Banking group TSB has announced plans to close 36 bank branches across the UK in a move that will see 250 job losses.
TSB’s branch on Leith Walk is among the branches on the hitlist. It will close in September.
Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock commented:“I’m sorry to read of yet another bank closing its doors in Leith. This comes hot on the heels of the RBS closure announcement and it’s another bad move from the banks.
“It’s time for a pause to be called on these closure programmes and solutions sought to stop this rapid decline in high street banking.
“Plenty of my constituents don’t bank digitally, while others just prefer dealing in cash or dealing with human beings.
“They shouldn’t be expected to hotfoot it up to town whenever they need to do a transaction. Taking away options is not progress.
“I’ve written to the bank and asked for a meeting. I will do all I can to help find a long-term solution which can keep local banking services in the community of Leith.”
The Scottish Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith Mike Andersen has hit out at both the Royal Bank of Scotland and the TSB Group, after they respectively announced the closures of their last remaining branches in Leith.
Mike Andersen said: “Access to cash is a hugely important issue to the thousands of residents in the north of the city.
“Not only will locals be losing yet another important service, but it hurts tourists and visitors who may be seeking cash out with normal shop hours to use in local bars and restaurants.
“Lib Dems have consistently called on both our governments, in Edinburgh and London, to do more to support local businesses and find a solution to bank branch closures by introducing schemes such as community hubs.
“Both RBS and TSB need to halt these closures and restore the confidence of local people.”
Jack Caldwell, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Leith Walk said: “Leith as a whole is one of the most densely populated areas in the UK.
“RBS and TSB both need to rethink this announcement and ensure local residents are fairly supported.”
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Forth ward said: “Given that residents are keen for more local services near their homes, it’s incredibly disappointing for my constituents who will now have to travel much further for in-person banking services.“
A spokesman for TSB said: “The decision to close a branch is never taken lightly, but our customers are now doing most of their banking digitally and we need to move to a better balance of digital and face-to-face services.
“We remain committed to a national branch network and through innovation and integration with video, telephone, digital, branch and other face-to-face services TSB customers have more ways to bank with us than ever before.”
Paul Lawrence has been recommended for appointment as the new Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Following a competitive selection process, overseen by a cross-party panel of senior councillors, a final decision will be taken on the appointment today’s meeting of Full Council (9 May).
If the panel’s recommendation is approved, Mr Lawrence is expected to start as Chief Executive on 17 June.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted that following a rigorous recruitment process, Paul Lawrence has been recommended for appointment into the role of Chief Executive.
“We had an extremely high calibre of candidates from across the UK, which is testament to the Council’s – and the city’s – reputation. Subject to councillors’ approval on Thursday, I look forward to welcoming Paul into his new role.”
Current Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, will retire on 14 June, following nine years with the Council, and 42 years of public service.
Paul has been the Council’s Executive Director of Place since 2015, with his responsibilities including planning, housing, transport, regulatory services and environment, as well as economic development and culture.
In this article, Ofcom explain some of the main measures and the difference we expect them to make. Whether you are a parent, carer or someone working with children, this can help you understand what is happening to help children in the UK live safer lives online.
Protecting children is a priority
Protecting children so they can enjoy the benefits of being online, without experiencing the potentially serious harms that exist in the online world, is a priority for Ofcom.
Under the Act social media apps, search and other online services must prevent children from encountering the most harmful content relating to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and pornography. They must also minimise children’s exposure to other serious harms, including violent, hateful or abusive material, bullying content, and content promoting dangerous challenges.
What will companies have to do to protect children online?
Firstly, online services must establish whether children are likely to access their site – or part of it. And secondly, if children are likely to access it, the company must carry out a further assessment to identify the risks their service poses to children, including the risk that come from the design of their services, their functionalities and algorithms. They then need to introduce various safety measures to mitigate these risks.
Our consultation proposes more than 40 safety measures that services would need to take – all aimed at making sure children enjoy safer screen time when they are online. These include:
Robust age checks – our draft Codes expect services to know which of their users are children in order to keep protect them from harmful content. In practice, this means that all services which don’t ban harmful content should introduce highly effective age-checks to prevent children from accessing the entire site or app, or age-restricting parts of it for adults-only access.
