The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2006
Highlights for this year’s Fringe include: From the Creators of The Muppets™, Jim Henson’s 'Puppet Improv '(adults only version and kids’ version!), Tim Fountain's stage adaptation of the cult classic 'Midnight Cowboy', a brand new daily chat show 'Lunch With the Hamiltons' (Neil and Christine), 70's favourite 'The Goodies Still Rule OK!', the play 'Talk Radio', Stewart Lee's first directorial outing since 'Jerry Springer - The Opera', featuring a host of big name comedians (Mike McShane, Will Adamsdale, Stephen K. Amos and more), the outdoor burlesque sunset show 'A MidSummerNights Tree', hard-hitting theatre piece 'My Name is Rachel Corrie', directed by Alan Rickman, 'Allegiance: Winston Churchill' and 'Michael Collins', starring Mel Smith, Hollywood starlet Marisa Tomei in 'Finder's Fee' (Assembly Theatre) Live 8’s African Children’s Choir bring Africa’s Heartbeat and Chanbara (Yamato) from Japan, featuring the Crazy 88 from 'Kill Bill'. Music highlights include T on the Fringe's Belle and Sebastian at Princes Street Gardens, and Internet success story and current UK no.1 Sandi Thom. Bill Bailey returns with his stand-up show, last year’s Perrier Best Newcomer Tim Minchin returns with So Rock and 'Big Brother’s' Russell Brand will appear for a limited run. Finally one-off appearances from Pam Ayres, Ned Sherrin, the Krankies & Stu Francis and Fringe at the Castle, a special night at Edinburgh Castle in celebration of the Fringe’s 60th year.
Fringe celebrities this year include:
- Les Dennis, Mike McShane and ex-Holby City actor and Celebrity Big Brother star Jeremy Edwards in Marlon Brando’s Corset, a hilariously brutal comedy about being famous
- T4’s Simon Amstell does stand up
- Ex-S Clubber Jon Lee in spoof horror musical Teen Scream
- From the Creators of The Muppets™, Jim Henson’s Puppet Improv for both kids and adults only
- Featuring the couple the nation loves to hate, a brand new daily chat show Lunch With the Hamiltons (Neil and Christine)
- 70's favourite The Goodies Still Rule OK! with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden
- Blackadder’s and Time Team’s Tony Robinson’s Cunning Night Out
- Alan Rickman directs My Name Is Rachel Corrie, straight from the West End
- Mel Smith stars in Allegiance: Winston Churchill and Michael Collins
- Hollywood starlet Marisa Tomei in Finder's Fee
- the Crazy 88 swordfighters from Kill Bill in martial arts spectacular Chanbara
- Mock the Week and Have I got news for you?’s Frankie Boyle in Frankie Boyle: the Voice of Black America
- Bill Bailey presents his stand-up show
- Big Brother’s Russell Brand will appear for a limited run.
- Norman Pace from Hale and Pace and Abi Tucker from the Secret Life of Us and Heartbreak High in Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson
- Scott Major of Heatrbreak High and Neighbours fame in Both Sides of the Bar
- Christopher Biggins as the last great panto dame in Twinkle Little Star
- Harry Shearer, voice of the Simpsons’ Mr Burns and star of hit movie This Is Spinal Tap in This is so not about the Simpsons
- Music highlights include T on the Fringe's Snow Patrol, Belle and Sebastian at Princes St. Gardens, and internet success story and current UK no.1 Sandi Thom.
- Live 8’s African Children’s Choir (accompanied Mariah Carey) performing Africa’s Heartbeat. The choir is entirely made up of aids orphans.
- Finally one off appearances from Pam Ayres, Ned Sherrin and the Krankies & Stu Francis.
FRINGE FACTS 2006
- Fringe 2006 features 28,014 performances of 1,867 shows in 261 venues (Fringe 2005 featured 26,995 performances of 1,799 shows in 240 venues).
- An estimated 16,990 performers will be on Edinburgh’s Fringe stages.
- Theatre makes up 32% of the programme, followed by Comedy (27%) then Music (21%). Musicals, Children’s Shows, Dance & Physical Theatre, Exhibitions and Events each provide around 4% of the programme.
- Over a third (36%) of all shows are World premieres. 4% are UK premieres, 10% European premieres.
- 177 shows at Fringe 2006 are absolutely free.
- It would take you 5 years, 11 months and 16 days to see every performance back-to-back.
- Last year, the Fringe sold 1,338,550 tickets - the third time and third consecutive year that the Fringe sailed past the million-ticket barrier.
- The Fringe has a 75% market share of all attendance at Edinburgh’s year-round festivals and annually generates around £75 million for the Edinburgh and Scottish economy.
- The Fringe sells 97% more tickets than it did only 10 years ago (679,147 in 1995, 1338,550 in 2005).
- In 2006, there will be 28,014 performances - 94% more performances than 10 years ago.
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