FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 July 2008

Just released: a night at the Festival from just £5

With just over a week to go to the opening, Edinburgh International Festival 08 today releases special price tickets for seniors, the unemployed, students and young people.

As part of its commitment to enable the widest possible public to enjoy the highest possible standard of international arts, the Festival is offering tickets for many of its major events - from opera and music to drama and dance - from as little as £5.

This special standby ticket offer applies to most performances and represents a half-price reduction on the standard ticket price. In the case of Giselle, for example - the State Ballet of Georgia's sumptuous production at the Edinburgh Playhouse starring prima ballerina Nina Ananiashvilli in her festival début -  the cheapest available ticket price via this offer would be £5, with the best seat in the house available for £21 (rather than £42).

Jonathan Mills, Festival Director, commented: "The Edinburgh International Festival 2008 programme explores political, geographical, physical and cultural borders. In tandem with this, we must try and address any perceived barriers that exist between audiences and this programme.

We are proud to offer some of the most competitive ticket prices in the world, and in particular to be able to reach out to new audiences with special pricing initiatives such as this, so that everyone can participate in their Edinburgh International Festival. Along with our other educational and outreach programs, I hope it brings many new faces to Festival 08".

Tickets for this offer can be purchased, subject to availability, as follows:

-          on the phone at 0131 473 2000

-          in person, at the Hub on Castlehill

The Edinburgh International Festival is supported by The City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Arts Council, and The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.

* Half Price Standby tickets are available from 30 July to senior citizens, unemployed people, young people under the age of 18, students in full time education and Young Scot, Equity and Musicians Union cardholders.

* No booking fee applies unless patrons would like tickets posted out to them, for which a 60p postage fee per booking applies. Otherwise, patrons can collect their tickets from the venue on the night of the performance.

Edinburgh International Festival 8 - 31 August 2008

For more information please visit www.eif.co.uk

Edinburgh International Festival Society is registered as a company in Scotland (No SC024766) and as a Scottish Charity (No. SC004694).

Registered Address: The Hub, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NE