Safer algorithms – under our proposals, any service that has systems that recommend personalised content to users and is at a high risk of harmful content must design their algorithms to filter out the most harmful content from children’s feeds, and downrank other harmful content. Children must also be able to provide negative feedback so the algorithm can learn what content they don’t want to see.
Effective moderation – all services, like social media apps and search services, must have content moderation systems and processes to take quick action on harmful content and large search services should use a ‘safe search’ setting for children, which can’t be turned off and must filter out the most harmful content. Other broader measures require clear policies from services on what kind of content is allowed, how content is prioritised for review, and for content moderation teams to be well-resourced and trained.
What difference will these measures make?
We believe these measures will improve children’s online experiences in a number of ways. For example:
Children will not normally be able to access pornography.
Children will be protected from seeing, and being recommended, potentially harmful content.
Children will not be added to group chats without their consent.
It will be easier for children to complain when they see harmful content, and they can be more confident that their complaints will be acted on.
Our consultation follows proposals we’ve already published for how children should be protected from illegal content and activity such as grooming, child sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as how children should be prevented from accessing pornographic content.
Next steps
Our consultation is open until 17 July and we welcome any feedback on the proposals. We expect to finalise our proposals and publish our final statement and documents in spring next year.
First Minister John Swinney has completed the appointment of his ministerial team. Consisting of 11 Cabinet Secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 14 Ministers.
This reduces the size of the Scottish Government by four since the start of the year.
Ivan McKee has returned to Government as Minister for Public Finance. Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick, and Minister for Local Government Empowerment & Planning Joe FitzPatrick have stepped down from their previous roles.
First Minister John Swinney
Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes
Minister for Business Richard Lochhead
Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison
Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Natalie Don
Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan
Minister for Climate Action Gillian Martin
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands)
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd
Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Christina McKelvie
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville
Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart
Minister for Housing Paul McLennan
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport)
Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson
Parliament will be asked to approve the new Ministerial appointments. A detailed breakdown of ministerial responsibilities will be published in due course.
Three people have been arrested and charged after heroin worth a six-figure sum was recovered within a flat in Edinburgh.
On the evening of Tuesday, 7 May, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at a property in Magdalene Way where a quantity of the Class A drug worth an estimated street value of £199,000 was discovered.
Two women, aged 19 and 42, and a 20-year-old man were arrested and charged in connection and were released on an undertaking to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Julie Fowlis and Laura Wilkie who close this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest
Edinburgh Tradfest is now in full swing and seeing a fantastic turnout of audiences to its 11 day programme of events across the city.
The Festival runs until Monday 13 May and this weekend sees a continuation of its packed programme of traditional live music, storytelling and folk film.
Highlights coming up include: Edinburgh Tradfest’s closing concert at the Assembly Rooms (13 May) with vocal superstar Julie Fowlis andhighly respected fiddler Laura Wilkie. Julie Fowlis, forever recognised for singing the theme songs to Disney Pixar’s Brave, and singing live at the opening ceremony of the Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games. will grace the stage with her crystalline and intoxicating vocals, accompanied by special guest Laura Wilkie whose debut solo album Vent – an instrumental exploration or traditional Gaelic waulking songs, is released on 5 July. Laura will perform with musician Ian Carr on guitar/harmonium.
International musicians will also take centre stage, including raucous fiddlers Lena Jonsson and Brittany Haas (8 May), whose powerful fiddle playing is intricate and heart-rending.
Plus, two of Finland’s most visionary musicians Lau Nau and Pekko Käppi will perform their accompanying music score for Je’Vida the first every film made in the Skolt Sami dialect (spoken by only around 300 people) on Fri 10 May, followed by a concert at the Scottish Storytelling Centre that same evening.
