Performers and Comedians...Festival Madness!

It seems that this becomes a more popular event on the international scene each year - and each year there is a noticeable increase in the amount of people that show up for the festival, and the array of places they come from.

As a resident of the city, the festival is a whole new set of rules - and isn't always the best time of year to live in Edinburgh (a word to those who may be coming to stay in the city for other reasons).

But for the visitor - it could not be a more lively event, and with an incredible array of things to do - there will no trouble in occupying yourself in the city whether you stay for a weekend or the whole month.

The city - which spends most of the year a bit subdued in its somber gray sandstone and Gothic skyline - wakes up for the month of August and becomes a new animal all together. The streets are literally filled with performers of all shapes and sizes; and walking down the Royal mile is like entering some strange big top of international performers.

Regardless of your travelling situation you will find something to entertain you during the Fringe. There is plenty to do and see with kids (though do keep in mind that Edinburgh is not a huge city and the streets become incredibly packed during the festival. If you want to bring small kids with you, remember that it will be extremely busy).

There is also no shortage of entertainment, regardless of your travel budget. Ranging from any number of free comedy shows that you can pick up tickets to from people on the street, all the way up to the very pricey Military Tattoo at the castle. With enough comedy shows and performers and events in between to satisfy what ever hunger you have for performers or events, at any price.

And the festival is not limited to live performances and comedians. There are many sub-festivals with in the Fringe, like the International Book Festival which takes place in Charlotte Square Gardens, and even the international cult festival 'Lebowski Fest' makes its way to the city of Edinburgh for the first time this year.

With vendors and street performers, fireworks, and live music in the parks - it’s hard to compare the festival with anything else!

Quick Tips:

Though the weather in Edinburgh can sometimes be pleasant for the month of August and the festival - it is as always - deeply changeable. This year (2007) was a particularly bad year for the weather, and has left even hard core old Scots standing around confused wondering where the summer went. Most of what is normally the hottest month of the year has been very wet and cold. So more than anything I would recommend that you come prepared for any weather. If you know what to expect from the weather here, it isn't so bad. Always pack a few things you can easily take off and put back on again as the weather changes through out the day. An extra bag for carrying such things and water around town is indispensable.

From a local's point of view - the best time to see the festival is in the first week or two. You may have shows you want to see later in the month, or maybe you even enjoy the heightened busyness of the end of the festival - but I find the most pleasant wandering about the city with the festival in swing is in the first few weeks - where there is a lot to still see, but it is no where near as crammed or as frantic as it becomes near the third and fourth weeks of the festival.

I would also recommend - for eating purposes - to avoid Rose Street. It was once a very nice street, but has been turned into a bit of a tourist trap during the festival. The restaurants on this street charge extortionate prices (especially on beer which seems to run at about £3 a pint) and when last I had visitors up they were over charged at a restaurant there by about £15. (So close to .)

Otherwise, wander and see all the sights. I would recommend you not plan your show viewing too rigorously before you leave - all the best shows and things I have ever seen at the festival have been sheer chance, that I just happened to walk up on or was handed a flyer for (of which you will get Many).

It is also worth mentioning that hotels become - not only extremely expensive in August, but they fill up very soon. If you want to come to the festival, book ahead.

Best Way To Get Around:

The weather in Edinburgh will have a bit of effect on how you get around. As I have mentioned in other Edinburgh reviews; walking is not only the best way to see the city - but one of the only feasible ways during the festival. It will almost certainly be raining some of your time in the city, but if you dress appropriately it shouldn't be too bad. Umbrellas aren't very useful as it's a windy city and very packed during the festival - making an umbrella a very unwieldy thing. I recommend rain coats or ponchos. You will be doing a lot of walking around, so even if it’s cool a light jacket may serve well. And there are always an abundance of shops and coffee houses to pop into while the rain abates.

If you are inclined to get off your feet, though, the buses are very good. The bus from the airport is especially good - I highly recommend that you take it. It's a £5 return ticket which takes you directly from the airport to the middle of the city. Most hotels will be with in easy walking distance.

Cabs are fairly reliable as well. There are no shortage of them - and though they are expensive, they aren't extortionate. (A general cab fare around the city runs around £5.) But keep in mind that the traffic is a profound thing in the city all times of the year, but more specifically in August during the festival - so any cab fare will be more due to this factor.

