Page 2 | Edinburgh Fringe

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 21/08/2018 06:50

Sorry you had a disappointing time OP.
I went for one day this year for the first time, with 2 kids aged 3 and 6. We couldn't afford much so just stuck to free shows and street performers.
Tbh I was expecting the free shows to be a bit shit but thought the kids would probably still enjoy themselves.
We went to two kids shows at the Three Sisters, which was doing a little mini free festival called Free Sisters. Both were excellent. Ds is still talking about Mr Fizziwigs Story Factory.
Both kids had a really nice time hanging out on Princes Street chatting to the performers in their costumes. There were also some very entertaining buskers doing circus acts.
We had chicken nuggets and chips at a place called "Wings" half way up Old Fish Market Close, went on the ferris wheel and then went home.
If you go next year OP, I'd totally recommend checking out some free stuff. It sounds like some of it is better quality than the ticketed shows.

backaftera2yearbreak · 21/08/2018 06:53

Someone’s finally pointed out a positive Brexit outcome. A smaller Festival. Please god let that be true!

Notveryadventurousname · 21/08/2018 06:58

I've already been up this year. Didn't see any comedy as dubious about wasting precious time in a show that might not work for me. Once you get up in those tiny roons, you can feel a bit obligated to sit it out. Love the atmosphere and street performers though, even the flyer pushers.....just seeing people excited and passionate about what they're doing! Lots of really varied live music, the arts and lit festivals on at the same time, the galleries, museums, fireworks every night and so on. Next year I wil try to be brave and risk a couple of comedies again. Maybe we need a MN recommendation thread.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 21/08/2018 07:00

Oh sorry OP, just noticed that some of your disappointing experiences were free fringe. At least you didn't have to pay to be disappointed although you can hardly ask for your time to be refunded! It sounds very awkward to be the only people in the audience and then have to leave!

FinallyHere · 21/08/2018 07:19

One of my favourite shows was a daily round up , think it was hosted by Mervyn Stutter, called pick of the fringe. They have scouts out covering lots of the shows, any they 'pick' are given a few minutes to give the audience a flavour or preview.

DH did lots of research each with reviews, we also went to Mervyn's review each morning and i picked tbe show that most appealed. Research made easy 😀 and i really enjoyed the 'pick of ..' format in itself

Original poster

FringeGoer2018 · 21/08/2018 07:37

unlimiteddilutingjuice Yes the street were very entertaining!

OP posts:

Original poster

FringeGoer2018 · 21/08/2018 07:40

FinallyHere Great tips! Thank you. I will remember this advice for next time!

OP posts:

LassWiADelicateAir · 21/08/2018 09:09

I don't think Brexit will have any effect whatsoever on the Fringe

The Director of the Festival thinks it will be "catastrophic"

www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/edinburgh-festivals/brexit-could-have-a-disastrous-impact-on-edinburgh-international-festival-1-4776482

Fergus Linehan is the director of the official festival- not the Fringe and he was talking about the official Festival.

I was and am a fervent remainer and I still think he is doom mongering.

Thomasinaa · 21/08/2018 11:10

This year's programme is half as thick as last year's.
Another abusive Brexiter. How unusual.

MrsSteptoe · 21/08/2018 11:17

According to national press and Wikipedia, there were roughly 3,500 shows both years. In fact, marginally more in 2018. If the programme was thinner, that may be because acts didn't get their details in in time to be included in the programme, or it may be because they sold less advertising, or gave less space per entry (though there's very little space given to start with). I can't explain that, but the number of acts hasn't dropped.

Thomasinaa sorry, who is the abusive Brexiter?

LassWiADelicateAir · 21/08/2018 12:41

Another abusive Brexiter. How unusual

Who are you referring to?

I haven't kept a copy of last year's Fringe programme but but from memory it looks much like last years. The number of acts has not gone down.

BertrandRusselI · 21/08/2018 12:46

There’s apparently been some difficulty getting as many people to flyer/put up posters this year, so it looks like there are fewer shows because there is less publicity IYSWIM. Some of the performers have been complaining about it.