Newly formed bands and new work coming up includes Triptic (Greg Lawson, Phil Alexander and Mario Caribe from Moishe’s Bagel) on Fri 10 May and Birdvox (Sarah Hayes, Jenny Sturgeon, Charlotte Printer and Inge Thomson) on Thursday who will debut this Festival. Plus, Malin Lewis launches their new album Halocline (Wed 8 May), Norman&Corrie whose music transcends both jazz and folk will present new music created in Shetland for their forthcoming album later this year (Thu 9 May); and storyteller Daiva Ivanauskatie and musician Gaynor Barradell explore the silence between generations in Fire from the Woods at the Storytelling Centre this Saturday.
New young bands showcasing their talents at our ETF Spotlight event on Sunday 12 May include Miguel Giräo whose latest release The Northern Isles Suite is a collection of music for solo guitar composed of traditional melodies from Orkney and Shetland; Elír who take traditional songs from Scotland and Ireland and merge them with an eclectic range of influences to produce a unique sound (Niamh MacKaveney, David Lombardi, Calum McIlroy); Noah Scott & Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul from Skye who won the Danny Kyle Award at this year’s Celtic Connections; and Beatha a vibrant folk trio (Iona Reid, Kenneth Macfarlane, Cam Lawson) whose traditional folk melodies are infused with a contemporary flair.
Plus, there will be a full weekend of workshops on everything from traditional Zimbabwean song and Scottish step dance, to how to sign, how to improve your onstage patter, and how your favourite music can provide a springboard to your own songwriting ambitions with Evie Waddell, Bruce Ncube, Svend-Erik Engh, Anna-Wendy Stevenson and Karine Polwart.
And, finally, on Friday and Saturday night there will be late night music in the Traverse bar from 22:30 until late with Isla Ratcliff and Dominic Blaikie, and Simon Bradley and Anna-Wendy Stevenson leading the sessions.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people enjoying this year’s programme and the artists are just having THE best time.
“We’re only half way through and we have a huge weekend coming up, so we really hope that the crowds continue and first-timers and regulars will come along, support the artists and have a great time.”
Edinburgh Tradfest runs from Friday 3 May to Monday 13 May.
Major new research from charity RNID has revealed the negative attitudes and behaviours that deaf people and people with hearing loss experience on a regular basis.
The research of 8,151 people found that more than a quarter (27%) of deaf people and people with hearing loss are ignored by most people in public settings.
More than two thirds (67%) told us they have experienced negative attitudes or behaviours in the last year, and almost half (48%) said they also experience this from their own family members.
54% said people tell them ‘It doesn’t matter’ when they struggle to understand, which we know can make people feel like they don’t matter. 47% have experienced people shouting at them.
The impact of this can be huge: people tell us they feel excluded, lonely, and disrespected. Often these experiences cause people to withdraw, to avoid others, and even hide that they are deaf or have hearing loss.
We want people across the UK to stand with us and say that the way deaf people and people with hearing loss are treated really does matter. We know the public want to help, so we’re urging people to follow our three simple tips to be more inclusive, and learn some simple BSL phrases for everyday conversation.
We’re pleased to announce that we have a new offering for local men here at PCHP. We’re opening up our community hub on Thursday mornings 10am – 11.30am for men to come together for a cuppa, chat and board game.
This is a great opportunity to meet new people and find out what else you could get involved in so get your game face on and come along.
Whether you’re a domino champ or just enjoy a light hearted game of scabby queen we’re sure you’ll find our community hub a welcoming space to #connect.
No need to book, just drop-in. Thursday 9th of May, runs weekly.
Veronica Murphy, 70, from Wishaw in North Lanarkshire, is calling for every stroke survivor to get the chance of recovery that she did. Veronica received life-changing rehabilitation treatment after a serious brain haemorrhage in December last year.
Veronica’s call for action comes as the Stroke Association’s ‘Thriving after stroke’ report, published today, urges Health Boards to urgently deliver on government plans to enhance recovery after stroke.
Veronica said: “It was my birthday party on the day I had my stroke. My daughter noticed that there was something wrong with my speech so dialled 999, whereupon I was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow.
“At this point, I couldn’t swallow or move the right side of my body. I was very poorly, and don’t remember much. The doctors couldn’t say what kind of recovery I was going to make, and it must have been hard for my family.”
