Becoming a stand-up comedian at 70, part 3

In the previous blog instalment, I’d said I’d be focussing on physical access to the world of stand-up comedy this time around. But as yesterday (August 31^st) marked the end of the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe, I’m going to talk about ‘the biggest art festival in the world’ instead.

Yes, it’s big. Actually, it’s enormous, to the point where it seems inescapable for anyone living, working or just travelling across the city centre, especially the Old Town. 

That’s not surprising because four overlapping festivals happen in Edinburgh every August. 

There’s the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) which has been running since 1947. Then there’s the Fringe which began in the same year as EIF, when eight theatre companies,excluded from Festival, put on their own ‘fringe’ performances. Next is the International Book Festival, launched in 1983 and moved to the Edinburgh Futures building in 2025. 

Last but not least is the ‘Free Fringe’ which embodies a wee bit of the wildness and spontaneity the Official Fringe has lost. More about the Free Fringe in a minute

What do I think about the official Fringe? As someone who lives in Edinburgh I think it’s a massive pain in the arse, is irrelevant to a lot of ‘locals’ and I’m doubtful how much it benefits communities beyond ground zero of the shiny Fringe Central hub on Infirmary Street. Maybe the new tourist tax will make a difference. Or maybe not. 

This year, as a performer, I found the Fringe exciting and but mostly overwhelming. It’s hard not to escape the feeling that the whole shebang is eating itself. What began as a ‘bohemian’ uprising, celebrating ‘the madness of art’, is now one relentless, money grabbing, corporatemonster. 

To put on a Fringe show, even if you live in Edinburgh, can cost a fortune. Venue hire, posters, having great people to give out flyers, tech support – it quickly mounts up. 

Want a mention in the fringe programme? (of course you do) – that will be £300 please. 

Want a venue that’s inclusive? They’re usually the most expensive so be prepared to pay an ‘accessibility premium’. Want to use the Fringe ticketing system (obvs) – booking fee, please. 

Wonder why your burger costs £12? Because the organisers take a huge percentage of everyfood sale. 

Add on travel and the rip-off price of accommodation (£5000 for the whole month was what someone I spoke to had paid for a room in private house, not even an Air BnB) and seriously, no wonder working class performers are priced out. 

Given all this, and the fact that there were around 4,000 comedy shows in 2026, very few comics are going to make money in Edinburgh. The absolutely best case scenario is that they don’t end up bankrupt, and a reviewer gives their show four or even, praise be, five stars. 

The Fringe is all about being noticed by agents and bookers. It’s a present day loss leader in the hope there’ll be future rewards. Good luck, compadres. 

I was very fortunate because I’m only a short bus ride away from the main action and I was offered slots in compilation shows at the Free Fringe, where audiences give donations on ‘pay what you feel’ basis. 

Thanks to the support of Disabled Cants, Laughing Horse and The Infamous Comedy Club, I was able to perform without much of the stress and expense many other comics have to go through at the Fringe. Appreciated!

But the final mention of today’s blog goes to Stand Up Sanctuary, a new team on the block,who are working with venues like The Alchemist to put on shows by comics who are often marginalised and seldom heard but who deserve to break into the comedy industry.

That’s what the Fringe ought to be doing but as it probably never will, it’s great to see others are stepping up to the challenge!