Leith on the Fringe (LOTF) have launched a bold, new extension to the Edinburgh summer festival season.
Organisers plan to tempt tourists, culture vultures, locals and their families away from the crowded and expensive risks of central Edinburgh Fringe venues to more dependable, hospitable and family-friendly offerings around Leith – starting this year at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street (Venue 195).
Unveiling their programme to the Press last night, Technical Director John Diamond spoke of his excitement at 19 companies – home grown and international – offering everything from circus, theatre, dance, music and cabaret to film, talks, art and workshops.
A distinguishing theme will be aerial shows – ground and gravity-defying displays making full use of the Drill Hall's beautiful height, light and spacious potential to tell stories, stimulate minds and move hearts.
[img_assist|nid=1921|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=187|height=200]'We're aiming to create a unique artistic identity that will promote Leith as a viable festival destination,' said Diamond (pictured right), 'to provide visitors and locals with a diverse programme of events and entertainment that will encourage them to spend more time here and benefit the community, local businesses and the arts in Leith.'
LOTF have 15 years' experience of promoting and celebrating the Arts. We applaud their additional aims to:
- Help compensate parts of Leith for the effects of tramworks
- Break down psychological barriers which stop tourists travelling north from the city centre
- Establish Leith as as a Fringe destination in its own right
- Offer attractive alternatives to the standard Fringe experience.
However, there are difficulties in balancing the equation. If LOTF focuses too effectively on locals' budget-driven participation in its programme, the financial benefits to local businesses may not meet needs and expectations. If LOTF tries to maximise commercial returns to local business by running mainstream Fringe shows, the innovative cultural returns for locals may be shallow.
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It's a very difficult balancing act, and success must start by Leith on the Fringe not coming over as needy and serious.
LOTF risks sounding like a health-food shop nextdoor to a McDonald's. For most people, certainly those visiting Edinburgh on holiday, the Fringe is more about an enjoyably challenging experience in the performance than in the performance space's socio-economic context. Casual consumers will always spend more on great taste than excellent roughage.
The most likely way of making this venture a success will be by conveying to all potential clients the existence of high-quality performances in congenial and inspiring surroundings at affordable prices.
LOTF's programme suggests it is capable of delivering this package, but its message – we respectfully suggest – needs tweaking.
Leith on the Fringe is at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall (30–6 Dalmeny Street)
Tel. 554 8092
www.facebook.com/leithonthefringe
Twitter: @LeithOTfringe