About us
Second Coming – A year on and still off our heads!
You know how you feel when something you have nurtured, developed and delivered successfully [even if it is by the skin of the teeth!], and everyone is ecstatic at the outcome? Well I guess that was us at the end of August last year – no need to do that again, thought John. But Jane and Eric were immediately into ‘future planning' mode, - and no half measures this time!
Music and comedy? No, let's add in a few authors, some film, a bit of photography – and, of course beef up the music and comedy! The audiences loved it, thirsted for it, DEMANDED it! …. the only concession to John's cautious leanings being that we have kept to more or less [!] the same number of days, but packed them with MUCH, MUCH more.
The most fantastic thing of all is the unflinching support from the community at large, the many returning sponsors, the new sponsors, - and of course the performers. We seem to have gained a reputation, in only one year, for delivering a quirky, happy, well-run and varied programme. Some artists are even approaching us and looking for a slot!
The mega change this year, though, is our new iconic venue. At huge expense [not joking!], we have secured one of the few Spiegeltents in existence and are bringing it down to the harbour area for the week. It will be the heart of the festival, - hosting events throughout each day, but also being the 'meeting and greeting' hub of Fringe by the Sea.
We hope you enjoy the programme, following up your support for last year with renewed vigour – and again galvanising friends and family to come along for whatever takes their fancy. To FBTS virgins, ‘Welcome' – and make sure you dip into all that is on offer – great music, great laughs and some stimulating chat. And this year, we are pretty sure that Edinburgers and visitors to the city will be only too happy to take a few days down at the Biarritz of the North [..yes, that's North Berwick!] to enjoy not only sea, sun, and sand – but, of course, a building site-free and tramway construction-free place to roam!
...but the event itself is the star. From Tuesday 11th August, when Orkestra del Sol will rudely awake the town and encourage all to be a riotous assembly for the next 5 days, to the Final Hurrah on Sunday 16th with Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, we will have over 30 concerts and events for you to be part of. No limits! No sleeping! No being out of the country!
As ever, volunteers are always welcome – so don't hang back. Be part of the most prestigious festival taking place in North Berwick in August …… probably.
New things to try out this year
Blueberry Afternoons
Sponsored by
A completely new addition to this year's Fringe by the Sea is the innovative 'Blueberry Afternoons' Programme.
Over four afternoons, Alison Craig, writer and broadcaster, will engage a number of authors ‘In-Conversation’ - taking questions from the floor in a series of enthralling yet intimate sessions. We will also have Kesley’s of Haddington bringing a mobile bookshop to the event and we will encourage the authors to sign their books.
And of course afternoon tea and blueberry muffins will be available for purchase!
Wednesday 12th August – Mary Turner Thomson & Donna Ford. 4pm
Thursday 13th August – Lin Anderson 4pm
Friday 14th August – Sue Lawrence. 4pm
Saturday 15th August – Roddy Martine – 3pm
All the sessions will take place in the Old Pulteney Spiegeltent, with tickets priced at £7 [£6 concession]. Unreserved seating.
"Captured on photo"
We are delighted to announce that there is a very distinctive exhibition of photographs showing in North Berwick over the period of the festival.
SUMMERTIME 1900-2000, is a compelling piece of social history, told in pictorial form, of summer life in North Berwick and surrounding areas. The brainchild of East Lothian photo archivist John Fergie, this fascinating insight into 100 years of summer fun and frolics will be on display in the Abbey Church Hall throughout the week. Entry is free.
Waterloo Fringe Bistro
With the Old Pulteney Spiegeltent as the hub of this year’s festival, the Waterloo Fringe Bistro will be operating there each day from 11.00am to 12.00 midnight. As well as a full bar service, there will be great food available throughout the day – outwith performance times.
For concerts and gigs at St Andrew Blackadder and the Abbey Church – a bar with wine, bottled beer and soft drinks will operate before each performance and at the interval.
A full bar will be available in the Masonic Hall before and during performances being held there.
Flicks@six
We thought that you might like to have some alternatives to unrelenting brilliant musical offerings, so the Scottish Seabird Centre becomes the venue for our latest new brand FLICKS@SIX. There are two films on offer – on Wednesday and Thursday teatimes, and if this proves popular we will extend it next year.
ONCE is a real feelgood movie with Oscar winning music, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 is... well, it just is!
Vote with your feet please...
Sponsored by:
Jenny Brown Associates