Which brings us to the element of driving in Edinburgh, which I would Strongly recommend against. For those of us who live here, it's an unwelcome chore at any time of the year. Even those of us who can drive in the city - don't do so during August. It is generally backed up to a near stand still and can take up to two hours to get through the city. Avoid if at all possible.

Trains are always a pleasant and semi-reliable way to get into the city. Waverley Station is right on Princes Street (Two minute walk from the Royal Mile and all things Festival) and though it’s not always extremely cheap - may be a good way to arrive in the city - even if you are a little bit late.

Every year in August, just as the Royal Mile and the rest of the city begins to dress itself in the brightly coloured festival attire of street musicians and performers - with banners and flyers of all shapes, sizes, and colours - the west end gardens begins a more subdued, yet no less exciting, transformation.

The area known as Charlotte Square Gardens, at the far west end of George Street (though it can be reached by any number of routes, heading west in Edinburgh) begins to cover itself in tents and tarps while it undergoes this transformation, until the second week in August (usually around the 11th) when it unveils and becomes the Edinburgh International Bookfestival.

Though fair weather is a bonus for all events in the month long festival extravaganza that happens in this city in August - unlike the others, the book festival can be just as pleasant on a drizzly, rainy day.

The centre of the gardens remains open to those who want to lounge in the grass; reading their newly acquired books or papers - having a bit of lunch, coffee, or wine or an ice cream from the vendor in the middle of the square.

But if the rain is coming down - as it seemed to do most all of this year - the walk ways are all completely covered, and there are many structures set up for which to enjoy the festival with out getting wet at all.

The one major drawback of the festival in my opinion is the cost. Entrance into the festival is free - but this allows you little more than wandering what is essentially an 'outdoor' bookshop. You can wander for free if you like, reading in the grass and enjoying the festival vibe - and you may well even catch a signing or sighting of one of your favourite authors. But with few free exceptions, most all of the events cost in the region of £7 - £10, which seems a bit pricey to me.

There is a wide range of events, though - including some very well-known authors in 'meet the author' events. This was my choice of event this year, as I went to see Yann Martel (the author of 'Life of Pi') in the RBS main theater. A bit pricey, as I said - but in the end I was very glad I had gone.

The author's list is long and this year included such writers as Joanne Harris, Iain Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Colin Thubron, and many more. There are also a number of writer’s workshops to visit if you are interested, though these too are about £10 each.

If literature is your thing, you are certain to enjoy it. Spending a day browsing newly signed books by local and foreign authors, surrounded by like minded fans is a nice change of pace to the rest of the festival. They also cater largely to kids - with signings and talks by children’s authors.

It is widely known that there are some very strange shows, events, performances, comedians, and sub-festivals happening during the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh in August. There seems to be a little bit of something for every single possible taste or inclination.

And nowhere is this more true, than at Lebowski Fest, UK.

For those who are not in the know, I'll give a little bit of back story on this strange little festival which is rapidly developing a world wide following and dedicated festival-goers.

Only a few years ago, a few guys from Louisville Kentucky who were big fans of the cult film 'The Big Lebowski' decided to get together and have a bit of a celebration for all things 'Dude.' They got together in their local bowling alley for some white Russians and had a night of bowling in honour of The Dude.

This has now quickly escalated to all fans of this film (I think all Big Lebowski fans secretly think they are amongst only a small group of equally dedicated fans, and are as surprised as I was to find myself surrounded by those even more invested in the film than I) from all over the country getting together for a proper and official 'Lewbowski Fest.'

The fest is held all over the US each year, and for the first time ever in 2007 made its way to the UK and Edinburgh during the Fringe festival. The turn out was great, and so it will hopefully continue for years to come.

So - for those of you who are fans of the film and are now very excited about the prospect of joining in this rather odd little dedication festival, I'll fill you in on the events of the evening.

