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Dateline: 10th June, 2004

Edinburgh Fringe 2004 Programme Announced

A massive number of international shows, performers and initiatives - including the final ever UK performances of a show described as the most explicit show ever staged in Britain, a brand new Ethnic Comedy Award and a one-woman show by the voice of Bart Simpson - dominate the 58th Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which launches its Programme today. Fringe Director, Paul Gudgin, said, "A year that has focussed on international issues has produced a Fringe full of international artists, all choosing Edinburgh to tell their stories. As Athens welcomes the world's athletes for the Olympics, Edinburgh will be a magnet for the world's artists and performers this August".

International highlights include Kenneth - What is the Frequency? by award-winners 78th Street Theatre Lab (creators of 2003's hit Boy Steals Train); the shock sensation XXX by La Fura del Baus (Spain) and Bang Bang You're Dead from the group behind the critically-acclaimed Laramie Project of Fringe 2002.

Other countries represented in the theatre section include: Norway (Det Apne Teater), Singapore (Dancing with Dragons), South Africa (Fuse), Zimbabwe (Kokoba Town), Ukraine (Young Kossacks), Kosovo (Alternative Theatre Kosova), Montenegro (Teatar Dodest Montenegro), and the Czech Republic (Teatr Novogo Fronta).

The publication of the Fringe Programme is also being used as a means for the Scottish Executive to promote Scotland to the rest of the world as a place to live and work, via a new sponsorship deal. First Minister Jack McConnell said: "Every August the world comes to Scotland to sample the delights of the Fringe - there is simply nothing like it anywhere else in the world. It's creativity, excitement and global popularity is a bonus for Scotland.

"There is a new and exciting story to tell about our nation - our authentic culture, our great cities and our enterprising attitude makes us one of the best small countries in the world.

"And there can be no better time to tell that story than during the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe, when the eyes of the world turn to Scotland and its capital."

Fringe '04 Facts

• Fringe 2004 presents 25,326 performances of 1695 shows by 735 companies in 236 venues. (2003: 21,594 performances of 1541 shows by 668 companies in 207 venues).
• An estimated 15,629 performers will be on Edinburgh's Fringe stages.
• Theatre, as ever, is the most popular art form (587 shows, 35%), followed by Comedy (23%) then Music (21%). Events make up 5% of the programme, with Children's Shows, Dance & Physical Theatre, Exhibitions and Musicals each providing 4% of the programme.
• A third of all shows are World Premieres. 6% are UK premieres, 6% European Premieres.
• 139 shows at Fringe 2004 are absolutely free.
• It would take you 5 years and 53 days to see every performance back-to-back.
• Last year, the Fringe sold 1,184,738 tickets, and was the first time the Fringe broke the million ticket barrier.
• The Fringe has a 73% market share of all attendances at Edinburgh's year-round festivals.
• The Fringe's on-line ticketing operation, on www.edfringe.com, fulfils 40% of the Fringe's sales, making it one of the most successful arts websites in the UK.

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©Peter Lathan 2004