The Scotsman: Unconventional ways to fund the show
Over the decades that the Fringe has entertained us, the cost of bringing a show here has increased exponentially. The free access aspect, which was Edinburgh's glorious unique selling point, is all but gone, which is so sad. Up at the 'top', more and more control is being taken, albeit some of the control is gratefully received, coming as £2500 cheques for the ironically named 'Keep it Fringe' grants.
At the other end, the PBH Free Fringe (and those who followed behind, to a greater or lesser extent) has been keeping things affordable, from a performing space point of view, since 1996. But accommodation costs, and those of keeping your 60 minutes more noticeable than the next 3000, are quite terrifying. So how do the really smart, genuinely Fringe people fund their shows?
Well, if it is smart you want, Kate Smurthwaite tutors A-Level maths so she can make Edinburgh a cleverer, funnier place each August. In New York, comedian Kevin James Doyle teaches chess. He is funding his debut show by selling lessons in Washington Park. So how many lessons to fund a single week in Edinburgh?
“I would say about 40-50 hours,” he says. “I have been sneaking some jokes and stories from the show into my lessons, so that is 40-50 hours of rehearsals as well.” Smart, but maybe not as smart as Northern Irish comic John Meagher who buys and sells rare books.
Kevin James Doyle: After Endgame, Just the Tonic at the Caves, 5.05pm, until 25 August.
