News Snippets since the 2007 Edinburgh Festival

In general the most recent items can be found at the top.

More Fringe booking system problems

The Scotsman reports (19th July 2008) that the Fringe is now experiencing problems with the printing of tickets. It claims that up to 150,000 tickets have not been printed with only two weeks to go to the start of the festival. The Fringe web site contains some information on this problem, promising an announcement this coming week (commencing 21st July 2008) on how punters who have purchased tickets can get their hands on them. It appears that posting them, as originally promised, is not now likely to be an option.

In addition, the Edinburgh Evening News reported (18th July 2008) instances of punters being charged multiple times for a ticket. There appear to be various claims: "authentication failed" messages leading to punters re-ordering but still being charged for the original attempted purchase; and very slow responses leading to people hitting the buy button several times.

I have fortunately managed to avoid this shambles of a system so far, booking with the venues.

21st July 2008 - Telephone and over the counter sales suspended yesterday and today.
22nd July 2008 - Telephone and over the counter sales to be resumed today according to the Scotsman but still no news on ticket production and distribution. The article includes a precis of the shambles so far.
23rd July 2008 - 27,000 tickets for preview week are being sent out today according to the Scotsman. This still leaves an estimated 130,000 tickets outstanding and the Fringe box office still cannot issue paper tickets for new sales. NB - I noticed that the Fringe web site was not available first thing this morning although it was there when I checked again mid-morning.
24th July 2008 - more ticket collection points to be set up. But no details available on this. No postal bookings (as if anybody in their right mind would want to do this!).
25th July 2008 - the Fringe web site says that the main box office system will be closed on Sunday 27th July 2008 for telephone, counter sales and collections while the box offfice system that is used by the big four venues (which is unaffected by the Fringe ticketing problem) is installed at the following venues: C, Sweet, Universal Arts, St. Augustine's and the Vault. However, the Fringe web site will operate as normal. The statement also says that 100,000 tickets have now been sent out.
27th July 2008 - The Scotsman reports on how the big four venues are helping out. The Fringe web site is not up as promised (last checked 0840).

Art Festival to receive £45K from Scottish Expo fund

Edinburghguide.com reports that the Art Festival is to receive £45K from the Scottish Government's Expo fund to install a new work by Scottish artist, Jim Lambie, at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Financial problems surrounding proposed new Tattoo grandstand

The Times has an article on the Military Tattoo, focusing on the financial problems of plans to install a new grandstand.

Tattoo ticket returns

The Scotsman reports that there will be many more ticket returns this year as the credit crunch bites and there is a decrease in the number of American visitors.

Threatened council workers' strike lifted

The Scotsman reports that fears of a threatened strike by council workers during the festival have been lifted, as negotiations will continue beyond this year's festival.

Amnesty International announce festival line-up

Amnesty International announces their festival line-up, the highlight being two comedy nights "Stand Up for Freedom" on the 6th and 13th August 2008 at the Assembly Hall.

BBC criticised for festival coverage

In what is becoming an annual event the BBC is rightly criticised for its poor festival coverage in this article in the Scotsman.

Edinburgh accommodation figures for festival down

According to the Scotsman, accommodation bookings for the festival are currently down, although ticket sales appear not to be.

Scottish Expo Fund money for Jazz & Blues Festival and International Festival

EdinburghGuide.com reports that the Jazz & Blues festival is to receive just under £50k from the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund which was set up earlier this year to support Scottish involvement in the Edinburgh festivals. The International festival will receive £270K from the same fund.

Raj Persaud not to appear at the Book Festival

Psychiatrist Raj Persaud, who made his name on TV programmes such as This Morning with Richard and Judy, has unsurprisingly withdrawn from the Book Festival. Persaud was recently suspended by the General Medical Council for plagiarism.

Emin to throw party to launch retrospective

The Scotsman reports that Tracey Emin is planning a big bash for the great and the good to launch her retrospective at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art. My invite has not arrived yet, but I feel sure that it must be in the post.

PRS announce music for Fringe Sunday

The Performing Right Society has announced the music performers for Fringe Sunday, which takes place on August 10th, 2008 this year at the Meadows.

Perceived squabble over who best to promote Edinburgh

The Scotsman reckons that there is a spat between the city council and VisitScotland over control of promoting Edinburgh. This appears to stem from the fact that the council has reduced its grant to VisitScotland by £125,000.

Richard Demarco says that "August is too busy"

The Observer quotes Richard Demarco, impresario and festival veteran, as saying that Edinburgh is obsessed with August when the city becomes overcrowded. He considers that other festivals, e.g. the Book Festival, should follow the lead of the Film Festival and move away from August.

