With 453 shows, 3569 artists, and 198,000 tickets, theSpaceUK has helped new artists and audiences experience the Fringe
theSpaceUK is one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 19 theatres across 6 venues. Every genre in the Fringe programme is represented and there’s a strong focus on new-writing and new companies with a wide-range of support provided for artists bringing work to the Fringe for the first time.
198,000 tickets were issued for shows at theSpaceUK this year, a 5% increase on 2023, demonstrating both the resilience of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the strong platform of shows at theSpaceUK. This year saw 453 shows featuring 3569 artists at theSpaceUK representing over 40 different countries. Each day of the 2024 Fringe saw an average of over 8300 audience members watching shows at theSpaceUK with an average of 61% of seats filled per show.
Artists at theSpaceUK were recognised for their work, including a third consecutive Fringe First for Xhloe and Natasha, who were part of theSpaceUK’s artists development programmewith their brand new show, A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First. The duo was also awarded the prestigious Broadway Baby Bobby Award and were shortlisted for the Holden Street Theatre Award, The Brighton Fringe Excellence Award and the Fringe Encore Series Award.
Artists at two shows at theSpaceUK won critical acclaim and picked up Theatre Scotland’s coveted awards. Alexander Tait for Kev Campbell Was He, and Fraser Allan Hogg and Lorna Panton for Shotgunned won the Bright Spark award, which is given to Scottish actors or theatre-makers just embarking on their careers. A further three shows were shortlisted for Theatre Scotland’s award, including Lads of the Flies, Man of War: The Secret Life of Nadezhda Durova,and The Shadow Boxer.
Parky Players, a theatre group for people with Parkinson’s, also celebrated after their show, Shaken Not Stirred, picked up the Garry Robson Memorial Award at the Neurodiverse Review Awards, which aims to recognise disabled and neurodiverse acts at the Fringe. Black Bright Theatre company was also celebrating after its new folk horror about the female experience, Birdwatching, won the Edinburgh Horror Festival Spookies award for Best New Writing and was runners-up in the Best Stage Play and Best Poster Design categories.
Speakbeast, a queer/trans-led theatre company, picked up the Binge Fringe Queer Performer’s Award for The Freemartin. The award honours the commitment of performers to furthering LGBTQIA+ representation. Trawled (Eoin Ryna) was nominated for the BBC Popcorn writing award.
Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK said: “What a year, we are so very proud to have been able to host another fabulous festival at theSpaceUK. Our locations have hosted record numbers with 198,000 audience members attending shows.
“Our unrivalled new writing programme boasts a long line of 5 star reviews and not to mention an array of top awards for our shows, from Fringe First, Best of Scottish Theatre to the iconic Bobbly Awards and award debutantes the Queeries @ Bringe Fringe. We also broke producing records with Xhloe and Natasha winning yet another fringe first to add to their Fringe First awards in 2022 and 2023!!
“We celebrate with all our shows and now look forward to planning our 2025 festival and curating a programme to match that of this year!”
OVER 128,912 TICKETS ISSUED AND 2484 PERFORMANCES FOR GILDED BALLOON’S 39TH FRINGE
One of Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s longest running venues, Gilded Balloon, has rounded off their 39th Fringe season, with over 128,912 tickets issued this month.
Operating in three venues including Patter House, the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Street Food, Gilded Balloon’s programme hosted some of the biggest hits of the Fringe including Mhairi Black’s debut, a sold out run for Andy Gray tribute Chemo Savvy, and debuts from rising stars like Kim Blythe and Chris Weir.
