Well my twopennarth ...

HURRAH FOR FRINGE !!!

If fringe takes away from main events, what does that say about the main events? Are they no good ? too expensive? (or both!)

The point made early on in this thread about the JO PUBLIC (Hey, dont take my name in vain!!) getting to see stuff is extremely valid ...
if there was absolutely NOTHING going on in the town no-one who just passes by would ever find out that there is actually a FESTIVAL hapening - so I think it VERY important that there is a fringe with public dance displays etc going on, as this encourages Jo Public to find out about folk (which they may never have heard/seen before !).

Cleethorpes a case in point. The venue was "closed" to everyone except ticket holders, who could not even go in to see the musical instruments which were up for sale ... how does the holder of that stall feel about that I wonder? Surey they would wish all and everyone to see their wares ...

HURRAH FOR FRINGE !!

jO-jO