How long is the program?
The program runs 12 days, from Saturday, August 2 (the day you arrive in Edinburgh) until Thursday, August 14 (check-out by 10am). If flying from the U.S., you will need to book your flight for the evening of August 1 to arrive on August 2. Limited activities are planned for arrival day, so you can rest from overnight travel: also, we cannot access our accommodations before 2pm (although we can usually leave luggage there).
What is the housing situation?
Jenny has found that shared housing is the best way to experience the fringe festival. We currently book 32 Gilmore Place in Edinburgh, a 6-bedroom, 6-bath, fully appointed Georgian house within walking distance to everything. Unlike a hotel room, your lodging offers a full kitchen, a washer, dryer, large living and dining room. Bedrooms are variable in size, mostly doubles and twins. (Depending on the configuration of our group, we may also use the Bed and Breakfast next door–though so far, we’ve never had to do this). Again, it is important to sign up early!
What is the program cost?
$3,400. per person in a double or twin room. Depending on the number of participants in the program, a discount may be offered to couples sharing a bed, and a surcharge may be required for a single in a larger room. Airfare is not included.
Cost includes housing, 22 theatre tickets, two group dinners, and transportation from the airport to Edinburgh. New participants will also receive tickets for a Castle or City Tour.
A deposit of $1,000. per person is deducted from the final payment, and due before Jan. 5. The final payment is due by Feb. 15. Because the program fills every year, your place cannot be guaranteed without a deposit.
What about other costs in Edinburgh?
Restaurants and grocery costs are similar to the U.S., even during the festival. Inflation is worse in the UK than in the US, but the dollar is currently strong. If you want to see additional plays with Jenny (the average is about 6 additional shows for about $200.), you can pay for them in Edinburgh. And of course, you are always free to book your own tickets after the group schedule is set. The National Art Museum and Portrait Gallery, the Scottish National Museum, The Writer’s Museum, and the Scottish National Library exhibitions are all free. The Royal Mile boasts additional small museums as well as the castles on either end–with entrance fees ranging from $20.00 to $45.00. And of course, there are the pubs where it’s easy to drop a few for a pint or a whiskey.
Why do I book my own airfare?
Participants come from different places, and some come to Edinburgh as part of a longer travel vacation. Group airline bookings no longer save money; getting your own ticket does. Direct flights to Edinburgh are available on Delta from Boston, Atlanta, or NYC, but there are often cheaper flights available on other airlines that stop in Dublin, London, or Amsterdam. Please bring no more than ONE carry-on and ONE personal item, like a backpack. Baggage claim in Edinburgh is chaotic at this time of year. Jenny can consult on flight options and is happy to book tickets for you if you prefer.
What happens when I arrive in Edinburgh?
You will depart from the U.S. on the evening of August 1, and be met by Jenny at the airport when you arrive August 2. She will put you in a taxi or Uber for the ride to 32 Gilmore Place. Once there, you will be encouraged to rest up for the evening activity. At 6pm, the group meets for a catered dinner in our home before attending our first performance event.
How do I get around the city?
Edinburgh is a very walkable city; but taxis and Ubers are easy, and busses are cheap. Expect to walk for about 20-30 minutes between most venues, and 40 minutes if you’re going from one end of Edinburgh to the other. The city is very safe, and no one should be concerned about walking on their own, even at night.
What does a “normal” festival day look like?
Shows generally start at 10am. You will have tickets to 2 performances each day, usually scheduled midday and early evening. The group will assemble at the scheduled venue 30 minutes before a performance. Our detailed itinerary/diary from last year can be found under the 2024 Program summary menu.
During the week, specific activities–a lunch, coffee or drinks after a show, a hike, a whiskey tasting, an exhibition, a parliament tour, the Scottish Museum–may be organized, but optional. We will gather on our first and last night for a dinner paid by the program. Otherwise, participants are on their own for activities, meals, and entrance fees. Jenny and returning program “alums” can help you plan your own adventure, whether alone or with others in the group.
How do you choose the performances we see?
I was a professor of contemporary and modern drama for over 30 years, and I have attended the festival more than 20 times. That helps. It’s easier to choose interesting work when you are familiar with the venues, the production companies, and current trends in performance. We will see some performances at the International Edinburgh Festival: these heavily subsidized performances have high production values and often sell out early. On the fringe, I look for new writing and socially relevant work in a variety of genres: physical theatre, political theatre, comedy, site-specific or immersive theatre, docu-drama, puppetry, and international performances. I also avoid student productions and have a preference for international work over productions coming from the U.S. Having a basic itinerary of pre-booked shows is really the only way to efficiently experience this festival without being overwhelmed!
