Joyce McMillan goes behind the scenes at the Edinburgh Fringe to explore the logistics challenges facing some of the festival's non-traditional venues.
With hundreds of places preparing to become temporary theatres for the Fringe, making sure they are safe for the public is a mamoth task.
It’s an annual miracle the city has come to take for granted, and even – in some cases – to resent; but all the same, there’s something unique and utterly remarkable about what happens in Edinburgh at this time of year, as hundreds of spaces not normally used for performance throw open their doors, take on a new character, and for a brief three weeks become theatres, full of the bright lights, laughter and tears associated with show business.
This year’s Fringe programme lists 505 venues, across the city; and although a few – like the Traverse Theatre, Summerhall and Dance Base – are year-round arts venues, and some are pubs and bars which host events throughout the year, the majority are spaces that are normally used for quite different purposes, or perhaps not used at all... Keep reading on The Scotsman
With hundreds of places preparing to become temporary theatres for the Fringe, making sure they are safe for the public is a mamoth task.
It’s an annual miracle the city has come to take for granted, and even – in some cases – to resent; but all the same, there’s something unique and utterly remarkable about what happens in Edinburgh at this time of year, as hundreds of spaces not normally used for performance throw open their doors, take on a new character, and for a brief three weeks become theatres, full of the bright lights, laughter and tears associated with show business.
This year’s Fringe programme lists 505 venues, across the city; and although a few – like the Traverse Theatre, Summerhall and Dance Base – are year-round arts venues, and some are pubs and bars which host events throughout the year, the majority are spaces that are normally used for quite different purposes, or perhaps not used at all... Keep reading on The Scotsman