This street performer attracted a large crowd on the High Street, Edinburgh, during the Fringe in 2004.

This street performer attracted a large crowd on the High Street, Edinburgh, during the Fringe in 2004.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe: 27 photos looking back at the Fringe in the noughties

Reporter

Published 13th Aug 2023, 05:00 BST

Memories from August in Edinburgh in the 2000s

With this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe now well underway, we’ve taken a look back in our archives for photos of the annual event during the 2000s.

There are some great Fringe memories in here, including young comedy acts who have gone onto better and bigger things since appearing in Edinburgh, such as Michael McIntyre, Rhod Gilbert and Flight of the Conchords. There are also the normal weird and wonderful sights from years gone by that hit Edinburgh every August.

This street performer attracted a large crowd on the High Street, Edinburgh, during the Fringe in 2004.

. Juggling act

This street performer attracted a large crowd on the High Street, Edinburgh, during the Fringe in 2004. Photo: Phil Wilkinson

Jordan Young as Malcolm Biggar - the ironically-named short hero of young Scottish company Vox Motus's show, Slick, at the Fringe in 2008.

. Weird and wonderful

Jordan Young as Malcolm Biggar - the ironically-named short hero of young Scottish company Vox Motus's show, Slick, at the Fringe in 2008. Photo: Neil Hanna

Two Ali G lookalikes helping promote the Fringe 2 for 1 ticket offer in 2001.

. You get me?

Two Ali G lookalikes helping promote the Fringe 2 for 1 ticket offer in 2001. Photo: David Moir

Stand-up comedian Reginald D Hunter relaxes in Edinburgh during his 2007 Fringe run at the Udderbelly.

. Chilled out

Stand-up comedian Reginald D Hunter relaxes in Edinburgh during his 2007 Fringe run at the Udderbelly. Photo: Neil Hanna

The Luma artists who appeared at the Fringe in 2002 certainly got the eye with their performance that year.

. Flaming heck!

The Luma artists who appeared at the Fringe in 2002 certainly got the eye with their performance that year. Photo: Ian Rutherford

Open Mic Award 2000 judge Harry Hill jokes around at the Pleasance.

. Trapped

Open Mic Award 2000 judge Harry Hill jokes around at the Pleasance. Photo: SANDY YOUNG

Members of Polish theatre company Biuro Podrozy rehearse their unique interpretation of Macbeth in 2007 at the Mound.

. Attack!

Members of Polish theatre company Biuro Podrozy rehearse their unique interpretation of Macbeth in 2007 at the Mound. Photo: Jane Barlow

Orkestra Del Sol head for North Berwick , from Edinburgh Waverley, as part of the Fringe by the Sea Launch in 2008.

. By the sea

Orkestra Del Sol head for North Berwick , from Edinburgh Waverley, as part of the Fringe by the Sea Launch in 2008. Photo: Neil Hanna

Writer and comedian Shappi Khorsandi in the churchyard behind the Mansfield Traquair off Broughton Street during her Fringe run in 2008.

. Funny woman

Writer and comedian Shappi Khorsandi in the churchyard behind the Mansfield Traquair off Broughton Street during her Fringe run in 2008. Photo: Jane Barlow

American actor David Soul hosts a press conference about the collapse of his show Fool For Love at Dynamic Earth in 2000.

. Press conference

American actor David Soul hosts a press conference about the collapse of his show Fool For Love at Dynamic Earth in 2000. Photo: Sandy Young

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords were nominated for a Perrier Award in 2003. Their Fringe show went onto be a worldwide hit thanks to the TV adaptation of the New Zealand's musicians attempt to break America.

. Taking flight

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords were nominated for a Perrier Award in 2003. Their Fringe show went onto be a worldwide hit thanks to the TV adaptation of the New Zealand's musicians attempt to break America. Photo: Phil Wilkinson

Janis Claxton Dance presented a new durational dance piece exploring the nature of the animal within us all. Five humans acted like animals in an enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo, as part of the Dance Base Fringe programme in 2008.

. Monkey around

Janis Claxton Dance presented a new durational dance piece exploring the nature of the animal within us all. Five humans acted like animals in an enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo, as part of the Dance Base Fringe programme in 2008. Photo: Greg Macvean

Writer and comedian Shappi Khorsandi in the churchyard behind the Mansfield Traquair off Broughton Street during her Fringe run in 2008.

9. Funny woman

Writer and comedian Shappi Khorsandi in the churchyard behind the Mansfield Traquair off Broughton Street during her Fringe run in 2008. Photo: Jane Barlow

American actor David Soul hosts a press conference about the collapse of his show Fool For Love at Dynamic Earth in 2000.

10. Press conference

American actor David Soul hosts a press conference about the collapse of his show Fool For Love at Dynamic Earth in 2000. Photo: Sandy Young

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords were nominated for a Perrier Award in 2003. Their Fringe show went onto be a worldwide hit thanks to the TV adaptation of the New Zealand's musicians attempt to break America.

11. Taking flight

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords were nominated for a Perrier Award in 2003. Their Fringe show went onto be a worldwide hit thanks to the TV adaptation of the New Zealand's musicians attempt to break America. Photo: Phil Wilkinson

Janis Claxton Dance presented a new durational dance piece exploring the nature of the animal within us all. Five humans acted like animals in an enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo, as part of the Dance Base Fringe programme in 2008.

12. Monkey around

Janis Claxton Dance presented a new durational dance piece exploring the nature of the animal within us all. Five humans acted like animals in an enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo, as part of the Dance Base Fringe programme in 2008. Photo: Greg Macvean