Edinburgh Fringe

How young, cool and dynamic

The Fringe was born from 8 performing companies, gate-crashing the programmed and pompous International Festival. There are now over 900 companies (that's around 14,000 performers) who pay their own way to stake their claim to greatness (and perhaps even a TV contract). The Fringe is the only platform for freedom of expression which attracts an audience of half a million. Despite Edinburgh's wind and rain, hot and uncomfortable venues (as well as extraordinary ones) participants and punters return year after year. Both are loyal but not complacent. Next year the Fringe is 60, but still how young, cool and dynamic is this Lovemark!

Charlotte, United Kingdom - 24 August 2005