The cast has been announced for Hiya Dolly! ahead of its Fringe 22 run at the Space @ Surgeons Hall.
The true story of how a cute, attention-seeking lamb became the most famous sheep in history, the world’s first cloned mammal. Lab created and born at the Roslin Institute outside Edinburgh, Dolly lived the good life.
A worldwide celebrity who never left her farm. Mother to six lovely lambs. She changed biology forever – and irrevocably changed the lives of all her human parents. Who were they? How did they do it? Where are they now? Come find out how to clone a sheep in this new play by Vince LiCata, laced with Dollified Scottish tunes and plenty of woolly humour.
Hiya Dolly! is a play with live music that explores the science, human relationships, and public reaction surrounding the remarkable cloning of Dolly the sheep at the Roslin Institute outside Edinburgh. At the time many high profile scientists had declared that cloning a mammal was impossible.
It’s a whirlwind excursion through the creation of the world’s most famous sheep and the story of the people who made it happen. Itmixes science, human drama, music, humour and a talking sheep. Its songs are set to traditional Scottish folk tunes arranged by Edinburgh based musician Ciaran McGhee.
Writer Vince LiCata says, “The explosion of publicity about the cloning of Dolly the sheep was outrageous: scientific advances just don’t get that type of public hype.
“And yet all that mania included little about the actual cloning. So Hiya Dolly! is an attempt to tell the story of the cloning itself, but in a way that retains the atmosphere of the runaway circus that surrounded it.”
Director Andy Jordan comments: “I am delighted to be directing Hiya Dolly!, a highly unusual play about a truly remarkable animal. Dolly is an Edinburgh icon who was created, lived and died just outside the city, so I feel honoured to be involved in telling her truly astonishing story.
“This play brings a talking Dolly to the stage with chutzpah, wit and charm, in a way that can only happen in theatre. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Hiya Dolly!
Written by Vince LiCata,
Directed & Produced by Andy Jordan
Music Direction by Ciaran McGhee
Designed by Robbie McDonnell
Listings info
Venue: theSpaceUK @ Surgeons Hall (Grand Theatre)
Dates: Friday 5 to Saturday 27 August No performance 14 Aug
Acclaimed shows shine a spotlight on the life and career of two legendary musicians
Two music shows which celebrate the talent of a pair of legendary musicians are set to be staged at the Assembly Festival at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.
Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story and Something About George – The George Harrison Story will join the line-up at the UK’s most hotly anticipated Summer event.
The two shows from Something About Productions will run between Thursday 4 August and Thursday 18 Augustin The Bijou – a striking 250-seat Spiegel tent – and will join a busy programme of music, comedy, cabaret, theatre, and family shows planned for the 2022 Fringe. Tickets for both productions are now on sale.
Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story returns to Edinburgh after triumphing at the Fringe in 2019. It was then chosen for a residency at the Fringe Encore Series at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City, where it playedsix sell-out performances. The show, which was premiered in Liverpool in 2018, then also went on to form part of the programme at the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festivalin 2020.
Singer songwriter Gary Edward Jones not only recites the music of one of his idols, but also tells the unique story of Paul Simon combining visuals, stage design and, of course, the music.
A natural storyteller with charisma and charm, Gary weaves together songs and stories that cross The Atlantic from New Jersey to the North West of England. He traces the sometimes poignant moments in Simon’s life and career, that occasionally mirror his own.
The show is co-written by Jon Fellowes and features classic ballads like Sound of Silence and America to Wristband, The Boxer, and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Meanwhile Something About George – The George HarrisonStory enjoys its Edinburgh premiere this Summer. The show pays tribute to the man dubbed the “quiet Beatle”, and was met with acclaim by both audiences and critics when it closed Liverpool Theatre Festival in September 2021.
Now West End performer and musician Daniel Taylor is set to bring it to the Fringe at the culmination of an eight venue UK tour.
Featuring beautiful songs like My Sweet Lord, Something, and Handle With Care, Something About George showcases Harrison’s incredible solo material and music from rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys which was made up of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty.
