エジンバラ演劇祭のフリンジ事務局からニュースリリースが来た。フリンジ全体でのチケットの総売上枚数が100万枚を超え前年比21％増加したということみたいだ。
この種のイベントとしては史上最大だというが、ある意味凄い、と思う。最初に買おうとした日が売り切れ（ソールドアウト）で、日にちを変更してなんとか手に入れた「12人の怒れる男たち（12 Angry Men ）」はフリンジ全体の中でも２番人気のチケットだったようで、これが見ることができたのは幸運だったかもしれない。
FRINGE SMASHES MILLION TICKET SALES
9am, 25 August 2003
For Immediate Release
Today, the Fringe confirmed its position as the most successful arts eventin the world as organisers revealed that the festival had passed the 1million ticket barrier for the very first time.
Fringe 2003 has so far sold 1,184,738 tickets worth 9,386,003 - a 21%
increase on 2002.
"This is an incredible milestone for us", said Paul Gudgin, Fringe Director"but the real credit must go to the spectacular group of artists who haveput on one of our strongest programmes ever".
A well-received programme across the board, exceptionally good weather and adiscernible increase in domestic tourism have all contributed to one of thegreatest years in the Fringe's history. A number of new and well-establishedinitiatives have also helped broaden the Fringe's appeal - such as the 2 for1 ticket offer on the first two days of the Fringe which sold 28,657 tickets(a 28% increase on previous year) and a new and improved website selling 43%of all tickets. Over half of tickets sold went to Edinburgh people.
Of the 1541 shows available the fastest selling was a secret Johnny Vegas gig at the Stand Comedy Club that sold out in 18 minutes. The top-sellingshow was Ross Noble, closely followed by 12 Angry Men and Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure.
American successes***
Awards at Fringe 2003 took on an American theme, with Demetri Martin
scooping the Perrier Award for Comedy, The Riot Group's Pugilist Specialistwinning the best of The Scotsman's Fringe Firsts, and 78th Street TheatreLab winning The Stage's Best Ensemble Acting award. All three groups ofperformers hail from New York.
Concluding, Paul Gudgin said: "Smashing the million ticket mark heralds thestart of a new era in the Fringe's history. Rather than look back, now's thetime to realise the Fringe's future potential to attract and accommodateever greater audiences, accelerate more performers' careers and continue tocement Edinburgh's reputation as the world's greatest festival city".
For more info contact martin@edfringe.com or +44 (0)131 524 8950
- ENDS -
PS:
If you've covered the Fringe this year, thanks for all your support and seeyou in 2004!
Best wishes,
Martin, Kerryn and Owen at the Fringe Press OfficeTo unsubscribe from this mailing list, log on to the website and go to http://www.edfringe.com/myfringe and update your details.
