Coronavirus in Scotland: Hundreds of Edinburgh Fringe shows go on sale

Tickets for nearly 300 shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe went on today despite the widespread closure of arts venues and cancellation of events across the UK in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shows at the Pleasance Courtyard are among those on sale on the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.Shows at the Pleasance Courtyard are among those on sale on the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.
Shows at the Pleasance Courtyard are among those on sale on the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.

The four biggest venues at the festival, which has been running continuously since 1947, have all unveiled brand new shows.

Underbelly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Assembly are all pressing ahead with their involvement with the Fringe despite the threat of an official ban on the event over its potential impact on the emergency services and the possibility of advice to help curb the spread of the virus still being in place.

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Tickets are also now on sale for Fringe shows at the Playhouse, the National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Scots Club, The Caves, Ghillie Dhu, the Queen’s Hall and the EICC.

Last week the Fringe Society, which is likely to extend next month’s programme deadline for shows and companies, said it would do “everything in its power to support those who make the Fringe happen.” It is thought that the final programme launch of the Fringe, which is usually held in early June, could also be put back.

The Scottish Government called on Sunday for the cancellation of indoor and outdoor events for more than 500 people. On Monday it urged people to avoid unnecessary social contact and stay at home as much as possible.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival, which was due to take place in June, has since been called off, however the Edinburgh International Festival, Fringe, Tattoo and book festival are currently still on.

Announcing its new shows on social media, the Pleasance pledged: “In the true spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the show must go on. Rest assured, we’re looking forward to August (and some lovely Scottish sun) once the current crisis is over.”

Gilded Balloon’s social media post said: “How about a bit of positive news for a change, eh!?”

Meanwhile organisers of Scotland’s biggest music festival insist it is still on.

Around 150,000 people were due to flock to Glasgow Green for the fourth TRNSMT event in July to see acts like Lewis Capaldi, Liam Gallagher, The Courteeners, and Snow Patrol. There were growing fears of a cancellation after the plug was pulled on Glastonbury.

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However a statement from the Glasgow Green festival said: “TRNSMT is still scheduled to go ahead as planned and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the event in 16 weeks.

“The health and safety of festivalgoers, staff, artists and the surrounding community is our main priority and we are constantly monitoring the situation.”