In a year which saw Gilded Balloon operate without their main venue Teviot Row House due to refurbishment, 2024’s Fringe Festival saw an impressive:
over 128,914 tickets issued in 2024
2484 performances from 31st July – 26th August
3 venues: Patter House, National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Comedy Social at Edinburgh Street Food
131 shows in 12 sub venues
1213 Support the Artist tickets sold – customers choosing to give an extra £2 per ticket which goes directly to artists
440 sold out shows
over 86 comedy shows, 23 theatre and music shows, plus a mix of kids shows, cabaret, spoken word and more
1 brand new So You Think You’re Funny? champion with Glaswegian Alana Jackson claiming this year’s crown alongside Ciara O’Connor and Ayo Adenekanin second and third place respectively. The three comics came out on top from an impressive 597 original applicants
Khawla Ibraheemawarded theFilipa Bragança Award for her performance in Oliver Butler’s A Knock on the Roof
over 1500 cans of Gilded Balloon’s very own ‘Hiya Pals’ IPA from local brewers Newbarns
1 new pop up bar, Lucky Penny, welcomed some of Edinburgh’s best foodies to the city with pop-ups from Spitaki’s, Alby’s and more
1 new charity partner with this year’s Pink Wednesday charity day raising money for Waverley Care
Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloonsaid, “2024 was another fantastic year, and Gilded Balloon’s 39th, at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“We welcomed over 128,912 people to our venues to see some outstanding shows across comedy, theatre, musical and kids, as well as sell out runs for Scottish shows including Mhairi Black: Politics Isn’t For Me, Chemo Savvy and Jack Docherty in The Chief. We’ve cemented schemes like Support the Artist, which puts money back in our artists’ pockets and even introduced our own pop up bar this year in collaboration with local brewery Newbarns.
“Our first year in over 23 years without our main venue Teviot Row House has, of course, seen changes to our capacity and amount of shows we could programme, so we’re really looking forward to returning for Fringe 2025. Next year will be Gilded Balloon’s 40th anniversary and we have some hugely exciting plans in the works for returning to a refreshed and refurbished Teviot Row House.
“We’re also so proud to have crowned Glaswegian Alana Jackson as this year’s outstanding winner of So You Think You’re Funny? alongside Ciara O’Connor and Ayo Adenekan in second and third place. From 597 applicants to 10 finalists, it was a fiercely competitive year and, as ever, SYTYF? is a real bright spark for us as comedy producers with so many talented newcomers on the scene.
“However, in a time of constant cuts facing the arts scene, the future of competitions like SYTYF? are precarious and it’s harder than ever for new artists to make their way in the industry.
“We’d like to say a huge thanks to everybody who has supported our artists this year by buying a ticket to their shows this Fringe – it’s more important than ever to support artists where you can, and we’ll see you next year for a pinktastic celebration back at Teviot!”
Gilded Balloon’s 2024 Fringe programme saw debuts from rising comedy stars like Nate Kitch, Kathleen Hughes, Chris Weir, Kim Blythe, and Christopher Hall, as well as mainstays of the comedy scene like Jack Docherty, Michelle Brasier and Grace Campbell.
The month included sold out runs for Mhairi Black’s debut show, Paul Black’s brand new show, and Chemo Savvy, the emotional comedy-play in tribute to Andy Gray. Plus, Fringe stars like Hypnotist Matt Hale and magician Cameron Young entertained audiences throughout August, whilst Gilded Balloon’s legendary Late’n’Live was once against hosted by an all-female and non-binary line-up, welcoming the very best acts from across the Fringe to the late night show
To whom it may concern: As the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe comes to a close, an open letter from SHONA McCARTHY, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
As the curtain falls on the 2024 Festival Fringe, much is being discussed in the spaces, rooms, cafes, and streets of Edinburgh, on the success of this year.
Today it was announced that 2.6 million tickets were issued during the 2024 Fringe, however there is no doubt that the current environment for artists across the UK is of great concern; and the fragility of the performing arts community is palpable.
An outward veneer of success cannot mask the struggle for artists to emerge let alone thrive in the UK right now. While Fringe 2024 has been brilliant, and it is to be celebrated that artists, companies, venues, producers and promoters took huge financial risks and pieced it together and put on the show.
However, the dominant message as we close this year’s festival is that there is no Fringe without art. There is no art without artists.
The cumulative effect of the relentless rise in the cost of everything, and an unhelpful policy environment facing the arts sector has resulted in widespread concern that is keenly felt by artists.
From the availability of affordable accommodation, blunt policy changes which have consequences for major events, to continuous public sector cuts; we need to ensure that the hard won and fragile success isn’t met with complacency by those who can influence change.
It is not enough to have old stories of how important Edinburgh’s festivals were in providing healing and connection after the Second World War. They are important now, contributing hugely to health, well-being, joy and job creation.
