Fringe to dance off with £1m cash boost

THE Capital's world-famous Fringe festival has received a £1 million boost to showcase the cream of Scottish talent over the next two years.

The Edinburgh Fringe will use the cash boost, provided by the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, to showcase Scottish-based dance and theatre artists, with the first performances taking place at this year's Fringe in August.

An initial £200,000 was provided in 2008 to kick-start the Made in Scotland programme, which was launched during last year's Fringe to showcase theatre and dance from across the country.

Chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Kath Mainland, said the festival was "extremely grateful" for the government's support of the Made in Scotland showcase.

She said: "We're delighted that this support will provide a platform for Scottish-based performers to present and promote their best work at the Fringe.

"The Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, and in some respects the largest arts market, and Made in Scotland will ensure that Scottish talent has the chance to be seen on the world stage."

Culture minister, Mike Russell, said: "Made in Scotland brings a fantastic suite of performances to the Fringe this year. It's good to see some of our most recognised theatre producers in Scotland involved, including the Traverse, the Citizens Theatre and Scottish Dance Theatre. I am also particularly excited to see radical theatrical experiences, such as the audio journey of Sussurrus from Fire Exit Ltd."

He added: "It is particularly exciting that Made in Scotland comes into being in this year of Homecoming when we will welcome so many people from around the world. Visitors to the Fringe will experience the diversity of theatre and dance being made in Scotland, and I am sure the experience will be truly enlivening."

Meanwhile, chief executive of the Scottish Arts Council, Jim Tough, said the programme presented "a wonderfully mischievous taste of what is being created in Scotland today".

He added: "I am thrilled that it includes work from radical, independent artists alongside our most established companies. With performers and promoters from across the world flocking to Edinburgh, this is a fantastic opportunity for our artists to make the most of the unique arts event."

Made in Scotland is a partnership between the Fringe, the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Scottish Arts Council.

Interim director of the Federation of Scottish Theatre, Jon Morgan, said: "The Made in Scotland programme will offer audiences from home and abroad a wonderful taste of some of Scotland's most thrilling performers. It will also offer Scottish artists a platform to present their work at the world's biggest arts festival."

• Alistair McGowan is set to perform a month-long run at the Assembly Rooms during the Fringe it was reported today.