We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 Keep it Fringe fund. This is the third year of the fund, an initiative created to support Fringe artists to realise their professional ambitions, and in 2025 funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Keep it Fringe fund was launched in 2023 by the Fringe Society's honorary President Phoebe Waller-Bridge and funded by the Fleabag for Charity campaign, alongside funds donated to the Fringe Society by Edinburgh Gin.
Supported by £1Mn from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) over two years (2024 and 2025), we are today announcing the successful 180 recipients of £2,500 bursaries for Fringe 2025. The fund received 850 applications, which were reviewed by 28 independent assessors.
The Keep it Fringe 2025 shows span a range of topics, including IVF, Miss Universe pageants, Dolly the Sheep, incel culture, Deliveroo cyclists, tinnitus and football hooliganism, with companies and artists covering nearly every genre in the Fringe programme. Representing a mix of free and ticketed shows, 33% of the successful applicants identify as disabled or have a health condition, and more than 30% come from a working-class background.
The Fringe Society hopes to continue the Keep it Fringe fund for as long as possible and is actively seeking new funding and donations to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important initiative. Find out more about supporting Keep it Fringe.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: ‘The Fringe is the largest performing arts festival in the world and gives creatives from across the UK the opportunity to showcase the wide variety of talent this nation has to offer.
‘This funding will ensure that artists from all backgrounds have the opportunity to put on a show for the international audiences and industry professionals that gather in Edinburgh each summer and enable the Fringe to continue to boost our up-and-coming artists.’
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘This year we received the highest number of applications to date which highlights how valued and needed this initiative is. We are thankful to DCMS for providing the funding that has enabled us to continue the Keep it Fringe fund for the last two years. We know that for many artists the financial challenges of putting on a show can prevent some from coming to the Fringe, and this funding will enable the Edinburgh Fringe to be more accessible to artists from across the UK.
‘We are keen to continue the Keep it Fringe fund, as we have heard countless testimonials on how invaluable this support is. If you think you can help, please get in touch with the Fringe Society team.’
Please note: This list does not include the full list of recipients as three shows are still going through the final stages of confirmation. We will update this list once they are confirmed.
- 4PLAY, Colours Run
- Agent Red Arts, AUDITION
- Aisheshek Magauina, 2 Muslim 2 Furious 2: Go Halal or Go Home
- Alastair Clark, Alastair Clark: On The Record
- Alex Mitchell, Alex Mitchell: "Tough"
- Alfie Webster, lenny.
- Alice Cockayne, Alice Cockayne:
- Alison Affleck, ali affleck and The Traveling Janes
- Alison Spittle, Fat Bitch
- Amy Mason, Amy Mason: No Thanks
- Amy Yeo, Well Behaved Women
- Angela King, A Period of Faith
- Aoife Parr, anatomy of pain
- Arron Jones Entertainment, #1 Greatest Hit Rock 'N' Roll Magic Show
- Audaciously Tenacious Theatre, Perfect Dead Girls
- Ava Beaux, Ava & Beaux: Tales of Magic
- Belis Abysss, Unlearning Mastery
- Best in Class, Best in Class
- Beth Mullen, Clementine
- Bobby Bradley & Emery Hunter, Dregs
- Brass Tacks Comedy, Jack Traynor
- Cameron Sinclair Harris, Cameron Sinclair Harris: PLANETS!!!
- Caroline Madds, Buzzin'
- Caroline McEvoy, Caroline McEvoy: Train Man
- Castile Collective Ltd, The Queen Is Mad
- Chakira Alin, House Party
- Christian Dart, Christian Dart: GUMSHOE!
- Claire Parry, I am Claire Parry (very funny stand-up)
- Clare Fraenkel, I WAS A GERMAN
- Clare Noy, Funny Though
- Cloud, Warm As Summer, Bright As Blood
- Coral Bevan / Asparagus Mousse, Fisherman Jon: What's on the end of my rod? - a clown odyssey
- Curly, C U Later, Simulator
- Daniel McKeon, Boyboss
- Danielle Reales, Spectrum
- Dare Theatre, Youth In Flames
- David Ferguson, David Ferguson: Bedhead
- Dean T. Beirne, Fated to Pretend
- Deiseil Airson Dannsa, Deiseil
- Diona Doherty, GET YOUR PINK BACK
- Dora Colquhoun, The Lodger
- Ebdon Management, Joz Norris: You Wait. Time Passes.
