We ask comedians their views...

We asked comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe if  the Fringe Society which co-ordinates the festival is doing a good job . Here's what they told us...

Bless them. I used to work for a non-profit. It's so much harder than people think. I think they mean really well and genuinely want to help everyone. They've made some choices in how they communicate that have worked against me as a new artist to the festival, but they have also answered every single one of my emails in detail and with kindness. On balance, they pull it off every year so I think that says they are mostly doing a good job. Could they be better? Who couldn't?
Abigail Paul: Involuntary Momslaughter, Greenside Riddle's Court 6:35pm

I don't think it's possible for the Fringe Society to do a good job, but not because of a personal vendetta; because there are so many interests at play that it is basically impossible to please everyone. They are trying to justify the Fringe's macro-position as a large trade fair and I imagine decisions are made around that rather than anything/ everything else.
Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly, Assembly George Square, 5:50pm

I think I'm owed a refund for the lack of the app from last year, not sure where one applies for this.
Anu Vaidyanathan: Blimp Underbelly Bristo Square, 7:15pm

Honestly, I’m not totally sure? I think there is a transparency issue there, because I’m not totally clear on what falls within their remit and what they can actually do. I think it’s a hard job for sure, the fringe is so enormous now and there’s so many private companies that dominate it. They do provide a lot of good resources, but it can feel a bit like a tiny plaster on a gaping wound when the problems around access, funding, accommodation etc are so fundamental and systemic.
Kathy Maniura: Objectified, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 4.40pm

The Fringe Society plays a crucial role in coordinating the festival and does a great job. However, more could be done to support artists, particularly around the areas of accommodation, accessibility, and diversity
J Murphy, A Tinderella Story: Swipe, Wince, Repeat Just The Tonic @ The Grassmarket, 10pm

I don't think so - because they keep using incredibly wealthy people as a way of saying ‘anything is possible if you go to the Fringe’ and using celebrity designed gin-bottles as a way of fundraising.
Ian Smith: Crushing, Monkey Barrel at The Tron at 1.35pm

I'm sure they're doing an OK job. I don't notice them much. Their website seems to work and they've done the program and brought the app back, which is what I need them for. Laufey Haralds: Pip, Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose 4.20pm

With things like the Keep it Fringe fund, they’re certainly providing some opportunities to people – reducing the financial impact of doing the Fringe. I’m sure they do a lot of other things – however would say that for many comedians, the main interaction they have with the Fringe Society is in listing their show on the website/the app – and then in previous years, keeping an eye out for the awards. They could perhaps better communicate what is being done with different sources of income – and for whom.

Matt Hutchinson: Hostile Assembly Geogre Square 2.30 pm

I don't know. They are a very useful resource that I don't think enough performers take advantage of, both during and before/after the festival. The Phoebe Waller Bridge grants were great, however, I was disappointed to learn of them spending so much money on securing their own accommodation instead of helping performers who so desperately need help with their own. I don't think the problems with fringe are their fault, though. Thank god they got their act together with the app.
Michael Kunze: Infinity Mirror, Laughing Horse at Three Sisters, 11am

Hard to say as it is only my second Ed Fringe, not having the app last year was a strange choice but introducing financial support this year is great - even if I am not eligible
Matt Harvey: Wage Against The Machine, Canons’ Gait, 8:15pm

I don't really know. The advertising is good and the app is good when it's available. They could probably contribute more to creating a system of support regarding the logistics of doing the Fringe
Ruth Hunter: The Ruth is on Fire, The Banshee Labyrinth, 5:10pm

I think they're doing a good job. They have been great to me in the past and offered a bunch of personalised help when I had media and press questions, as well as offered a bunch of cool workshops that helped me understand a lot of aspects of this huge festival.
Anesti Danelis: This Show Will Change Your Life, Underbelly Bristo Square, 3:55pm

I think they are doing as good a job as they can considering their budget and their restraints. More of a push to advocate for a purely free fringe model would be nice but understandably difficult.
Alexander Richmond: One Man 12 Angry Men City Cafe, 2.25pm

I would say not. Their lack of communication with acts & the industry in general is poor. They seem to be making very little attempt at wholesale solutions. A few grants is a great start, but in terms of wholesale actions that can reduce the costs or pressure on acts across the board, I can't think of a single policy or resolution in recent years.  There needs to be some implementation of affordable renting which they can do, increased dialogue with acts  and others in the industry, and an implementation of night trains. This was tried last year with the Live Comedy Association, a direct line from the industry to the festival while I was a member of the LCA. All that happened was the then head of the LCA became a board member of the Fringe Society and  that was it. Since, no direct lines have been opened, and no more conversations have happened.
Raul Kohli: Full Inglish, City Cafe 4.55pm

Genuinely do believe that they're doing what they can to help artists but they aren't always great at comms and relations. On an individual level, helping performers, they're great but bigger picture stuff...? Not so much. For example, when it leaked that they were getting money in the last budget but it would not be used to directly help performers and put into capital instead, they should have been on top of that. In reality, it took them days to respond and the optics were really sour during that time.
ComedySportz, Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters1.45pm

So firstly props to the Fringe Society for running the festival. Its nickname of the ‘glorified box office’ is a little unfair. However like a lot of festivals (and people) I think they may have got a little distracted by the glitz and glamour of TV  and the platform and most importantly the cash they provide. Obviously TV contacts and cash are great but … as a result they have maybe lost sight of what actually makes the festival great.
Becky Fury: Identity, Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 7.45pm

I have no idea what they do. They do an app, now – I know that much.
Adam Flood: Remoulded Monkey Barrel at The Hive 3:20pm

Published: 10 Aug 2023