And any show celebrating one of the Fab Four just has to include a few classics from The Beatles. From heartbreak to hedonism and songwriting to success, Something About George celebrates a life that was anything but quiet.
Daniel is an award-winning actor, producer, and director. He has previously played John Lennon in the award-winning Lennon Through A Glass Onion; Sammy in Blood Brothers; and appeared at the very first Liverpool Theatre Festival in his show, The Very Best Of Tommy Cooper.
Both ‘Something About’ shows will be performed in 60-minute one-act festival version. They are also set to be staged at the Assembly Festival Gardens in Coventry ahead of Edinburgh.
Something About George is written by Jon Fellowes, who co-produces the show alongside Gary Edward Jones and theatre producer Bill Elms. Together they make up Something About Productions.
Co-producer Bill Elms said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to bring Something About Simon and Something About George to the Assembly Festival at the Edinburgh Fringe.
“The Bijou is a really magical and atmospheric venue in which to tell these compelling musical stories. These shows capture and celebrate the life, work, and spirit of two legendary musicians, Paul Simon and George Harrison, and both have enjoyed a fantastic reception from audiences at venues here at home and, in Something About Simon’s case, across The Atlantic too.”
Gary Edward Jones commented: “We had an amazing time when we brought Something About Simon to Edinburgh three years ago. Audiences really responded to the heart in the show and to have the chance to perform it in New York too was very special.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve created, and I’m looking forward to returning and sharing Paul Simon’s story and music again.”
Daniel Taylor added:“There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere at the Edinburgh Fringe, and I can’t wait to get out there on stage and perform for Assembly Festival audiences.
“After all his achievements, George is still one of the most underrated songwriters that has ever lived, and this is a perfect chance to celebrate and shine a spotlight on his musical genius.”
Facebook: /somethingaboutproductions
Twitter: @SomeAboutProds
Instagram: /somethingaboutproductions
LISTING INFORMATION
Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story
DATE: Thursday, 4 August – Thursday, 18 August 2022
TIME: 1pm
Something About George – The George Harrison Story
DATE: Thursday, 4 August – Thursday, 18 August 2022
A wild, high-tech, rock-smashing journey to the Neolithic origins of mining
Rocks, beats and geological time: this is a violent, fun, loud and lyrical experience, with projection design from award-winning Limbic Cinema. Copper mining has fuelled the growth of human civilisation for the last 10,000 years.
In Megalith a silent physical performer and digital sound artist explore the ever-growing trajectory of mining and technological development, and what it means in the 21st century.
Playfully duetting to Deep-Time techno, metamorphic soundscapes and the Internet of Things, performers Charles Sandford and Xavier Velastin journey deep down to the origins of mining. Harnessing Neolithic tools to smash up to 250kg of rocks, Herald Angel winners MECHANIMAL explore the mysterious activity of bashing stone and getting metals.
‘Beautiful, contemplative … a remarkable and urgent show’Guardian (Vigil 2019)
Every piece of technology we own has come from rock.
But copper (the first metal to be mined) has a vital role right now. In transitioning from fossil fuels, global copper production (concentrated in Chile) must sky-rocket to make the batteries and cables for electrification. But does more extraction continue a questionable trajectory of more manufacture, more stuff, more economic growth… and thereby more inequality and waste? What of alternatives such as ‘urban mining’ (recycling of metals from tech waste)?
Rather than being an info-heavy show, Megalith views these issues through metaphor, creating a simple theatrical poem. The Neolithic culture that started mining also created stoneworks consisting of a single line leading into concentric circles (eg Stonehenge).
Megalith explores thisline-into-circleform: how might it offer a timely metaphor, when the need to shift from an extractive, linear relationship with Earth’s resources is ever more urgent?
The show was developed in collaboration with researchers from Bristol University and The Natural History Museum and made through research journeys to Neolithic copper mines and stone circles across the UK. All rocks, technology and other materials used in Megalith will be effectively and responsibly recycled.
MECHANIMAL’s Director, Tom Bailey, said ‘Copper is a vital but little-known part of the present energy and ecological crises, and even the Russia-Ukraine war. We look to find creative and fascinating ways of engaging people with this.’
