In 2020, in direct response to the uncertain future facing both venues and artists, the inaugural Shedinburgh Fringe Festival was born and was led by Producers Francesca Moody and Harriet Bolwell along with writer/performer Gary McNair.
Shedinburgh’s objective was to shine a big light on the vital role of the Fringe in global culture by celebrating its past successes with breakthrough artists and to provide a platform for the talent coming to Edinburgh Festival Fringe had that not been cancelled.
The online festival, that was streamed into people’s homes over August, showcased the best of the Fringe stalwarts of theatre, music and comedy, all performed live from two sheds at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and Soho Theatre in London as well as remotely at artists’ very own sheds.
Shedinburgh was a hit with Fringe fans from across the world, selling over 4,500 tickets to 25 events and with all proceeds going into the Shed Load of Future fund to support new artists who want to bring their work to the Edinburgh Fringe.
To raise more funds for the Shed Load of Future fund, Shedinburgh announces REPLAY, that is a ‘greatest huts’collection of fourteen shows that will be available to stream globally from 7.30pm on Monday 22nd February for a minimum ticket price of £4.
The ‘greatest huts’include theatre McGonagall’s Chronicles by Gary McNair; Status by Chris Thorpe; Team Viking by James Rowland and My Arm by Tim Crouch. From the world of comedy there is Deborah Frances White, Rosie Jones and Helen Bauer, Chloe Petts and Sophie Duker, plus poetry from Barber Shop Chronicles creator Inua Ellams and Sean Mahoney. Also part of the event from Sunday14th to 22nd March 2021, is a limited stream of White Rabbit, Red Rabbit performed by Tobias Menzies and written by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour.
Deborah Frances-White said: “I’m delighted that my Shedinburgh offering in the form of ‘Deborah Frances-White Rolls the Dice’ – my Writers’ Guild Award winning show (stop going on about the award – everyone – it’s embarrassing!) is getting to pop on a tiara and some heels and take a spin around the internet when I’m not even allowed to go to the pub. I’m jealous of my own show because of the social life it’s going to have. I hope you enjoy my Nancy Drew-style treasure hunt for my own genetic heritage and the twists & turns of my DNA. Thank you Shedinburgh for sharing my fireside tale this winter lockdown.”
All Greatest Huts performances will be streamed via Ticketco from 7.30pm on Monday 22nd February to Monday 22nd March.
Tickets, whose sales are limited, will be available on a pay what you can model for a minimum price of £4 with full details available at the Shedinburgh website.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 