When the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe was canceled due to Covid-19, producer Francesca Moody and theater maker Gary McNair created a DIY alternative called Shedinburgh. This initiative showcased theater, comedy, and music performances in various sheds that were streamed live online. It gained significant popularity, leading to its return the next year. Now, the Shedinburgh Festival is gearing up for a summer revival with a series of one-off in-person performances at a new 100-seat venue in Edinburgh.
Notable performers include Jayde Adams, Mark Watson, Ivo Graham, and Deborah Frances-White of Sh! T Theater, along with Marlow and Moss, the duo behind the hit musical “6,” and recent Olivier Award winner Maimuna Memon. The festival features a mix of Shed Shows, which are intimate versions of past Fringe hits, Shed Originals, showcasing scripts from previously overlooked writers, Shedx Talks, offering free panels and Q&A sessions, and late-night music events. The venue will also operate as a café and bar during the day, with a pay-what-you-can ticket option available. Details regarding the full schedule and venue specifics will be released later this month.
Taking a show to Edinburgh can be financially risky for performers, who generally need to offer a minimum guarantee to the venue. In contrast, Shedinburgh assures fees to cover travel and accommodation for each act.
Moody, known for hits like fleabags and baby reindeer, expressed that bringing shows to festivals has become more challenging lately, making it feel less accessible for both artists and audiences. She described Shedinburgh as a way to level the playing field for artists.
Applications for funding from Shedinburgh’s future resources will be opening soon, with money raised from the 2020 and 2021 digital editions set to be distributed. Artists making their Edinburgh Fringe debut this summer can apply for a £5,000 grant.
Watson pointed out that it’s increasingly tough for emerging artists to make a living in Edinburgh or even take the initial risk to participate. He emphasized the need for a new approach to festival dynamics, which is what Shedinburgh aims to address. Adams added that Shedinburgh offers a more theatrical and personal atmosphere, providing a space for intimate and daring performances unlike any she has done before.
