From Ferne Arfin,
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I'd like to take a show to the Edinburgh Festival. How can I do it? Do I have to apply? And where can I get information about costs, theatres and all the rest?

A. Anyone who wants to put on a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival can. You don't even have to register with the Fringe organizers - though, as you will see, there are good reasons why you'd want to. The Fringe Festival does not produce or finance any shows. They don't invite anyone to perform or pay any performers. But they can help in a number of ways.

What you need to do yourself

• Produce your show
• Make your own way to Edinburgh
• Find and pay for a venue
• Find and pay for your own accommodations
• Produce your own leaflets and posters and distribute them around Edinburgh.

What the Festival Fringe Society does

• Produces the festival program which includes every show that registers
• Produces Spaces an invaluable downloadable guide to venues looking for shows
• Produces several incredibly useful How To books, including:
  • How to Do a Show Advice on bringing a show to Edinburgh
  • How to Sell a Show Festival specific advice on press and marketing
• Provides monthly bulletins with loads of essential and timely information and advice
• Has a password-secured area with exclusive information for performers
• Organises the opening party, Fringe Sunday, the street performers and "show clips" that appear on the high street.

Other Festival services for performers and shows

The Press Office produces bulletins and advice, generates publicity for the festival and shows and provides promoter/show liaison opportunities for shows hoping to tour after The Fringe.

The Box Office puts tickets on sale two months before the festival starts and sells at least 25% of the tickets for all shows in the program. The box office also runs ticket promotions such at the e-ticket tent and the Half-Price Hut and provides performing companies with reports on their ticket sales.

The Peformers Centre has meeting and communications facilities for press and performers including Internet, photocopier, phones, fax, daily newspapers.

Important Sources of Information

• Subcribe to monthly bulletins
• Download the Fringe Passport an overview of need-to-know information
• Get advice on costs