Performers on George IV Bridge

Category

Library Item

Item no

14625

Title

Performers on George IV Bridge during the Edinburgh Festival

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2008

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has its roots in the attendance of eight uninvited theatre groups at the inaugural Edinburgh International Festival in 1947. This unofficial adjunct to the festival grew in both size and organisation throughout the 1950's with more and more performers coming to take advantage of the audiences drawn to the capital by the official events. By the end of the decade a well organised Festival Fringe Society had been established with a constitution, brochure, and central ticket sales. Today 'The Fringe' hosts several hundred productions each year, and ticket sales have exceeded 1.6 million.

George IV Bridge was designed by Thomas Hamilton. It was constructed in 1829-34 to improve access to Edinburgh's Old Town from the rapidly developing Southside. This elevated street runs from the junction of Candlemaker Row and Chambers Street to the Lawnmarket, passing over the Cowgate and Merchant Street. The National Library of Scotland and the Central Public Library stand almost directly opposite each other roughly half way along the street. A memorial statue to Greyfriars' Bobby stands at the south end of the bridge at the junction with Candlemaker Row.

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Architecture > Architectural features > Walls

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Clothing and dress > Garments > Uniforms

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Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

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