The Fringe these days seems to be dominated by stand-up comedy: I don’t usually book comedy, since its ubiquitous and not really my area of expertise. I also tend to avoid musical parodies (with the exception of our first night improvised theatre musical.) There is so much that you could see–film festival, book festival, art exhibitions, music–that its sometimes comforting to have a focus. Ours is contemporary drama and performance.
My selection process for group shows is intense. When the full program comes out, I read through hundreds of blurbs, check reviews, research interesting shows, and discuss recommendations from other faculty members who will be traveling to Edinburgh with a group of students in the study abroad program I founded 15 years ago at UMASS. The final itinerary provides a mix of contemporary work in several genres.
What kind of activities do you recommend while in Edinburgh?
Visit the markets: St. John’s craft festival has dozens of booths featuring local artist’s wares; a farmer’s market takes place in the parking lot near the castle every Saturday morning.
Visit the museums: the small Writer’s Museum on the Royal Mile is free, and the People’s Museum on the Mile is also interesting. The Scottish National Museum is huge with everything you can imagine–worth visiting more than once. The Scottish National Library always has interesting free exhibits.
Visit art exhibitions: Edinburgh’s National Arts Museum is free to the public, but there are also interesting exhibitions at The Fruit Gallery Art Museum near Waverley Railroad Station and the Contemporary Art Museum near Stockbridge. The Fringe catalogue has pages of references to art exhibitions at other places in the city. In 2020, Art Curator and Historian Lori Friedman will be joining our group and can help us choose what to see.
Visit beautiful Bow Street: with its the artisanal vodka shop (Demi-John’s), Cheesemonger, and Harry Potter World. Wander on High Street and experience nonstop street theatre. Visit the food trucks and gardens on George Square near the University of Edinburgh. Experience a whiskey tasting, available throughout the city.
Experience nature: in Prince’s Gardens beneath the Castle, or the Meadows and Links, near the University. Take a 10 minute bus ride to the Royal Botanical Gardens or a 20 minute bus ride to the coastal town of Leith.
Visit the city’s two castles, but go early to avoid the crowds. The famous Military Tattoo? Only if your heart is set on it (let me know, and I can help you get tickets).
Take a bus to Leith to see the Royal Britannica Yacht or visit the small seaside town.
What should I bring?
Most people overpack on international trips; PLEASE pack as lightly as you can. We have a washer and dryer available in our house. I bring ONE carry-on suitcase (that I can easily carry up staircases) and a backpack (and a small purse that fits in the backpack for the flight). If you want to shop in Edinburgh, pack a small duffle bag that you could check separately on your way home.
Necessary items:
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes that can handle wet weather.
- A waterproof jacket and umbrella.
- A sweater, long pants, and layers for changeable weather. Pack for brisk weather (60’s during the day, 50’s at night).
- A smart phone. (Getting a sim card or e-sim, or simply using your phone as a computer, is a topic for later).
- An ATM debit and credit card: ATMs are everywhere and are the cheapest way to get pounds. Make sure your bank is alerted to your travel plans, or your ATM card may be blocked. Debit cards get better ATM rates than credit cards, but the latter are accepted everywhere. And even the busses take Apple and Google Pay.
- Most important: a current passport!
Participants will get a packing list and more specific information about our ticketed itinerary later in the spring.
When and how do I pay?
Payments can be made by check to Festival Getaway and sent to Jenny at 1713 Kilruss Drive, Venice, FL 34292. Or you can use Venmo or Zelle; Venmo or Zelle is preferred for any additional costs in Edinburgh.
What happens if something comes up and I am unable to attend?
Since most of the program costs (housing and tickets) are prepaid, deposits and final payments are not refundable. This includes being prevented from attending because of medical or family emergency reasons. However, should someone take your spot, your deposit and/or payments will be fully refunded. In 2020, all participants were fully refunded their money because the festival itself was cancelled. Trip insurance is always advisable.
How do I sign up?
Space in the program is limited, so the sooner you let Jenny know you are interested, the better. Email your interest to Jenny at js041751@gmail.com, and she will follow up.