The 2011 Edinburgh Fringe, launched today, features 41,689 performances of 2,542 shows in 258 venues.
Comedy makes up 37% of the Fringe 2011 programme (up 2%). Theatre is 39% (up 1%) Music at 14% is down 2% on last year and Musicals and Opera are at 3.5%, down 0.5% on last year. Children’s Shows remain at 4% for the third year in a row. Dance & Physical Theatre and Events are both down 1% at 3.5%. This year’s newest category Cabaret is at 2.5% and the final 2% of the programme is made up by Exhibitions.
An estimated 21,192 performers will take to the stage in Fringe 2011, compared to 21,148 in 2010 and 18,901 in 2009.
607 shows at the Fringe in 2011 are absolutely free, compared to 558 last year.
1,319 of the shows on the Fringe this year are World Premieres
The recent Edinburgh Festivals Impact Study showed that the Fringe annually generates around £142 million for the Edinburgh and Scottish economy. The study also showed that 89% of Edinburgh respondents said that the Fringe and other Festivals increase local pride in their home city.
There are also venue changes:
- Assembly moves into the George Square Theatre and George Square
- St George's West returns, programmed by Remarkable Arts
- C Venues, celebrating their 20th birthday, move into the Edinburgh College of Art
- Bedlam opens a second venue in the form of Bedlam Chambers
- The BBC is to host a venue at the Fringe, the BBC@Potterow
- Audiences can also see a show in a toilet (Sailing On, New Town Theatre) before hopping on a train for a show (Even in Edinburgh/Glasgow), using new media ((g)Host City) to negotiate their festival through to inviting Fringe performers into their home, bedroom (Alma Mater, Remarkable Arts at St George’s West) and then onto a bus (The Tour Guide)
- Grid Iron will be celebrating their 10th year at the Fringe with What Remains in the University of Edinburgh Medical School’s Anatomy Department
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP said, "Every year the Fringe gets bigger and better and this year’s programme promises to delight and excite audiences from home and abroad. Offering a huge variety of work from an international band of talented performers, I’m sure there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
"Edinburgh’s Festivals contribute hugely to the Scottish economy, generating over a quarter of a billion pounds’ worth of additional revenue for Scotland last year. I’m delighted that our Expo Fund, through the Made In Scotland showcase, is promoting the wealth of Scotland’s creative talent at the Fringe and raising the profile of our world-class artists internationally."
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011 runs from 5th to 29th August.