Free Entertainment on the Mound to be "controlled"

The Mound is to be made an official area for free entertainment, run by the Fringe, during the festival, according to The Scotsman. Similar to the High Street, performers will need permits (£20 per week).

Early thoughts on Film Festival's move to June

The Scotsman reports on Saturday 28th June that figures are slightly up on last year (sales 3% and receipts 5%) and that the apperances of Sean Connery, Keira Knightley and Brian Cox have given the festival a boost. It is a bit too early to be drawing comparisons if you ask me, presumably it was written on Friday 27th several days before the end of the festival. Press coverage of the film festival overall seems lukewarm at best.

Home Office visa regulations relaxed for festival performers

As previously reported, the Home Office is to relax the visa rules for performers who are visiting the UK to appear in cultural events such as the festival. eGov Monitor explains. This article in the Times covers various visa changes.

Film Festival funding

The Herald reports towards the end of this article that the Film Festival is to receive £60K from the Scottish Parliament's new Expo fund for festivals.

Comedy "gang of 4" launches web site

http://www.edcomfest.com/

Book Festival box office busy on first day

The BBC web site reports that 10 of this year's events were sold out within hours of the box office opening to the public on June 20th, 2008. They include Sean Connery, Tony Benn and BBC journalist Alan Johnston.

Comedy "gang of 4" - City council reportedly joins the fray

The Scotsman reports that it has learnt that city councillors are considering cancelling leasing agreements with the Underbelly and Assembly Rooms from next year if the comedy festival is seen to damage the Fringe brand. The following day there is a short Q&A with Councillor Cardownie, the festivals and events champion.

Fringe box office system now available after problems

1025 on the 17th and it is all systems go ... so they say. Cynics like me will let other punters act as guinea pigs for a day or two before daring to use it in anger. One point of note - tickets that you request to be posted to you will not be sent until mid-July. Update on 18th June 2008 - the system appeared to stay up yesterday from what I could see. Further update on 19th June 2008 - the Scotsman voices criticisms of the new system from smaller venues, along with indications that there are still some problems. On a personal note, I tried it last night on the web and on the first show that I tried to book I received a message that there were problems trying to allocate seats (or was that tickets?) .. please try again later. I gave up.

Fringe box office system problems

Chortle reports that the Fringe encountered problems with its new box office system on the first day that tickets were on sale to the public (9th June,2008). Update from the Fringe web site on the 10th .. "All website, telephone and counter sales have been suspended until we are able to resolve the problems we are having with our computer system." At the risk of giving hints of my day job, I would bet a pint or two on inadequate testing.

12th June 2008 - Fringe say that the problems have now been resolved but they plan to do further testing today, and therefore they are delaying the availability of the system until tomorrow, Friday the 13th (oh dear!!).

Friday 13th and still no box office. Meanwhile, the Scotsman claims that the Fringe may revert to the old box office system if the problems continue.

1030am on Monday 16th June and the Fringe is confident that the system will be up and running manana (i.e. Tuesday 17th). 1700 same day and they are still confident.

Portrait Gallery restoration project

I managed to miss this item when it was originally announced just before Christmas 2007. Portrait of a Nation is a major redevelopment project that will double the gallery space and allow a 50% increase in the number of works on display. It is estimated that it will cost £17.6m with £4.8m coming from the Lottery and a £5.1m grant from the Scottish government. It is envisaged that the building will be closed to the public from spring 2009 until autumn 2011.

Post Fringe programme launch ... and yet more on the comedy "gang of 4"

The Comedy Festival debate continues: Andrew Eaton "fighting the good fight" in the Scotsman; Fringe 4 hit back in Chortle; Jackie Clune in the Observer asks us not to lose our sense of humour over the "comedy super league"; and Tommy Sheppard, director of the Stand comedy clubs has a go at the gang of 4.

Comedy Festival launches without a sponsor

The comedy gang of 4 reckon that there are 3 potential sponsors but nobody had signed up by the time of the launch.