The Edinburgh Fringe vision is to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat. That is a commitment to inclusion, to freedom of expression and to being allowed to try and to fail. It is a vision that is increasingly easier to say than it is to do.
I have worked in the arts across the UK for 35 years now, and in the last two decades there has been a journey away from elitism, monoculturalism and exclusion with inspiring developments in access to the arts for all, with still a long way to go.
If the UK continues on an upward trajectory of cuts to arts education, and Scotland continues to decimate investment in the sector, breaking promises of support; then we are on a direct course to job losses, exclusion and boring art that is only the privilege of those who can afford to be part of it, as performers or as audiences.
Here at the Fringe and across the UK, the pipeline of creative potential is under threat. Artistic risk and ambition is hamstrung by an operating context that squeezes out emerging artists that have made the Fringe globally renowned, unique and joyful.
How can the Edinburgh Fringe remain exemplary, exciting, experimental; the only place in the world to be every August? As the most influential arts marketplace in the world, this year over 1,800 arts industry accredited with the Fringe Society, and came to Edinburgh to seek new work for onward touring and broadcast opportunities. Nearly 900 accredited media reviewed shows, interviewed artists and worked tirelessly to support the 3,746 shows that took place this year.
There is no future for the Fringe without art. There isno art without artists. Artists and the venues who host them are at the heart of this event, and there would be no Fringe without them.
They take the risk of bringing work to the festival every year, and while the arts landscape is at a crossroads, we need to ensure that the Fringe, one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture in the world, is protected for the future.
As we celebrate the hundreds of thousands of people who have been moved, delighted, awed, shocked and entertained by the stories artists present across Fringe stages, it feels that now, more than ever, we must not take artists for granted; we would do so at our peril.
SHONA McCARTHY,
Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of the third and last round of the weekly new Festival Awards, The Besties, in the following categories:
The Fringe Legend Award: John Luke Roberts for John-Luke-A-Palooza! at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
The Terrier Award: Eleanor Morton for Haunted House at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
The Heart Award: Khawla Ibraheem and Piece by Piece Productions for A Knock on the Roof at Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
The Inclusivity Award: Teatro La Plaza for Hamlet at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh (Edinburgh International Festival)
The Accessibility Award: Thera Trust for the Gig Buddies initiative
The award ceremony took place on Saturday 24th August at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, hosted by TV presenter Laura Boyd with performances from Edinburgh-based musician Eve Simpson.
The Besties award, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter who has recently graduated from Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, uses recyclable plastics gathered at the Festival Theatre Café and leftover wood sourced locally.
Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and responding to the need for a pan-festivals award, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and others, making them one of only two awards to celebrate the full spectrum of culture in the city.
Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening anywhere in the festivals. The categories reflect the diversity of the magazines’ coverage and might be different every week.
Karen & Katy Koren and the Gilded Balloon are delighted to announce ALANA JACKSON as winner of the 37th edition of the iconic So You Think You’re Funny? – the UK’s most prestigious comedy newcomer competition.
Ciara O’Connor and Ayo Adenekan came second and third place respectively, coming out top from an initial 597 applications and entertaining a sold out crowd at this year’s final at Patter House, hosted by former SYTYF? winner Maisie Adam.
Following hilarious heats across the UK, Glaswegian comic Alana Jackson claimed the crown for this year’s competition after a judging panel including special guest judge Sue Perkins (Comedian and TV Star) plus Susan Provan (Director of Melbourne International Comedy Festival), Bruce Dessau (Editor of Beyond the Joke), Arusa Qureshi (Editor of Fest Mag), Julia Chamberlain (So You Think You’re Funny? Producer) as well as Karen and Katy Koren (Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon) watched 6 minute sets from all 10 finalists, before convening to choose the winner.
The SYTYF? finalists entertained a sold out crowd at Gilded Balloon’s Patter House, expertly compered by 2017 winner Maisie Adam, marking her only live appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Since it began in 1988, previous winners of SYTYF? have included Aisling Bea, Peter Kay, Tommy Tiernan, Lee Mack and more, with the competition renowned for kickstarting the careers of dozens of the UK’s top comics and providing essential support to comedy newcomers.
