Latest news with #PBHFreeFringe
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Vladimir McTavish: It's Fringe time – so the annual signal to dig up Ferry Road
It's annual roadworks time on Ferry Road/Goldenacre junction Even if I wasn't doing a show, I would know by now that the Fringe is in full swing. On Thursday morning someone started digging up Ferry Road at the Goldenacre traffic lights. It happens at this time every year. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Our house guest, who is staying for the month, asked why this could happen at the busiest time of year. It's anyone's guess. As a permanent resident of the neighbourhood I had to tell them it is a regular, year-round occurrence. I'm guessing this year, with Oasis at Murrayfield, the council decided it made sense to just get all the traffic disruption out of the way in a one-off, three-day window Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As for Oasis, the long-feared impact on festival audiences would not appear to have happened. My show last night was pretty busy, only slightly lower than an average Fringe Friday. Only a week ago, fellow performers had been predicting a total wipeout this weekend. However, a well-known comedian on the PBH Free Fringe took to Facebook on Wednesday evening to bleat about getting zero sales for her two shows that night. She blamed this on Oasis. Pull the other one. They weren't in town for another two days. She then went on to say she was glad she hadn't wasted money by registering her show with the Fringe. If you don't register your show, you don't feature in the printed programme or on the EdFringe website. Maybe that's the reason for her zero sales the other night? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I love the round-the-clock nature of the Fringe. Scottish comedian Ross Leslie is hosting a show at the Gilded Balloon at 11am called 'Bring Your Bairn' where the audience are allowed to bring their you baby to the gig. I did it yesterday morning, and managed to do my contracted 15 minutes without a babe-in-arms crying. Unlike a show I did at Adelaide Fringe earlier this year where the audience were encouraged to bring their dogs, and I was barked off after five minutes. The only disconcerting thing was being on stage at that time of day, when I am seldom out of the house during the Fringe. However, given that the audience consisted of young parents, I was definitely the least sleep-deprived person in the room.
Edinburgh Reporter
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
From stage to plate – the essential guide to eating and drinking your way through the Fringe
Edinburgh in August means one thing – festival fever. But with 3,352 shows competing for your attention at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where do you even begin? As an obsessive festival-goer, I've learned how to squeeze every drop of cultural and culinary goodness from August without emptying my bank account. Start smart – plan ahead and stay fuelled Don't go in blind. I've spent countless hours researching this year's lineup and created a comprehensive Fringe Recommendation Spreadsheet featuring 165 must-see shows, including plenty with food and drink themes. These aren't random picks – they're based on thorough research, trusted PR tips, and my reviews from previous years. You'll find everything from big-ticket productions to hidden gems in the PBH Free Fringe, plus money-saving offers throughout. My second piece of advice: factor in travel time between venues and build in 'pitstops' to refuel. Edinburgh in August is a marathon, not a sprint. Where to eat – beyond the beaten path Have a plan for your day and book restaurants ahead – they all get busy around the main venues. While street food stalls pop up around venues for quick bites, I recommend escaping the crowds. Jump on a tram to the Macdonald Road stop on Leith Walk, where my favourites include Pera (fabulous Turkish BYO), Brunswick Book Club (outdoor seating sun-trap), Vittoria's (Italian – Crolla dynasty excellence), and The Walnut (intimate restaurant with seasonal local ingredients). Venture further to the Shore for fabulous views and small plates at Port of Leith Distillery – the UK's first vertical distillery overlooking the Firth of Forth. Another couple of hidden gems are Café Domenico's, a bustling Italian with warm welcome and genuine cuisine and the fabulous Barry Fish, on the Shore. For something special, try Badger & Co on Castle Street, inspired by Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows. This creative dining experience celebrates local seasonal produce, including foraged ingredients from local hedgerows. W