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Some good news for Fringe fanatics has dropped, with an announcement that the Edinburgh Fringe festival will be reimagined online for 2020. Back in April in the midst of Covid-19, it was decided that the 2020 festival would not go ahead, however this has now been reworked into digital activity as a means of keeping the festival alive this summer in some way. There will be livestreamed performances, as well as a mix of nostalgic and community events and support sessions.
“It’s hard to imagine a summer without the Fringe. The explosion of creativity and community that the festival brings every year is unparalleled, and whilst we may not be able to provide a stage in Edinburgh in quite the same way this year, it feels hugely important that the spirit of this brilliant festival is kept alive.” – Shona McCarthy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Chief Executive.
In the absence of a Fringe festival, a new crowdfunding platform, FringeMakers has been launched to support artists. The festival has estimated a loss of more than £21 million for this year, and so the aim is to ensure artists, venues and participants will be able to come back for the 2021 festival, and that through the FringeMakers crowdfunder, this will be possible. Artists and venues will be able to keep 100% of any funds donated for their own cause, and Crowdfunder have waived fees for this in addition to providing support and training on how best to raise money during the August festival period.
Find out more at Crowdfunder
Fringe on a Friday variety shows will showcase comedy, music, dance and cabaret in 60-minute shows. Variety shows will be streamed each Friday evening throughout the Fringe festival period: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th August.
This August, artists and audiences can upload 60-second films and immerse themselves in an interactive Fringe experience. Audiences can donate to artist and venue funds, comment live with their appreciation, as well as choosing from either specific video clips or a mixed stream of Fringe content which will be available.
There will be no programme for the 2020 Fringe, however at the time of the Covid-19 cancellation announcement, the theme and artwork had already been created. The theme for 2020 was realised by pop culture illustrator and visual artist Butcher Billy, with the concept being the heroes of the Fringe, namely the artists and crew who ensure its success.
Although there is no programme this year, there is a range of limited-edition merchandise to celebrate the programme that never was, including t-shirts, hoodies, magnets, notebooks, posters, and prints.
Merchandise is available from The Fringe Shop
Comedy Central International will be supporting the festival and spotlighting ten rising comedians. There will be a series of seven-minute stand-up episodes across Comedy Central International’s Facebook, YouTube and Instagram platforms, starting on 17th August.
Highlights from the digital episodes will air in a 22-minute TV special on Comedy Central UK on 28th August and also be made available internationally.
“The impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for the countless artists, audiences, venues, workers and small businesses that make this festival happen every year. The FringeMakers crowdfunding campaign is designed to support them, while the Fringe on a Friday live show and the Fringe Pick n Mix website aim to bring some much-needed joy to our devoted audiences both here in Scotland and all over the world.” – Shona McCarthy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Chief Executive.
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