Edinburgh venue Gilded Balloon has unveiled a new charity partner for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, joining forces with Scottish charity Waverley Care this August for their legendary Pink Wednesday event.
The new partnership will see Gilded Balloon raise vital funds for Waverley Care throughout the month and specifically on 2024’s Pink Wednesday (7th August) – a fun-filled day of ticket discounts, fancy dress and competitions in aid of charity.
Gilded Balloon will host Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity at both of their Fringe venues this year – Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland.
Founded in 1989 in response to the HIV epidemic in Edinburgh, the charity now focuses on ending new HIV transmission in Scotland by 2030, while continuing to support people and communities affected by HIV, hepatitis C and sexual health inequalities.
As one of Edinburgh Fringe’s original venues, Gilded Balloon created Pink Wednesday in 2018 to combat ‘Black Wednesday’ – a day traditionally known for slower ticket sales across the Festival.
The 24 hour event will see £5 ticket deals on some of Gilded Balloon’s biggest shows for one day only, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Waverley Care. Acts, customers and staff will join in the fun by dressing in pink for the day, collecting charity donations throughout both venues.
Plus, customers can donate to Waverley Care all throughout August via QR codes in Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland.
Renowned for their pink venues which take over Edinburgh in August, Gilded Balloon’s Pink Wednesday will see £5 tickets on sale from venue box offices and Gilded Balloon’s website on the day for huge comedy shows including Jack Docherty in The Chief – No Apologies, Grace Campbell Is On Heat, Chris Hall: Girl For All Seasons, Joshua Bethania: Coming Home, Late’n’Live and many more.
Families can bag a bargain whilst supporting charity, seeing shows including Hypnotist Matt Hale!, Wood Owl and the Box Of Wonders and Lost in the Woods, or enjoy £5 tickets for some of the Fringe’s best magicians like Martin Brock, Caspar Thomas and Cameron Young.
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Waverley Care as our new charity partner for 2024 and can’t wait to welcome their staff to our venues on Pink Wednesday for a day of pink-fuelled ticket discounts in aid of a really important cause.
“Waverley Care has been at the forefront of vital work for those affected by HIV and hepatitis on a national level for over 35 years and we’re delighted to lend our support to them for the whole month of August.
“It’s always fantastic to see our acts, staff and customers join in the fun and support a new charity every year, whilst enjoying some of the very best shows at the Fringe for only £5 – don your best pink outfits and we’ll see you there!”
Siobhan Cameron, Fundraising Officer at Waverley Care, said: “Waverley Care are thrilled to be chosen as Gilded Balloon’s charity partner this Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“We are so excited to be working with one of Scotland’s leading entertainment venues, reaching more audiences than ever before with our #GetToZero message, and raising vital funds to support anyone affected by HIV or hep C in Scotland.”
Waverley Care is Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity, and everything they do is guided by the experiences of the people they work with – this ranges from shaping the services they deliver through to how they influence national policy around sexual health and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).
Waverley Care’s vision is a Scotland where anyone living with or at risk of HIV can expect to be treated with acceptance, support and respect.
Acts across Gilded Balloon’s jam-packed Fringe roster will take part in discounted tickets for one day only on Pink Wednesday, with a percentage of ticket sales donated to Waverley Care.
With over 130 shows across two venues including Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland, Gilded Balloon’s programme covers comedy, theatre, magic, kids shows and much more.
A spectacular line-up as theSpaceUK announces its full programme for the 2024 Fringe
theSpaceUK announces its full 2024 programme with over 400 exciting shows
Largest new-writing programme at the Fringe, packed full of hidden gems
Club Life, the 2023 Fringe First-winning club/theatre immersive experience, returns for eight performances only!
Grammy award-winning cellist Leah Coloff stars in Super Second Rate, the compelling story of playing alongside music greats like David Bowie and Debbie Harry
Double Fringe First winners Xhloe & Natasha ride back into town with their brand-new show, A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First
…and join theSpaceUK for an EdFringe first in conjunction with ITVX as we present live at the fest, a global broadcast of the festival’s best comedians, live from the Grand Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall and hosted by your favourite comedians.
theSpaceUK is announcing the full 2024 programme with over 400 shows on sale at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The 2024 line-up features the return of Fringe favourites and a packed programme of new writing and companies.
Audiences can see the full programme and purchase tickets via theSpaceUK website (www.thespaceuk.com).