Karen & Katy Koren and the So You Think You’re Funny? team would like to offer a huge congratulations to 2024’s finalists (in alphabetical order) :
Alana Jackson – WINNER
Alex Gogarty
Ayo Adenekan – 2ND RUNNER UP
Bert Broadbent
Ciara O’Connor – 1ST RUNNER UP
Fab Goualin
Kate Sharp
Laurie Brewster
Paras Patel
Sophia Wren
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon and So You Think You’re Funny? said: “Huge congratulations to Alana Jackson – this year’s very deserving winner of So You Think You’re Funny?
“2024’s competition was one of our biggest and most competitive ever, with an outstanding 597 applicants this year so it’s an incredible feat for these 10 finalists to have made it this far and performed in front of tonight’s sold out crowd.
“So You Think You’re Funny? is the UK’s longest running competition of its kind and year on year it’s wonderful to see alumni return to Gilded Balloon for their debut shows including Joshua Bethania, Kathleen Hughes, Nate Kitch and more this year.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to every comic who entered the competition this year – it was such a talented crop of comedians and we’re sure this year’s finalists will go on to do big things!”
Celebrity guest judge Sue Perkins said, “This was a very tough decision. I was a small part of the judging process and there were so many talented people for us to choose from.
“Well done to everyone who put themselves out there tonight. It’s terrifying and they were brilliant!”
Judges who chose this year’s finalists included: comedians Mark Watson and Jay Lafferty, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Kate Copstick, plus Katy and Karen Koren and more.
Since it began in 1988, So You Think You’re Funny? has kick-started the careers of dozens of the country’s top comics including Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Maisie Adam, Rhod Gilbert, Tommy Tiernan and many more. It is the longest running and most established comedy competition of its kind, solely funded by Gilded Balloon without external sponsors. This year’s winner will receive…
A cash prize.
A fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
A place on Soho Theatre’s coveted Comedy Plus Lab 10-week course supporting emerging comedian’s to develop skills featuring industry advice and masterclasses in the year following the final.
Up to 4 mentorship meetings (virtual or in person) with Channel 4’s Comedy Commissioning team in the year following the final.
A paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition thanks to Festival Republic.
Other paid performance slots at the UK’s best comedy clubs including the Glee Club, the Boat Show and more.
Complimentary headshot photoshoot by professional photographer to the stars, Steve Ullathorne.
Complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the Final to use in their show-reel.
Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors at Gilded Balloon and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer for over 20 years.
There are also prizes for the runners-up including;
A cash prize for the first and second runner up.
Potential to be invited to take part in a fully paid for mixed bill show as part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer.
For more information on So You Think You’re Funny? visit:
It’s not over yet: from pop-rock musicals to queer cabaret icons, cult classics to murder mysteries, and even Ghanian acrobatics alongside a cappella anthems
As Week 3 arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an array of talented artists at theSpaceUK are just embarking on their Fringe journey.
From pop-rock musicals to queer cabaret icons, cult classics to murder mysteries, and even Ghanian acrobatics alongside a cappella anthems.
With over fifty new shows gracing the stages this week, seize the opportunity to take a chance and discover something that will entice, excite, and thoroughly entertain you at theSpaceUK.
Here’s a small taste of the new shows you can catch in Week 3 at theSpaceUK:
It’s a Different World When the Music Stops! Glastonbury (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Glastonbury promises a dream of youth, but after the pandemic, the characters return to seek out an anchor to the past but encounter revelations far beyond their expectations under the stars in the yurt enclosure.
A comedy-drama about love, dreams, death, whiskey, flags, wellies and getting old.
Can you take Essex out of the Girl? Trust Me, I’m from Essex (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett will take you on a journey through life growing up in notorious Essex, England. . Enjoy this fun-filled journey with laughter, singing, and down-right drama. Trigger warnings: there are themes of an adult nature.
Fresh New One Man Musical! Zac Zac Zoom: A Story of Wheels and (F)eels (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) A brand-new musical comedy that was supposed to be about exploring life in a wheelchair… But Zac has something much eelier he’d like to talk about.