Assembly threatens to pull out of Fringe by 2010

William Burdett-Coutts threatens to withdraw from the festival by 2010 if Edinburgh City Council go ahead with their plans to redevelop the Assembly Rooms in 2011. The plans will mean that Burdett-Coutts will lose 3 of the performing spaces and the bar

Pre Fringe programme launch gnashing of teeth

Mark Fisher in the Scotsman marks the imminent launch of the Fringe programme next week (5th June 2008) by asking if the Fringe has lost its soul (another version appeared several days later in the Guardian). At a rough guess this is only the first of several articles in the press that will appear on this theme between now and August. Meanwhile, a bit more sparring between the "evil comedy gang of 4" and its "enemies" can be found in the Times and Sunday Herald. Comedian Doug Stanhope makes a stand (or possibly just pulls a stunt) against agents / promoters / venues, and Brian Hennigan also has a go at the middle men in the Scotsman. Brian Ferguson of the Scotsman joins in the debate.

Punter sought to become IE Comedy Awards Panellist

The Fringe web site indicates that a comedy punter is being sought to become a panellist for the Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards for 2008. If you are Scottish or have been resident in Scotland for at least 5 years - not to mention that you are interested in comedy - then look here for further details. Applications must be in by 2nd June 2008.

Usher Hall refurbishment delays

The Edinburgh Evening News reports that festival-goers will have to use portable loos at the Usher Hall during this year's festival, as delays continue with the overall refurbishment of the venue. The current target date for completion of the project is now April 2009. The Herald subsequently detailed the costs of these delays, principally compensation payments to orchestras for the loss of the venue.

Fringe to start earlier from 2009

The Scotsman reports that from 2009 the Fringe will be two days longer than normal. It will be following in the footsteps of the EIF by extending to take in the entire initial weekend. Seasoned punters will of course be aware that the Fringe has unofficially been starting before the weekend with some shows in preview from around Wednesday or Thursday in what is known as week 0. The Traverse theatre is a frequent early starter.

The Scotsman subsequently gives next year's dates, Friday 7th August to Monday 31st August.

Royal Mile street performers to pay

The Scotsman reports that street acts will be charged £20 per week (or £50 for the whole feast) to perform in the popular High Street area during this year's festival. More details subsequently appeared on the Fringe web site.

Mid-May and a mini flurry of news from The Scotsman

The Scotsman reckons that: the comedy "gang of 4" are struggling to get hold of a big name sponsor; the Spiegel Tent will be forced to reduce the size of its venue; and that there are moves to prevent the Meadows being used for this year's festival (the City Council subsequently gave the go-ahead to two shows - The Lady Boys of Bangkok and the Chinese State Circus - but have commissioned a review into further use of the Meadows).

Aurora Nova will not be at the 2008 Fringe

A news clip in the Scotsman on the "Festivals Forum", a cross-festivals body that was recommended in the Thundering Hooves report of 2006, appears to indicate that funding issues will mean that the Aurora Nova venue, home of dance and physical theatre since 2001, will not operate at the 2008 Fringe. This is extremely bad news, if true. Several hours later - looks like it is true.

The Stage subsequently reports the views of Aurora Nova founder and director, Wolgang Hoffman, on 6th May, 2008.

New Immigration Rules not to Apply to Fringe Performers

The BBC (and others) reports that new immigration rules that would require performers to find a sponsor will not now apply to the Fringe after the Scottish Secretary, Des Browne, discussed the problem with the UK Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne.

Jon Morgan, Fringe director, gives a cautious welcome to the news in the Stage on 14th May 2008. It appears that the Fringe will be exempt because it is not regarded as a commercial venture.

Bad News on Arts Funding Merry-go-round

The Scottish Art Council has announced £7m worth of grants. The main winners are in the areas of experimental music and art, disabled companies plus newer dance and visual arts groups. Losers include the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues festival, the Queens Hall plus theatre companies Borderline, 7:84 and Suspect Culture.

Festivals Forum Chair Appointed

Susan Rice, Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland has been appointed as chair of the Forum. The Forum is made up of senior executive and political representatives from Festivals Edinburgh, the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen, Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland and Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, was set up last year following a recommendation in the Thundering Hooves report.  (When clicking the links in this news item beware that the Scottish Arts Council web site can be very slow).

Time will tell if this forum will simply become another "talking shop", a political move to avoid coherent support and funding for the festivals.

More Concerns over Visas

The issue relating to the costs of the recent visa laws which was raised last year (see 2007 news snippets) has been brought up again by the Fringe director, Jon Morgan, who fears that the international flavour of the Fringe may be affected, as non-EU performers become loath to pay to get visas.

Trouble finding sponsor for proposed Tracey Emin retrospective

... according to the Edinburgh Evening News.

First Moan about Film Festival moving to June?

... certainly the first that I can remember seeing - Calum Waddell in the Guardian. The commenters after the blog seem to put him in the minority.

