An Argument for a Slow Fringe

If you are coming to Edinburgh, don’t go hard.

I know people that come for a week and see five shows a day for that week.

They are determined to see as many shows as possible.

But seeing that many shows, particularly several days in a row, you stop taking what you’re seeing in.

There is no time to process an intense thought piece.

No time to enjoy the afterglow of a great comedy.

No time for drinks and laughter when you see a truly horrific performance,

Many Fringe shows are out there; they are better when you can take the time to discuss them. Many Fringe shows are also so bad that you need to cleanse your pallet before you go back to the theatre.

If you don’t take the time, then the comedy you saw right before might take the edge of a drama. Or a dark show might prevent you from laughing at what would have been the funniest thing you’ve ever seen. A bad show can ruin your whole day or even week.

I personally only ever see two shows a day during the Fringe.

In between shows, there is coffee and catch-up, lunch at street vendors and pop up, drinks and decompression with Fringe. Talking about the show and really sitting in whatever it made you feel is part of going to the theatre. When you take that away, shows have less of an impact.

So many of the people I know that do hard for the Fringe also blend their shows together. They can’t remember if they saw a show yesterday or two days ago (if they can remember they saw the show at all). They spend all this time and all this money, and all they’re left with is a hazy recollection of maybe seeing some shows.

So I advocate for a slow Fringe.

Take your time to meet the people here.

Take the time to have the experiences that surround the Fringe.

If two shows a day is too much, then see one.

Take some days off to take a day trip or just stay at home and read.

Go for a long walk through the meadows.

Sit and people-watch.

Savour this moment.

The Fringe is fleeting.

Make memories that will last.