The Edinburgh Fringe…
Posted by Fyse on Saturday, 11 June 2005
I’ve got a tricky decision to make. As my regular readers will know, I’m off to Cornwall in September to do a show at the Minack Theatre, which is a very exciting prospect considering how much I enjoyed last year. The dilemma comes from the fact that I’ve been offered a role in a production at the Edinburgh Fringe in August, which will take over most of July for rehearsal too. That leaves me with rather little scope for money earning. In fact, it effectively leaves me no time to get a decent job back home, and it’s likely I would only be in St Albans for a few weeks in total.
I am very keen to go to the Edinburgh Festival, and by all accounts it’s a fantastic experience. I’m not sure how well known it is in the States, but the official website throws around phrases like ‘biggest arts festival in the world’. Last year there were 1695 shows by 735 companies in 236 venues, which would have taken over five years to watch back-to-back. It’s such an amazing event, and I’d be gutted to go through university doing lots of shows and not go to Edinburgh. Of course I could always try next year, but I doubt my finances will be any stronger then. I’m going to investigate the possibility of getting work in Cambridge during the rehearsal period, and maybe even up in Edinburgh during the run, as friend of mine did last year. Have to wait and see how this pans out, but I’d love to do both shows.
Right now, I’m off to the cinema to see ‘League of Gentlemen: Apocalypse’. Did you ever get the TV series over in the States? It’s very black comedy, and I’m not sure it’d go down too well across the pond. Might be a bit too odd…
Go for the Edinbrugh Festival. It sounds like an opportunity you shouldn’t pass on! I bet with all the people it brings in, local businesses need extra help.
Nope, haven’t heard of League of Gentlemen. My Brit TV is limited to what they show on Public Television over here - Are You Being Served?
‘The League of Gentlemen’ film was extremely surreal, and not a little disturbing in parts, but overall very funny. Your beloved Simon Pegg had a great little cameo too!
The Fest is very well known in NY. Go for it!
I”m so jealous. I want to go to Cornwall, and I want to go to Scotland too! Okay, Edinburgh isn’t top on my list (I’m thinking more about the highlands and islands), but still. Very, very jealous. And no sympathy for you with having such choices in your life.
Nick - I’d certainly like to go, and am actively investigating the chance of work in Cambridge during rehearsals. Fingers crossed…
Oz - I’ll be sure to set up posting by email before I go so I can post from my mobile. Then you can live vacariously through tales of my adventures!
I performed in The Fringe in 2000. There’s no question– GO!