Join Matthew for a conversation and about this essential guide for performers, audiences and everyone in between.

This entertaining and revealing insider’s guide explores the performers, venues, critics, audiences, producers and organisers who make the world’s greatest arts festival tick. Drawing on interviews and first-hand experience, it features insights from legendary critic Kate Copstick, comedians Arthur Smith and Ahir Shah, Six creators Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow, Francesca Moody, the Olivier-winning producer of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer, The Play That Goes Wrong writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, and broadcaster Iain Dale.

From stand-up and theatre to musicals, spoken word, cabaret and immersive performance, the book uncovers the opportunities, risks, triumphs, disasters and the sheer exhilaration of taking part. Whether you are planning your first performance, returning for another shot at success, or simply love watching shows, this is an insider’s guide to the people, stories and extraordinary world of the Edinburgh Fringe.

The author, journalist and performer Matthew Partridge draws upon his experience of attending the Fringe since 2021, putting on his own shows since 2024 and interviewing more than 100 actors, producers, directors and critics, as well as around 50 audience members. He explores what works and what it takes to make the most of it. He examines the challenge of standing out among around 4,000 shows, as well as sharing stories behind major Fringe successes.

Matthew is an enthusiastic playwright and director. His day job is Shares Editor of MoneyWeek, Britain’s largest weekly investment magazine, and he has written two books on investing Superinvestors and Investing Explained. He graduated from Durham University and has a Doctorate from the London School of Economics.

This will be an evening of conversation with Matthew who will also be signing copies of his book. The books on the walls bar will be open for the duration.

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