‘Memorable, a requiem against a clock counting down’‘★★★★ Scotsman (Vigil 2019)
MECHANIMAL won a Herald Angel in 2018 for Zugunruhe. Bristol-based, the company’s work explores life on a changing planet. It tours performances (created with a range of artists and researchers) both nationally and internationally.
‘Extraordinary … moving and enlightening’New Scientist (Zugunruhe 2018)
Back for its fifth year, with a new Chief of Engagement and a new Creative Director, Army @ The Fringe is poised to provoke public discussion through plays, art, poetry, and talks programmed to act as a foil to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, showing the Army in a different, unexpected light.
As the Fringe emerges from Covid, Army @ The Fringe is playing its part in recovery. None of its visiting artists pay rent to perform in the venue, which keeps ticket prices affordable and means over a quarter of shows are free or pay what you want.
For the first time Army @ The Fringe has commissioned research and development works and play readings. Some are being performed by graduands from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland which sees their Fringe Debuts fully funded.
Lt. Col Hugo Clark MBE, who is responsible for Military Engagement across the whole of Scotland, is no stranger to Edinburgh and its festivals, having Commanded Edinburgh Garrison and the Military aspects of the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo for three years.
Lt. Col Clark said: “We’re trialing lots of initiatives to reach new audiences. For instance, we’re working with the University of Dundee to offer free tickets to humanities students from Scottish Secondary Schools up to 90 minutes from Edinburgh for productions and post show talks about history and international relations.
“We’re also collaborating with Scotland’s new Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement at Edinburgh Napier University on a programme of post-show talks about veterans, spouses and mental health.
“In a year where the Fringe is on its way to recovery by having 80% of its 2019 programme, I’m pleased to support this by increasing our own capacity by 60% from last year through innovative programming and deploying a team who really have pulled out the stops to support this logistically.”
Leading the Creative Direction of Army at the Fringe is veteran producer, writer and artist Harry Ross who brings over two decades of experience to the artistic programme. He is also a serving Reservist, part of a new direction for Army @ The Fringe which will see soldiers start to play a more interactive role in creating work.
Interestingly, the venue in Hepburn House, an Army Reserve Centre on East Claremont Street, a fifteen-minute walk from Fringe Central, has some pedigree for artistic soldiers – two of Scotland’s well known modernist painters, Francis Caddell RSA and William Geissler enlisted into the Royal Scots at Hepburn House in the 20th Century.
Harry Ross said: “I rejoined the Army reserve as part of Artistic Research I am undertaking into the Hagiography of the Highland Warrior at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee.
“As part of the University’s ethical approval process, I had to explain what I was doing to my military superiors who have been exceptionally supportive of my research. When I was asked by HQ Army in Scotland to help Army @ The Fringe, I felt it was a way of returning that support.
“I’m no stranger to life in the British Army, my father commissioned half a century ago and retired in 2006. Today’s army is very different to the one I grew up next to, and I hope that my programme reflects the values of a contemporary, diverse, and moral organization that the British Army seeks to become, with plays that accentuate how the moral component is key to an army that needs its soldiers to be reflective on choices made during service and respectful of all communities.”
The arts have always been interwoven with the British Army and cultural influences are reflected in works of art and poetry that soldier artists have created on their return from operations overseas, and music that has been composed during and after conflict.
As part of Army @ The Fringe’s strategy to present more work outside central Edinburgh, the art of conflict will be in the spotlight at a special concert of chamber music composed by 20th and 21st century composers at war, and Edinburgh Napier University Music Students that will be presented by members of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland at the War Poets Collection, Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus on 28th August.
Soldiers creating works of art and music is one element of how the army interacts with the arts, another important interaction is that all soldiers must understand how to protect cultural property. This is not just the physical works of art or architecture but also the intangible heritage of oral history, performing arts, the values, traditions, and identities of communities.
“The Baltic Countries have a UNESCO Protected Intangible Heritage in their music and dance festivals. The one in Estonia is known as Laupupidu”, said Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Faux, the lead for arts in the Army for the last three years.
