We are kicking off our Brighton Fringe series of 10 Questions with Holly Payton, Communications Manager at the Brighton Festival Fringe! Holly is well known as the face of the Brighton Fringe. That in itself says a lot about Holly as a person and a manager. Before she embarks on her wider role as the conduit for the fringe industry I managed to catch a quick word with her….
1. How has your career led to you working at the Brighton Festival Fringe?
I was in the right place at the right time, it was all about who I knew. I think it was fated as I turned down a good job just before as I wanted to hold out for the best. I started at the Brighton Festival as the Co-ordinator and did the Fringe on the side – this was in the days when it was small enough to pretty much run its self. I ran the Fringe on my own from 2002 to 2004 when Nick started. It was Jane Mcmorrow and I who changed the name from ‘Umbrella’ to ‘Fringe’.
2. What’s your working day like – on the lead up to the Fringe – during the Fringe – and post-Fringe?
It is constantly changing, the time table of work is different depending on the time of the year. I manage the external venues, the press and the volunteers (amongst other things) so in the run up I am meeting press, recruiting volunteers and making sure venues have a descent site.
During the fringe believe it or not things calm down a bit. The Fringe is like a wave that you can’t stop. Once it starts there is very little more you can do except make sure all the things you have put in place are running well. I make it my mission to meet as many performers and go to as many events as possible. Nick and I always have a competition to see who can stay out the most nights before flagging. I think we both did the full run last year!
After the festival it’s analysis, I like to call it “meeting season”! We have to meet and discuss how it went with many different people and companies who are involved. We also have to pay the performers back their ticket sales.
3. What is your favourite Festival or Fringe and why?
I have visited many different festivals and Fringes around the world; I have many favourites for different reasons. I love the Prague Fringe for its intimacy, fun and theatre programme; Dublin Fringe for its boldness and confidence; and the Spiegeltent on the water is amazing.
The Canadian fringes (who are members of CAFF)are all so supportive of each other and the tour that companies can do across Canada for the summer is an amazing opportunity.
Glastonbury, although I haven’t been for a couple of years, I have been going since 1990, it’s almost to much fun!
Edinburgh Fringe is the Daddy Mack of Festivals; I describe it as Glastonbury, in a city, and over 4 weeks. Everyone is there for the duration of the festival and they are going to make sure they have a good time. I am venue director at the Roman Eagle Lodge so I know this one is the best (other than Brighton).
4. What’s the best advice you could give to aspiring artists/performers attending the Brighton Festival Fringe for the first time?
Get out on the street and sell your show! Participants in Brighton don’t have the competition of Edinburgh, what they are doing is persuading the local residents to come out more than once, where in Edinburgh the performers are marketing to each other and tourists.
5. What has been your funniest experience managing the Brighton Festival Fringe and what has been your worst?
I can’t tell you actually! Its not rude or bad but it is about one of the funniest most eccentric and enthusiastic performers of all time, my colleagues will know who I am talking about… worst I think is when people misunderstand what the Fringe is about and that “it is here to be helpful”, it doesn’t happen that often but when it does it can be vicious. Artists are passionate people, when they think they know something they go for it! (That’s why we love them).
6. What is your favourite place to vacation and chill out and why?
In Devon on my dad’s farm, I love the crisp frosty mornings, tramping through the woods, picking bluebells, cracking twigs underfoot and smelling damp soil. The farm means no makeup, getting up putting on
wellies, taking the horse out and feeding the animals… then eating cheese and drinking cider, sitting out back with the locals talking about butter! Lush!
7. Who is the person you most admire and why?
I admire so many people for many different reasons. I admire strong women like Sally Green from the Old Vic (and just about everywhere in London) for building her own venue empire. I admire self made and good people who will work for what they believe in … (this will soon sound like an Oscar speech so I will stop).
8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?
My Aunty Lou said to me when I was 18, “think of the perfect job for yourself and get that one, don’t settle for anything else…” always abide by that rule and it works!
9. What is the best book you have read?
I have about 8 on the go right now and read a lot. I am currently reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. It’s a bit ‘1984′ and ‘Handmaids tale’ ish, – worth a read though I know it has changed many peoples perspectives on life and relationships. Yet to know if it does that to me?
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Greed in humans!
Tags: Edinburgh Fringe, Holly Payton, Holly Payton world festivls, Roman Eagle Lodge, World Festival Network