Veronica was transferred to University Hospital Wishaw, where she was put on a clinical trial and spent 10 weeks undergoing intensive physiotherapy.
She continued: “At first my family couldn’t see any improvement. But then one of my fingers moved, and it gave them a glimmer of hope.
“From then on there was no stopping me. I learnt how to stand, took my first step then gradually more with the support of a rail. My physios were amazing and put so much work into helping me.
“On leaving hospital I was given a plan detailing my goals for returning home. I was assigned a community nurse who checked up on me, noted my progress, and left her phone number asking me to call with any questions, at any time. I continued to get regular home visits from the physiotherapist and occupational therapist, and have achieved my goals of climbing the stairs, making a meal, and walking outside with help from my physio if needed.”
John Watson, Associate Director for Scotland the Stroke Associationsaid: “Life after stroke support is a crucial, but under-provided, part of a stroke survivor’s recovery, helping them to regain independence, communicate, return to work, and deal with the emotional trauma that comes from stroke.
“Core rehabilitation therapies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, are complemented by other forms of support to address longer-term practical, social and emotional needs that many stroke survivors have.
“Veronica’s experience shows how access to good stroke rehabilitation can be life changing. Unfortunately, we hear too many stories of stroke survivors leaving hospital not knowing what happens next, or where to turn.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Scotland, and there are over 130,000 stroke survivors living with the effects of stroke, many with ongoing support needs.
John continued: “Crucially this investment in people’s recovery saves money by helping stroke survivors regain their independence and reducing ongoing support needs.
“It has never been more important than now, to get life after stroke support right.”
The Stroke Association want to ensure every stroke survivor should:
Leave hospital with a personalised rehabilitation plan.
To maximise the benefit of post-hospital support, every stroke survivor should have their own rehabilitation plan. This should be agreed with the patient and their family or carers and issued before leaving hospital.
Have contact information for ongoing support from stroke services.
Every stroke survivor should have continuity of contact for their recovery from an experienced stroke professional who is familiar with them.
Receive a review of their progress and needs six months after their stroke.
Almost two thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability, with their needs evolving throughout their recovery. It is therefore vital they receive post-stroke reviews to identify these changes and plan further support or intervention.
Scotland’s Stroke Improvement Plan (2023)points to key pillars of holistic rehabilitation incorporating life after stroke support, including:
Personalised care and support
Patients and practitioners work jointly towards agreed goals
Support to overcome communication and other difficulties affecting patient capacity for decision-making
Psychological and emotional support
Six-month reviews carried out by a healthcare professional knowledgeable and experienced in stroke and familiar with the patient
Consideration of those with caring responsibilities.
Dr Matt Lambert, National Clinical Lead for Stroke and Specialty Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer:“What distinguishes stroke from other neurological conditions is the capacity for recovery. We know that getting the right support, in the right amounts, for as long as it is needed, makes all the difference.
“I want to see every stroke survivor resume their life with enhanced capacity, and with reduced need for ongoing support.
“This clearly benefits those who have had a stroke but also reduces their longer-term dependency on relatives, carers and health and social care services which benefits society more widely.”
Veronica concluded:“More recently, I am thrilled to report that I am now able to walk and pick up my four-year-old grandson, Nathan, from nursery!
“My family means everything to me. Without their support, and the specialist support from NHS Lanarkshire, I don’t know if I would be as well as I am today.
“If there was more investment in stroke rehabilitation, there would be less people requiring support, enabling them to work and be part of their community. It’s a win-win situation. I hope health boards can get on with meeting the commitments in the stroke plan and look forward to seeing Scotland leading in this area.”
The Fringe’s original home of comedy, Gilded Balloon. have revealed their full line-up for 2024’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, adding huge names including Jack Docherty taking on Scot Squad’s The Chief, sketches and stand-up from Paul Black, brand new comedy play Chemo Savvy in tribute to the late Andy Gray, live comedy podcast The Guilty Feminist, Kim Blythe’s Fringe debut, a trip down Scottish musical history in Broadside Ballads and more.
