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London takes on Edinburgh in fringe festival fixture clash
Sri Carmichael, Consumer Affairs Reporter24.11.09
London is laying down the artistic gauntlet to Edinburgh and launching its own city-wide fringe festival next August.
An almost month-long creative explosion of comedy, art, dance, music and film will take place in at least 18 venues across London at exactly the same time artists gather in the Scottish capital.
Representatives of theatres including the Jermyn Street, in Mayfair, the Almeida, in Islington, and the Bush, in Shepherd's Bush, were meeting to discuss the event today.
Greg Tallent, director of the nascent London Festival Fringe, said it was "astonishing" it has taken London so long to celebrate the talent it has away from the mainstream. He said: "West End theatres and venues grab the headlines and up-and-coming acts often don't get the platform they deserve."
He said the "mini-fringe" London Bridge Festival he helped organise in July opened eyes to demand for off-beat acts, especially in the summer tourist season.
He added: "It makes more sense for artists based in London because their hard work raising their profile with audiences and venues then has a lasting impact."
He added: "I'm sure lots of people will want to visit both London and Edinburgh."
Other venues discussing taking part in the festival, from 6 to 30 August, include the New Players Theatre and the Hackney Empire.
Mr Tallent said all tickets would be "affordable", many being free and few costing more than £15.
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