A hilarious one-man musical, written and performed by Zachary Loram, will have you asking the question… so, how do eels have sex?
An Electrifying, Intimate, New Play What the F*ck Happened to Love and Hope (theSpace on the Mile) Sixteen-year-old Nina is cheeky and naive, experiencing the thrills of young love at school, until a night out takes a horrific turn when she’s spiked, leaving her to navigate the devastating aftermath. Usually confident and outspoken, Faye insists she’s perfectly okay—definitely.
A Sensory Journey into a Seductive World… Auto/Erotic Tango (theSpace Triplex) Prepare to be taken on an intense, drama-fuelled journey. A heady mix of sensual dance, hypnotic music, lifts, kicks and tricks… After the opening night of their new show Tango Passion, an Argentine dance couple find themselves in a trap of their own creation… away from the shimmery stage lights and social media circus, who are they really?
Carly Gibson: salt-of-the-earth, boss bartender with a freeloading cousin. When her stage mom runs off with her money, Misty is broke, squatting on her cousin’s sofa “up north”, and working behind a posh hotel bar.
A Fragmented Fantasy… NeuroChatter (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Elliott: a defensive yet laid-back aspiring artist. And Host: the reluctant, vulnerable core-self… hiding beneath them both.
Can Host take back her true heart and autonomy, or will she forever remain stuck behind the two dominant alter-egos that steer her mind, fight for her body and control over her life?
A summer like no other… Hot Girl Summer (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Being single in her mid-twenties… how hard can it be? Post-breakup, Tilly jets off on a girls’ trip to Barcelona and impulsively lands a job in London.
Leaving behind her small-town life in Scotland, she dives into her new life, and begins the treacherous journey of navigating life in The Big Smoke.
She plans a summer like no other, but the reality is far from the Pinterest board she has envisioned.
A Laugh Out Loud True Story Blood, Sweat and Beers: How One Man Overcame a Complete Lack of Ability to Represent His Country (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) As a kid, Mick Colliss always dreamed of playing for Australia. He tried a number of different sports, from rugby union to lawn bowls, but failed at all of them. But then, at the age of 42, a chance discovery on the way to a Wallabies game changed everything. He finally got to wear the green and gold – just not in the way you might think.
Classic Tunes and Delightful Chaos Undecided: A Musical Misadventure (theSpace on the Mile, 19-24) Durham University’s 2 x national musical theatre champions are bringing you a show full of iconic musical songs and beloved musical characters to Edinburgh this summer! Laugh yourself silly as you, the audience, vote for which of your favourite musical theatre characters find themselves in the wrong song, and watch in amazement as our troupe members belt out classic tune after classic tune.
Deep Seated Rivalry… Sammy Blew Up a Toilet (theSpace @ Venue 45, 19-24) The story follows instant best friends Azza and Jake as they are forced to take in Sammy – a teacher’s pet, snitch and all-round strange person. Azza and Sammy become frenemies, kept together by unfortunate circumstances and peacemaker Jake. Jump into a nostalgia-filled world with eccentric characters, childhood shenanigans and an exploding toilet!
It’s Hot Fuzz meets Sweeney Todd. Prime Meat (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) Prime Meat is a horror comedy that follows Esme and Chris Stockton who, five years ago, moved to the idyllic Cotswold village of Raperton-on-the-Water. While Esme has adapted to village life, Chris is struggling. As Roland and Cherry help them prepare for the imminent community fete, the sinister reality of the village is revealed.
It’s Just Another Day at the Puppet Orphanage. Bucket Head (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) A closed-down puppet orphanage reopens, leaving resident squatters Ozzie Airwalker and Jim Horgletooth having to deal with new friends and challenges. A feel-good family show for everyone. Inspired by Saturday Morning Cartoons, a show packed with laughs and heart.
Who Knew Life Underground would be this Cosy? Six Feet Under (theSpace Triplex, 19-24) America. The 60s. Nuclear war. Eight neighbours escape to the safety of their underground bunker. Under the dim, flickering lights of their metal coffin, they have no idea how long they’ll be spending in each other’s company – and even less of an idea when rescue will come. They may be tucked safely away from the horrors on the surface, but perhaps the real danger still lurks within.