- Effectus Theatre, Sing, Sign and Sensory - On Safari
- Elastic Fantastic, Shallowspace Cryotech Feverdream
- Eleanor May Blackburn, A Sudden, Disturbing To-Do List
- Eliza Kate Nelson, Sinnyworld
- Emballage, The Writing of Stones
- Emily Briggs, Garbanzo
- Emily Davis, Escape the Rat Race
- Emma Ruse Productions, Jumper Bumps
- Emotionally Volatile Productions, Bluebeard's Castle
- Emul8 Theatre, Becoming Maverick
- Fella, Show us ur fruitcake
- Fiona Louise Moon, A Brief History of Neurodivergence
- Fraser Penman, Penman - The Imagination - You!
- Full Frontal Theatre LTD, Rodney Black: Who Cares? It's Working
- G+J Productions, Some Masterchef Sh*t
- Genesis Theatre Productions, Lost Girls / At Bus Stops
- Georgia Bruce, Attention
- Ghouls Aloud, Elysium - a new ghost story with original music
- Ginger Black Productions, Life Would be Pretty Dull Without Sex, Raves and MDMA
- Giselle: Remix, Giselle: Remix
- Grace Mulvey, Did you hear we are all going to die?
- Grace Whitty, The last Oak Tree
- Grownup Playhouse, Milly’s Musical Adventure
- Half Diamond Theatre, A Most Pressing Issue
- Hasan Al-Habib, Death to the West Midlands
- Hassan Govia, Because
- Higgledy Piggledy Productions, PALS
- Holly Gifford, Big Little Sister
- Holly Redford-Jones, I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar
- Holly Spillar, Holly Spillar: TALL CHILD
- Hunter Millington, A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny
- In Bed With My Brother, PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD
- Jack Brownridge-Kelly, Cold, Dark Matters
- Jacob Nussey, Primed
- James Clements, The Burns Project
- Jessica Aszkenasy, TITCLOWN
- Joe Sutherland, Joe Sutherland: Miss World
- Julia Salkin/Serpentine Productions, were you in terror?
- June Tuesday, June Tuesday: Comic Trans
- Kane & Abel, Twin Feats
- Kathy Maniura, Kathy Maniura: The Cycling Man
- Katie Mitchell, Spine Hygiene
- Katie Pritchard, Katie Pritchard: I Kiss The Music
- Katy Baird, Get Off
- Kayleigh Jones, I Fed My Dad to a Pelican
- Keturah Peirson and Evelina Rudasa, Why Won’t They Eat The Cake?
- Kie Carson, Silly & Starving
- Kiren Virdee, Does Anyone Else Smell Curry?
- Kumar Muniandy, Second Class Queer
- Lachlan Werner, Lachlan Werner: WonderTwunk
- Ladyblue Music, The Beauty of Bacharach
- Laugh For Life Comedy, Behind the Laughter
- Laura-Rose Layden, GREY
- Lauren Talitha Ziebart, Sheepish
- Liam Withnail, Liam Withnail - Trauma Dump No Lols
- Liebenspiel, Bedlam Late
- Little Seeds Music, Cinderella Ice Cream Seller
- Lorna Rose Treen, Lorna Rose Treen: The Diner Show
- Louisa Marshall, Clean Slate
- Lucy Aphramor, Taking the Biscuit
- Lucy Roslyn, Lovett
- LULA.XYZ Ltd, I AM: A Walking Universe
- Made You Look Productions, Lioness
- Maria A L Zani, The Collective: Breaking Barriers at the Fringe
- Maria Who?, Miss Brexit
- Martha Pailing, Chat Sh*t, Get Hit
- Jasmine Thien, I Dream in Colour
- Maybe You Like It, Down to Chance
- Mianoora Kosonen, Echoes of Finland: Rare Piano Gems by Sibelius, Madetoja & Palmgren
- Michelle Burke, Mind How You Go
- Mohit Mathur, Dial 1 for UK
- Molly Farquhar, Hairy B*stard
- Molly McGuinness, Slob
- Moon Rabbit Theatre, Shirley: A Ghost Story
- Moonbeam Theatre Ltd, Once Upon A Flowerbed
- Moonstone Theatre Company, ENOUGH.
- mr blue productions, Something Else
- Narin Ozenci, Narin Oz (Inner Child(ish)
- Nate Kitch, Nate Kitch: Something Different!!!!!
