Fringe theatre began in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947, when a planned festival wound up with more companies than theatres. The homeless players took their shows to the streets and the pubs. Edmonton imported the concept to North America 19 years ago, and now the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals lists 30 festivals on this continent and abroad, Adelaide to Hong Kong and Ottawa to Orlando. Still, you do run into the same faces, says Michael Scholar of The Black Rider, who's got New York, Winnipeg and Edmonton on this year's itinerary. Everyone sits around and talks.
Some performers develop more than friendships.
They're a little support for the folks on the road. Collaborations emerge, as artists find others whose work stimulates them. The socializing may be fun, but it doesn't change the fact that touring the fringe circuit is plain old hard work. Each new fringe means starting over with everything from posting handbills to solving technical problems. Every fringe is different and a hit show at one doesn't guarantee full houses down the line.