A Tribute to Sheer Young Adult Confusion. Sent from my Phone, (theSpace Triplex, 19-24) Close yourself in a windowless office with Lola, Penelope and Chad to explore their roots, vices and dreams.
How far will Lola go to get her Visa? How can Penelope do the right thing when everyone is lying to her? Will Chad be able to save the girl he loves from herself? It appears a night of shredding paper is all it takes to find out.
Based on the Hit Reality TV Show… Love Is Blind: The Improvised Musical (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) If you enjoy exploring human relationships’ ups and downs (and sideways!) through musical comedy, this show is for you!
Characters will be built based on audience suggestions and dates, and some will fall in love without ever seeing each other. The couples will have to decide whether love really is blind at the altar, but which relationships will last until the reunion one year later? And which will tear themselves apart?
The Besties is a new series of awards celebrating the best across Edinburgh’s August Festivals. The Award is a partnership between The Skinny & Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland.
The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of the second round of the weekly new Festival Awards, The Besties, in the following categories:
The award ceremony took place on Saturday 17th August at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, hosted by comedian Josephine Lacey whose show Autism Mama is at the Pleasance Courtyard, with performances from Orkney musician Catriona Price who performed earlier this week at Queen’s Hall and Edinburgh New Town Church, celebrating her debut album, Hert.
The Besties award, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter who has recently graduated fromInterior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, uses recyclable plastics gathered at the Festival Theatre Café and leftover wood sourced locally.
Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and responding to the need for a pan-festivals award, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival which started on Thursday 15 August, and others, making them the one of the only awards to celebrate the full spectrum of culture in the city.
Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening anywhere in the festivals. The categories will reflect the diversity of the magazines’ coverage and might be different every week.
The third and last ceremony will take place on Saturday 24th August.
The UK’s leading comedy newcomer competition, So You Think You’re Funny? (SYTYF?) has revealed this year’s 10 finalists, plus confirmed comedian and TV star Sue Perkins will be 2024’s celebrity guest judge.
Following months of regional showcases and competitive heats, a panel of judges decided this year’s finalists as Gilded Balloon once again get set to crown comedy’s next rising star.
Plus, Gilded Balloon has announced SYTYF received an impressive 597 applications in 2024, an over 20% increase from 2023 meaning this year’s competition was tougher than ever.
The judges have confirmed 10 finalists for the second year in a row, and for only the third time in the competition’s history, with this year’s finalists set to perform in the So You Think You’re Funny? Grand Final hosted by Maisie Adam on 22nd August at Patter House.
TV star and one of Britain’s best loved comedians Sue Perkins will be this year’s guest judge, joining a panel including Katy and Karen Koren, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Bruce Dessau, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director Susan Provan, SYTYF producer Julia Chamberlain and Sue Perkins.
Sue and her fellow judges will watch all 10 finalists perform a 7 minute spot on the night, before conferring and choosing the ultimate winner. The final will be hosted by 2017 SYTYF winner Maisie Adam, marking her only live appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
2024’sSo You Think You’re Funny? Finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Alana Jackson
Alex Gogarty
Ayo Adenekan
Bert Broadbent
Ciara O’Connor
Fab Goualin
Kate Sharp
Laurie Brewster
Paras Patel
Sophia Wren
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon and So You Think You’re Funny? said: “We’re thrilled to reveal this year’s SYTYF? finalists, with this year’s judging panel once again deciding to submit 10 finalists, instead of 9, for only the third time in the competition’s history.
“It’s extremely positive news for the UK’s comedy industry that our judges felt so strongly about the strength of these 10 comedy newcomers, and we hope that all 10 are set for a very bright future.
“We’re also ecstatic to welcome comedy legend Sue Perkins as this year’s celebrity guest judge, as well as our good friend and former SYTYF? winner Maisie Adam to host the final.
“It’s shaping up to be an incredible night of comedy and as always, it’s been extremely tough to whittle an astonishing 597 applicants down to this final 10, from regional showcases in London, Manchester, Glasgow and more, as well as heats throughout this year’s Fringe.
