About Us
The spirit of risk and experiment is no better demonstrated than by the development of free venues such as Forest Fringe on Bristo Place, which has become a magnet for young artists wanting to try things out. (Lyn Gardner)
Forest Fringe is a not-for-profit co-operative venue run by theatre-makers Andy Field and Deborah Pearson in collaboration with the Forest Cafe, Edinburgh. Now in our second full year we are forging a radical new model for theatre at the Edinburgh festival, offering established artists and younger groups alike an unprecedented opportunity to experiment and play in the midst of the world's largest arts festival.
We believe that the Edinburgh Festival remains an exciting opportunity for artists. We believe that the presence of so many enthusiastic, excited people is a good thing. We believe that the tumult of the festival can still potentially be a healthy environment for presenting risky, experimental work to an audience who would never normally see it.
However, we also firmly believe that the ridiculous costs associated with bringing a show to the festival for a solid three week run can suffocate risk and play. We believe that over-saturation at the festival can mean that both artists and audiences are left breathless (and out of pocket).
Forest Fringe is a conscious attempt to create an alternative kind of place. This place cherishes adventure and fun by offering fewer performances and removing the costs normally associated with an Edinburgh show. This place values reflection and community through mentorships that create links between younger and more experienced companies and by reducing the number of shows in favour of more rehearsal time.
Forest Fringe is supported by BAC and The Forest Cafe.
