The Edinburgh Fringe.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the largest arts festival in the world it lasts for 3 weeks over the month of August and this year, 2011, it will run from the 5th to the 29th.The arts covered in the Fringe include cabaret, comedy, dance, music, musicals & opera and theatre. Performances can be found all over the city with nearly 300 venues ranging from the EICC to tiny pubs rearranged into venues for the month.

Now I'm no Fringe veteran but there are a few things I have learned that have helped me cram as much as possible into my visit.

Do Book Early.
Accommodation, flights, train/bus tickets are only going to get more expensive the closer it gets to the festival. The cheapest hotel room in Edinburgh is about £80 this time of year for a B&B or Travelodge. Don't leave it to the last minute in the hope hotels will reduce their prices to fill rooms. This won't happen!

Do Spread The Cost
Say there are a few of you going to see 3-4 shows a day each show being £10 each. Even over 2-3 days it's a lot of money. Try and spread out the costs and book some tickets in advance. Also the 8th & 9th of August are 2 for 1 on selected shows. Tickets can be purchased online for all shows at www.edfringe.com

Don't Over Plan
I highly recommend you book tickets for the acts you really want to see to avoid disappointment but DON'T plan every minute of your trip. The atmosphere in the city especially along the Royal Mile is amazing, there are loads of excellent street performers here all day throughout the festival that you don't want to miss. There's also a fantastic Half Price Hut that is located on Princes street and sells tickets for a selection of shows that day at discounted prices.

Do Talk To People
At this time of year the Royal Mile is the friendliest place on earth. It's full of people dressed up and handing out leaflets for their shows. Have a talk to them, collect as many leaflets as possible you might just see something that you missed online or in the program.

Don't Be Late
Leave yourself plenty of times between shows to get from venue to venue, they might look a lot closer on the map than in reality. If you're late you're not getting in!

Do See As Many Free Shows As Possible
There are loads of free shows that usually take place in the smaller venues. Go and support the acts, you've nothing to lose and you never know they might be the next big thing.

Do Attend Shows With Nameless Acts
Don't be put off by shows that haven't announced any acts. It may just turn out that the headliner is a famous act doing a secret show to attract new followers or try out new material. Don't be disappointed if it's not though.

Do Keep Your Eyes Peeled
A lot of the acts perform once a day at night so you can sometimes see them wandering about the city during the day so keep your eyes open for them.

Most Importantly: Keep Calm
You're going to queue for tickets, queue to access venues, queue to exit venues, queue for the bars and queue for the toilets. Don't get in a rage everyone is in the same position as you. Have fun, talk to everyone and don't let it ruin your trip.

Fringe Comedy Recommendations


Angelos Epithemiou & Friends
If you watched the new series of Shooting Stars you'll know exactly who this guy is. Only playing a few dates from the 16th to the 20th.

Sarah Millican
One of the few funny wee ladies in comedy. Only 4 dates left with tickets so hurry.

Phil Jupitus
The funny chubby man from Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Doing two shows at the fringe one of which is rated PG so should be child friendly but don't take my word for it.

Andrew Lawrence
Ginger with a squeaky voice. An up and coming comedian with loads of audience interaction.

Ed Byrne
One of the bigger comedians at the festival playing in the biggest venue. If you're only visiting for a short time I would spend my time seeing the comedians who tour less regularly and save the bigger acts for their travelling tours.

Craig Campbell
Canadian comedian who toured with Frankie Boyle on his 120 date tour. Also seen on Russell Howard's Good News & Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. Enough name dropping to convince you?

Steve-O
3 nights each performance 3 & 1/2 hours long. Apparently there will be no Jackass stunts but he will talk about his time on the show. A rare event but I'm still not too convinced.

David O'Doherty 
Most excited for this funny wee Irish man.Completely clean nonsense jokes with a keyboard. Check him out.