Brian Ferguson’s diary

Edinburgh may seem a simpler, quieter place without the festival crowds, pop-up venues and traffic jams. But in the virtual world things are as mind-boggling as ever, thanks to the endless array of online shows, crowdfunding campaigns and even new festivals.

True to form, Underbelly has pulled a few headlinegrabbing acts out of the bag to boost its fundraising efforts, securing signed Fringe show memorabilia from Golden Globe winner Phoebe Waller-bridge and Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne, two of the biggest names to emerge from its cavernous Cowgate home.

But it’s the Pleasance campaign that has caught my eye, with a promo video and the launch of a range of “Lost Fringe” merchandise to mark the festival that never was.

Best of all is a “golden ticket” raffle prize. Instead of entering the hallowed gates of Willy Wonka’s factory, the winner of the Pleasance contest, which costs £5 a ticket, will get the chance to see every single show at its famous courtyard next August.

The winner will also have their own members of staff overseeing their reservations and adding recommendations for what to see in the Pleasance’s own world of imagination.

Assembly’s efforts are focused on helping the vast number of freelancers it usually works with in August when its year-round team of 12