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Tidemark
Edinburgh Fringe Experience 2004
Wednesday 4 August 2004
Day 1 and countingÂ…!
The
Edinburgh Fringe is 58-years-old in 2004!
Started
in 1947, when the Edinburgh International Festival was launched
as part of the post-war initiative to re-unite Europe, the Fringe
has grown from a mere handful of companies in 1947 to 668 groups
putting on 1,541 shows or 21,594 performances in 207 venues in 2003.
The
versatile, folds-flat-for-easy-storage set is now on the van, the
long-suffering neighbours are booked to feed the cats and water
the plants for three weeks and Tidemark are off to Edinburgh for
another exciting and hopefully successful Festival Fringe.
Entice
And thus we come to the main problem facing Tidemark Theatre (and
the other 667 groups or so) in 2004 – how to entice audiences
to see your shows in preference to the 1500 or so other shows on
the Fringe this year!
Of
course, a wonderfully witty, highly complimentary four or five star
review in the Scotsman is practically guaranteed to send audiences
scuttling to the Fringe Box Office, credit card in hand to secure
tickets for your shows.
But
what happens if your reviewer has had an off day (and simply doesnÂ’t
appreciate the subtle nuances of your writing or performance!) or
your review doesnÂ’t appear until just after your penultimate
performance?
In
this case, a brightly coloured band of company members, gaily handing
out flyers for your shows on the Royal Mile is the only sure fire
way to guarantee a decent-sized audience.
And
thatÂ’s where Tidemark Theatre will be, this time tomorrow.
Fifteen or so company members, outside the Fringe office, clad from
head to toe in turquoise tie-dye, leafleting ‘til we drop!
If
you see us, take pity on us and try to look pleased when we hand
you (a rather soggy) leaflet about ‘Delicates and Smoke’
or Â’Odysseus and the Really Freaky MonstersÂ’, the two
Tidemark productions being staged at the Pleasance this year.
And
thatÂ’s the second problem facing performers. ItÂ’s wet
and itÂ’s cold and itÂ’s August, so we must be in Edinburgh
for the Fringe!!
And
if the weather or the plague of flying ants donÂ’t put audiences
off then weÂ’re laughing!
Possibly.
IÂ’ll
let you know tomorrow.
Rebecca
Russell
Rebecca
will be reporting on Tidemark's experiences throughout this year's
Festival. Come back to see how she's doing!
Are
you taking a production to Edinburgh this year? Do you want to tell
the world about it? If so, let us know by emailing threecounties@bbc.co.uk
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