“We wish all of the finalists the very best of luck and can’t wait to see who claims this year’s crown!”
Judges who chose this year’s finalists included: comedians Mark Watson and Jay Lafferty, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Kate Copstick, plus Katy and Karen Koren and more.
Since it began in 1988, So You Think You’re Funny? has kick-started the careers of dozens of the country’s top comics including Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Maisie Adam, Lee Mack, Tommy Tiernan and many more so this year’s Grand Final is the chance to see some of comedy’s next big stars at the beginning of their career.
Dedicated to providing a stage for emerging talent, the competition is only open to new acts who have performed less than 15 spots and are currently unsigned.
This year’s finalists performed at regional showcases across the UK, before performing in front of a panel of judges and audiences at Competition Heats throughout August at Gilded Balloon. The finalists now have one last chance to impress the judges with a 7 minute slot at the Grand Final next week.
On its 37th anniversary, the finale is a hugely popular night with two hours of top comedy and the chance to see the brightest rising stars before they make it big! Some of the UK’s most established and successful comedians and TV performers competed in So You Think You’re Funny? across the years – from Jason Byrne to Alan Carr, Rhod Gilbert to Russell Howard.
So You Think You’re Funny? is the longest running and most established comedy competition of its kind, solely funded by Gilded Balloon without external sponsors. Each year, the winner of the competition will receive…
A cash prize.
A fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
A place on Soho Theatre’s coveted Comedy Plus Lab 10-week course supporting emerging comedian’s to develop skills featuring industry advice and masterclasses in the year following the final.
Up to 4 mentorship meetings (virtual or in person) with Channel 4’s Comedy Commissioning team in the year following the final.
A paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition thanks to Festival Republic.
Other paid performance slots at the UK’s best comedy clubs including the Glee Club, the Boat Show and more.
Complimentary headshot photoshoot by professional photographer to the stars, Steve Ullathorne.
Complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the Final to use in their show-reel.
Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors at Gilded Balloon and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer for over 20 years.
There are also prizes for the runners-up including;
A cash prize for the first and second runner up.
Potential to be invited to take part in a fully paid for mixed bill show as part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer.
For a taste of the country’s most exciting new comics, audiences can also see the top three acts from 2023’s competition at Best of So You Think You’re Funny? as Samira Banks, Lizzie Norm and Christopher Donovan perform in a line-up show at Gilded Balloon’s Patter House. Plus, SYTYF 2022 winner Joshua Bethania performs his debut hour every day at 5.20pm.
Sixth annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit brings the total amount raised for The Brain Tumour Charity to over £138,000
Comedy starsDara Ó Briain, Milton Jones, Rose Matafeo, Angela Barnes, Ian Smith, Carl Donnelly, Kanan Gill, Amy Gledhill, Takashi Wakasugi and James Roque came together last night (Tuesday 13th August) in support of a special charity benefit at McEwan Hall.
The one-night-only show returned for its sixth year to raise money for TheBrain Tumour Charity – the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.
It has been announced today {Wednesday 14th Aug] that the 2024 Underbelly Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised almost £15,000. (UPDATE -Thursday 15th: That total has risen to £28,000!) All the money raised will go to The Brain Tumour Charity – a cause which is very close to Underbelly’s heart. The annual show was inspired by seven-year-old Alfie Bartlam, son of Underbelly Director Ed and his wife Lucinda, who died of a brain tumour in 2019.
100% of the ticket income goes straight to The Brain Tumour Charity. This and an additional £1,541 in donations brought thetotal raised on the night to £14,428.
Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder, said: “A huge thank you to the amazing performers from last night, to the incredible audience members, and to everyone who contributed through our JustGiving page. Your support means so much to us.
“Underbelly is so proud to have raised £14,428 from last night’s show, with all box office income going directly to The Brain Tumour Charity and our specific fund to support an incredibly exciting paediatric brain tumour research and treatment project. Our goal is to raise £1.5 million by 2025 for this project.
“We’re doing this through a range of fundraising events and this annual Fringe show is an important part of that.”
Hannah Bowler, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are so proud to partner with Underbelly for the 6th Big Brain Tumour Benefit and are grateful for their continued support and loyalty.
