Part of George Street will be closed off to traffic during August to make way for The Famous Spiegeltent. The venue, which has been a fixture at the Fringe since 1985, will be erected as part of a pedestrianised terrace in front of the newly refurbished Assembly Rooms, which announced The Stand boss Tommy Sheppard as its Fringe director earlier this year.

‘The Famous Spiegel Terrace will provide much-needed circulation space for the Assembly Rooms – enhancing the experience for everyone – and it also increases the critical mass of the whole venue,’ said Sheppard. ‘More than just a place to meet before shows, it’ll be the place to be this Fringe, to kick back with a long drink and feel the Festival heartbeat.’

Among the acts announced for The Famous Spiegeltent so far are cabaret act La Clique, rising star Virginia Gay, Shooglenifty and character-crooner The Balkan Elvis. The tent will also boast a continental-style café bar, a Saddlespan marquee stage and a free classical music stage. Sheppard promises the area will be in keeping with the historic surroundings, with quality seating, discreet signage and a perimeter constructed from live yew hedging.

The announcement came at the launch of the Assembly Rooms’ programme for the Fringe 2012, which features Stewart Lee, Russell Kane, Camille O’Sullivan and Scottish musician Karen Matheson. International guests include Canadian funnyman Stewart Francis, Americans Kristine Levine and Mick Foley, and Swedish comic Magnus Betner, while the venue is also proud to present two theatrical world premieres: The Comedians Theatre Company’s The Intervention and the satirical musical Molly Wobbly’s Tit Factory from the Belfast Lyric Theatre.

Shows for all Assembly Rooms and The Famous Spiegeltent shows are now on sale at arfringe.com .