Fringe funding plea after record numbers

Durham Fringe attracted more than 8,000 people this year

Durham Fringe Festival organisers have hailed this year's event a success after it attracted another record crowd.

Now in its fifth year, last week's performances drew audiences of 8,500 people - an increase of about 1,000 on the previous record-breaking year.

Director and co-founder Stephen Cronin said the organising team and more than 100 volunteers were "exhausted" as they wrapped up the event but were "doing great".

However, he said the grassroots festival had to sustain sponsors and partnerships to keep future ticket prices low, describing local support as "vital".

More than 110 performances were put on between 23 and 27 July in around the city centre, including cabaret, theatre, stand-up, music, circus and magic shows.

Durham's first Fringe in 2021 attracted about 2,250 visitors and it has been growing year on year.

This year's Durham Fringe line-up included ukuleles

Dr Cronin said partnering with local businesses, councils and Durham University had been critical for helping people access the arts, as it helped to keep ticket prices low.

Performers do not pay for the venue or technical support and they receive 70% of ticket income.

"Those are things we've done from the beginning and they're very precious to us," he said.

"But that leaves us with the cost of delivering any complex event like this."

He said the festival needed to sustain local support going forward.

"That support from the area is vital to us," he said.

Circus acts, spoken-word and stand-up were also on show

The majority of those who volunteered were local to the area, Dr Cronin added.

He said while younger volunteers had the opportunity to develop people skills by working front of house, some previous technical volunteers had gone on to build a career in the sector.

"Sometimes it's just about being together with people who like what you like and you get to meet new people and get to see some amazing things," Dr Cronin said.

He said the team would soon move on to planning the 2026 festival.

"It never stops," he said.