New Edinburgh Fringe venue announced – with initial programme revealed

The first live season of Shedinburgh Fringe Festival has been revealed by Francesca Moody Productions, marking the launch of a new 100-seat venue in central Edinburgh this August.

The move marks a significant step for the Shedinburgh Fringe Festival, which began as a digital response to the cancelled 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The new in-person programme will build on the model developed online, continuing Shedinburgh’s approach to artist support. All creatives will receive financial guarantees, with travel and accommodation costs covered. Tickets to performances will be offered on a “Pay What You Can” basis.

The season will include one-night-only performances from a range of artists across theatre, comedy, music, and talks. Announced today are appearances by Jayde Adams, Mark Watson, Deborah Frances-White, Ivo Graham, Sh!t Theatre, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, and Maimuna Memon. The full line-up and ticket release are expected later in May.

Shedinburgh’s programme is divided into several strands: Shed Shows, which present stripped-back versions of previously acclaimed Fringe work; Shed Originals, featuring new scripts developed with support from the festival; ShedX Talks; and live late-night music events.

The venue will also operate as a daytime café and bar, with local food and drink offerings. Venue operations will be supported by Gilded Balloon.

Applications will soon open for the Shedload of Future Fund, which offers three £5,000 grants for artists making their Fringe debut in 2025. A £2 levy on each Shedinburgh ticket sold will be directed towards sustaining the fund in future years.

Francesca Moody said the festival is intended as a direct response to the challenges faced by artists at the Fringe, adding: “From Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Eddie Izzard, Trevor Noah to Richard Gadd – we wouldn’t have Fleabag, The Mighty Boosh, Six, The Play that Goes Wrong, or Baby Reindeer without the Edinburgh Fringe… Shedinburgh is our attempt to level the playing field; it’s our love letter to the Fringe, and something that we hope sits in conversation with the many other brilliant initiatives working to ensure the festival remains a launchpad for the next generation of game-changing artists.”

Shedinburgh joins a wider 2025 programme from Francesca Moody Productions, which includes An Oak Tree at the Young Vic, How to Win Against History at Bristol Old Vic and the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as Garry Starr: Classic Penguins, Ohio by The Bengsons, and Crybabies: The Scaring, with the three final shows all opening in Edinburgh.