Fringe 2023 official programme launched
We are delighted to announce the launch the official 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme. The programme celebrates the diverse selection of work at the Fringe, spanning the genres of theatre, dance, circus, physical theatre, comedy, music, musicals, opera, cabaret, variety, children’s shows, spoken word, exhibitions and events.
#FillYerBoots
The theme for this year’s programme cover and the wider Fringe marketing campaign is #FillYerBoots, which is defined by the Collins English Dictionary as a phrase meaning, ‘to get as much of something valuable or desirable as you can’ – a message that encapsulates the unrivalled range and diversity of the incredible shows on offer at the Fringe.
This year’s programme features work across 3,013 shows, with themes tackling some of the most topical issues in the world today, from the NHS to mental health, gender and gender identity, neurodiversity, race and racial identity, politics, class and climate action. This year's festival brings together performers from across the globe; from homegrown talent to international artists – brand new and established acts alike.
There has never been a more important time to support those at the very heart of the festival – the artists themselves. The Fringe is recognised as one of the most important cultural events on the planet, with performers from 68 countries appearing in venues across Edinburgh this August. This is a key moment to support them by going to see work across the variety of genres.
The platform for career development that the Fringe offers to artists can be transformational, and many participate in the festival with the desire to be seen, to be recognised for their work, and to benefit from areas such as onward touring or broadcast opportunities. This August marks the 10th anniversary of that moment for Fringe Society President Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whose Fringe show Fleabag debuted in August 2013.
Fringe Facts 2023
- 3,013 total shows
- 248 total venues
- 463 Pay What You Can/Want
- 45,182 performances
- Work from Scotland: 798
- Rest of UK: 1,417
- Countries represented: 67 (including UK countries)
- International countries: 63 (excluding UK countries)
- There are 308 free shows and 463 Pay What You Can/Want shows
- There are 798 Scottish shows, with 535 shows coming from Edinburgh.
- Shows within each section:
- Cabaret and variety – 147 shows (4.9%)
- Children’s shows – 116 shows (3.8%)
- Comedy – 1,109 shows (36.8%)
- Dance, physical theatre and circus – 114 shows (3.8%)
- Events – 55 shows (1.8%)
- Exhibitions – 42 shows (1.4%)
- Music – 395 shows (13.1%)
- Musicals and opera – 152 shows (5.0%)
- Spoken word – 80 shows (2.7%)
- Theatre – 803 shows (26.7%)