In Edinburgh, there were officially two fests. One in Fountain Park bowling alley beginning at 2pm, which includes bowling, trivia, costume contests, award presentation and even a 'farthest travelled' award. This event runs until 6pm and costs £14 at the door. (Not much more than it would normally cost just for bowling)

The second half of the fest, and the one in which I partook in this year, was at Club Ego on Picardi Place just a few minutes from Princes Street. The doors opened at 8pm where all festival goers joined in dancing in the middle of Club Ego. Shirts were available at the door (at a very reasonable £12) and white Russians at the bar (at an extortionate £5). Live music began at 9 on the stage - with Page 6 from Dundee. Somewhat a local band, but very good. Almost worth the £8 entry fee alone.

After the band, at about 10pm a screen was brought out and everyone settled onto the floor along with the creators of Lebowski Fest, all the way from Kentucky to watch a screening of the film.

If you are an 'Achiever' this is not to be missed. Wonderful night - a must do.

You could hardly review the Edinburgh Fringe Festival without commenting on some of the live performing arts that take place throughout the month of August, at many different venues throughout the city.

Like the rest of the festival - the live performances range in price and quality in everything from free performances right on the street on assembled stages on the Royal Mile to top quality shows at the Edinburgh Play House just off London Road. There is something available for pretty much any taste or price range. If you are coming to the festival with no certain shows in mind that you want to be sure to catch - my advice is to wander the streets and make use of the huge amounts of flyers you will be handed while walking along. It is not unusual to be handed free tickets to an evening show. And though it is true that you get what you pay for - I've been to some fairly impressive shows that were free, and had a great and unexpected night.

However, if you're like most festival goers, and want something in between the very expensive operas and plays at the Playhouse and the armature shows free on the Royal Mile then there is no shortage of different performances from around the world at an average price from £5 - £15. (I highly recommend you pop into the Fringe Festival Office located easy to find on the Royal Mile and get a free guide. This will lay out all the different kinds of shows and times for you - so that you don't miss the one you would most like to see.) As an illustration I will review the performing arts show I went to see this year - Lion Spirit.

Performed several times at the Assembly at St George's West (not difficult to find at the far west end of Princes Street - about a 20-minute walk from the Royal Mile) this show cost £10 for entry - though there were several discount days at the beginning of the performance. This sort of thing is common at the festival, as well as getting discounts from flyers so I got into see it for £5.

This was an interesting show of performing drummers from Japan. You never know quite what to expect going into a festival performance, and so after waiting in a rather long line I sat down in the assembly room as the lights lowered.
It was all in all a very unique and impressive show. The venue wasn't huge so that we all had a very good vantage point to see the performance. There was some performing in the Lion Dance with full costumes, but this show was mostly about the drumming, which was immense. The musicians involved through themselves whole heartedly into their performance, and I left a bit tired after just watching them for an hour. Seeing a live show is a big part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Many would probably argue that the main event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is its comedy. And though I can't dispute what a huge part that plays, for me, the most central and fundamental sign that the festival is underway are the street performers.

Utterly aside from the fact that they are free (with the optional donation into a hat or guitar case) these performers to me are what transform Edinburgh from its usually rather grand and somber self to the jovial festivity that becomes the month of August each year.

It begins early in the month with the buskers. Though Edinburgh usually has a piper or two and a few random buskers about the place year round, at the end of July and beginning of August each year the streets begin to be filled with music. From the heightened excitement of the pipers near the Scott Monument and Princes Street gardens and Rose Street to the drummers, violinists, saxophones, and singers you get all along the Royal Mile. The city literally fills with music, and you can hear the different instruments play from all corners of the city. To me, this increase in sound and music is what really marks the beginning of the festival. There is one group of buskers in particular that I recommend you keep an eye out for. It is an African drumming trio that in the past few years has teamed up with an Edinburgh piper. The combination is a truly unique and toe- tapping experience you can only find at the Fringe Festival. They are often on The Royal Mile, but I saw them several times on Princes Street this year as well. As the month progresses, so do the performers.

By midmonth the streets are filled with Moving Statue Performers, (in the guises of trees - beautifully done I might add - dancing robots and other costumes) singers and bands of all kinds, American Indian bands and performers whose flute music can be heard all the way down Princess Street, and Japanese harpists whose notes change the very atmosphere of the city.

