Published: 08 Jun 2016
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe returns for what promises to be another fantastic edition of the most renowned open access arts festival in the world. All ages and appetites are catered for in a programme that includes theatre, dance, circus, physical theatre, comedy, music, musicals, opera, cabaret and variety, children’s shows, free shows, exhibitions, events and spoken word.
2016 will see 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows from 48 countries in 294 venues across Edinburgh.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “It is an honour to be launching the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme.
“The breadth and diversity of talent that comes to the Fringe is unparalleled, and this year is no exception. At its core the Fringe is an open access festival, which welcomes anyone with a story to tell, and for that reason, amateur and professional artists from around the world continue year after year to come here to share their stories, hone their skills, create new opportunities for themselves and their work, and celebrate the joy of live performance.
“The diversity of the Fringe’s participants is echoed in its audiences and there really is something for everyone at the Fringe, whether you enjoy puppet shows or comedians, astonishing street artists or dazzling cabaret acts, ground-breaking international theatre or underground musical sensations, the Fringe will surpass your expectations over and over again.
“With less than two months to go, I am looking forward to welcoming participants and audiences to Edinburgh in August for another fantastic Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs said: “The Edinburgh Festival Fringe offers another exciting, wonderfully varied programme for 2016. Remaining the largest Fringe festival in the world, it attracts thousands of visitors from home and abroad every year and is a fantastic opportunity to show what Scotland has to offer to the rest of the world.
“The Scottish Government is proud to support the Fringe ‘Made in Scotland’ showcase, via the Expo Fund, which provides a valuable platform for the best of Scotland’s performers and companies, raising Scotland’s cultural profile to an international audience. The Fringe facilitates one of the most significant international arts market places, providing a stage for Scottish, UK and international artists to meet with and catch the attention of arts industry attendees who can help them take the next step in their careers.”
Janet Archer, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland said: “The Edinburgh Festival Fringe gives artists and audiences from across the world the chance to come together to share stories and human understanding through a celebration of all that is great about the arts. For Scottish artists, the Fringe provides a crucial opportunity to develop new local and international audiences, meet with arts industry professionals and take inspiration from the wealth of international talent that visits Edinburgh each year.”
Richard Lewis, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Festivals and Events Champion said: “The Edinburgh Festival Fringe continues to go from strength to strength and the 2016 programme is a testament to the continued popularity of the festival as a place that performers from all over the world flock to showcase new work and meet new audiences.
“Edinburgh is world renowned for its festivals and we are always looking for ways to develop and ensure that visitors and locals continue to have the best experience possible when attending these truly international events. I am very much looking forward to the 2016 Fringe and all it has to offer.”
This year the Fringe Society has unveiled a new strategic partnership with Skyscanner.
Gareth Williams, CEO of Skyscanner said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2016. Skyscanner’s mission is to help people find great travel options at the best prices possible. With artists and audiences attending the Fringe from all over the world, Skyscanner is a perfect match, helping travellers to plan their trip and get the best deal out there.”
View the full programme for the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe: https://tickets.edfringe.com/
The 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 05 – 29 August.
Fringe facts 2016:
Comedy makes up 34% (compared to 34% last year)
Theatre makes up 27% (compared to 27% last year)
Music makes up 15% (compared to 14% last year)
Musicals and Opera makes up 4% (compared to 3% last year)
Children’s Shows make up 5% (compared to 5% last year)
Dance, Circus and Physical Theatre makes up 3% (compared to 4% last year)
Events make up 4% (compared to 4% last year)
Cabaret and Variety makes up 4% (compared to 4% last year)
Spoken Word makes up 3% (compared to 4% last year)
Exhibitions make up 1% (compared to 2% last year)
There are 643 free shows, 164 pay what you want shows, 1,731 premieres and 48 different countries represented.
If you require a full list of shows related to the themes mentioned in this media release, or are interested in other themes or feature ideas, please contact the Fringe Media Office. media@edfringe.com / +44 (0)131 240 1919 The Fringe Media Office @ Fringe Central will be open from 01 – 29 August from 10.00 – 20.00 BST daily (please note we will close at 18.00 BST on 28 and 29 August).
Box Office tickets.edfringe.com +44 (0)131 226 0000
Creative Scotland Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits Scotland. Creative Scotland enables people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. Creative Scotland distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com / @creativescots / www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
