‘I gave up Edinburgh Fringe for London alternative and saved thousands’

Many know about Edinburgh Fringe and just how it can make a career – but for one comedian it nearly left him penniless. He tells the Mirror why he’s returning to Camden Fringe instead.

Every summer, thousands of performers flock to the Edinburgh Fringe – a place where unknowns become household names and careers change overnight. To comedians, it’s more than just a festival. It’s a proving ground, where success stories are born, after all, it’s where Phoebe Waller-Bridge debuted Fleabag.

But behind the buzz, there’s a stark reality for some rising comedians. For Jonathan Rudge, performing at the festival came with a price tag that quickly turned the dream into a financial nightmare. Now, he’s speaking to The Mirror about why he’s ditching Edinburgh and heading to Camden Fringe instead.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve always known about Edinburgh Fringe, and it always seemed like the destination for up-and-coming talent,” he told The Mirror.

READ MORE: When is Camden Fringe – London’s vibrant alternative to Edinburgh’s arts scene

In 2023, Jonathan finally got his “golden ticket”, a slot to perform. But once the excitement wore off, the numbers didn’t lie. He was going to be in minus long before he even got on stage.

“In total, the two weeks cost me about £8,000 and three quarters of that was on accommodation alone and it wasn’t like the Ritz, it was basic. Accommodation is the biggest money killer,” he said.

For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror’s Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox.

He’s not alone. As Jonathan explains, the industry often pushes people down the Edinburgh route especially when you’re trying to break through. “If you’re someone who’s not got loads of money or doesn’t have connections, it’s just so hard to get in.”

For rising acts, the exposure at Edinburgh is undeniable. It’s the place where careers are launched – if you can afford to play the game. “Edinburgh Fringe is where the scouts are, that’s where the press is and where commissioners go,” Jonathan said. “And if you can’t afford to be there, it can feel like you’re being locked out.”

While he loved performing there, he knew it wasn’t sustainable – not for him, and not for many other working-class creatives. “Edinburgh Fringe has turned into a rich person’s game, it’s just Bank of Mum and Dad people.”

He left Edinburgh proud of what he’d achieved, but also knowing he couldn’t do it again, at least not without serious financial backing. “I could not financially do that again,” he admitted. “I kind of got it in my head that it was a one-time-only thing. I thought it was Edinburgh or nothing.”

That was until a promoter put Camden Fringe on his radar – an alternative creative festival in London that’s been running since 2006. He’d never heard of it before, but after doing his research, he realised it was built for talent not just trust funds alone. “I just want to be able to perform without worrying about whether I can even afford a bed to sleep in,” he said.

That’s what led him to Camden Fringe – a space that felt more within reach. “Camden was just more accessible,” he added. “And I won’t be going home with my bank account in minus.”

“I’m actually really excited about it. London’s so multicultural, and there’s so many different layers to it. I want all different people to come along.”

He will be performing at Camden Fringe and his show ‘By Order of the Peaky Grindrs’, dives into navigating gay dating culture, mental health, and his most outrageous breakup stories. If you’re heading to Camden this summer, it’s one you can’t miss.

Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We’d love to hear from you!