We may be mouldering amid a damp February, but the eyes of the Edinburgh Fringe Society have already turned to August. For the advance planners amongst you, 276 shows are now available to peruse and book for the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe.
Yes, dear reader, the first trickles of the annual deluge of Edinburgh Fringe mail has hit my inbox. It only seems fair to share it with you! However, it’s the brave artistic souls who’d ponied up for a listing in the official programme, and not the Fringe Society, nor I, who are responsible for this announcement.
With arts funding an ever more endangered phenomenon, a few tickets booked now could be just the encouragement this band of forerunners need.
“It is always special to see the first batch of shows that will be performing at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Those working across the Fringe have been preparing for this moment for months – laying the groundwork for artists to come to this year’s festival and the creative explosion that is August in Edinburgh. Being able to browse the first set of shows always adds an extra level of excitement. It’s a reminder that the 2024 Fringe is just around the corner, and it feels a lot more real for the whole Fringe community. I encourage audiences to support those performing at the Fringe this August by browsing shows and booking tickets as early as you can. “
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
Here’s a whistle-stop, surface-skimming tour of the Fringe shows available to support right now:
Cabaret and Variety: Dive into a world of illusion with Cameron Young: The Scottish Magician at Gilded Balloon, or get spellbound by Ben Hart: HeX at Assembly. For a musical whirlwind, don’t miss Music, Mayhem and a Mezzo at theSpaceUK.
Comedy: Laugh out loud with the Best of So You Think You’re Funny? at Gilded Balloon, or explore comedic boundaries with Frank Sanazi’s Mein Way at Le Monde. For a unique take, check out Thots and Prayers by Ajahnis Charley at theSpaceUK.
Dance, Physical Theatre, and Circus: Experience the energy of The Black Blues Brothers at Assembly for their farewell season, or immerse yourself in the innovative Hound in the Light by Art Home at theSpaceUK.
Music: Jazz enthusiasts should not miss Jazz at Lunchtime at Novotel, while Andrea’s 21st-Century Speakeasy! at Argyle Cellar Bar promises a night of swing and romance. For folk-rock fans, Driven Serious at Bannermans is a must-see.
Theatre: Don’t miss the poignant Hagar: War Mother at theSpaceUK, or the comedic yet reflective Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at St Ninian’s Hall. For a unique blend of literature and performance, how can you resist an 82-year-old Miriam Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits at Pleasance?
If I sound enthusiastic then it’s because, for all the problems I’ve written about over the years: from the hyper-concentration of venues to the increasing financial barriers to artist inclusion, I want the Fringe and specifically the artists who make it happen to succeed. So for all the rampant inequalities and structural problems with how the Fringe currently works, there are worse uses for your hard-earned cash than keeping someone’s Fringe hopes alive by booking a ticket today.
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