- Nathan Cassidy, Nathan Cassidy: It's Not The End Of The World
- Niall Moorjani Storyteller, Kanpur: 1857
- Northern Lights Theatre, The Sculpture
- Orla Newmark, Orla Newmark and Will Hughes: Chef's Treat (WIP)
- Out Of The Forest Theatre Ltd, Bury The Hatchet
- Ozzy Algar, Ozzy Algar: Speed Queen
- Parky Players, Been There, Done That, Got The Symptoms
- Passing Stranger Theatre Company, People We Bury Alive
- Pedro Leandro, Soft Animal
- Piers MacKenzie, COURIER
- Pigs Fly LTD, E@sy Ryan
- Ray Productions & Big Sofa Theatre, Egg’s Aren’t That Easy To Make
- Roarrr Theatre, Here Comes GuDong
- Rodreguez King-Dorset, I am the Greatest!
- Rosa Garland, Primal Bog
- Elisabeth Gunawan and KISS WITNESS, Stampin’ in the Graveyard
- Salt Circle Productions, Bea P. Deigh
- Sam Nicoresti, Sam Nicoresti: Baby Doomer
- Sam Williams, Touch Me Not
- Samia Rida, Kidnap
- scott turnbull presents, Scott Turnbull presents...Surreally Good
- Seemia Theatre CIC, Saria Callas
- Shahaf Beer, The Jewish Dog
- Shalaka Kurup, Shalaka Kurup: Get a Grip
- Short and Sweet Theatre, Milk On The Side: A Barista Musical
- Shy Bairns, Shy Bairns Get Nowt
- Siblings Comedy, Siblings
- SkelpieLimmer, SHAME SHOW
- SkelpieLimmer Productions, Anthem For Dissatisfaction
- Slow Theatre Company, ALICE
- Sufrecs Ltd, Sufrecs Presents: 'Live Music and Chat: "A Kick Up The Arts" Live Podcast Event' (working title)
- Susan Riddell , Kopfkino
- Tamsyn Kelly, Tamsyn Kelly Hot Titty Bungalow
- TEAM Collective Cymru, Relay
- The Biscuit Barrel, Biscuit Barrel: The 69-Sketch Show
- The Crunch Collective, Nick it For Munich
- The Harbourers Theatre, Harbouring
- The Horgles, A Xerox of a Deer
- Tigers, Not Daughters, Cara and Kelly are Best Friends Forever for Life
- Tom Little, Tom Little Less Conversation, Tom Little More Action
- Tomas McCabe, 1Date: The Dating Game Show
- TRIADA theatre company, HER RAVING MIND
- Uncaged Theatre, Love you, bye
- Undone Theatre, The Butterfly Project
- Unexpected Places, After Juliet
- V Jay Theatre Productions, Streets Paved with Gold
- Victoria Evaristo, Ma Joyce's Tales from the Parlour
- Victoria Firth, Batty!
- Victoria Melody, Re-Enactment
- wendy houstoun, Watch It!
- Wilmas Productions, Mr Jones
- Xhi Ndubisi, The Apologetics of Icarus
- Youth Action Alliance, As We Face The Sun by Kit Withington
28 assessors supported the Fringe Society in reviewing the applications received. Thanks to the following for their support in the fast turnaround of these awards.
- Alex Howarth, Artistic Director, Patch of Blue
- Apphia Campbell, Writer / Performer
- Ashley Davies, freelance Arts Journalist
- Ben Humphrey, Artistic Director / Producer
- Chris Cooke, Founder and Co-Editor of ThreeWeeks Edinburgh
- Geoff Rowe, Founder Leicester Comedy Festival
- Jake Orr, freelance Creative Producer
- Jess Donn, Just Something Different LTD
- Pax Lowey, Director: Actually Rather Good Comedy Festival, freelance Producer / Programmer, elected member of the Fringe Society board
- Ruth McCarthy, Artistic Director / Outburst Arts
- Sasapin Siriwanij, BIPAM Artistic Director
- Sharon Burgess, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts
- Linda Catalano, Creative Director and Executive Producer, Quiet Riot
- Paloma Estevez, Director of Artistic Programming, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- Nqobile Dumo Mbhele, Artist Manager, National Arts Festival
- Cat Sheridan, Senior Producer, We Are Unlimited
- Rachel Clarke Hughes, Creative Director, The Playhouse, Derry~Londonderry
- Stewart Pringle, Writer and Dramaturg
- Richard Williamson, Lighting Designer / Production Manager
- Murray Robertson, Arts Writer
- Holly De Angelis, Development Producer
- Saima Ferdows, freelance TV Producer
- Ameena Hamid, Producer and General Manager
- Zoe Paskett, Founder of LMAOnaise Comedy
- Laura Rouxel, Head of UK Comedy for 800 Pound Gorilla Media
- Aisling Galligan, Senior Events Producer and Programmer
- Anonymous, Booker, Programmer
- Anonymous, Booker, Promoter, Producer
Keep it Fringe 2025 application statistics
- 180 x £2,500 awards.