Edinburgh's W Deck offers 360-degree city views, signature cocktails, and live music during W Sunset Sessions (Fridays 7-10pm). Their glass pod dining experience provides stylish private dining overlooking Carlton Hill, perfect for August's nightly fireworks displays from Edinburgh Castle. For night owls, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh's 9pm Club offers 25% off food and beverages from 9pm to close until September 2025. Shows with a culinary twist Australia's singing cook Michelle Pearson returns with her multi-award-winning Comfort Food Cabaret (Aug 1-3, 8-10 at 1 pm, New Town Cookery School). Join her for lunch, where you actually get fed! Taste dishes cooked before your eyes, paired with heartfelt storytelling, live music, and cooking demonstrations. In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience (Assembly Rooms, Bijou) sees comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh and a wine expert guide you through five wine tastings and at least five jokes. Edinburgh Gin Presents Ready Steady Cocktail (Edinburgh Gin Distillery) – professionals face off against brave amateurs in a live cocktail challenge. Ingredients come from the Tombola of Taste – think seaweed, chilli, or lavender fudge. With welcome drinks and two outrageous creations, anything can happen. The Gin Tasting Show (Muse at Braw Venues – Hill Street) returns with tastings of three gins, history lessons, weird gin facts, and cabaret entertainment. For whisky enthusiasts, A Dram is Worth a Thousand Words with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society offers guided tastings of three exceptional cask-strength, single-cask whiskies. 2 Guys, 3 Drams: The Ultimate Live Blues and Whisky Experience (Big at the Space Triplex) – The Rhythm and Booze Project serves three superb Scotch whiskies alongside stomping blues music. In 65 minutes, learn to sound clever about whisky while enjoying raucous tunes. Whisky Under the Stars at Dynamic Earth's 360° Planetarium combines astronomy with three Holyrood Distillery whiskies – Embra, Ambir, and Pitch – for a stellar adventure. For night owls, Midnight Treats at the Fringe at Tipsey Midgie (Whisky Bar of the Year 2023-2025) features Colin Hinds pairing three hand-selected Scottish whiskies with bespoke canapes. One of my favourite experiences last year was a Thai Cooking Masterclass with chef Rujira Herd in her own home in Liberton. She reveals trade secrets while teaching three delicious dishes. Only 20 minutes from the city centre on buses 7, 37, or 47. Learn to Cook and Enjoy A Three-Course Meal with Local Chef Nell Nelson takes place in a 200-year-old historic Edinburgh home. Maximum six guests enjoy welcome drinks, then cook traditional Cullen Skink and Scottish shortbread before relaxing with their homemade creations. What's In the Kitchen (Assembly Rooms, Bijou) offers a tribute to Brazilian cuisine through five acts centred on the senses, featuring local ingredients with Brazilian touches. Stay refuelled and you'll pass the finish line with no problems. For timings and bookings: For my Fringe recommendations spreadsheet: Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
How to master the Fringe without breaking the bank
As a former Assembly and Gilded Balloon Press Manager, I can reveal the tricks to navigating 3,352 shows on a budget. Edinburgh in August means one thing – Festival fever. But with 3,352 shows competing for your attention at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, where do you even begin? As someone who's been working and playing at the Fringe for three decades – first as Head of Press at Assembly and the Gilded Balloon, now as an obsessive festival-goer – I've learned how to squeeze every drop of cultural goodness from August without emptying my bank account. Start smart – get your bearings My first piece of advice? Don't go in blind. I've spent countless hours researching this year's lineup and created a comprehensive Fringe Recommendation Spreadsheet featuring 165 must-see shows. These aren't random picks – they're based on thorough research, trusted PR tips, and my reviews from previous years. You'll find everything from big-ticket productions to hidden gems in the PBH Free Fringe, plus money-saving offers throughout. The beauty of the Fringe is its democratic chaos, but a little planning goes a long way. I admit to spending a small fortune each year, but I've been putting aside Master the art of booking Here's where most people go wrong: booking tickets one at a time. The Edinburgh Fringe website charges £1.25 per ticket (capped at £7.50 per transaction), and so do the individual venues, if you choose to book directly at their box