The Edinburgh Fringe Society has announced that the first tickets for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will be available to book from 1 July.
The festival has also revealed that all shows will fall under three broad formats; shows that are performed live on stage, shows that are live-streamed, and shows available to watch on-demand at any time. All shows this year will also be e-ticketed only, as part of continued efforts to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint.
This year marks a return to in-person performances for the Edinburgh Fringe, following a 2020 programme that was forced to be online only due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A full-scale return has been ruled out until 2022.
In April, key venues expressed doubts over whether this year’s festival could take place, citing a lack of clear guidance from the Scottish Government. One company, Greenside Venues, has already confirmed that it will not be able to host in-person performances this August.
Venue plans for this year are currently uncertain. Last month, Underbelly lodged a plan for a ‘big top’ venue to be situated in the Meadows in the centre of the city. The venue has two potential designs depending on whether or not the Scottish Government revises the two metre social distancing requirement for performance venues. Underbelly are currently seeking planning permission from Edinburgh City Council.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from 6-30 August, and performers are able to register their shows right up until the end of the festival.
Words by James Hanton.
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Image: David Monteith-Hodge // © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society