New body for Fringe performers

CONTROVERSIAL plans to curb membership of the organisation which runs the Edinburgh Fringe are set to be ditched.

A taskforce set up to overhaul the festival in the wake of its catastrophic box office collapse two years ago have backed down from moves which critics warned would jeopardise its "open access" polic.

A new body for Fringe performers, venues and producers is to be set up to increase their influence in the running of the festival and offer the chance to regularly lobby the board.

The taskforce has recommend guaranteeing performers and venues three places each when a new Fringe society board is elected next year.

Proposals will be put to a mass meeting of the 200-strong membership on Thursday after of a formal vote at an extraordinary general meeting of the Fringe society next month.

There had been anger at suggestions of "qualifications" for Fringe membership - such as having a show registered in the official programme or being involved with a company or venue. Fringe officials had suggested restricting the number of members in future and trying to prevent promoters or venues from securing a "block vote" of members.

Pip Utton, chair of the Fringe's working group, said: "No final decision has yet been taken by the Society's board of trustees about what changes they will be proposing to the membership."