Nettletheelf · 21/08/2018 14:02

I’ve never been to any free fringe events that are comparable with paid for shows. We never go to see big name comedians either...why bother when they tour all the time? Better to see something unusual or new. We’ve seen some fantastic, innovative stuff in Edinburgh over the last ten years, both comedy and drama.

Thomasinaa · 21/08/2018 14:37

The abusive Brexiter comment was Ginghambox's "Shove your Brexit comment up your arse".

Thomasinaa · 21/08/2018 14:39

Apparently he or she was offended because I dared to wonder how the Festival would be affected by Brexit.

CraftyGin · 21/08/2018 14:44

Have been to the Fringe for the first time ever. Stayed 2 days. Saw 5 comedy shows, 1 of which was brill and 4 which were dire. One show, we were the only ones in the audience. Others, there were hardly any people there. Is this typical or did we choose poorly? Feeling a bit disappointed

It’s not typical. We went to loads of shows last week and they were all great.

CraftyGin · 21/08/2018 14:50

One of my favourite shows was a daily round up , think it was hosted by Mervyn Stutter, called pick of the fringe.

We went to this - fab. It was great to get an overview of the types of shows that were on.

MrsSteptoe · 21/08/2018 14:53

Thomasinaa Ah, I see! Yes, it was an odd one...

museumum · 21/08/2018 14:57

I used to go to all sorts of random stuff when tickets were £5-6 as a student. These days I don't go unless I know the performer, have read reviews in respected publications or have had a personal recommendation.

GrouchyKiwi · 21/08/2018 15:02

The year I did the Fringe Properly almost everything I went to was good. We found that standing in queues was really helpful as some of the acts would go around and give a short demo of their show. We found three really fantastic ones that way.

I agree that the drama is usually better than the comedy shows. Have seen some very innovative versions of things like Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde over the years.

This year I've only done one show, but it was excellent. There's always really good Gilbert & Sullivan in the Fringe. We saw Cat-like Tread's Patience last night and loved it. Usual silly G&S storyline, but great songs and the cast was really good.

Pangur2 · 21/08/2018 15:03

I went last year and the year before, for a week to 10 days both times. I averaged about 5 shows a day for both. As earlier posters mentioned, an excel sheet was invaluable!
I go to a lot of comedy gigs anyway, so most of my time was taken up with comedians I had either seen before or had been dying to see for ages. The rest were based on reviews. Across the 2 years I only saw 1 rubbish one, and she was trying god bless her! I really missed going this year, but most of the successful shows make it down to Soho Theatre eventually so I will just have to sit tight!

flissypix · 21/08/2018 16:25

I went up this year saw 12 shows 2 were amazing, 2 were dreadful the rest somewhere in the middle enjoyable but I wouldn't go out of my way to watch anymore.
I loved the fringe and I think I am likely to make it an annual trip.

MrsFezziwig · 21/08/2018 16:57

We have been going for several years. Had to go in the first week this year so we benefited from 2 for 1 tickets on the Mon/Tues (though the downside was that a number of shows were sold out in advance which I doubt would have been the case if they were full price).

We like to book a few events in advance so that we have a bit of structure otherwise it’s a bit overwhelming (would certainly be if it was your first visit). Then read the reviews as they come out (I’m subscribed to both the Fringe and The List emails).

I like comedy & we saw a couple of good ones, but seeing a variety of things is my preferred option - not just comedy but music, dance, theatre, circus etc. Also meeting up with friends in the pop up bars, having a couple of nice meals, exhibitions in the museums, guided walks etc etc.

There is lots of free non-ticketed comedy and that can often be for a reason (although you may chance on a good one). Also, bear in mind that, as the performers say, it’s free to get in but not to get out

Weather was amazing this year as well so we were able to enjoy the outdoor spaces more, great to be wandering round in T shirts late at night.

I’m laughing at the thought of fewer shows - it’s now our tradition to say every year as we’re going home “we should have come for longer”

notacooldad · 24/08/2018 07:33

We've just got back from the Fringe and I'm struggling to see why the OPnwas dissapointed.
At the Free Fringe it is mostly comedy. At the Fringe there is so much choice from famous comedians, plays, musicals, events, music, children's shows, science events, spoken word, dance, magicians and more.

We used the Free Fringe website and would see what time it was and see what was nearby and often have pot luck.

I'm looking forward to next year already.