McEwan Hall set to become a Fringe venue

ONE of the Capital's grandest buildings is set to become the biggest performance venue at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The A-listed, 1,000-seat McEwan Hall has agreed to allow the Underbelly – one of the biggest operators at the world-famous festival –to stage performances including Danny Boy, John Bishop and Jim Jefferies.

And the Underbelly has put tickets for the August dates up for sale today, three months ahead of the traditional June launch of the Fringe programme.

The venue looks set to reinforce the Bristo Square area as the busiest hub of the festival.

The move was yesterday criticised by some performers and organisers, who said the small-scale traditional "spirit of the fringe" risked being undermined by big commercial players.

Charlie Wood, co-director of the Underbelly, said: "It is a great space, right at the heart of the festival."

But Tommy Sheppard, director of the Stand Comedy Club, said the development was a "shame" and that the Fringe should "keep its powder dry" for June.