Fringe: The festival starts on August 5. Pic: © Deadline
Hollywood film star John Malkovich, dance group Flawless and comedian Al Murray are among those set to feature in this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, organisers revealed on Thursday.
The line-up comprises 2542 shows staged by around 21,000 performers at what is said to be the world's largest arts festival. This year organisers have added a cabaret section to the programme of comedy, theatre, dance and music.
Speaking at the programme launch, Festival Fringe Society chief executive Kath Mainland said: "The 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme is bigger than ever. What makes it exciting every year but particularly this year is the combination of all these wonderful, creative and talented people who choose to bring their work here.
"The Fringe is whatever those people want it to be and so many of them are still seduced by the idea of it and want to bring their work here from all round the world.
"The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the first choice for performers, producers, venues, artists and creators to come and tell their story."
Malkovich will direct actor Julian Sands in a play celebrating the work of Harold Pinter.
A host of top names in comedy will also return during the month-long festival, with stand-up shows from Murray, Sarah Millican and Ed Byrne. Other well-known names include street-dance group Flawless, who shot to fame after reaching the final of Britain's Got Talent in 2009, and a show from duo Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee.
Overall, the Fringe features 41,689 performances of 2542 shows at 258 venues from August 5 to August 29, with some 1319 being world premieres. Comedy makes up 37% of the 2011 programme, theatre accounts for 30% and music forms 14% of the bill.
Musicals, opera, children's shows, dance, physical theatre, events, exhibitions and the newly-introduced cabaret complete the programme.
Scottish Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Every year the Fringe gets bigger and better and this year's programme promises to delight and excite audiences from home and abroad. Offering a huge variety of work from an international band of talented performers, I'm sure there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
"Edinburgh's festivals contribute hugely to the Scottish economy, generating over a quarter of a billion pounds' worth of additional revenue for Scotland last year."
IN DETAIL
