QMU Sponsors the Scotsman Fringe First Awards for the First Time
2024 marked the first year that we sponsored the Scotsman Fringe First awards, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University.
Established in 1974 by The Scotsman arts editor, Allen Wright, the Fringe Firsts encourage companies and performers to bring new work to the festival and have propelled careers of the likes of Rowan Atkinson, Billy Connolly, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Richard Gadd, Stephen Fry, John Byrne and Liz Lochhead.
Our co-sponsorship of the 2024 awards helped towards the staging of three prize ceremonies throughout August where the Scotsman's chief theatre critic, Joyce McMillan, presented awards to 17 deserving groups who each displayed outstanding new writing talent.
Speaking about the decision to co-sponsor the awards, our Principal, Sir Paul Grice, said: "For over 50 years, Queen Margaret University has played its part in the development of creativity and culture through a range of exciting undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and by collaborating with a wide variety of organisations.
“We are passionate about nurturing new talent and providing individuals with a springboard to success. We are therefore delighted to sponsor the Fringe First Awards - It’s the perfect platform to identify and celebrate new talent and to keep rejuvenating this exciting and important industry.”
