The history of Edinburgh Fringe

The Origins of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 

In 1947, two years after the end of the Second World War, Edinburgh held its first International Festival, aimed at reviving the arts and fostering unity in a dark post-war era. The idea is said to have been conceived on a starry night in 1942 by impresario Rudolf Bing and soprano Audrey Mildmay. The Edinburgh Fringe was born out of this festival when eight theatre troupes, despite not being part of the official Edinburgh International Festival, performed their shows on the fringes of the event. After years of this informal tradition, the Fringe Society was created in 1958, officially establishing the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

How the Edinburgh Fringe has evolved

Since its inception, the Fringe has grown beyond anyone's expectations. It has become a launchpad for countless artists, helping to shape the careers of many, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She first performed her award-winning play Fleabag at the Fringe, a show that was later adapted into a television series with international acclaim. Legendary actresses Judi Dench and Maggie Smith also graced the Fringe stage in The Double Dealer, a play that later moved to the Old Vic Theatre in London. Comedians like Rowan Atkinson, famously known as Mr Bean, along with Robin Williams and Graham Norton, also got their start at the Fringe. The festival has become the perfect place for creatives to experiment with new works, gain exposure, and build networks.

The future of the Edinburgh Fringe

Seventy-eight years on, the Fringe remains as vibrant as ever. Each August, thousands of performers and audiences flock to Edinburgh to participate in and witness a vast array of productions. Although the pandemic raised concerns about the future of the Fringe, its vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat continues to thrive. In 2024, the festival is still fulfilling this mission, ensuring that the spirit of creativity and inclusion lives on.