Gilded Balloon shows take place from 31st July – 26th August with tickets on sale from 12pm Tuesday 7th May – tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk
Jack Docherty said: “I’m delighted to be performing once again as The Chief. It’s been a while since he brought his wit and wisdom to a live audience and I can’t wait to unleash him at the festival.
“He is, was and will always be, unapologetically, The People’s Chief – Leader of Men.”
Paul Black said, “I’m buzzing to be bringing a brand new show to the Fringe this year and even more excited that we’re doing a sketch show.
“It’ll be a lot of daft sketches and characters, some that people may have seen before if they follow me online and some brand new stuff.”
Grant Stott, Chemo Savvy said:“This new play ‘Chemo Savvy’ was Andy’s idea and finally getting to stage it at the Gilded Balloon, our Fringe ‘home’ for so many years, is perfect.
“I’ve always felt we had unfinished business – as our Fringe adventures ended so abruptly – so this will be a wonderful way to bring this very special chapter to a close. I have no doubt that staging this play in memory of our Big China will be an emotional rollercoaster for every single one of us involved.
“It’s a difficult subject to tackle, but as Andy gloriously showed through his own experience – you had to have laughs along the way.”
Hosting over 130 shows across two venues at Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland, Gilded Balloon returns to the Fringe for its 39th year with an expertly-curated programme of comedy, theatre, children’s shows, magic, improv and more.
Fringe fans can expect; the return of Jack Docherty as Scotland’s favourite cop ‘The Chief’, a brand new hour from Paul Black, comedy play Chemo Savvy inspired by the late great comedian Andy Gray, TikTok star Kim Blythe’s Fringe debut, award-winning podcast The Guilty Feminist, a trip down Scots music history with members of Del Amitri, Orange Juice and The Bluebells in Broadside Ballads, the UK’s leading political podcast The Political Party with Matt Forde plus comedy combined with the city’s best street food at Edinburgh Comedy Social.
BAFTA award winning star of Scot Squad, actor, comedian and writer Jack Docherty returns to Gilded Balloon following rave reviews and a sell-out run in 2023.
Jack’s brand new show The Chief – No Apologies will welcome BCB Scotland’s Scot Squad Chief himself to Edinburgh Fringe, as he looks back on a long career righting wrongs, crushing crime, battling bams and never ever apologising.
Following three consecutive sold out Fringe runs, one of the UK’s brightest comedic talents, Paul Black brings his brand new show All Sorts to Gilded Balloon’s Patter House. Blending sketches and stand-up with characters old and new, All Sorts is a must for fans of Paul’s viral online comedy, which has reached over half a billion views worldwide.
Brand new comedy play Chemo Savvy will make its Fringe debut with a story inspired by the late great comedian Andy Gray and his battle with leukaemia, starring Grant Stott, Jordan Young and Gail Watson.
A rollercoaster of tears and laughter, the show follows the protagonist’s journey, inspired by Andy Gray’s own experiences, as a family is broken and ultimately reunited by the experience, with plenty of gallows humour throughout.
A must for any music fans – take a trip down Scottish music history in Broadside Ballads as members of iconic bands Del Amitri, Orange Juice, Simple Minds and The Bluebells join forces to take audiences on an immersive journey through Scotland’s rich musical heritage, through a captivating blend of music and projection.
Or, journey back to Glasgow in the 1950s as one of Scotland’s most beloved plays takes up residence at Gilded Balloon – The Steamie. Revisit Tony Roper’s loveable characters as four Glaswegian women look ahead to the New Year and all the challenges it may bring.
Comedian Deborah Frances-White will host live shows of her podcast phenomenon The Guilty Feminist at the National Museum of Scotland, welcoming special guests as they discuss topics that face all 21st century feminists following over 150 million downloads of the podcast.
Meanwhile, the UK’s top political podcast returns for two live shows as The Political Party with Matt Forde is set to once again welcome the country’s top political minds, with previous live show guests including Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell.
In this sizzling summer of stand-up, Gilded Balloon will welcome some of Scotland’s top TikTok stars including Kim Blythe, otherwise known as Kimbo, who will make her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.
