With 50 or so acts in the 2011 Dunedin Fringe Festival to choose from it can be tricky to know what to go to. How do you know the show is going to be any good or one that you will enjoy more than the next one? Here are five strategies to ensure you get the best out of the Fringe Festival.

#1: Find a trusted venue

The Festival works closely with some well known venues in Dunedin. The Fortune Theatre, the Globe Theatre, Chicks Hotel, and Sammys all feature quality Festival acts. The line-up at the Fortune and Globe in particular has been specially programmed by the Festival and will not disappoint.

#2: Laughter is the best medicine

Comedy is our largest art form category and you're bound to have heard of at least one of these comedians before. Many have international experience and most are heading straight for the International Comedy Festival in Auckland and Wellington after performing at the Fringe Festival. With three shows a night the Polson Higgs Comedy Club is a surefire night of good times.

#3: Dig a little

A little bit of research can go a long way. Many acts have their own website, Facebook or Myspace page which provides additional information, reviews and images. Some also feature promotional trailors or live footage from previous shows. Failing that you can always ask well placed friends or listen out to the interviews scheduled on Radio One, More FM and Radio Dunedin.

#4: More is better

One of the surest ways to find the best act is simply to go to more shows. With many acts only 60 minutes long and entirely affordable this is a sensible strategy that can yield excellent results. A typical night out on the Fringe can easily include seeing two different shows, or at least one show and a visit to the Festival Club.

#5: Free is best

There is a whole bunch of exhibitions and installations that are completely free. From cutting edge art at the Blue Oyster Gallery to the strangest inventions you ever saw at the Otago Settlers Museum. You can't go wrong.