ED2015 News

Latest venue innovations on the Fringe: C venues

By | Published on Wednesday 5 August 2015

Hartley Kemp

Each day this week we’re looking at some of the venue innovations that are occurring at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, with the focus today on C venues.

For a number of years, while Edinburgh procrastinated about what to do with the site of the original Gilded Balloon venue, which was destroyed in a fire in 2002, the C venue, which backed onto that area, spilled out of its back door to create C soco. But eventually the developers arrived and a whole load new buildings were erected on the site. But amongst them was an Ibis hotel, and this year the team at C are joining with that chain to create a whole new performance space.

“We’re delighted this year to return to C soco” says C boss Hartley Kemp to ThreeWeeks, “where so many fantastic companies have had so many amazing experiences. Rising from the ashes of the old soco building, this spectacular outdoor courtyard space is in the centre of Edinburgh, with entrances from Chambers Street, Cowgate and Southside”.

Explaining the background, he goes on: “C venues and Ibis hotels have worked together to help create this unique performance space right next to the Ibis bar. With a range of events from comedy to children’s shows, storytelling to music, there’s something to interest everyone. And best of all, it’s a free daily programme where you’ll see not only the best of C venues, but also the best of the Fringe as we welcome companies from across the Festival into the space and give them the special C venues help and support”.

As C soco returns, Kemp’s team will also be further evolving C south, the building in Newington that it took on for the first time last year. “C south is a fantastic festival oasis in the heart of the Southside” Kemp says.

“Ideally placed for the festival accommodation district, it’s a natural hub for Fringe audiences, performers and residents of Edinburgh. This year C south has a huge international programme in some truly unique spaces. The sumptuous garden hosts an eclectic range of outdoor shows and gives the kids their first taste of Shakespeare. With a main space rigged for aerial performances, you’ll also witness some of the most stunning physical performances at the Fringe”.

LINKS: cthefestival.com



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