British actors Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Laurie, and Emma Thompson treaded the boards in Edinburgh. Here are the 2007 dates for Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary and more

You can live on the fringe from the safety of a theatre seat by attending any one of Canada’s fringe festivals. Traditional fringe is unjuried and uncensored, which might suggest some caution on the part of parents. To accommodate the smaller crowd, many fringe festivals have implemented a special kid’s fringe component to their theatre offerings. Typically, fringe festivals are inexpensive affairs that showcase alternative entertainment – you pay your entry and take your chances. And speaking of paying, fringe festivals are famous for their freebies!

Fringe History

Fringe festivals have been around since 1947 when the first festival ran in Edinburgh, Scotland, as a post World War II effort to “provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit”. While the spirit and values of the original fringe spread to other continents and countries, in Scotland the fringe has grown to support an amazing 28,014 performances of 1,867 shows in 261 venues in 2006.

In Canada, the first community to enter the fringe arena was Edmonton, where annual fringe festivities continue to mark this city as home to Canada’s biggest fringe. In 1982, the Edmonton Fringe Festival opened to enthusiastic crowds who returned year after year to make the Edmonton Fringe Festival second in size only to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

How to Fringe

The best tip for fringing is to show up and listen up. Fringe favourites will emerge quickly among the crowds and, by keeping your ears open, you’ll soon hear about the best fringe options.

Famous Fringers

Fringe festivals are often the opening acts for famous comedians and actors. Billy Connolly, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Laurie, and Emma Thompson all did a stint at the fringe before they became famous.

Where to Fringe

1. The Edmonton Fringe Festival - August 16-26, 2007

Fringe Tip: Don't overlook the fringe food - the green onion cakes are a must-try.

2. Athabasca Country Fringe Festival - July 27 - 29, 2007

3. The Atlantic Fringe Festival - Dates: TBC

The Atlantic Fringe takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Theatre performances take place on seven stages, all within walking distance of each other.

4. Calgary Fringe Festival - August 10-19, 2007

5. Festival St. Ambroise Fringe de Montreal - June 7 - 17, 2007

6. Fraser Valley Fringe Theatre Festival - May 10 - 13, 2007

7. Winnipeg Fringe Festival Theatre - July 18-29, 2007

Winnipeg's Fringe Festival is one of the longest running fringes in North America - it lasts a full 12 days.

8. Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival - July 4-15, 2007

Toronto sponsors a 24-hour playwriting contest every year, as part of their fringe experience. The winning entry is given a stage reading during the festival.

9. Grand Little Fringe - August 3-5, 2007

12409-97B St.

Grande Prairie, AB

T8V 7K4

Phone: (780) 814-7020

10. Hamilton Fringe Festival - August 10 - 19, 2007

11. London Fringe Theatre Festival - July 27-August 6, 2007

12. Ottawa Fringe Festival - June 21-July 1, 2007

13. Regina International Fringe Festival - July 31-August 5, 2007

14. Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival - August 2 - 12, 2007

15. Swift Current Fringe Festival - Dates: TBC

16. Vancouver Fringe Festival - September 6-16, 2007

17. Victoria Fringe Festival - August 23-September 3, 2007

Victoria is one of the smaller fringes in Canada and that means - with 35 shows - people can still see everything here if they really try! All of Victoria's fringe venues are along a four-block stretch of Pandora Ave., right downtown, easy walking distance (or for sprinting between shows).