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Last Updated: Friday, 4 August 2006, 07:30 GMT 08:30 UK

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Timeline: Edinburgh Fringe

1947

Gatecrashers spearhead first Festival Fringe
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Taking advantage of the publicity surrounding the first Edinburgh International Festival six Scottish and two English theatre companies set up in detrmal venues around the cities. The Fringe is born.

1948

Fringe earns its official title
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0"Round the fringe of the official Festival drama there seems to be more private enterprise" wrote journalist Robert Kemp in 1948 coining the event's official name. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

1955

Universities back flourishing Fringe
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0As a spontaneous celebration of the arts the Fringe secures a loyal student following. Birmingham Durham and Oxford are among the 13 universities to take part in 1955. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Students from Edinburgh university set up the Fringe's first central booking service.

1958

Fringe Society rejects censorship
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The Festival Fringe Society produces the first guide to shows at the Fringe. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0In the same year a constitution is drawn up ensuring shows are not vetted and stand or fall by public popularity.

1959

Festival Fringe too big
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Nineteen companies attend the Fringe amid complaints that the event has become too big. The Fringe Club and detrmation centre is set up.

1966

Stoppard play debuts at Fringe
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Tom Stoppard's oneact play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead premieres at the Fringe in a production by the Oxford Theatre Group launching the career of one of Britain's most celebrated playwrights. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0An acclaimed production of Stoppard's play opens in London's West End the following year.

1967

Outrage over bestiality drama
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Rochelle Owens's drama Futz about a farmer who falls in love with a pig provokes outrage among some critics in an early example of LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Fringe controversy.

1969

Fringe turns professional
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0A year after theatre censorship is scrapped the Festival Fringe Society is launched as a limited company representing those who manage and perform at the August event. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Chairman Lord Grant applies for funds to set up an official Fringe office.

1972

Award recognition for new plays
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The Scotsman's arts editor Allen Wright establishes the Fringe First Award to alert the public to the number of new works being performed at the Festival Fringe. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Frequently provocative the number of productions in Edinburgh soars to nearly 500 within a decade.

1981

Comedy takes centre stage
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The Perrier Comedy Awards are established championing young comic talent. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The first winners were the Cambridge Footlights troupe including Stephen Fry Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson. The group won a small cheque and a weeklong run at the New End Theatre in Hampstead north London.

1986

Gilded Balloon opens its doors
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Best known for its links to the comedy scene and currently one of the festival's biggest venues the Gilded Balloon was established in 1986. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Like the Assembly Rooms and the Pleasance the venue has become synonmous with the Fringe. It devised the standup competition So You Think You're Funny in 1988 a rival to the Perrier Award.

1989

Strike threatens Fringe
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0One year after custombuilt Fringe offices were opened on the Royal Mile a dispute involving council staff in charge of issuing temporary theatre licences threatens to close down the entire event. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The issue is resolved just 10 days ahead of the start of the festival.

1991

Frank Skinner wins Perrier Award
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0In a vintage year for comedy Frank Skinner beats performers including Jack Dee Eddie Izzard Lily Savage to the 10th Perrier Award. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The early nineties were characterised by a host of winners who went on to become household names including Steve Coogan Lee Evans and Dylan Moran.

1998

Fringe parts ways with international festival
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0For the first time in 50 years the Fringe opens a week ahead of the international festival as companies report difficulties in filling venues and a shortage of beds as Edinburgh students return to the city. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

2000

Online ticket boom
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The Fringe becomes the first arts organisation to sell tickets online in realtime. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0In recent years the Fringe has come under attack for its increased commerciality and use of sponsors. But organisers argue that the Fringe only receives £40000 of public money.

2002

Jerry Springer The Opera prompts protest campaign
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The Fringe gives the littleknown production of Jerry Springer The Opera its first taste of global success. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The musical prompted orchestrated protests but went on to critical acclaim in London's West End. Director Stewart Lee returns in 2006 with new play Talk Radio.

2003

Ticket sales pass milion mark
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0As the number of visiting theatre companies and venues continues to grow ticket sales pass the million mark. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

2006

Religion dominates annual Fringe programme
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0In June this year the Fringe recorded its biggestselling opening week in history selling 56368 tickets. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Approximately 36 per cent of the shows are world premieres and 177 are free many dominated by the theme of religion. Topselling acts include Mel Smith as Winston Churchill and The Goodies.

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