Guy Masterson has announced that his thirtieth consecutive Edinburgh Fringe will be his last as a producer after nearly 150 shows.
He posted on Instagram as he was travelling to Edinburgh for the 2024 Fringe, "I've lost far more than I've earned at the Fringe over that time but somehow managed to survive with a healthy turnover of successful shows and brilliant artists that went on to make their risk back... in some cases far more... but at nearly 63 I've decided that paying off the mortgage is now more important..."
Following a successful run in London of The Marilyn Conspiracy, which he co-wrote with Vicki McKellar and originally produced in Edinburgh in 2018, Masterson will be producing two new shows for this year's Fringe: Making Marx, created and performed by Clara Francesca about Karl Marz's wife Jenny, and Victor's Victoria, created and performed by Victoria Mature about her father, the Hollywood star Victor Mature.
He will also be performing single performances of two solo shows that originated in his first years in Edinburgh and which have been revived frequently since by popular demand: Under Milk Wood and Animal Farm.
While he won't be producing any more on the Fringe, he may well continue to appear. His Instagram post concluded, "my love affair with Edinburgh doesn't have to be over... I'm happy to accept directing or maybe even acting jobs—all expenses paid of course! So do bear me in mind for next year!"