“The Kings Royal Hussars Battlegroup formed a choir whilst deployed in Tapa. They had a Russian Musical Director and performed with local choirs from the region around Tapa – in old Estonian.
“For me this was the coming together of communities through a mutual respect of music. It was interesting that many in the crowd could not believe the soldiers were singing in an old Estonian dialect that many of them would not attempt.”
It was this event along with the links Ross has nurtured over the years that has inspired a programme that brings together different voices through Intangible Heritage, with a highlight of the Poetry and Plays of young playwrights from the Baltic nations and modern writers from the Visegrád Group.
Continuing with the cultural heritage theme there are workshops and readings that investigate Scotland’s own linguistic diveristy, with an event exploring exploring why so many British Army units celebrate the Scots poet Robert Burns with senior non-commissioned officers form the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and a workshop on Gaelic war poetry produced in collaboration with the Scottish Poetry Library and led by Outlander’s very own Bard – Gillebrìde MacMillan.
Army @ The Fringe is also presenting two photographic exhibitions: – One is a remount of Alex Boyd’s acclaimed photographic exhibition at Stills Gallery – Tir An Airm (Land of the Army), that explores the largely unseen places in Scotland that are used to train our armed forces and those of our NATO allies.
The other is a retrospective of the work of prizewinning military photographer Bdr. Murray Kerr – To Spur a Running Horse, a collection of Portraits of veterans at rest and Officer Cadets in the field.
This year presents an opportunity for audiences and creatives to immerse themselves in a finely-honed programme of premières that bring the questions that really matter to light – what is our Army for; how do we train it; what are our values; how do we treat our veterans; who do we serve with and why; and what is our place in contemporary Scotland, the UK, and the wider world?
From womanhood to war, from class and punk to falling in and out of love to the beautiful game, ‘Fire is Not the Only Element’ is about our lives, our humanity, our foibles, foul-ups and frailties. Creating from real life experiences, Morna Burdon uses poetry to express the joy, sadness, humour, beauty and absurdity of life.
As a performer, writer, singer, director, Morna has toured Scotland and abroad telling stories through theatre and performance. With ‘Fire is Not the Only Element’, she turns her talents to poetry as she weaves a tapestry of poems, spoken word and song to shed light on people and situations that often remain hidden and unsung.
“During lockdown, I wrote a poem about having COVID (didn’t we all ??!!) and people really liked it, so I wrote on a different topic, then another and poems just kept coming until it became a show!”
Whether directing, performing or writing, Morna mines for stories and then finds ways of telling them that honour the integrity of the people on whose lives a light is being shone.
In her singing, her writing, her theatre, she is interested in the extraordinary in the so-called ‘ordinary’.
“I am delighted that this show- with its emphasis on poetry – is returning to the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the Fringe after its sell-out premiere in April 2022. This is the place where I started my one woman shows. It is the storytelling aspect of poems that I enjoy in performance.
“I love that people can respond together in the same room to these glimpses of life, as you do with a film, or a photograph, or a good piece of theatre. A good poem should grab you in the same way these other art forms do.”
Morna is an Edinburgh-based theatre director, performer, singer and writer whose work has appeared throughout Scotland and abroad. She has toured extensively in Scotland and has directed and performed with a range of international artists from throughout Europe and Africa, also working professionally in Milan, Dublin, Hamburg and Denmark.
Previous work has included Fringe successes ‘Bonnie Fechters: Songs and Stories of Women of Courage’ and ‘Gie’s Peace’, about women peace activists. She has performed Shakespeare at Glastonbury and recently acted with English Theatre Milan on a Zoom production of the French farce “Box and Cox”.
She has also led many theatre workshops, including writing for stage with mentees having their work developed and shown in venues ranging from community centres to the Royal Court Upstairs.
Poetry and spoken word performances have included COP26, Hillhead Bookshop, Glasgow, Hunter S Thomson, Dundee. In June 2020 Morna won the Scottish Book Trust Fast Fiction Award.
