We need your Fringe stories and photos! This year the Fringe turns 25 years old and we are creating a virtual scrapbook of memorable Fringe moments from over the years. What are your golden Fringe moments that stand out as the most memorable part of the festival? Does it involve meeting performers in line-ups? Volunteering for the Fringe? Billeting a performer? A show that redefined theatre for you? The kindness of a fellow fringer? A moment that sums up what fringe is really about? Or just a funny story that has stayed with you? Or are there any particular photos you are particularly fond of? Email them to us, or you can post them to twitter (hastag #yyjfringe) or our facebook page. We’ll collect them as we lead up to Fringe and will be awarding ticket prizes to the best entries! Watch out also for Monday Mag’s Fringe Memories competition.
To jog your memory, here are some vintage Fringe photos from over the years.
L-R Stuart Nemptin, Randy Smith, and Brian Paisley
Back in the 90′s Market Square was a Fringe venue - Randy Smith founded the Victoria Fringe in 1986, Brian Paisley founded the big daddy Fringe in Edmonton, and Stuart Nemptin has performed in countless Fringes and can be found at FringeKids this year.
The Fringe Club
Ye Olde Fringe Club circa 1990 – Believe it or not, the building that is now Monty’s was not always a strip club. No, much worse, back in the day it was the Fringe Club!
Theatre That Gets Noticed - We’re Fringe and we’re proud! A message some admirers of the Fringe left in Centennial Square after taking in a show in 1988 at the Fringe Club tent there.
Charles Tidler, The Anonymous Reviewer
The Anonymous Reviewer - Charles Tidler plays the role of the nameless fringe reviewer for the Craig, the Fringe audience reviews newspaper which was named in memory of journalist, poet, biker and Fringe fan Craig Piprell.
Wes Borg, Cathleen Rootsaert, Neil Grahn & Joe Bird
Remember Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie? - These Edmonton comedians were the talk of the Fringe tour in the 90′s. Wes Borg, one of the original members, now lives in Victoria – he runs Phillips Comedy Night and is performing in Rerentless at this year Victoria Fringe.
Fringe reviews before iphones
The DIY reviews board - Audience members posted Fringe show reviews on the line to dry. There is one review for Izzy, a performer who now gone on to fame in Las Vegas as part of Cirque du Soleil. We might have to bring this reviews format back this year!
Janet Munsil
Fringe Producer Janet Munsil – the beating heart of the Fringe. This festival truly couldn’t happen without her . She’s been running the Victoria Fringe for 20 years and has fond memories of the early days of the festival. “It really doesn’t seem that long ago that people were lining up around the block to sit in a leaky abandoned storefront to watch Mump & Smoot, The English Suitcase Company, or Foresight Theatre -or TJ Dawe’s first shows, back when he was a pup.” – Janet Munsil.
TJ Dawe
Fringe Legend TJ Dawe – making sure audiences know not crinkle candy wrappers while he makes art. TJ has done more shows at the Victoria Fringe and Uno Fest than any other performer. Haven’t seen a TJ Dawe show yet? Shame on you!
In the lineup: Victoria's Poet Laureat Linda Rogers and Theatre SKAM's Matt Payne
Fringe Lineup outside the Metro - It wouldn’t be Fringe without the lineups. This linear pre-show party is really where all the action happens – you meet performers, mingle with other audience members and find out what their must-see shows are.
>>Send us your Fringe memories and /or photographs by email or you can pop in to say hi in person – we’d love to reminisce with you!
