Wet or Dry on The Mile 19th July 2008

Waking to a wet dull Saturday morning I wondered if I'd make it on to the High Street.

As the hours moved steadily on the day brightened.

Wet or dry I know there will always be someone performing on the Mile.

As the sun eventualy poked it's head out between the grey clouds I made my way into town.

The High street was busy with tourists, shoppers and performers. The violin being played at one end. Magic at another. And on centre stage entertainers of a caliber to hold an audience rain or shine.

The beauty of street shows is that they go on rain or shine. Rain doesn't stop play, it just changes the way they play.

Today we had Magic courtasay of James James. And Whip cracking, juggling and axe swinging from Arizona Jones, Brucie and J-P.

James James and the guys on centre stage toyed in vocal form with each others audience. A memories of the days when street performers ruled the High Street; but alas in these days of health and safety to many people in one place is not a good thing.

With health and safety in mind performers lay their "safety rope" and the audience toes the line.

The applause wet or dry depending on the weather. The audiences generous in their giving; applause maybe, but more is always wanted or I should say requested. It's a pity some of our continental neighbours look at street entertainers as a free way to spend a few hours. They're entertainers as good if not better than those we watch on screen or on stage. We'll pay to watch a film in the cinema and may find half way through it's not worth the money we spent. We don't get our money back. These guys let you "try before you buy", and all you have to do is drop what you feel they are worth in their hat.

August 1st

Music, Magic and Fluffy Pink Handcuffs Sunday 20th July

Sun came out today, well as long as Arizona Jones wasn't performing.
Brucie today was in a playful mood. As was one of his assistants. A full hours entertainment complete with whips and fluffy pink handcuffs.
Arizona Jones did make it through at least one show today unscathed by a little rain. But being Sunday there were more buskers and traders out today. From hair wrapping to henna. From guitars to violins.
Magic see James James make a man levitate from out of his jacket.
Today I was given rules. Don't normally follow rules. But when the person giving them owns a very large axe you follow them.

But I did have to sneak in that moment I love in J-P's show, even if it once again was for a reaction only.




And I even had time to take five minutes out to grab a few headshots for Nikki's portfolio.
And after all that I had to retire early. It's back to work tomorrow and things I had to catch up with. And back to work it is; at least the countdown to the Fringe continues

More Faces Arrive 26th July 2008

Arriving on the Mile tonight I was greeted with more faces to add to my collection. Which means from tomorrow I'll have yet more photo oppertunities.


Scott and Miss Donna.

August 2nd

One Day Changes Everything- Friday June the 6th.

I had resigned myself last year not to photograph the Fringe 2008. I felt that I had done enough over the years to take a step back from photography.

But picking up the Metro on Friday the 6th of June I was greeted with pictures of The Two Sopranos, Felicity and Tiffany Redman. For me that changed everything. The Scottish news that day was dominated with the Fringe launch. Gwen and George's wedding featured too.

To be on holiday and not be in my small way part of what I know and love was something I could not pass up.

So the retiral announced last year lasted from August the 27th 2007 until the 6th of June 2008.

This year I still don't know what equipment I'll be photographing the Edinburgh Fringe with, there is a good possibility this year I'll be going back to my photographic roots; and using an Olympus. I last photographed the Fringe with an Olympus back in 1984.

I still don't own a camera. And I've not viewed the world in photographic terms since hanging up my camera last year.

A Very Sunny Sunday Even the Australians were Melting- Sunday 27th July

Sunday morning; today, just like every other day I woke up early. Checked out what was happening on the High Street before I left the house, at 5am there's a lot of seagulls.

The High street was really buzzing with that Fringe atmosphere today, as it had been yesterday. There was something different today; maybe it was just the weather. Street entertainment (street theatre, just thought I'd better emphasise the street theatre bit) was drawing in the audiences and therefore customers to the Royal Mile. "I still think it's funny that some shops don't like the street entertainment or the Fringe."

With performers from Perth to Perth (well Australia and Scotland) the mix today was getting more like the average festival line up at the mound or on the High Street. In some cases the crowds grew thick and fast, in others they took a little coaching to build.
But build they did and the High street took on that magical vibe that is or can only be experienced in Edinburgh during the Fringe.
Music supplied by a young gifted violinist; I totally failed to get her name.
Miss Donna supplied balloons to add to the colour and vibrancy of the street. With ladybugs and giraffes going down a storm.
The theatre (the High Street) had a near to bursting bill today in terms of shows and showmen. Magic, music, danger and laughter.

Arizona Jones, Spike, The Great Scott, Scott and JP, with magic supplied by James James and Paul. Today there was truly something for everyone.
And late on in the afternoon I was "flyered" by my first Fringe group of the year: so they "paid the penalty." Which is as always I took a couple of photos to add them to today's update from the Fringe.

All the way from Korea " A Love in Dream." performing at C Venue Chambers street from the 30th July all the way through until the 25th of August. Which for me will mean lots of photo opportunities if they're on the High Street.