It’s nearly 30 years since Steve Gove started working in the vibrant atmosphere of the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh. There, in the city that gave birth to fringe, he chatted to numerous creatives and volunteer staff and came up with the idea for another festival. Where better to declare that the mother of all fringes was going to have an offspring in Prague and to do so in a cafe called Pivo, the Czech word for beer?
The announcement was made in the August of 2021, since then the child has matured into one of the most well-established European fringes. Gove’s intention was to assemble an international festival in the heart of Europe that would remain true to the founding principles of the original Fringe. To that end the event has remained relatively small and dedicated to a low-cost, supportive environment where artists and audiences can meet over seven days to celebrate and talk about theatre in all its forms.
Planning is now underway for 2025, but the quarter century will also be marked with the opening of two new festivals that Gove and friends have created: the Prague Comedy Festival and the Mumbai Fringe. Meanwhile, he points out that “Nothing is ever guaranteed - arts organisations like Prague Fringe always rely on the support of our nearest and dearest and some of those are you!"
Hence he has launched the Help Make 2025 Prague Fringe Happen campaign, details of which along with updates on all the other festivals can be found on their website.
Prague Comedy Festival
Even in the early days of Prague Fringe, before social media existed, Gove produced some off-season comedy shows, to keep the Fringe buzz going throughout the year.
The likes of Adam Hills, Julia Morris, Stephen Frost, Stephen K Amos and Topping and Butch, amongst many others played to packed houses. It showed that there was enough talent and demand to one day create a comedy festival.
It’s taken a little longer than he hoped, but the growth of a fantastic comedy line-up with sell-out shows at two Prague venues in the last couple of years has convinced him to delay no further. From the 20th-23rd November this year the first Prague Comedy Festival will open - a mini Fringe in the heart of Mala Strana.
Mumbai Fringe Festival
“The soul of Edinburgh, the magic of Prague and the spirit of Mumbai, the Fringe comes to India!” Gove proclaims with obvious pride. He’s teamed up with Simar Singh, the founder of multi-award winning UnErase Poetry, a company that has over 2.5M followers/subscribers on social media and YouTube.
The first Mumbai Fringe will be held from 20th-22nd February 2025.
Apply To Perform
Applications for the first Prague Comedy Festival (20th - 23rd November 2024) are open until 15th September.
Applications for Prague Fringe (26th - 31st May 2025) will open in around a week’s time.
You can now register your interest for the first Mumbai Fringe Festival
For further information on all of the above go to www.praguefringe.com