“The event is a much-loved part of the fringe, and it is wonderful to see the support received from the comedians, audience members and the brilliant Underbelly team.
“Partnerships like these are so important in helping us raise vital funds for research and awareness of the devastating impact of a brain tumour. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and they reduce life expectancy by 27 years, the highest of any cancer and this must change.
“The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts with a goal of doubling survival rates and halving the harm that brain tumours have on the quality of life – and it is only through the support from so many people like Ed, Charlie and the brilliant Underbelly team that we can strive towards those goals.
“It’s fantastic that the Big Brain Tumour Benefit has returned this year and has been able to raise £14,428. Thank you all for your incredible support.”
Research into brain tumours is severely underfunded in the UK and yet represents the biggest cancer killer for under 40s.
Around 500 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed each year but diagnosis times of childhood brain tumours are longer in the UK than in many other countries.
To further support the Brain Tumour Charity, please visit its Better Safe Than Tumour campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of a brain tumour to improve early diagnosis times.
Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit is a one-night-only show. For more information on the wider programme for the remainder of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, please visit the website here.
Care Home Residents Enjoy The 3rd Annual Fringe Cares Festival
2024 Fringe Cares Festival – conceived by The Edinburgh Interfaith Association back in 2023 – started once again with a very successful event at Queen’s Manor Care Home on Queensferry Road.
Performers from all over the world take part in the Fringe Cares Festival which brings a taste of the musical & theatrical talents of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to all residents of 7 care homes in the city, in a partnership sponsored by Barchester Healthcare, The Edinburgh Interfaith Association, Scottish Care and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.
Queens Manor Care Home, the founding care home Residents, relatives, friends and staff – along with several guests from the local community, were able to participate in a full afternoon of entertainment.
Lord Provost Councillor Robert Aldridge attended and said, “This is my favourite part of the Fringe!”
The event included a piper on arrival, drinks canapes and cocktails. Street performer Andie Mars with her impressive hula hoops displays, forget me Nots Children’s’ Parties provided face painting and visiting Princess Ariel. Matthew Shiel, award winning classical pianist played in the foyer.
The main act – “Ella, Etta and Eartha”, singer Melissa Western and her accompanists rounded off the show in a performance inspired by those legendary female singers.
Professor Joe Goldblatt, who inspired and instigated the Fringe Cares Festival explained: “The first year my wife and I sponsored one performer and I was amazed when residents who had not spoken for months suddenly burst forth into song, in French, when a Fringe performer began to sing the Edith Piaf classic ‘La vie en rose’.
“As they sang along, I was speechless and in awe of the power of musical memories to inspire their strong positive emotions and awaken their senses. The events of this year so far at Queens Manor were no less than spectacular – offering the same level of amazement that we had in our founding year!”
Margaret-Ann Davidson, General Manager of Queens Manor in Edinburgh, said: “I am delighted the Queens Manor Team is able to support our residents to participate in such an exciting initiative, which has grown each year; and we are proud to be part of Barchester Healthcare, the founding sponsor for this special programme.
“Music, entertainment, time with loved ones and friends are key elements of life enrichment for all care home residents. In years gone by the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe would have been part of the lives of many of those in our care.
“Through the Fringe Cares Festival, we are able to bring a flavour of the excitement, fun, and delights of the Festival Fringe to our residents at home. The long-term aim of this project is to help ensure that all care home residents in Edinburgh have access to the Fringe Cares Festival in the next 10 years – regardless of care provider.
“There are many other entertainers participating at the other 6 care homes. We look forward to the feedback and photographs”.
The executive director of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, Iain Stewart said: “EIFA is very proud to have conceived this programme as part of our commitment to bringing people together to celebrate, communicate, and appreciate one another through music.
“The 36-year-old EIFA is the oldest interfaith association and represents all faiths and none promoting respect, understanding, peace and love.
The Fringe Cares Festival at Barchester dramatically demonstrates that we may all come together and benefit through music”.
We are already looking at inspiration and planning for this event in 2025 – if you would like to be involved or become a sponsor, please reach out to either Joe Goldblatt at joe@joegoldblatt.scot or margaretann-davidson@barchester.com.
