Sticking It to the Man for 75 Years: The Best and Worst of My First Edinburgh Fringe Festival
On a stage in Scotland’s capital city, a Cockney-accented actress playing a parody version of Ariel from The Little Mermaid stands next to a statue of Prince Eric with one *large* difference from the film (yeah, it’s exactly what you think). This is just a taste of the hilarious and inventive fare you can discover at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — home to tens of thousands of comedy, theater, drag, circus, revue, and experimental shows. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the festival began as a way for eight theater groups who weren’t invited to participate in the 1947 Edinburgh International Festival to stick it to the man. Since then, misfits, unknowns and future giants alike have been welcomed on Fringe’s many stages. And many a famous actor and comedians once appeared fresh-faced there, including Emma Thompson and Robin Williams. In 2019, Fringe was the third most visited event in the world, behind the Olympics and the World Cup — welcoming over half a billion audience members, performers and media. Performers came from 63 countries to do their thing at more than 300 venues across the city. Anyone who pays a registration fee can host a show, preserving an egalitarian...