Yet more on "Comedy gang of four in cultural revolution ... "

The Herald uses the final moments before time is called (mid-April) on applications to perform at this year's Fringe to produce a longer measured piece on the controversy surrounding the introduction of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival by the gang of 4. See the previous entries on this topic below.

Major Outdoor Gigs unlikely at 2008 Festival

The Evening News reports that there are unlikely to be any major outdoor gigs in venues such as Princes Street Gardens or Meadowbank stadium at this year's festival.

Increased Funding for Film Festival

The International Film Festival is one of several newly defined Cutural Cinema Hubs in Scotland to be awarded funds by Scottish Screen. It will receive £250,000 this year, an increase of £100,000 over last year.

No Visual Arts in 2008 International Festival

Having reintroduced the visual arts in 2007, it is being dropped again this year. Jonathan Mills, artistic director of the EIF, blames a lack of money but promises that it will be included every second year. This punter thinks that Brian McMaster, the previous artistic director, was right in his assertion that the Edinburgh Art Festival caters satisfactorily for the visual arts; it hosted an excellent programme in 2007. Mills should not waste his inadequate funds by competing in this area.

More on "Comedy gang of four in cultural revolution ... "

The controversy surrounding the introduction of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival is gathering pace. Brian Logan, comedy reviewer for the Guardian, writes a thoughtful blog on the subject, lamenting the potential loss of "the spirit of the Fringe". The comments after the blog are also well worth reading.

The Edinburgh Evening News has got round to producing a more measured article than previously found in the Scotsman's stable.

Ah! the gang of four speak via Anthony Alderson, director of the Pleasance and spokesperson for the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

David Lister at the Independent weighs in with us cynics.

Philanthropist to return to US over non-domicile tax

Carol Hogel, an American pianist turned philanthropist, is to return to the US in protest over the UK government's plans for a tax on non-domiciles. Hogel, who has lived in Scotland for the last 24 years, has reportedly gifted £20m to the arts over the years through her family charitable trust, the Dunard Fund. Beneficiaries have included the Edinburgh International Festival, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the The Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

£6m funding over 3 years for Scottish talent at the Festival

As reported in the Edinburgh Evening News, the Scottish Executive has announced the Edinburgh Festival Expo fund. £6m will be made available over three years to productions, artists or events that premiere at the festival and which feature Scottish-based talent.

BBC coverage of International Festival Criticised

The Herald reports that the Scottish Broadcasting Commission considers that broadcasting in Scotland lacks "ambition and imagination". Their interim report includes strong criticism from Jonathan Mills, artistic director of the International Festival, of the BBC's coverage of the event.

This punter would expand that criticism to the Beeb's coverage of the entire festival which has degenerated over the years.

Funding for Film Festival

The UK Film Council has awarded the International Film Festival £1.88m, spread over three years. This represents a 50% increase in the festival's funding. Official press release can be found here.

£125m Contemporary Art Collection Secured by National Galleries & Tate

The National Galleries of Scotland and the Tate have obtained a collection of modern art works from Anthony d'Offay, the art dealer, in a part gift / part sales agreement; they are paying the original cost price of £26.5m but the collection is currently estimated to be worth £125m. It includes works by Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Ron Mueck, Andy Warhol and Diane Arbus. See the press release.

More Plaudits for Edinburgh and the Festival in Wanderlust Awards

Wanderlust, a magazine for the independent-minded traveller, will announce its awards in the March 2008 edition. Luang Prabang in Laos has come first in the Best Cities category with Edinburgh in 10th place. The Rio de Janeiro carnival tops the Best Festival category with Edinburgh managing 3rd place for the "festival" and 6th place for the Fringe.

Study Commissioned to Look at Edinburgh's Cultural Needs

PMP, a UK-based consultancy firm, has been commissioned by The City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothian (SEEL) to review the requirement for cultural venues in Edinburgh over the next 20 years. As well as looking at existing events the study will include events that do not currently visit the city due to a lack of appropriate venue space. The report is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2008.

This study follows on from Thundering Hooves which was commisioned in 2006 by the Scottish Arts Council to compare Edinburgh's Festival against the global competition.

The Queen's Hall and the King's Theatre, who both see themselves threatened with closure, have subsequently weighed in with their own requests for funding, coveting the money that is earmarked for the Assembly Rooms. The Queen's Hall made their initial play during the 2007 festival with the King's Theatre following suite in November 2007. See SaveTheKing's web site for recent information.

No doubt this squabbling is in part fanned by the media. We shall just await events.