I’ve just got back from a flying visit to the Edinburgh Fringe. Here are my top ten recommendations if you’re visiting Auld Reekie this August.
Download the Fringe App
It’s a great way of planning your schedule, checking ticket availability and even buying – though the app crashes on an apple iPhone more than any other I’ve ever used. Worth persevering though as it’s a great way to beat the box office queues – and there are plenty of places where you can print them out – the app even directs you to it using your Maps via GPS. Clever.
If it is a working trip, pre-book a standard class train but upgrade to first class for just £20
As long as there are available seats on GNER, they allow you to upgrade on the train for just £20, and you get free Wi-Fi and soft drinks, refreshments and even a meal. I tend not to fly, as once you’ve added in check in, waiting and transfers from the aiport to town, its not much quicker, and delays are more likely, whereas your trains gets you into the heart of Princes Street after a straight through journey from Kings Cross without a change (if you’re coming from London, that is).
Pre-book shows likely to sell out
I was lucky enough to see David Baddiel and Stewart Lee because I booked early. Many sell out – though some add extra performances – like my client Paul Zerdin who’s at the Gilded Balloon – but moving to the larger Debating Hall due to phenomenal demand. (Final plug, I promise).
Eat, drink & relax in Assembly George Square Gardens
Home to Speigeltents, and every type of world cuisine you can possibly imagine, it is by far the most beautiful place at the fringe to socialise, network, relax, work or refuel. Live music, plentiful bars that you virtually never queue for – outdoor heaters… boy have they got this right. There is also a new members bar tucked away by George Square Theatre, which you can go through a hidden door to get to Fat Sam’s Grand Slam style, if you have one of their black pass cards… a prized possession this year at the festival.
Keep an eye on the Fringe First Awards, and go to the Traverse
This year, first round of Fringe Firsts have already gone to The Events, Grounded, Quietly and Ciara all at the Traverse – always the place to find the best new theatre. The Events in particular seems to be a hot ticket. Fringe First’s almost always get it right in my opinion, a great barometer for the overwhelmed casual visitor.
Buy the late night issues of The Scotsman
Because this year they come free with a Canvas Bag full of goodies (presumably in tribute to fringe favourite Tim Minchin?!). A 5 -star from the Scotsman is Edinburgh’s answer to an Oscar. Some nights there was less review coverage than I remember from recent years, I wonder if a sign of things to come, certainly in line with Nica Burns’ brilliant speech given last week, in which she warned that the critic might be becoming “an endangered species”.
The wider problem of course may be that all print publications are in jeopardy in the long term. A friend of mine who works for The Sun, says that in house they talk as if there will be no newspapers in print at all in 10 years time. Seems like not that long away to me – but as an avid reading of eBooks and eMagazine’s on an iPad, I can see the reasoning. For now though, its still The Scotsman in print that everyone rushes to each day, and may that continue for as long as possible.
If you’re producing a show, or presenting a client – use a top booker and publicist
This year I’m working with comedy promoter Christian Knowles and specialist PR Paul Sullivan, both of whom are doing an excellent job. A good on the ground team are vital to a show’s success, and Christian has a great team led by Ally Wilson who know all there is to know about the tricks of the trade when it comes to selling a show. This year, Bristo Square has totally been taking over by the Udderbelly right outside Gilded Balloon, with many more postering opportunities than the Gilded Balloon has, yet Ally has come up with unique ways to counter the lack of bill board space – which helped ensure the crowds know where to go. An act can be a draw, but if the audience doesn’t know how and where to find them, it can go wrong.
Take a punt
Go and see something off the beaten track, based on gut instinct. I once saw a young comic because she was friendly when flyering. The next thing I know, she’s won So You Think You’re Funny last year (Aisling Bea). Then again, I also once ended up at a one-man version of Far From The Madding Crowd told in the corner of the pub. The actor played all the characters as a tramp playing the characters, until I realised he was just a tramp. No wonder he had poor diction. He had no teeth. And was thrown out. The show began upstairs shortly after, and wasn’t much better. Though the tramp got a bigger audience.
Tweet your feedback
Edinburgh is a democracy – in as far as if you do something really good it will bubble to the surface – thanks to word of mouth – and there’s no better way to spread that news than Twitter. Include the venues username, and look for local hashtag trends to ensure maximum number of retweets. If you don’t use Twitter… I’ll come back to this in a future column.
Try a deep fried Mars bar
That last one is a joke. Don’t ever do that.