Spiegeltent sets up new camp at Fringe down by the seaside

THE Spiegeltent will feature at this year's Fringe – in North Berwick.

The Evening News revealed this month that the George Square Spiegeltent would not be part of this year's Edinburgh Festival.

But the organisers of North Berwick's Fringe by the Sea have announced a La Gayola Spiegeltent will be their flagship venue for this year.

Festival founder John Shaw said: "It was a bit of a dream but we knew how popular Spiegeltent was in town, so we thought it would help us to get from a local festival to something with a bit more credibility.

"The Spiegeltent gives us a huge opportunity to make that the nerve centre of the festival and a chance to have more events right through the day.

"The inaugural Fringe by the Sea last August was hugely successful and far outstripped all expectation. Now we can step up several gears and promise a more rounded programme, but with exactly the same degree of fun and laughter."

While there are again plans to have a "supper club" for locals to enjoy some evening entertainment, all the major events have been timed to allow audiences to catch the last train back to Edinburgh.

Mr Shaw added: "We really want to appeal to people in Edinburgh.

"We are only 40 minutes away so it is easy to hop on a train or in the car or bus and enjoy a day out by the sea."

Organisers of the Spiegel Garden in George Square, which has become a key feature of the Fringe, informed performers and agents earlier this month of their decision to pull out.

But Spiegeltent fans will be able to enjoy shows in a smaller version of the famous performance space on the beach at North Berwick.

With sponsorship from Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the Old Pulteney Spiegeltent will become a main focus for the bulk of this year's Fringe by the Sea activities, hosting more than 30 events.

Eric Wales, who is currently putting together the programme for the festival on August 11-16, said music would remain the core this year, with Orkestra del Sol, Dougie Maclean, Fat Sam's and Opera East all returning.

One of the highlights is expected to be Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain signing off the festival.

Arrangements are being made to show films and invite authors from Edinburgh's Book Festival, as well as stand-up comedians.

Organiser Jane Thomson said: "We listened to all the feedback on what worked last year and plan to provide more of the same ingredients for a memorable few days."

• www.fringebythesea.co.uk