Luck of The Draw

There is one thing that draws me to the High Street during the Festival more than anything else. It's street performers.

Without them the crowds would be non existent. Yet as the Fringe has grown on the High Street over the last few years the restrictions that are imposed on them get harsher and harsher.

Street theatre is the hardest, and yet at times the most beautiful theatre most of us will experience. It's hard because as Theaker described a few years ago some crowds can be "Vampires" they'll take the time to stop, watch and enjoy but not give. Having a hundred or more people walk away without even saying thanks or dropping a couple of £'s in her hat.

Watch the pathos and humour of Pedro and be moved to tears as he plays with the heartstrings of the audience. Join the ranks of the adoring fans of The Space Cowboy. Marvel at the skill of all the masters of High street, Parliament Square and Hunter Square, as they enthral their audience. You to can become part of their show as you join in the game to gather a larger crowd. From clapping and cheering and whistling. We stand and watch as the "sheep" are drawn in. We cheer, at the youngster fingers in her ears as the crowd gathers ever larger around her. The little girl so expertly balances a coffee on her head another draw. And the caterpillar of children become Guantanamo the Early Years to a master of mirth like Stu.

Seth and Christina pulled out all the stops for this years Festival. Putting on the most impressive water balloon fight, I wasn't going anywhere near to photograph!

Todd Various had moved out of the shadows of the alcoves, to perform full circle shows.

Sham and JP you just couldn't stop this year. As the rain seemed just to keep on falling, they just keep on performing. The crowds as always kept on watching!

Then Gwen and George got married this year too, everyone was invited, everyone was involved! The Balloon Men Pop and Mike supplied the flowers, a guard of honour of fire torch juggling. With Herbie Treehead as Minister of the proceedings. Their Wedding on the High Street in the shadow of St. Giles. A street show Wedding in the tradition of a Circus Wedding. The Centre ring the High Street Pitch. Everyone dressed in their finest attire shared their joy in the beauty of the show that unfolded before us.

For all of the above to happen there's the morning draw. Before most people are anywhere near heading to the High Street or even out of bed sixty or more performers take their luck in their hands over the thirty slots available to them around the Mile. It can sometime mean no shows for them days on end; or with luck on their side shows every day; weather dependant.

In the end it's about you and me who watch, who laughs and who cries. We wince at the jokes at times. We marvel, always marvel at their skill. But whats most important is that we do dig deep and give a few £'s for all the enjoyment we take away.