offices, which quickly adds up. Instead, get organised and book your tickets in bulk. Make an itinerary, plan your must-sees, and book them all in one go. Alternatively, book directly at venues to avoid booking fees entirely. Don't forget the 2for1 offer on the first Monday and Tuesday (4-5 August this year). Buy two full-price tickets and the discount applies automatically – just remember, this only works for pairs, not single tickets. Preview power and freebies The Fringe doesn't officially start until Friday 1 August, but many shows offer discounted previews from Wednesday 30 July. These early performances are often rough around the edges, but they're cheaper and sometimes more exciting for their unpredictability. Want to go one better? Loiter with intent around the big venues during preview days. Promoters desperately need audiences for early shows, and I've scored numerous freebies by hanging around beer gardens at Underbelly or Assembly Gardens. It's not dignified, but it works. And even if you don't score any tickets, they're both a great place to grab some street food from one of the numerous stalls, meet friends, and people watch. Fringe Recommendation Spreadsheet for 165 curated must-see shows Multiple shows, single ticket The big venues – Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Underbelly, and Pleasance – run gala launches featuring highlights from their biggest productions. Assembly's Gala Launch on Wednesday 30 August is my personal favourite: £18.50 gets you a taste of 230 shows. It's always a sell-out, so book early. Benefit shows offer similar value. Underbelly's Big Brain-Tumour Benefit on 13 August combines great comedy with charitable giving, while Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe offers live extracts from seven top shows daily in a packed 90-minute lunchtime slot. It's like the Royal Variety Show of the Fringe. Daily line-ups at Free culture everywhere The Royal Mile transforms into a massive street performance playground where world-class buskers mix with thousands of festival-goers. These performances are free, though donations are appreciated. You'll find portrait artists, caricaturists, face painters, and palmists in every nook and cranny. Don't overlook the PBH Free Fringe shows – while technically free, these artists need to eat and pay rent too, so be generous if you can afford it. Get your steps in Edinburgh's public transport slows to a crawl during the Fringe, so walking is often quicker. If you must use buses or trams, take advantage of the ToTo contactless payment system, which automatically calculates the best fare with daily and weekly caps. Membership perks Culture vultures should consider joining Friends of the Fringe (from £49, or £39 by direct debit). You'll get 2-for-1 tickets, priority booking, and various perks. Share the cost with a friend and you'll recoup your investment quickly. Love the Fringe While I love the Friends of the Fringe scheme, I'm opting for Love the Fringe. This new membership scheme was created by the eight organisations that form and offers exclusive discounts across over 1,800 shows with five membership tiers to choose from. Beyond comedy Free walking tours with Edinburgh Festival Voluntary Guides Association leave from City Chambers Courtyard at 10.30am and 2pm daily. For sports fans, Eric Liddell – Legacy of an Olympic Legend at the Eric Liddell Community Centre is unmissable. Art lovers should check out Every Picture Tells a Story at the Storytelling Centre. BBC value Get value from your licence fee! The BBC returns to Edinburgh with live recordings at EICC and Pleasance Beyond from 4-8 August, featuring Front Row, The Afternoon Show, Loose Ends, and Breaking the News. Tickets are available through Pleasance Festival Box Office. For details of other shows being broadcast by the BBC, click here. The golden rule – stay flexible My final piece of advice? Don't over-schedule. Book your must-sees but leave gaps for spontaneous discoveries. The magic of the Fringe lies in stumbling upon unexpected gems – that comedian flyering desperately on the Royal Mile might just be the next big thing. Factor in travel time between venues and build in 'pitstops' to refuel. Edinburgh in August is a marathon, not a sprint. #DareToDiscover The Fringe is about daring to discover something new. After 30 years, I still get that thrill of not knowing whether a show will be brilliant or terrible – and that's exactly the point. Enjoyment is subjective, but the adventure is guaranteed. Want my complete research? Check out my Fringe Recommendation Spreadsheet for 165 curated must-see shows, complete with money-saving tips and offers. Like this: Like Related
