2005 to allow for different staging configurations and the average capacity is approximately 100 seats. The Traverse and the Edinburgh Festivals Founded in 1963 by John Calder, Jim Haynes and Richard Demarco, the mission of the Traverse was to continue the spirit of the Edinburgh Festivals all year round. During the Festivals in August, the Traverse continues to present cutting edge new writing, as well as new work of all kinds to an international audience. The Traverse is occasionally referred to as 'The Fringe venue that got away', reflecting its current status as a permanent and integral part of the Edinburgh arts scene throughout the year. Today August remains the busiest time for the Traverse. In 2010, in a first for Scottish theatre, a series of specially commissioned rehearsed readings by Enda Walsh, Linda McLean, David Eldridge, Simon Stephens and Marina Carr were broadcast live on 23 August 2010 to cinemas across the UK. One third of 2010 Scotsman Fringe First Award winners were shows performed at the Traverse. Theatre critic Lyn Gardner has described the Traverse's programme as "the backbone to the Fringe programme. What you see there will often set the tone and tenor of the rest of the Fringe." Notable associations From its beginning in 1963, the Traverse Theatre has launched the careers of many of Scotland's best-known writers including John Byrne, Gregory Burke, David Greig, David Harrower and Liz Lochhead. During the 1960s Richard Wilson was a regular performer. Throughout the 1970s the Traverse Theatre hosted actors including Timothy Dalton, Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Ann Mitchell, Simon Callow, Bill Paterson and Steven Berkoff. In 1978 David Hayman famously directed John Byrne's Slab Boys which featured Robbie Coltrane. Tilda Swinton and Forbes Masson memorably performed during the 1980s and Steve Unwin directed Alan Cumming in a 1988 production of The Conquest of the South Pole. Ashley Jensen and Bill Nighy began their acting careers at the Traverse. Many of the theatre's sponsored seats have personalised plaques, including Robbie Coltrane's "This is a no farting zone" and Tom Conti's "In memory of my longest dry". Artistic directors Terry Lane (Dec 1962 – Jan 1964) Callum Mill (Jan 1964 – Aug 1964) Jim Haynes (Aug 1964 – July 1966) Gordon McDougall (July 1966 – Dec 1969) Max Stafford-Clark (Dec 1967 – Dec 1969) Michael Rudman (Feb 1970 – Feb 1973) Mike Ockrent (Mar 1973 – Sep 1975) Chris Parr