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drinks Monday 1 September 08 Edinburgh Reunion in London
Topping And Butch Hit Leicester Square 26-27 September 08
Edinburgh Fringe 2005 Launch
by Lea Harris
It’s an unusually bright summer’s Edinburgh day. Upstairs at Vin Caffe, a brigade of chefs hurl around the kitchens making food for the official launch of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2005.
New Fringe press and marketing manager, Louise Page, looks elegant and calm. Press officer Bob Farrell’s exuberance is infectious. Vin Caffe’s beautiful Francesca Contini is bright and bubbly. So’s the chilled white sparkling Prosecco. The press are brash. And that’s before they’re drunk.
Vin Caffe is Valvona and Crolla’s high-fashion cafe bar in Multrees Walk, designed by award-winning architects Reiach and Hall, and lit by designer Mike Stoane, who also lights Ann Summers. There’s not a dildo in sight today, but there’s lots of nude pizza (no tomatoes). Toppings are zucchini and Gorgonzola, and there’s tomato and caper version – both are light and crispy. Mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes are skewered together with basil; so are melon balls (ooh matron) and Parma ham. There’s crostini of smoked salmon and cream cheese, and a veggie version, and wedges of herby frittata. Everything is freshly-made and presented with understated Italian chic. Three hands are needed (no, stop it) – glass of fizz, plate of food, pencil and shorthand pad, plus one more to insert in face – make it five.
Paul Gudgin, Fringe Director, promises to be brief. He says there are common themes that link the Fringe. There is sharp focus on The War on Terror (not to be confused with The War Against Terror, aka TWAT), with shows like Guardians (Mahwaff Theatre Company), which looks at the truth behind the horrifying images of Abu Ghraib. My Pyramids! Or How I Got Fired From The Dairy Queen And Ended Up In Abu Ghraib (Volcano) deals with the Private Lynndie England story. There are many performers and writers exploring similarly thought-provoking, controversial issues.
Paul Gudgin draws attention to performers who share the same pages in the Fringe Guide. On page 39, Jerry Sadowitz is on top of Bullseye presenter, Jim Bowen. Rolf Harris comes before (definitely stop it) The Stranglers’ Hugh Cornwell, on page 102.
There’s a quick rundown on some of the acts. Japanese drummers, Tao return with their awesomely powerful Taiko drums, Martial Art of the Drum. Gareth Jones, kids-TV presenter of How2 will bring How Everything You Know Could be Wrong. For boys (depending on which side your bread is buttered) and girls alike, there’s eye-teasing in the form of the Caesar Twins and Friends. Paul Gudgin thanks all involved in Fringe 2005 including the staff at Vin Caffe, sponsors Scottish Executive, and the British Council who are host the fifth biennial Edinburgh Showcase.
The 59th Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2005 runs from 7-29 August 05. Tickets can be bought online from the official site www.edfringe.com - it sells 45% of the Fringe’s tickets, and also has full listings.
According to official organisers Edfringe, in 2005, theatre accounts for 37% (653 shows) of all shows, comedy 22%, music 21%, musicals 5%; and children’s shows, dance, physical theatre, exhibitions, events with 4% each. Over a third of all shows are world premieres, 8% UK premieres, 6% European premieres. 167 shows are free. It would take 5 years, 3 months and 25 days to see every performance back to back.
In 2004, the Fringe sold 1,253,776 tickets. It has 75% market share of all attendance at Edinburgh’s year-round festivals.
In 2005, there will be 26,995 performances of 1,799 shows; about 16,191 artistes, almost 300 venues. And 2,000 journalists, who on today’s showing will be more than capable of drinking the city dry.
END
(c) Lea Harris 2005
Friday 9 June 05 / Vin Caffe, Edinburgh
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