There is also the never ending array on the Royal Mile of live performers of all kinds. Magicians, acrobats, comedians - even stage performers on a make shift stage in the middle of the street. All free and for the general enjoyment and entertainment of all Edinburgh festival goers. With out the street performers, it might seem to the locals who live here just as if August were an especially busy month for business and the streets overflowing with out of towners.

But the street performers remind us all that the festival is underway - and the entire city revels in the lightened mood.

After an entire month of literal madness in the city of Edinburgh - from the packed city streets filled with visitors and performers, musicians, comedians, and locals all crammed together and trying to see and do as much as possible - there is a rather perfect ending to it all in the end of festival fireworks display.

I have to say - I'm often rather skeptical of fireworks. As much as I loved them when I was a kid, and as much as I think it will be something nice to do; often when the time comes to actually go watch a fireworks display, I can't help but thinking 'Once you've seen one firework's show...'

But this is an exception to the rule, and is well worth a special mention in my festival review. If you are at the Edinburgh festival with kids, then this is something not to be missed. With all the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a chance for the whole family to sit and enjoy something together, in a relatively relaxing and peaceful environment. This is a great family event, and if you are still in town when it happens (usually in the last weekend of August, or the first weekend of September - depending on how the days fall) then I highly recommend you go. But even if you are not doing the family scene - and aren't all that interested in fireworks, I still think it's worth going along to. For me, this is one of the most unique fireworks displays I've ever seen, and goes beyond a few well places bursts of light that are awe inspiring for a few brief moments.

The End of Festival Fireworks show is lit from Edinburgh Castle, and done in time to an orchestral performance. There is usually a bit of commentating the pieces as well. This is a well put together performance, and not just a CD of classic music. This part may be a little adult for kids, but I don't think it will retract from their enjoyment in the least, and does give the show another level for the adults. You can watch the show from anywhere in the city - but I have three top recommends.

1. Princes Street Gardens - the closest to the castle, and an amazing view, but a little low and close to get the full scope, I think, and also the most crowded.

2. Calton Hill - Amazing view of the whole city as well as the castle, and fireworks, but a bit more of a party atmosphere. This is the best spot for young adults.

3. Inverleith Park - Ideal spot, with a perfect distant view of the castle. Plenty of room so is never too crowded, and great for families. There are speakers set up at all locations for the musical backdrop.

This is stunning, and even if the weather is bad - still go! With heavy clouds it’s even more amazing!

Despite the huge array of entertainment (both free and costly) and venues and events encompassed with in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, probably nothing is more well known, or more sought after at the festival than the world renowned comedy shows.

The comedy shows at the Edinburgh Festival every year take on as many guises and are there to suit as many tastes as everything else at the festival. International names such as Billy Connolly can be found to play at the Festival as well as thousands of other well known comedians, and those just getting their start.

In your first moments in the city during festival time you will quickly be swamped with free cards advertising the various comedians and shows at venues all over town. If there's a comedian out there you like - chances are they are playing at some point at the festival.

Probably the best thing about the comedy at the festival, though, is the sheer volume of it. Why try one show out? Try ten! With tickets ranging from free (and there are no shortage of these, and though granted, you are taking a risk that the show might not be great by going along to a free performance you've never heard of - I've been to quite a few of these that were very good. A perfect addition to the festival for those on a budget) up to hundreds of pounds.

Many of the tickets, though, are happily in the middle in the £10 - £20 range, a pretty good price for a live show of a good comedian.

I highly recommend you make one of your first stops in the city the Fringe Festival Office on the Royal Mile. (It's very easy to spot, even amongst all the commotion) for they can point you in the direction of exactly what you are looking for. It can be a bit mind numbing making the decision with the vast quantity of shows. There's also a free Festival Guide available there, which will be invaluable to you.

I was going to tell about some of the venues in which you can see these shows - but it really is too vast a topic to sum up here. Most of the city seems to turn into a venue for some type of show or another, and you will most likely be able to find some show near wherever it is that you stay, if that is what you hope to find.

The venues, too, range in everything from big, high domed swanky ordeals, to performances right on the street in the middle of the Royal Mile.

It would be wrong to take part in The Edinburgh Fringe Festival with out experiencing some of the famous comedy there. If you have no particular preference for what you want to see, I suggest you accept the cards that are handed to you as you make your first stroll down the Royal Mile, then pick one that looks good!