WE DID FRINGE
NO MORE HEROES
WE ARE NOW THE BLUNDAGARDENS (BLUNDABUS & SPIEGELYURT… blundabus.com)
We are very proud that Heroes consistently championed independence and creative freedom while challenging the financial model of the Fringe. This will continue! But the enforced break of 2020 and 2021 gave us the time to reconsider how we want to show up at the Fringe. So we are returning in a more pared back way, with all of our focus on The BlundaGardens (BlundaBus & SpiegelYurt)
WHAT WAS HEROES?
Heroes booked multiple venues at the Fringe for 10 years, winning numerous awards (see below).
We started in 2011 aiming to answer one simple question:
“What would happen if performers were able to focus on creative freedom instead of competitive marketing?”
We grew out of the Free Fringe / Free Festival… but wanted to be able to sell tickets as well…
And so in 2013 we introduced Pay What You Want to the Fringe
PAY WHAT YOU WANT
PWYW allows audiences to ‘Buy a ticket in advance to guarantee entry, or Pay What You Want at the end of the show’. Ticket holders for the show are allowed in first, followed by those who have opted not to buy a ticket in advance.
– When it is done right no one is left empty-handed. Everyone felt warm and fuzzy.
Pay What You Want is now an increasingly popular model adopted across the Fringe and beyond (See FINDING A FRINGE VENUE)
HEROES DEAL
We introduced the best deal on the Fringe
90%/10% Split in the performers favour.
With a £250 one off payment before the Fringe and the Performer keeping 100% of bucket income.
There were absolutely NO hidden costs!
WHY THIS WAS ALL SO NEEDED IN 2011:
Stewart Lee: The Slow Death of The Edinburgh Fringe
Bob Slayer: I could make more money as a Microphone!
These elements of creative Freedom, Fair Model and Fair Deal will continue at The BlundaGardens
BUT can also be found in other venues around the Fringe
See FINDING A FRINGE VENUE
HEROES VENUES
- Heroes @ BlundaBus (2015 – NOW as The BlundaGardens)
- Heroes @ SpiegelYurt (2018 – NOW as The BlundaGardens)
- Heroes @ The Hive (2010 – 2019)
- Heroes @ Boteco (2018 & 2019)
- Heroes @ Black Medicine (2018 & 2019)
- Heroes @ Dragonfly (2016 – 2019)
- Heroes @ The Monkey Barrel (2017 & 2018)
- Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave’s Bookshop (2014), Holyrood Rd
- Heroes @ Bob’s Bookshop (2013), South College Street
HEROES AWARDS
Heroes consistently punched above its weight. A small independent promoter with many big amazing shows.
Edinburgh Comedy Awards (Formerly the Perrier)
- 2019 – Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer – Crybabies Nominated
- 2017 – 4 x Heroes shows were nominated for Edinburgh Comedy Awards – Spencer Jones and Mat Ewins for Best Show plus Lucy Pearman and Rob Kemp (Elvis Dead) for Best Newcomer. Heroes also retained the Panel Prize they had won the previous year!
- 2016 – Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize “Spirit of the Fringe” – Heroes / Iraq Out & Loud
- 2014 – Edinburgh Comedy Award – Adam Hess, Best Newcomer Nomination
- 2013 – Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize “Spirit of the Fringe” – Adrienne Truscott
- 2019 – Best Show: Joz Norris
- 2018 – Best Show: Paul Currie
- 2017 – Best Show: Mat Ewins / Best Performer: Rob Kemp / Best Person: Bob Slayer
- 2016 – Best Show: Mat Ewins / Best Person: Bob Slayer (& nomination Sorcha Shanahan)
- 2015 – Best Show & Best Performer: Spencer Jones / Best Person: Bob Slayer (Joint with Peter Buckley Hill)
-
Malcolm Hardee Award @ Edinburgh Fringe
- 2019 – Malcolm Hardee Award Nominees: Joz Norris / Sean Morley / Charles Quarterman / Jimmy Slim & Lewis Blomfield
- 2017 – Malcolm Hardee Award Nominees: Rob Kemp / Mark Dean Quinn
- 2016 – Malcolm Hardee Award For Comic Originality: Mr Twonkey
- 2015 – Malcolm Hardee Award For Comic Originality: Michael Brunstrom
- 2014 – Malcolm Hardee Award For Comic Originality: Candy GiGi
- 2013 – Malcolm Hardee Award For Comic Originality: Adrienne Truscott / Pound of Flesh Award: Ellis & Rose
- 2011 – Malcolm Hardee Cunning Stunt Award: Kunt & The Gang and Bob Slayer
- 2010 – Malcolm Hardee Comic Originality: Bob Slayer nominee
- 2009 – Malcolm Hardee Comic Originality: Bob Slayer nominee
- 2016 – TV Bomb Zeitgeist Award: Heroes / Iraq Out & Loud
- 2013 – Total Theatre Award Nomination: Adrienne Truscott
Other Awards
- 2017 – Chortle Award for Event of the Year (2017): Tony Law on Ice at Alexandra Palace Ice Rink (Producer).
- 2015 – Leicester Comedy Festival: Best Small Venue & Best New Venue (BlundaBus)
- 2014 – Leicester Comedy Festival: Liberty Award Spirit of the Festival & Best Promoter