- Total value: £450,000.
| Number of applications | 848 |
| Number of awards | 180 |
| % of applications awarded funding | 22% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Cabaret and variety | 5.2% | 3.9% | 5.7% | 8% |
| Children's shows | 4.1% | 3.9% | 1.9% | 3% |
| Comedy | 32.5% | 33.5% | 30.9% | 36% |
| Dance and physical theatre | 3% | 3.9% | 2.9% | 4% |
| Music | 4.1% | 3.3% | 4% | 3% |
| Musicals and opera | 4.4% | 3.3% | 5.9% | 6% |
| Spoken word | 1.4% | 0.5% | 2.1% | 1% |
| Theatre | 45% | 47.7% | 46% | 39% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| England | 73% | 82% | 80% | 81% |
| Scotland | 23% | 16% | 15% | 16% |
| Northern Ireland | 2% | 1.5% | 3% | 1% |
| Wales | 1% | 0.5% | 1% | 2% |
| Other | 1% | 0% | 1% | 0% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Male / he | 36% | 25% | 39% | 33% |
| Female / she | 49% | 59% | 47% | 48% |
| Non-binary / self-defined | 9% | 12% | 12% | 12% |
| Not known / prefer not to say | 6% | 4% | 5% | 7% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Under 25 | 14% | 9% | 22% | 15% |
| 25–34 | 44% | 57% | 40% | 49% |
| 35–44 | 22% | 18% | 19% | 21% |
| 45–54 | 10% | 10% | 9% | 8% |
| Over 55 | 7% | 4% | 7% | 6% |
| Unknown | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| No | 57% | 49% | 59% | 44% |
| Prefer not to say / not answered | 12% | 13% | 28% | 14% |
| Yes | 27.5% | 33% | 12% | 41% |
| Unknown | 3.5% | 5% | 1% | 1% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Prefer not to say / not answered | 19% | 10.5% | 17% | 19% |
| Bisexual | 18% | 21% | 20% | 19% |
| Gay | 5% | 6% | 6% | 5% |
| Heterosexual | 37% | 36% | 36% | 32% |
| Lesbian | 3% | 2% | 3% | 4% |
| Pansexual | 4% | 6% | 3% | 4% |
| Queer | 13% | 18% | 10% | 13% |
| Other (self-defined) | 1% | 0.5% | 3% | 3% |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Black | 3% | 5.5% | 2% | 2% |
| East Asian | 2.3% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
| Mixed | 6% | 5.5% | 5% | 6% |
| Other Ethnic group | 5.5% | 5% | 5% | 8% |
| South Asian | 2.3% | 4% | 2% | 2% |
| White | 80.9% | 79% | 84% | 82% |
We used three questions provided by the Social Mobility Commission to capture data on the socio-economic status of applicants.
What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were about aged 14?
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Professional | 44.6% | 46.7% | 47% | 39% |
| Intermediate | 14.8% | 11.1% | 13% | 13% |
| Working class | 27.5% | 30.5% | 27% | 34% |
| Not known / other | 13.1% | 11.7% | 13% | 14% |
Which type of school did you attend for the most time between the ages of 11 and 16?
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| A state-run or state-funded school | 66% | 77% | 67% | 67% |
| Attended school outside the UK | 16% | 8% | 14% | 13% |
| I don't know | 0.5% | 1% | 0.4% | 1% |
| Independent or fee-paying school | 9% | 8% | 8% | 7% |
| Independent or fee-paying school, were I received a means-tested bursary covering 90% or more of the total cost of attending throughout my time there | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
| Prefer not to say / not known | 5.5% | 4% | 7% | 11% |
If you finished school after 1980, were you eligible for free school meals at any point during your school years?
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Applications | Awards | Applications | Awards | |
| Yes | 25.5% | 33.5% | 27% | 33% |
| No | 36.5% | 36% | 36% | 29% |
| I don't know | 5% | 16% | 7% | 14% |
| Not applicable / prefer not to say / not known | 33% | 14.5% | 17% | 23% |
