Shock as Edinburgh Festival Fringe director Morgan resigns

Published Thursday 28 August 2008 at 11:40 by Thom Dibdin

Full coverage of the Edinburgh Festivals

Edinburgh Festival Fringe director Jon Morgan resigned his post today with immediate effect.

The announcement is the latest blow in a difficult year for the fringe. Failures in a new box office system dogged the event, which sold 1.5 million tickets for its three-week duration. This was compounded by the wettest August in Edinburgh since records began.

It appears that Morgan’s decision to step down, from what he describes as the greatest arts festival on the planet, was taken before this year’s festival.

He said: “The role of fringe director has taken me away from my first love - producing and presenting exciting performance to audiences. My intention is to return to that more direct relationship with artists and audiences.

“I have been considering this for some time, but felt it was important not to announce my departure before the festival, so as to not impact on this year’s festival.

“Following discussion with the board, I have now decided to step down with immediate effect, but I would like to stress that I will contribute fully to the independent review of the box office which was announced earlier this month.

“I would like to thank the board for their support over the last year and I would especially pay tribute to the Fringe Society staff team who deliver vital services that underpin the festival. Every year they work tirelessly and well above the call of duty and this year, in particular, they have dealt with very challenging circumstances with hard work, patience and dedication.”

Baroness Smith, chair of the Fringe Society board, said: “The board is very grateful to Jon for his significant contribution to the fringe at a challenging time of great change and in the short time he has been in post he has dealt with an unprecedented range of challenges.

“We are pleased that Jon is willing to assist with the independent review of the box office. The board appreciate his future career aspirations and we would like to thank him for all his hard work and to wish him well in the future.”

For more on this story, see next week’s print edition of The Stage.