Applications Open for Summerhall’s New Deal for Festival Fringe 2024

Summerhall announces a new deal format option for Fringe 2024 with 100% of ticket revenue in favour of the artists. Building on the initiatives it launched in 2023 that aim to ‘Support the Artist’ during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Summerhall has introduced a new deal where companies get 100% of the revenue from ticket sales in exchange for a slightly higher up-front cost. This is a move away from the typical 60/40 split across the box office. 

The ecosystem of the Fringe has changed dramatically over the last five years, but the structures, attitudes and models have not moved on at all in the last twenty-five. This change being made reflects what other countries are doing, countries that have a far more supported cultural sector. 

 Summerhall Chief Executive Sam Gough commented “We are inviting companies to make a choice. Alongside the Support the Artist Ticket Scheme, Summerhall Surgeries, and subsidised lanyard drinks launched last year, this is another initiative aimed at supporting the artists that choose to share their work with us in August and say thank you for investing in Edinburgh. It is an exciting departure for us and continues to challenge the idea that we do things in the Fringe ‘because we have always done it like that.’ Summerhall continues to challenge the model in the quest to make it a more supported place for artists”

Fringe Producer and Programmer Tom Forster said “There are huge benefits for companies groups and choosing this deal, including having more autonomy around setting ticket prices for accessing specific community groups, and having more control over comp allocations for industry guests and press. We appreciate this new option won’t work for everyone, but when addressing risk, it gives companies a choice for a greater stake in their production. This deal will reduce the haggling over box office splits during which can often feel like a zero-sum game. For shows with larger casts and crew, which have been feeling the anxiety of undertaking a festival run as the cost-of-living crisis strengthens, it will mean potential for greater returns. We might find ourselves in a position where we can use the economically enhanced up-front cash flow from more established companies to reduce costs for emerging, independent artists”

For companies and artists who prefer not to take this option, Summerhall will continue to offer the more standard ticket split option. Having alternative options give companies and performers more choices as to how they conduct their Fringe run. Summerhall encourages all to apply, and look forward to another Festival full of enterprising, challenging and creative work.

Application Opens: 30th November 2023

Application Link: https://www.summerhall.co.uk/summerhall-performance-programme/

Irene Brown