Fringe 2011

This year, three days, 12 shows, a mixture of theatre and comedy. Old favourites and new venues and companies. Two days of sun and one of rain, so for this Summer, not a bad average.

This year’s lessons:

1. Do not forget to pack your pashmina – you will need it when the night chill draws in, and it can also be used as a towel to dry wet feet.

2. The demise of the Guardian Daily Guide means that you will need to be more structured in working out what shows will be in the gaps in your schedule.

3. The Scotsman does daily 2 for 1 or half price offers on many popular shows, and so is worth buying.

4. A show that is sponsored by a whisky company is good. Free whisky!

5. It is now very difficult to find free internet access in venues to book tickets on line, so the best option to avoid queues is either to use phone internet access, or go to the venue at a quiet time, e.g. we managed to get returns for the sold out ‘Prudencia Hart’ just by being at the Traverse Box Office shortly after it opened.

6. In the rain, outside will be cold, but venues will still be hot, so, as always, layering!

7. If you sit in the right bars, or go to the right shows, the famous will come to you.

8. If you visit early, before most reviews are out, read up on the recommendations of a respected critic, e.g. Lyn Gardner.

9. ‘Pot luck’ late night comedy slots are worth booking, as you don’t know who you are going to get, and you may get top names.

10. Edinburgh restaurants serve late into the evening during the Fringe, and it’s very easy to find a good choice of eating places after 10.00pm.

11. (for good measure) Student flats are a good accommodation option as an alternative to prohibitively expensive hotels. Clean, comfortable, and all you need - apart from a tv. But then how much time are you going to spend there?