Fringe Staff

The Fringe staff this year were mostly new to the experience of what the Fringe brings to the High street. I was only asked once in my three weeks about what I do on the High street and if I had a Fringe Press pass.
Their inexperience showed at times when watching a street performers show when at the end of the performance they were asked by the performer the question.
“how was I?”
“great, show,” the reply the wrong answer; nice to know, but alas the wrong answer. The High street runs on 45 minute shows. From 11am in the morning till 8pm at night. There are a few minutes extra to play with, but anything over that can mean a performer is banned from the next days draw.
The rules this year for performers had changed quite radically from previous years. New rules and being charged to perform was a topic that raised it’s head on numerous occasions through out the festival.
Timing peoples shows is great. Having boards telling regular Fringe goers which performer is on where is great too. It’s like having your own mini guide to all that’s happening on the High street.
But if you do charge then you do have to manage the space a little better. What’s the point of having a Soprano singer batteling it out with a brass band. Or a street performer not allowed to use vocal amplification on the High street, when you have Fringe acts doing just that.
It can’t be the easiest job in the world but it did seem to break down this year. As an outsider looking in I saw so many flaws and fractures. The weather didn’t help any thing this year.
Performers new to Edinburgh found the rules daunting and strangling their creativity. For some entertainers it’s not about making any money it’s about putting Edinburgh on their personal CV. Take into account the cost of travel, living expences and all they day to day things you need to get by on Edinburgh is at times a showcase venue and nothing more. With at times over fifty performers and only thirty plus slots available every day not everyone is guaranteed a show. And there are some shows that need the warmth of a summer day to inspire the audience to lift the spirit. Other shows can perform come rain or shine.
The staff I met were nice enough, maybe at times to nice for their own good. Standing your own ground on instant decisions can be a necessary tool in your box of tricks. And a little give and take when required the other.
Decisions you are told to take, you need to stand against, say no. I learnt that. I challenged my boss at Skirmish because I loved what I did and I was batteling for better rules for staff and customers. One of the best feelings is standing up for the rights and condition of others.
Next year who can say what will happen. There may be a new set of staff ready to take on the three weeks that is the Fringe on the High street.