Support fund for Edinburgh Fringe performers launches

Performers hoping to participate in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will be able to apply for financial support through a new fund, it has been announced.

The “Keep it Fringe” fund, launched by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, will provide a total of £100,000 through bursaries of £2,000 to up to 50 individual artists or companies bringing work to the festival in 2023.

Half the money for the fund will come from a charity established by the society's Honorary President, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The rest will come from money given to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society from individual donors, as well as the festival’s partnership with Edinburgh Gin.

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Waller-Bridge launched her one-woman stage show Fleabag at the festival in 2013, later developing it into a BBC comedy series. She launched her Fleabag for Charity campaign - which is funded by streaming subscriptions for a National Theatre Live production of the show - in 2020 to support communities affected by Covid-19.

“For me, today’s announcement is incredibly personal,” she said. 

“Edinburgh Fringe gave Fleabag a game-changing platform for everyone involved and we are thrilled that the show can continue to pay-it-forward to the creatives of tomorrow and contribute to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take their work to this amazing festival.”

She described the festival as “one of the most unique places on the planet to launch work, meet other artists and be discovered by audiences, agents, producers and the media”.

High costs

Performing at the Fringe has become increasingly difficult for many emerging performers in recent years, due to the high costs associated with the event.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "We recognise how difficult the last few years have been for the cultural sector, and today’s announcement is a very direct way for us to give some support for artists performing at this year’s Fringe.

"We are massively grateful to Phoebe, and all our donors, for their generosity and ongoing support of the work of the Fringe Society. This fund is a first step in what we hope to be an ongoing opportunity for Fringe artists. We will be actively encouraging new donors and Fringe alumni to work with us through this simple initiative, to get support out quickly and effectively to give someone a stage."

Applications for the fund will open on Friday (10 March) and close on 24 March.