With the refurbishment of Edinburgh’s historic Assembly Rooms on target for completion and re-opening in July 2012, the iconic venue is set for a sizzling summer when it will resume its role as a Festival hub in August.
The team behind The Stand Comedy Clubs, Salt ‘n’ Sauce Promotions Limited, will present the Assembly Rooms Fringe, a dazzling programme of theatre, comedy and live music, while Jamie’s Italian will bring a new dining experience to the capital.
The £9.3 million redevelopment is restoring the A-listed building to its former glory with the inclusion of modern technical infrastructure to enhance its capabilities as a leading venue for contemporary events. Architectural details are being preserved and enhanced, while state-of-the-art sound systems, lighting rigs and seating plans will transform the function rooms to host a range of events.
Commenting on the project, a spokesperson from The City of Edinburgh Council said:- “Edinburgh is the place to be in August. It’s fantastic that the Assembly Rooms will be back at the heart of it all, contributing to the Festival atmosphere, and we’re thrilled to have such high profile names as Salt ‘n’ Sauce and Jamie’s Italian on board.”
Following launch events in July, Salt ‘n’ Sauce will move in and get ready to welcome Festival audiences from all over the world. So far, organisers have confirmed that the comedy line-up will include Fringe veteran Stewart Lee with his new hit stand-up show Carpet Remnant World, while the high calibre of the theatre programme is assured with the announcement that the National Theatre of Scotland will be bringing their sensational new play, Appointment with the Wicker Man, to George Street audiences in August.
Commenting on the Assembly Rooms Fringe, Director of Salt ‘n’ Sauce Promotions Ltd, Tommy Sheppard says: “We’re looking forward to a landmark year on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We’re expecting thousands of people a day to come to our shows, so we’re busy putting together a programme that will make Assembly Rooms the best venue for the Festival. It’s a very exciting time for us and for the city.”
The full line-up for Assembly Rooms Fringe will be announced in coming weeks.
