The Edinburgh International Festival Fringe, one of the world’s biggest theater and comedy festivals, has undergone a significant transformation over its 80-year history. What was once an alternative, underground event has become a commercial success, with ticket prices increasing and artists footing their own bills.
Fringe dates back to 1947 when eight theater groups staged shows on the margins of the Edinburgh International Festival. The vibe was experimental, and it attracted eccentric performers like Robin Williams and Lin-Manuel Miranda. However, with the festival’s growing popularity, rising costs are threatening the Fringe’s free-spirited nature.
Tickets now cost up to £10-£15, with some shows selling for more than they used to. Unlike other festivals that offer big-name performers and travel expenses, the open-to-all Fringe means artists must pay their own way. Comedian Marjolein Robertson says it’s a high-risk undertaking as a performer, leaving them thousands of pounds poorer.
Despite rising costs, many performers still value the experience, including newcomer Zainab Johnson, who has had her Amazon Prime Video standup special and played a recurring role on Upload. Fringe is an opportunity for artists to develop their craft, and Robertson says performing every day for a month grows and changes them.
However, some worry that the Fringe’s increasing commercialism will make it inaccessible to emerging artists who aren’t already famous or wealthy. Robertson suggests creating a new fringe within the Fringe, where artists can maintain their independence.
The festival continues to attract large crowds, with police saying the Scottish capital’s population nearly doubles during events. While the Fringe remains one of the world’s biggest and most popular festivals, its future is uncertain, and performers must adapt to changing circumstances to preserve its spirit.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/25/nx-s1-5496463/is-edinburghs-fringe-still-fringe-or-has-it-gasp-gone-mainstream