Press release: Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide: Live!

THE EDINBURGH FRINGE SURVIVAL GUIDE: LIVE!
A show presented by Mark Fisher
Directed by Sue Emmas

AS PART OF THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2012

Venue: Cabaret Bar, Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
Dates: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 August 2012
Time: 11.30am (one hour)
Box office: 0131 556 6550
Internet: www.edfringe.com and www.pleasance.co.uk

Critic turns presenter for stage version of acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe book - and promises audience an extra dose of vitamin C

Theatre critic Mark Fisher is moving across the footlights to present a show on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Following the publication of The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide in February, the Edinburgh journalist is hosting a chat show, supported by the Pleasance Theatre Trust, based on his celebrated book.

"I made my first appearance on the Fringe in a student show in 1983," says Fisher, 47, a freelance contributor to the Guardian, the Scotsman, the List and Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. "I've been addicted to it ever since. I can't wait to be back on stage."

For each of the six shows, Fisher will be joined by top Fringe actors, comedians, directors and producers who will share their secrets about staging a successful Edinburgh Fringe show. "With over 20 years' experience writing about the festival, I can guarantee every show will be crammed with great advice," says Fisher, who will record the shows and make them available as podcasts on iTunes.

Thanks to the sponsorship of Leith Walk greengrocer Tattie Shaws, Fisher will be handing out fresh fruit to help audiences survive the pressures of the Fringe. "This is the world's most exhilarating festival and also the toughest," he says. "Every apple, orange and banana counts."

"A WONDERFULLY PRACTICAL BUT ALSO INSPIRATIONAL BOOK FULL OF GOOD ADVICE"
Lyn Gardner, the Guardian

Published by Methuen Drama in 2012, The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide draws on the experiences of the festival's leading figures to help readers make their show a success. Among those sharing their expert advice in the book are playwright Simon Stephens, comedian Phil Nichol, actor Siobhan Redmond, producer Guy Masterson, Tiger Lillies front man Martyn Jacques, theatre critic Lyn Gardner and Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award director Nica Burns. The book also has an introduction by playwright Mark Ravenhill.

Website: www.edinburghfringesurvivalguide.com | Twitter: markffisher

Sponsored by Tattie Shaws, 35 Elm Row, Edinburgh: www.tattieshaws.co.uk

For further information and images, please contact:
Mark Fisher on 0131 556 3255 or 07799 033407 or mark-fisher@blueyonder.co.uk

Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide: Live!

IN other circumstances, I'd be attempting to say something deep and meaningful about the Fringe Office's decision to draw attention to mildly rude words by adding asterisks to them. However, I've been caught up with co-convening the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland (2012 nominations just out) and I can no longer tell my prick from my elbow. Read John Fleming to get an idea of all the hoo-har.


What I can pass on, however, is the news that The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide: Live! is both asterisk-free and on sale at edfringe.com. Six shows at the Pleasance Courtyard at 11.30am, Thursdays and Fridays, doing the same kind of thing the book does, only with extra spontaneity. Tell your friends. See you there.