Producer, Writers and Activists Programme, Edinburgh International Book Fringe
GIE’S PEACE
★★★★ Scots Gay Arts “Brilliantly dark humour”
RECOMMENDED “a clever, wistful look at the effects wars had on the world” Fringe Review
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LOCKDOWN ONLINE EVENTS
Fire is Not the Only Element
Edinburgh Performing Arts Development Zoom Platform Event
Audience Comments
Gorgeous use of language … wonderfully performative… Connects with the audience at various stages of life… It has biographical power… stunning… loved the voice and delivery … full of compassion and humanity – as well as womanhood ” and ” I don’t like poetry, but I liked that – let me know when you do it again ”
EnglishMilan TheatreInternational Zoom Production (Fringeat the Space)
Box and Cox by John Maddison Morton
“All three performers succeeded in representing the eccentricity of the protagonists with an astonishing sense of humour and irony”.
Gioia Angeletti, Specialist in Scottish Theatre and Literature, Parma University
“Delightful tongue-in-cheek Victorian farce in Zoom form offers a laugh a minute and a chance to enjoy the actors’ ability in adjusting to a new medium”.
Patricia Anne Kennan, Adjunct Professor at Bicocca University, Milan “A special mention to Morna Burdon as Mrs Bouncer, who conveyed so much with the merest twitch of an eyebrow and/or lip.” Wilma G Stark, Translator,Writer, Storyteller
Union United Methodist Church was established in 1857. For over 160 years it has been a hub for Christ-centered ministry in the Irmo, SC area.
Union is well-known in the community for its loving and welcoming congregation, outstanding facilities, many ministries, and excellent music. The Music and Worship Arts Ministry of Union UMC consists of the Chancel Choir, Unity Choir, Youth Choir, two Children’s Choirs, the Union Brass, Mary Bonnett Chancel Chimers (handbells), Leaps of Faith (liturgical dance, three ensembles, all ages), Orchestra (special events), and the ElevenTen Praise Band.
As the primary musical ensemble for “traditional” worship at Union, the Chancel Choir performs a weekly anthem and leads musical worship for the 9:00am Sunday Worship Service.
The Choir frequently collaborates with other Union ensembles for special performances incorporating soloists, liturgical dance and additional instrumentation.
Once a quarter, the Chancel Choir becomes the Unity Choir, inviting people of all ages to come experience singing with the group. In addition to weekly worship responsibilities, the various ensembles of the Ministry collaborate to produce two to three major worship events and/or concerts every year.
The Union Chancel Choir has performed on tour in Austria and Hungary with Dr. Larry Wyatt and the University of South Carolina Concert Choir (2006). They have also performed in massed choirs conducted by Dr. Alicia Walker at Carnegie Hall (World Premiere performance of World Without End by Daniel Elder, 2015) and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center (Mass in Blue by Will Todd, 2019). The Chancel Choir is thrilled to be going on tour to England and Scotland this summer (2022).
Donald Kirkindoll
Donald Kirkindoll, Director of Music Ministries at Union United Methodist Church in Irmo, South Carolina, earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Centenary College of Louisiana, and the Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of South Carolina, where he was a student of Dr. Larry Wyatt.
An experienced vocalist, Kirkindoll has performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center, as well as concerts in Germany, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, South Africa, and throughout the southeastern U.S.A., including two performances of Star Wars in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Anthony Daniels, and the World Premiere performance of Lux: The Dawn from On High by Dan Forrest with the Greenville Chorale and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
He performed as a baritone and soloist for the Greenville Chorale and the professional Herring Chamber Ensemble from 2014 through 2018 under the direction of Dr. Bingham Vick, Jr.
Kirkindoll has directed choirs of all ages in churches, schools, and community organizations for the last twenty-five years. He has served as the Director of Music Ministries at Union UMC in Irmo, SC, Advent UMC in Simpsonville, SC, and Ashland UMC in Columbia, SC. Previously, he served as the Choral Director at Blythewood High School and the Vocal Director of the Tri-District Arts Consortium.
