  Laughing Horse first managed Espionage in 2008, in what quickly become the
flagship free venue of the entire Fringe - in it's first year it was recognised as one of
the Fringe's best new venues by The List magazine, and has been called "The Free
Fringe's own mega-venue". In it's unrivalled position right next door to the
Underbelly, with  entrances on
Victoria Street and Cowgate, this venue is always busy right through the day, and has been
full to capacity in all rooms on many days during each Fringe! The venue is located a few
seconds walk off of the top end of the area of the Royal Mile that is used for
performances and flyering, which leaves shows at Espionage easy to promote and achieve
full houses at Midday, 1am or or any time in between. Espionage was also the home to the
first ever free show to be nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly the
perrier Award) in 2010.There are Five bars, across
five floors, and four separate performance spaces. On the ground floor (which is also the
top floor) is a lounge bar giving an area to relax between shows, and in 2010 a succesfull
new performance space was added.  Beneath this on 'level -1' is a relaxing bar which doubles as the main
information point for shows, with programmes and staff on hand to help people find the
shows they want to see. On 'level -2' is the next main performance space Kasbar,
then on '-3' is performance space Pravda, and '-4' performance space Mata
Hari; by this performance space is the entrance from Cowgate.
The venue is open daily from midday to 5am, with shows
being performed from midday to around 1am, and after this is the free Festival nightclub,
with free entry until 5am. All performance spaces benefit from a continuous supply of
background music fed through each rooms sound system that can be used for music between
shows, without having to supply CD's and the venue is fully air-conditioned.
 Performance Space: Kasbar
Kasbar is a sumptuously decorated Moroccan themed room, with
low 'cave' style ceilings and ideally atmospheric for performances.
Stage - A corner stage area on the flat,
with audience on two sides. Around 6ft x 10ft maximum stage space. No wingspace.
Seating - Capacity is 100 including standing
round the bar, with seating for 45. This has been used each year for shows that sold out
and good site lines can be achieved with audiences of up to 100 including standing
room.
Lighting - 1xFixed Par Can to Flood light
the stage. Additional Lighting can be supplied by companies and fixed as required.
Sound - The room is supplied with an 4
channel mixer (2xXLR Mic, 4xphono/Jack and USB inputs ), 2xCD Players, 2xMicrophones and
2xmic stands, house music system for music between shows.
Audio Visual - No AV equipment is
available, but the room can be used with screens and projectors supplied by the
performance group.
Storage - There is storage space at the venue for props and
equipment, stored in a shared room with other groups, and a locked office which
valuable items can be stored in.
Bar - The bar in the room can be open or closed, or even used in
performances such as the 2008 performance 'Shakers' where the production took place in and
around the bar and whole room.
 Performance Space: Pravda
Pravda is a Russian themed room, with low ceilings and
arches, with a larger area suited to bigger comedy shows, music, cabaret or theatre
pieces.
Stage - A large stage area on the flat, with
audience in front on the same level or slightly raised to the right. The standard stage
area is 12ft x 6ft, and this can be made deeper by removing some rows of chairs.
There is a large backstage area (which can be accessed from
stage or via the bar, and also a separate performers area for entrances through the
audience, which is linked to the backstage area)
Seating - Capacity is 100 with 80 people
seated.
Lighting - 1xFixed Par Can to Flood light
the stage. Additional Lighting can be supplied by companies and fixed as required. Disco
lighting is fitted and programmed, and this can also be used.
Sound - The room is supplied with a 6
channel mixer (2xXLR Mic, 4xphono/Jack), 2xCD Players, 1xDVD player, 2xMicrophones and
2xmic stands, house music system for music between shows.
Audio Visual - There is a DVD AV system
installed, with a large screen (made of 4x42" plasma screens) located on the wall
behind the raised seating area.
Storage - There is storage space at the venue for props and
equipment, stored in a shared room with other groups, and a locked office which
valuable items can be stored in.
Bar - There is no bar in performance space, but one is available on
the same level in the area where audience wait for the next show.
 Performance Space: Mata Hari
 Mata Hari is another
atmospheric space, with a spy/James Bond/Mata Hari theme - more low ceilings and arches -
it is on the lowest level of the venue near the Cowgate entrance. This room
can be accesed with no stairs and is fully accessible to wheelchairs from the Cowgate
entrance. However there are no disabled toilet facilities in this venue.
Stage - The stage area is on the flat,
traverse style, with rows of seating on three sides. The standard stage area is 10ft x
5ft, and this can be made deeper by removing some chairs. The DJ booth can be
used as a small backstage area.
Seating - Capacity is 75 with 55 people
seated - more people can view the from the two arched entrances if desired (one entrances
is usually curtained off). We have managed over 130 people in to see a show in this room -
though that was a bit tight!.
Lighting - 1xFixed Par Can to Flood light
the stage. Additional Lighting can be supplied by companies and fixed as required. Disco
lighting is fitted and programmed, and this can also be used.
Sound - The room is supplied with a 6
channel mixer (2xXLR Mic, 4xphono/Jack), 2xCD Players, 1xDVD player, 2xMicrophones and
2xmic stands, house music system for music between shows.
Audio Visual - There is a DVD AV system
installed, with a three 42" plasma screens, one on each side wall, and also one on
the rear wall.
Storage - There is storage space at the venue for props and
equipment, stored in a shared room with other groups, and a locked office which
valuable items can be stored in.
Bar - There is no bar in performance space, but one is available on
the same level in the area where audience wait for the next show.
 Performance Space: The Lizard Lounge
The Lizard Lounge is at the back of the main bar of the venue
as you enter off of Victoria street, and it is separated by a wall and a door installed
for the Fringe.
Stage - The stage area is on the flat, with
fixed seating around the sides of the venue, with some small stools and tables. The
standard stage area is small, 6ft by 6ft and there is no backstage or wingspace.
Seating - Capacity is 40 with 35 people
seated.
Lighting - 1xFixed Par Can to Flood light
the stage. Additional Lighting can be supplied by companies and fixed as required.
Sound - The room is supplied with a small
mixer (2xXLR Mic, 2xphono/Jack) and amplifier, with a CD Players and microphone/mic
stand.
Audio Visual - No AV equipment is
available, but the room can be used with screens and projectors supplied by the
performance group. Though bear in mind this is a small room.
Storage - There is storage space at the venue for props and
equipment, stored in a shared room with other groups, and a locked office which
valuable items can be stored in.
Bar - There is no bar in performance space, but one is available on
the same level just outside the room
Click
here for overall Free Festival information for Performers
Click
here to return to the venues list
Espionage Images:
|
Comedy
Theatre
Music 
Cabaret
Musicals & Opera
Events 
