Hello blog readers and festival goers near and far and welcome to my wee blog! 

So, I’m Rachael and I am the new Creative Administrator here at YOURgb. It’s safe to say I am absolutely buzzing that the Edinburgh Fringe is approaching! I come from a performance background myself, having previously trained in Musical Theatre, and I’ve been lucky enough to have performed in the Edinburgh Fringe for over 8 years now. While also being able to visit it for many years before as I was growing up in the Scottish Borders. The theatrical bug still lives on in me even while I’m busy event planning and talent managing here at YOURgb, there is so much crossover of creativity and passion that it makes for a perfect working combination here in my new role. 

Fun Fringe Fact: Finlay Bain (YOURgb Creative Manager) and I performed together back in 2018 in Trainspotting Live during the Fringe Festival after previously being on tour together. Finlay is also an avid Fringe veteran having taken his own play ‘Living A Little’ to the Fringe multiple times.  

Some of you may be wondering what this festival even is?

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one of the world’s largest celebrations of art, culture and creativity. An explosive mixing pot filled with every kind of performer and performance you could imagine. It floods Edinburgh with art and diversity for the month of August and more than doubles the City’s population. That being said, it can be an overwhelming experience for those not used to the busy bustling streets and extravagant festivities. There are flyers being thrust at you, costumed characters leaping out from all angles, eccentric street performers at every turn and of course, the fact that you have over 3000 shows to choose from…(3,013 this year to be exact.) With all this in mind,  I thought I would share some of my festival tips and tricks to ease you in and help you navigate one of the most vibrant Arts Festivals in the world!

Pre Planning, Tickets & Navigating the City

When it comes to trying to plan your day, check your fringe calendar and know where you’re going –  The Official Fringe App 2023 has everything you need! Trust me, when it comes to figuring out which of the 268 venues your show might be at, the Fringe App will be your best friend. There are companies operating from multiple venues and this can be quite confusing, even for the locals. Timing is everything and knowing where you are heading and what is nearby will save you a lot of stress. It gives you much more time for enjoying the experience as a whole and getting in that bar queue pre-show. No one wants to be rushing up the cobbled, steep & busy streets of Edinburgh on a time limit!  – https://www.edfringe.com/experience/app

Gardens, Venues & Vibes

If you fancy going with the flow, sitting amongst the madness in a beer garden or even doing some celebrity spotting, then you definitely want to try and head to some of the amazing outdoor hotspots. The majority of these are located within the main student grounds for The University of Edinburgh. The main Hub for our big Fringe contenders can be found at Bristo Square, George Square Gardens and Pleasance Courtyard. Here, our Fringe top dogs (Assembly, Underbelly, Pleasance and Gilded Balloon) host amazing spaces full of outdoor bars, food trucks, performance spaces and activities. There are even VIP bars hidden within for those lucky enough to receive a pass… however you don’t need a VIP pass to have a great day out here soaking up those festival vibes. There are plenty of food and drink options between all the venues to fit all your needs too and if we’re lucky enough to get some sun during August then get there quick!

The Royal Mile, Street Performers & Keeping It Budget Friendly

Like any festival, it can be difficult to keep an eye on those purse strings – especially in these “current times”. But have no fear, for those looking to keep their time in Edinburgh budget friendly there are plenty of options to help you do so. If you’re brave enough to take on the swarms on the Royal Mile then you will be met by lots of free entertainment happening right in front of your eyes. There are street performers galore to stumble upon, from magicians, sword swallowing, juggling, musicians and more – there is certainly plenty to keep you entertained. Of course if you have something to spare then the street performers do have their collection buckets ready. There are even stages showcasing 5/10 minute performance slots of various artists trying to plug their own show, so you might even find a show you’d like to book in full.

If you fancy getting off the streets and seeing a performance, but don’t quite have the budget for tickets, there is also PBH’s Free Fringe. That’s right, FREE! There are about 350 free performances this year to choose from across various venues, so keep your eyes peeled for hitting the festival on a budget. 

For those that enjoy an alcoholic beverage during the festival, but aren’t quite ready to pay the rising costs of an outdoor pint, it is actually legal to consume alcohol on the streets of Edinburgh! This means you can bring your own ‘carry out’ with you while you enjoy exploring the city. This of course should always be done responsibly, and if you do end up wanting to visit one of the many bars or festival gardens, I would suggest finishing up or getting rid of any alcohol you might still have in your bag to avoid any awkward confrontations – but it’s definitely another money saver!

The Edinburgh Fringe has such a strong place in my heart  that even though you may not find me in the EICC’s tunnels this year, you will be able to spot me at Paradise in Augustines from the 4th – 12th August in RENT! I have since gone back to treading the boards with the incredible company Bare Productions – known for their high caliber of productions and outreach within the community. The show is amazingly already sold out, but you can queue for a last minute ticket each night half an hour before the performance! You might even spot our posters dotted around the city…

No matter what your cup of tea might be, there really is something for everyone, so go forth and enjoy – you might end up being the first to see the next big thing!