Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Edinburgh, Scotland

[www.edfringe.com]

The Fringe story began in 1947, when the Edinburgh International Festival was launched. It was seen as a post-war initiative to re-unite Europe through culture, and was so successful that it inspired more performers than there was room for.

Well aware that there would be a good crowd and focused press interest, six Scottish companies and two English decided to turn up uninvited and fend for themselves.

Whilst still remaining true to its founding principle of open-access for all performers, the Fringe has come a long way since its organisational beginnings in a disused pub with a leaky roof just off the Royal Mile.