Fringe Guide to Choosing a Venue - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Introduction
Choosing a venue is one of the most important decisions you will make when taking part in the Fringe.
Your arrangement with your venue will determine where and when you are performing and the financial
deal you are working to, so it’s worth taking time to make the right choice.
How to Find a Venue
This guide contains details of venue spaces available to hire at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
You can also use our online search facility at www.edfringe.com/participants/venue-search.
Once you have identified the venues you are interested in, use the contact information in this guide to
get in touch with the venue manager directly. We recommend that you contact a number of potential venues
to get a good idea of the types of deals that are out there and what different venues can offer you.
The Participant Services team are here to help. We are impartial so we can’t recommend one venue
over another but we can help you work out what will be best for your show and how to approach venue
managers. Get in touch with us on participants@edfringe.com or on +44 (0)131 226 0026.
Or, if you are interested in running your own venue or in performing in an unusual location, please contact us
for more information on venues@edfringe.com.
Please also make sure that you have also had a look at the Fringe Guide to Doing a Show which contains
detailed information on venue terminology and financial deals, as well as legal issues and contracts.
Tips on finding a venue
• Remember that the Fringe is an open access arts festival and as such venues are run independently
of the Fringe Society.
• Make sure that you do your research about the venues, look at their websites, check out the shows they
hosted last year on www.edfringe.com and talk to past companies about their Fringe experience.
• Find out as much as you can, then shortlist the ones that you feel are most suitable.
• Don’t send out blanket applications to all the venues. Make informed applications to specific venues and
follow their application procedures.
• Most Fringe venues don’t operate year round so you may not be able to visit them. Facilities, capacities,
and services will also vary. Temporary Fringe venues may be churches, halls or hotels and may be
different to the spaces that you are used to performing in.
• Keep checking back on this guide – it’s updated regularly with new venues and spaces so make sure you
have the most up to date information.
• Keep everyone in the loop – it’s fine to apply to a number of different venues but make sure you keep
in touch and let venues know where you are with your decision making process. Don’t play venues off
against each other and let them know if you don’t want a slot, so they can offer it to someone else.
• Talk through all your requirements and make sure it is clear what the venue can provide and what you
need to arrange for yourself. Don’t assume that the venue has a specific piece of equipment or facility
– always double check.
• Make sure that you are aware of the terms of agreement; this will form your contract which is a legal
document. Ensure you have read everything and get any questions clarified in writing.
What to Consider
The Fringe Guide to Doing A Show has more details on what to look for when choosing a venue but some of
the things you should consider are:
• Capacity – how many seats are there in the space and will this work for your show?
• Stage Dimensions – is the stage the right size for your show?
• Technical Facilities – what lighting, sound and storage facilities will be on offer?
• Type of financial deal offered and total cost – how much will you need to pay and when,
is it based on your box office or a straight hire fee?
• Performance Slots Available – what dates and times would suit your show best, can the venue offer these?
• Accessibility for both audience and participants – is the venue accessible for everyone to visit and perform in?
i
Fringe Guide to Selling a Show