Thousands of artists are in Edinburgh to launch the world’s largest arts festival. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will see over 3,000 shows from 58 countries to mark its 75th anniversary.
Its line-up will include comedians Frankie Boyle, Stewart Lee and Al Murray. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns, while the Edinburgh International Festival will have live audiences for the first time since the pandemic.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, The Fleabag star president of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said its new vision would make the whole event more inclusive and accessible.
The Edinburgh International Festival opens later with an accessible gala event, Macro, by physical theatre firm Gravity & Other Myths at Murrayfield Stadium.
In Macro, a 30-strong troupe team up with the National Youth Choir of Scotland. There will be music, projections, drums, a huge light display, acrobatics, and dance. A free finale gala by the Philadelphia Orchestra on the final weekend at the Playhouse will close the international festival.
Dreamachine, part of Unboxed: Creativity in the UK, is another free immersive event during the festival using light and sound to explore the human mind’s potential.
It was created by Collective Act, presented by Edinburgh Science. It brings together Turner Prize-winning artists Assemble, Grammy and Mercury nominated musician and composer Jon Hopkins, and a team of leading technologists, scientists and philosophers.
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra will also perform a free concert at the Usher Hall on Saturday.
Led by Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, the special concert is extending its invitation to the Ukrainian community in Scotland.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “After the challenges of the last two years, it feels more important than ever to celebrate the diverse selection of work on display at the Fringe, spanning the genres of theatre, dance, circus, physical theatre, comedy, music, musicals, opera, cabaret, variety, children’s shows, spoken word, exhibitions and events.
“Venues, producers and artists have created an amazing array of performances and events which dig into some of the most topical themes being discussed today.
“This is an opportunity for us all to laugh, cry, celebrate and be entertained, living in this incredible moment and looking ahead to the future of the Fringe and the many momentous moments yet to come.”
Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council leader, said: “This is a very special year for the Fringe; not only does it see the return of a jam-packed programme of artists and performers from across the globe, but it also marks 75 years of this remarkable festival.”