Choirs under his direction have performed at Walt Disney World (solo concert at Epcot, 2011), Carnegie Hall (World Premiere performance of The Peacemakers by Karl Jenkins, 2012) and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center (Mass in Blue by Will Todd, 2019).
The Music Ministry of Union UMC continues to thrive and grow under Kirkindoll’s direction. In the summer of 2022, the Union Choir will perform on tour at Wesley’s Chapel (London, England), Canterbury Cathedral (Canterbury, England), St. Helen’s Church – Stonegate (York, England), and Canongate Kirk (Edinburgh, Scotland).
He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and best friend, Kriss, and their daughter, Nat.
Clifford Leaman
Critics have hailed Clifford Leaman as “an artist of the first order…intuitive, exciting, and enthralling.” (Paul Wagner, The Saxophone Journal) Leaman reveals himself to be {an} artist of technical brilliance and emotional commitment.” “The range of colors is impressive…” (Jack Sullivan, American Record Guide)
Associate Dean, Director of Graduate Studies, and Professor of Saxophone at the University of South Carolina, Leaman is in great demand as a soloist and clinician and has performed and taught throughout the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, and China.
Leaman has recorded four compact discs with piano, and two discs with percussionist Scott Herring as the RoseWind Duo. In addition to his work with piano and marimba, Leaman has performed as a concerto soloist with numerous Wind Ensembles and Orchestras and has recorded concerti by Brant, Bassett, and Dahl.
He has given masterclasses at major schools of music and conservatories across the globe, including the Northwestern, Eastman, Michigan, North Texas, Florida State, Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, Strasbourg, Aragón, Escola Catalunya, Beijing Central, Shanghai, and the Sichuan Conservatories, among many others.
An avid supporter of contemporary music, Leaman has commissioned and given the world premiere performances of over 35 works, including concerti by William Bolcom, Leslie Bassett, Frank Ticheli, Stacy Garrop, and Michael Colgrass. Leaman is an artist-clinician for D’Addario and the Conn-Selmer Company, Inc. and performs exclusively on Selmer saxophones and D’Addario Reserve reeds.
EIGHT Edinburgh Festival Fringe producing venues – Assembly, Dance Base, Gilded Balloon, Just the Tonic, Pleasance, Summerhall, Underbelly and ZOO – are coming together for the first time to launch an updated show ticketing and reviews platform, edfest.com – providing audiences with a central hub for easy booking, information and reviews of ‘the best curated shows on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’.
With tickets now on sale, edfest.com provides a centralised booking and reviews hub providing access to 1,159 shows across comedy, dance, theatre, and music at 140 venues, featuring performers from 32 different countries.
Some notable performers and shows in the 2022 edfest.com line up are:
Assembly: Choir of Man, Beats on Point, Friendsical, Love Loss & Chianti and Queenz
DanceBase: Ballet Ireland, Scottish Dance Theatre, Dan Daw Creative Projects
Gilded Balloon: Late’n Live, Maisie Adam, Leith Social, Henry Naylor, Jack Docherty
Just The Tonic: Jimeoin, Tom Stade, Aliya Kanani, Jack Gleadow, Anthony Deveto
Pleasance: Freedom Ballet of Ukraine, Sophie Duker, Ben Hart, Tim Vine, SK Shlomo
Summerhall: Learning to Fly, Life is Soft, Mama Love, Talisk, Efterkland
Underbelly: La Clique, Rhys Nicholson, Dragons & Mythical Beasts, Circa: Humans 2.0, Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
ZOO: Night Dances, Runners, Rocky, Sad Book, Far Gone, Every word was once an animal
The new edfest.com website has been designed to give audiences a more bespoke experience, allowing them to search and find shows they will love.
Companies and venues will update information on a regular basis and the public will be encouraged to review shows and share with their friends. The new experience gives ticket buyers a more rounded view of what’s on offer, replacing what word of mouth and poster clippings have done in the past.
Speaking on behalf of the eight edfest.com venues, Jim Hollington, CEO of Dance Base, comments: “The last two years have been incredibly hard for everyone in the arts and entertainment sector. It’s therefore critical that this year’s Edinburgh Fringe is a success, to protect the future of our own organisations, of the performing artists who make the Fringe, and of our contribution to the city of Edinburgh overall.
