The rise of the Fringe freebie show

ALTHOUGH the Fringe has been running since 1947, the growth of free shows is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Performer Peter Buckley Hill started his Free Fringe in 1996 and it had spread to more than a dozen venues by the time he split with business partner Alex Petty in 2004.

Petty went on to set up the "Laughing Horse Free Festival" which expanded to 14 venues this year, while "PBH's Free Fringe" features 22 different venues.

Audiences are not charged for entry and tickets cannot be booked. Audience members are asked to make a donation before leaving.

The Fringe estimates that the two promoters are responsible for roughly 80 per cent of the 558 shows staged at the Fringe this year - up from 465. Dozens of other free but ticketed shows are staged by the BBC at venues such as the EICC.