to secure a seat. There are two main sources of free shows - the Free Festival and PBH's Free Fringe - both of which operated in similar ways and tend to take place in pubs around the Scottish Capital. Here are 11 that caught our eye. You can check out the programmes at the Free Festival's website here and PBH's Free Fringe here . Remember not all shows are included in the Fringe official programme. 1 . Olaf Falafel's Stupidest Super Stupid Show – New Improved Recipe The title says it all - Olaf Falafel's shows are very stupid in just the way that kids love. Expect plenty of jokes about bodily functions in the show billed as "comedy show comedians take their kids to". It's on at the Ballroom at Laughing Horse @ The Counting House at 11.30am most mornings from July 31-August 24. | Contributed Photo Sales 2 . A Magic Morning Tim the magician is performing a range of tricks sure to entertain the kids each morning at 11.10am from August 2-24 at the Little Plaza venue as part of the PBH Free Fringe. | Contributed Photo Sales 3 . The Buttons Show It may not be Christmas, but there's still some pantomime fun in Edinburgh this August courtery of The Buttons Show. It promised an hour of "amazing puppets, fabulous stories, dazzling magic and catchy Scottish singalong songs (including, of course, 'Oh Ye Canny Shove Yir Granny Aff The Bus'). It's all happening at noon each day at Murphy's from August 2-24. | Contributed Photo Sales 4 . CeilidhKids at the Fringe What better way to start a day at the Fringe with the wee ones than with a Scottish ceilidh. Taking place most mornings from July 31-August 24 at the Ballroom at the Counting House, this is the perfect introduction to Scottish country dancing for kids, with simplified versions of many old favourites. | Contributed Photo Sales
