Greenside is celebrating its 20th year at the Fringe this August, with two venue complexes that are together hosting no less than 215 shows. We spoke to venue director Darren Neale, pictured above with co-director Tara Stapleton.

CC: Tell us a little about your venue and your 2025 programme.
DN: 2025 marks Greenside’s 20th year at the Edinburgh Fringe, and we’re celebrating with our biggest and most exciting programme to date.

We’re hosting over 215 shows across two venue hubs – Greenside @ George Street and Greenside @ Riddle’s Court. The programme reflects the spirit we’ve always championed: inclusive, open-access and full of energy, heart and bold storytelling.

Expect a real mix. We’ve got one of the largest collections of theatre in Edinburgh, musicals, physical theatre, new writing, drag, dance, comedy and children’s theatre -and it all comes together to create a programme that feels adventurous, diverse and full of Fringe spirit.

CC: Give us a very quick history of your venue to date.
DN: We started Greenside in 2005 with just eighteen shows across the month of August all in one building – Greenside @ Royal Terrace.

Back then, the Fringe was a very different place. There was no social media, far fewer shows and the entire Festival sold 335,000 tickets across the whole month – it does that now in three days! Fast forward 20 years and we have 215 shows and the fourth largest collection of work in Edinburgh.

What’s defined Greenside over the years isn’t just growth – it’s people. We’ve worked in five different buildings over the last two decades, including Nicolson Square and Infirmary Street. We now operate from two stunning homes: Riddle’s Court and George Street, with eleven performance spaces between them.

But the real constant has been our commitment to being open-access, inclusive and rooted in community. From day one, Greenside has been built on collaboration, risk-taking and a belief in the power of live performance to bring people together.

CC: How do you decide what shows to include in your programme?
DN: We don’t curate in the traditional sense. Greenside has always been proudly open-access – if you want to perform and we’ve got a space that fits, we’ll work with you to make it happen. That ethos has allowed us to host everything from brand new student work to seasoned international companies.

We try to make our programme as varied as possible – so audiences walking through our doors can see a high-energy musical in one studio, a hard-hitting solo piece in the next and a hilarious clown show just down the corridor.

It’s that variety that gives Greenside its energy.

CC: How do you support your producers and performers once they arrive in Edinburgh?
DN: Greenside might run two huge venue hubs and one of the largest programmes in Edinburgh, but we still operate with a close-knit, family feel, it’s at the heart of what we do.

Our performers can expect a huge amount of hands-on support – from our tech teams helping during get-ins and turnarounds, to front-of-house staff who understand the pressures of the Festival, to dedicated marketing and communications guidance throughout August.

We run exclusive Greenside-only Meet The Media events for our acts and a curated events programme to enhance our performers time with us

We’re also always available for the practical stuff – last-minute needs, emotional support, celebratory drinks after a five-star review or just a friendly chat.

We’ve been doing this for two decades now and we understand that the Fringe can be as tough as it is exhilarating. That’s why we put community first.

CC: What is your advice for performers looking to promote their shows?
DN: Start early – but keep going once the Festival begins.

Too often, performers focus everything on the first few days, but word of mouth can build across the month. Keep flyering, adapt your messaging and don’t be afraid to ask your audience to tell others.

Also, work closely with your venue. At Greenside, we have a dedicated press and marketing team who are on hand throughout August.

We offer one-to-one support sessions, host exclusive media events, and provide opportunities like our glitzy launch to help performers connect with reviewers, industry and wider audiences.

If you engage with the support on offer, it can make a real difference.

CC: What is your advice for performers looking to get reviewed?
DN: Be proactive and politely persistent. Contact reviewers in advance, keep your emails personal and concise, and follow up once the Festival starts. Make sure you’ve got a strong press release, clear imagery and a reason why your show stands out.

And when you do get a review – positive or critical – use it. Share it, learn from it and let it drive your momentum. Though reviews are only one part of your Fringe story.

CC: What is your advice for performers looking to grow their industry network while they are in Edinburgh?
DN: Be present and visible. Talk to people after shows, join post-show events and take part in anything your venue is organising.

At Greenside we have everything from meet-ups to pub quizzes – we take ours very seriously! Some of the best connections come from informal chats over a pint.

Also, don’t underestimate the value of your fellow performers. The Fringe is full of future collaborators. Greenside has always fostered that kind of community – many artists here have gone on to work together, tour together and grow together.

And one last top tip: Go to all the events at Fringe Central!

CC: How can performers get the most out of the Edinburgh experience in terms of their career?
DN: Set your own measure of success. Whether it’s press coverage, industry interest, audience feedback or simply making it through a month of daily shows – each one is valid. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Use the Festival to learn: what works, what resonates, what you want to do more – or less – of. There are few platforms like the Fringe where you can experiment so freely and meet so many people invested in performance.

CC: How can performers get the most out of the Edinburgh experience in terms of their creativity and performance skills?
DN: Be open to change. Performing daily teaches you more than any rehearsal room ever can. You learn to respond to audiences, refine your rhythm and grow in confidence.

And because Greenside supports such a diverse and daring programme, you’re constantly surrounded by inspiration. Catch as many shows as you can. Try something outside your genre. Let the Festival push you creatively – it will.

CC: What are the biggest challenges facing the Edinburgh Fringe – and what can the Fringe community do to meet them?
DN: The Fringe has always been rooted in accessibility and risk-taking, but rising costs are making that harder. We need to work together to preserve that open spirit.

LINKS: greensidevenue.co.uk