The train draws into Waverley and the packed carriage thrums in agitation. For some, the fifty-three-minute journey has been too long.
My friend and I feel like the journey has passed more quickly than we thought. We shuffle our way off and begin our first-ever dedicated Fringe day.
Normally, August means Book Festival – author talks and second-hand bookshops galore- buying hardbacks that will sit on my shelf for a good six months but that I cannot live without. Sitting in the gardens in the sunshine, with bubble tea and Civerinos chips in hand.
This year, I’ve decided to switch it up. I’ve packed four shows a day. Comedy plays and stand-up routines – with the occasional musical flung in for good measure.
We’ve got a plan: if we can see a show, we will. Anything we are desperate to see, we book ahead, and if a flyer is convincing enough, then we add it to the itinerary.
So far, this method has worked well – I was surprised by how many shows were sold out when we would ask at the Box Office – but that said, we did end up with free tickets for Endometriosis: The Musical. (My review for that you can find on the Telegraph website, if you’re of the curious nature).
It was a change of pace – the number of venues they have is wild, and it can get quite overwhelming if you don’t know where to go. There was, at one point, a mad dash to the Mound with the show starting in ten minutes, when it took fifteen to get there. I have never moved so fast.
That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with it’s struggles. There is a constant deluge of people; it can be expensive, and if you have a late-night show, then transport isn’t just a challenge – it’s non-negotiable. Particularly if you live further out than the centre of Glasgow itself.
Still, with a bit of careful planning, it was worth going. The Fringe makes art real and present. A necessity in our current climate.
We are entering a period where AI is entering into our lives and our culture, for good or for worse we have to be conscious of how that can impact our perception of art and the art itself.
The opportunity to go to different shows with diverse people, stories and humour was the perfect way to finish the summer and I’m sure some of our other editors will be able to fill you in on what they saw and enjoyed this Fringe.
Hi, I’m Erin. I’m currently studying English and History. She/her
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