Fringe Festival returns to Edmonton for 43rd year
Posted August 7, 2024 6:36 pm.
Last Updated August 7, 2024 6:48 pm.
Theatre artists from around the world are on their way to Edmonton for the Fringe Theatre Arts to perform for the 43rd Annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival.
The festival will feature more than 200 performances including Delia Barnett, who has been with the Fringe since 2008.
“Well, I’m really excited for this one,” said Barnett.
Barnett, also known by her stage name Lettaby Lexington, has been performing since elementary school.
“Fringe gives you the opportunity to let your own creativity fly and away that sometimes you can’t do during the regular season.”
Improv actor Malachi Wilkinson, in his seventh Fringe and is most excited for one thing.
“I love making people laugh, it’s my favourite thing to do so it’s the great place to do it, it’s always a fun time, it’s the best time in Edmonton I’d say,” said Wilkinson.
While 43 years is a huge milestone, getting here, was a struggle for organizers. In March, Fringe was forced to launch a new fundraising campaign to sustain and maintain the long-standing festival.
READ MORE: Edmonton Fringe Festival looking for financial help to survive
“If every one of our 20,000 fringe fanclub give $5-a-month we’d instantly be sustainable for the long … because it’s gotta be about us, it’s gotta be the generations to come, we walked on the shoulders of giants. So we gotta make sure that we’re gonna keep this thing in a great place and make sure it’s gonna make it to the 50th and beyond,” explained Murray Utas, the artistic director of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival.
Because of their recent campaign, they achieved something they are proud of.
“We have a modest 28 monthly donors. We now have 300 plus monthly donors.”
The festival will go on from August 15 to 25, and tickets are available starting Wednesday at the box office or through their website.