Following two sold out shows at Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Kim ventures into the world of stand-up comedy in Might As Well, offering a glimpse behind the camera as she navigates the pitfalls of adulthood.
Plus, Glaswegian comic Mark Black will perform a new stand-up and musical hour withThe Drink. The Drugs. The Scratchcairds.
Following rave reviews in Glasgow, fans can follow the comedian’s journey from drug addict to men’s mental health advocate, from gaffs to ice baths, featuring songs, wild characters and Mark’s trademark dark humour.
Back for 2024, Gilded Balloon will host Comedy Night at the Museum, a late night unrehearsed and unrestrained show where comedians from around the world will blur the line between arteFACT and arteFICTION in a completely improvised set prompted by genuine artefacts from the National Museum of Scotland.
Prepare for some historically inaccurate but absolutely hilarious facts and fiction!
Following the success of sell out show Leith Social, Gilded Balloon have joined forces with the city’s favourite foodie hangout, Edinburgh Street Food, to curate a new monthly comedy night kicking off in May, which will expand to weekly shows in August.
Fringe fans can take in the ultimate dinner and a show at Edinburgh Comedy Social with the capital’s funniest night out, and only dog friendly comedy night, serving up the very best street food and small plates – August line-ups to be announced imminently.
It’s a family affair at Gilded Balloon with the captivating Wood Owl and the Box of Wonders, the story of a lonely little owl with an enormous heart featuring beautiful handmade puppets, original music and a fantasy world with an age-old message, guaranteed to delight all the family.
Pop Off, Michelangelo is the world premiere of a musical comedy about two best friends Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo who decide to become the greatest artists of all time so God will forgive them for being gay – expect historical inaccuracies but pure hilarity.
Ravers can relive their youth at Rave New World, with tales of revolution, acid house and mischief marking the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Summer of Love in a show where you may even learn the real words to your favourite 90s dance anthems.
Plus, American Horror Story actress Naomi Grossman pens a love letter to AHS fans in American Whore Story, a behind the scenes look at Naomi’s history of hustling, whilst Jamie Denbo, writer/producer on hit show Grey’s Anatomy presents her alter-ego in Beverly Live! exploring everything from her golden years in California to how to avoid being cancelled.
TikTok star Siomha Hennessy ventures out from cornering strangers in the smoking area to tell them her life story to doing it in a theatre instead with comedy cabaret show 30 Under 30; 2023 sell out sensations 1 Hour of Insane Magic return; award winning duo The Awkward Silence journey through your wildest dreams in hallucinatory sketch comedy feast Mind Milk; and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Andrew Clover faces reality after sailing the Atlantic and making a life changing discovery.
With over 130 shows to choose from, Gilded Balloon’s Fringe 2024 programme is a veritable feast of huge names, new comedic talent, exhilarating magic shows, thrilling theatre and classic shows like Late’n’Live and So You Think You’re Funny?
Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “We’re thrilled to unveil Gilded Balloon’s full programme for 2024 with a fantastic blend of rising stars, big names and weird and wonderful shows set to entertain audiences in Edinburgh this summer.
“Welcoming back the likes of Jack Docherty and Paul Black with new shows following sell-out runs last year is so exciting and we’re particularly proud to be working with the wonderful team on Chemo Savvy, which is a beautiful, heartwarming and hilarious tribute to our friend Andy Gray.
“It’s set to be another stellar year for Gilded Balloon across our two venues, especially with the introduction of new shows like Edinburgh Comedy Social and the return of Comedy Night at the Museum. We can’t wait to open the doors at Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland and enjoy another incredible month of comedy, theatre, magic, kids shows and more.”
Gilded Balloon’s ‘Pals in Pink’ will welcome audiences from around the world as staff transform Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland into fabulously pink hubs of creativity with acts from every genre descending during the month of August.
Prepare for a pink takeover this August as Gilded Balloon presents the very best rising stars, renowned comedians, spellbinding magic shows, thrilling theatre and wild and wonderful kids shows this Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