“As producing venues, we invest a huge amount of time, energy and money curating and producing some of the best entertainment in the world and bringing that to Edinburgh. Whilst the pandemic created numerous challenges, it did allow us to stop and think about how we could collaborate and do things better.
“Across the eight edfest.com venues we share a similar vision and so it made sense for us to pool our sales and marketing resources to drive efficiencies across our own operations and ultimately make things easier for customers. Our box offices will also all be linked and audiences will be able to buy for multiple venues.
“Crucially this year we are going on sale earlier than usual to increase the sales window for bookings and generate much needed revenue.
“Putting the last two years behind us we would like to encourage everyone from Fringe loyalists who turn up every year, to Edinburgh locals and first timers to visit edfest.com, book some spectacular shows and once again enjoy the best possible Edinburgh Fringe experience this August. We can’t wait to get going!”
Mexican military band, Banda Monumental de Mexico, will be taking over the iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade when they return with another show-stopping performance ‘Mexico Celebrates Life’ to this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August.
To mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, part of the performance will be dedicated to Her Majesty and Duke of Edinburgh with a special Monarch butterfly wing costume created in her honour.
Julieta Huerta Aviles, one of the youngest dancers in Banda Monumental de Mexico, was the driving force behind the idea to include the beautiful butterfly wing costumes in this year’s showcase.
Her inspiration is a famous photograph taken of the late Duke of Edinburgh watching the Monarch Butterfly’s migration on a trip to Mexico in 1988 – part of a trip he attended to support a Mexican conservation group whose aim was to protect the Monarch Butterfly from serious threats to the species’ survival.
Julieta Huerta Aviles, performer with Banda Monumental de Mexico said: “The opportunity to share our country’s music and culture with so many people at this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a real privilege.
“The photograph of Prince Philip with the Monarch butterflies is incredibly beautiful and with it being The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, it felt only right that part of our performance and costume honoured both of them in a special way. I am so excited to perform at the Tattoo and I can’t wait to see the costumes take centre stage.”
In 2010, the Tattoo was presented with the official Royal Commemoration by Her Majesty to mark the organisations 60th anniversary and has since been known as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. As part of the Jubilee celebrations, over 50 Tattoo Dancers performed at ‘A Gallop Through History’ which took place at Windsor Castle.
Michael Braithwaite, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Creative Director, said: “It’s such a thrill to have the dynamic and exciting Banda Monumental de Mexico return to the Tattoo this year. Our audience can expect an even bigger spectacle than before, and we can’t wait.
“With the country celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year it’s wonderful to see the performers from Banda Monumental de Mexico pay tribute to both Her Majesty The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in such a poignant way, connecting back to their Mexican roots and culture. We’re excited to see the costumes dazzle in all their glory on the Esplanade.”
All performers from Banda Monumental de Mexico reside from Tehuacán, a town in the state of Puebla which is famously known as the birthplace of many of the greatest musicians in Mexico.
The military band is made up of 120 members between the ages of 12 and 53. The band was formed exclusively for the 2018 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo by the Organizacion Cultural de Intercambios Internacionales México and saw more than 100 performers brought together proudly to share traditional Mariachi music.
This year’s Tattoo theme is ‘Voices’ and the Show will represent the collective power and connection of voice through a spectacular combination of music, dance and military precision from some of the world’s leading armed forces and cultural performers as it returns with a bang this August 5 – 27.
The Show will run from 5 – 27 August 2022. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29 May Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens
StagEHd is a two day festival of theatre, celebrating the performing arts in Edinburgh.
Born out of a conversation about the commercialisation of Edinburgh’s public spaces, StagEHd is an open access, free-to-attend festival of theatre, featuring the best of Edinburgh’s independent, grassroots and community theatre companies.
The festival began partly as a response to the closure of the city’s arts spaces during the 2020 pandemic, by EGTG (Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group) in collaboration with other community theatre companies in the city, as an opportunity to showcase homegrown talent to a local audience.
