Gilded Balloon is a venue renowned for its imaginative, adventurous and international programming covering exciting dance and physical theatre, new writing, challenging drama, children’s shows and the cream of the comedy crop. Gilded Balloon’s reputation continues to thrive, attracting worldwide television, radio and press coverage, cementing its dominance on the cutting edge of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Located at the heart of the Fringe, Gilded Balloon operates a number of venue spaces with varying capacities and specs suitable for all show genres. While Teviot Row House is closed for renovations until Fringe 2026, our fabulously pink hub Patter House and the Auditorium in the world-renowned National Museum of Scotland will return in full force to house our 2025 programme, plus some exciting new spaces to be announced soon.
Applications to perform with us in 2025 are now open.
Before submitting our application form please read through our performer info pack. You can find information about our Fringe venues and see the technical specifications and venue plans here. Please note that the layouts of our performance spaces may be subject to change.
Any questions? Feel free to get in touch with us by emailing admin@gildedballoon.co.uk or giving us a call on 0131 622 6555.
FAQs
When do applications for Fringe open and close?
Applications to perform with us for Fringe 2025 are open. We review applications on a rolling basis up until the last Fringe Society registration deadline however we do sometimes accept applications after this time if we still have gaps to fill. So the sooner you apply the better!
Where can I find information about your venues?
Our venues page has information about all of our venue spaces for Fringe. You can also download the technical specifications and venue plans for each of the venues.
Do you have wheelchair accessible performance spaces?
Yes. Some of our venues have level access to both the stage and audience area. These are noted on the venues page and in the technical specifications for each space. If you have any questions regarding accessibility in our spaces please contact us at admin@gildedballoon.co.uk.
When will I hear back about my application?
We receive a huge volume of applications every year and it can take us a while to get through them. We do try to contact everyone that has applied so please be patient with us!
Do you do room rental agreements?
No, all our shows are programmed by our Artist Directors to offer a mix of the best of the best across the Fringe. We do not rent rooms, our financial deals are based off a fixed guarantee against a box office split. For more information on our standard financial deal please take a look at our performer info pack
How long should my show be?
Most shows at the fringe run for between 50 and 75 minutes. Obviously we do not disregard an epic project but the audience expectations are for short shows as a lot of people will be seeing many shows in a day.
Does it matter how long my run is?
Most shows chosen are available to play the full length of the Fringe. We do occasionally programme shows that have a limited run if it fits into a gap in the programme, but you should be aware that doing a part-run can make it harder to build momentum and for word of mouth to spread.
What can I put on my application that will make it more likely to be programmed?
We’re open to absolutely anything and everything! Providing as much detail as possible in your application really helps us get a feel for the show (links to any videos of previous performances, reviews or scripts are a bonus!).
Will I definitely get the exact venue and time slot I want?
With over a thousand applications, programming can be a real juggling act and it really helps if you can be flexible with your preferred venue and time slot. Also, with over 35 Fringes under our belts, we may have a clearer idea of what venue and time would be best suited to your show – if we think we have a slot that would work well for you we’ll get in touch and discuss that with you.
What if another venue offers me a slot?
That’s completely fine, we understand that most shows apply to several venues. If this is the case email admin@gildedballoon.co.uk with an update and we will try and give you a status update on your application. Keep in mind that as we’re working our way through 100’s of applications, we may not be able to give you an update or offer in the time frame required by the other venue.
Will I have time for a technical rehearsal before the show opens?
Each show is offered at technical rehearsal slot. These take place from 3 days before the first preview – please bear in mind that every other show in your venue will also need a rehearsal and your venue technician will also need to sleep at some point so do try to be available for a tech rehearsal from the 3 days prior to your show opening if possible. If your show is starting mid-way through the run we’ll try our best to accommodate tech rehearsals but this will need to take place around other shows in the venue.
How long of a turnaround time will I have between my show and the next?
This varies depending on venues. The standard in most venues is 20 minutes shared get in/get out time with the shows around you (in larger venues it’s 30 minutes).
Do I decide how much I want my tickets to cost?
We’d suggest having a look at similar shows from the Fringe before to give you a rough idea. Once we’ve offered you a slot we’ll suggest ticket prices which we can then discuss with you.
I have a company that wants to sponsor my show, is that OK?
Sponsorship is a great way to pay for things like additional marketing or cover some of your costs, however we will need to approve any sponsorship of shows before it’s agreed upon.
