In 2007 I developed the concept of Fringe City. Based on the Edinburgh ‘Royal Mile’ model Fringe City was to be a city centre based event that would showcase the best Fringe shows alongside street theatre, experiential marketing positions and food and drink outlets. In 2010 a Friday night opening event was added to the four Saturdays.
Fringe city caters for 40,000 people of five days and for the first time in 2010 incorporated the Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival. I worked very successfully with Southern Water, the main sponsors and other financial contributors such as First Direct bank, Easyjet and Virgin Holidays as well as a host of local supporters to resource the event to a high standard.
Hundreds of Fringe performers have been able to showcase their events in order to boost ticket sales and thousands of people have benefited from free tasters of Fringe shows. The event has been important in establishing the Fringe brand on a valuable piece of real estate in Central Brighton for the duration of the festival.
- Street theatre, Fringe city, May 2009
