The Fringe Story

The Fringe Story is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at The Pend. It has 2 performances listed, running from Fri 14 Aug, 11:00 to Fri 21 Aug, 11:00. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.

About this show

Discover how the Edinburgh Festival Fringe began, how it evolved, and where it might head next. In this illustrated talk, former director of the Fringe Paul Gudgin charts the festival’s extraordinary history. He revisits its origins, sharing milestones, colourful stories and defining moments, while offering insights into life at the heart of four weeks of chaos and creativity. During his tenure (1999 – 2007), it expanded rapidly, bringing plenty of creative, financial and logistical challenges. The event takes place at CODE Concepts’ wonderful new venue, The Pend, once home to the Fringe Press Office.

Details

  • Venue: The Pend
  • Space: Event Space
  • Genre: SPOKEN_WORD, In conversation
  • Country: UNITED KINGDOM - SCOTLAND
  • Running time: 60 minutes
  • Room size: about 50 seats (Event Space) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
  • Performances listed: 2, of which 0 still to come and on sale

Accessibility

  • Access features: Accessible toilet
  • Venue notes: Accessible entry: Down fishmarket close to the venue's entrance - there are cobbles on the way down to the venue. Stairs: 2 - 5 Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

Performance dates and ticket availability

  • Fri 14 Aug, 11:00 — Already performed — £10.00
  • Fri 21 Aug, 11:00 — Already performed — £10.00

View on the official Fringe site

More shows at The Pend

Plan the rest of your Fringe

Still building a day around The Pend? These are the rest of the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 programme's shows at the same venue, in the same genre, and on the same dates.

Ed Fringe Guide is an unofficial, fan-made guide. Not affiliated with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society or edfringe.com.