Theatre Highlights
Double Fringe First winners Xhloe and Natasha return with A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First and explore the blurred lines between childhood fantasy and harsh reality. Club Life, the 2023 Fringe First-winning club/theatre immersive experience, returns for eight performances only! Lemon Jelly’s Fred Deakin hosts an interactive joy ride through his 80s/90s clubland adventures.
Jess by Glass Half Full Theatre offers an honest look into a woman’s life facing loss and heartbreak. Jess, a cardiothoracic surgeon, struggles with her career, relationships, and the desire for change. An Act of Grace from Ottawa Little Theatre invites audiences to a gripping tale of suspense in this contemporary thriller brought to you by the producers of the 2022 Carol Tambor Award-winning production of Burn.
Via Dolorosa by Chasing Rainbows presents David Hare’s exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through encounters with various public and private figures, this performance lays bare the complexities and tensions of the region. There are further poignant tales brought about by conflict in Hagar: War Mother, which tells the story of a mother and son fleeing the brutality of Syria’s war.
Bluffing Your Way in Ballet from Seizing The Day Company takes a fast-paced, irreverent journey through the history of ballet. From Isadora Duncan to Václav Nijinsky and Margot Fonteyn, this avant-garde performance blends stories and dances of ballet’s greatest stars. Hannah Whittingham stars in Death Becomes Us, confronting the final taboo head-on with tales of Walt Disney’s rumoured cryogenics and Meryl Streep’s accidental escapades. In this one-person biographical drama, Trawled – When Adventure Becomes Survival by Eoin Ryan recounts the true story of an Irish backpacker on a prawn trawler in the Coral Sea.
Malion by Tired Horses Theatre presents a feminist retelling of the Pygmalion and Galatea myth and explores themes of masculine identity and artistic vision in this brand-new production. Something To Believe In by The Brooklyn Bottling Company tackles the clash between faith and queerness at an all-girls Catholic school in a dark comedy that questions who truly deserves a place in heaven.
There are plenty of Fringe favourites returning for 2024. In A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery – The Great British Bloodbath by Highly Suspect, the nation’s favourite baking competition turns deadly in an interactive murder mystery that invites the audience to solve a fiendish plot filled with evidence and cryptic clues. Charles Dickens: The Hanged Man’s Bride from Blue Orange Arts brings to life a ghostly tale of passion, deceit, and the fine line between reality and the supernatural. Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words by Flying Solo! Invites you into the tumultuous world of late 16th-century England through Elizabeth I’s letters and Shakespeare’s speeches. After a sell-out fringe in 2023, Nicole Nadler returns with Why Am I (Still) Like This? , a humorous and relatable exploration of living with ADHD at 30.
Cabaret Highlights
Magician and mind illusionist Sean Alexander takes you on a reflective journey through the moments that shape us in 1 Moment in Time, packed with jaw-dropping magic. Murder: The Mind-Reading Lawyer by Tomas McCabe combines mentalism with courtroom drama in a family-friendly performance filled with incredible mentalism and the drama of court. Naughty or Neurodiverse – Magic from Another Planet features rising star Angus Baskerville. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD at 15, Angus struggled through school until magic turned his life around. His first solo show at the Fringe delves into this journey, showcasing mind-reading and unbelievable trickery.
Elle Barto: Itchy and Scratchy presents Elle Barton in their premier solo show. New York’s hottest drag sensation takes you on a journey through your favourite film and television moments, lip-synced by memory. Frankie Mack – The Vegas Showman electrifies the Fringe with a blend of Dean Martin’s suave, Elvis’ allure, Bublé’s depth, and Robbie Williams’ energy. Solve Along A Murder She Wrote by Tim Benzie returns with an interactive screening of the classic episode “Paint Me a Murder.” Following last year’s success, this critically acclaimed show involves a race to solve the crime with the Fameometer and Suspiciometer.
Musical Highlights
In Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! by Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, audiences are introduced to Aunt June, a dowdy, kind, and lonely woman who ends up with a laptop that leads her to the Dark Web and a low-level drug ring. In Mary Mary Quite Contrary, CRE8IV THEATRE CO presents a spoof adult musical about Mary Whitehouse, a religious, moral campaigner from Edwardian England and her clash with the BBC. Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett takes audiences on a personal journey in Trust Me, I’m from Essex. This show chronicles life growing up in notorious Essex.
Cambridge Footlight Lily Blundell’sThe Man Who Wouldn’t Be Murdered is a sinful dark comedy musical set in prohibition-era New York. Nominated for the Standing Ovation Award, this show blends greed, fraud, 1920s jazz, and drink into a gorgeously crafted musical. Delving into darker themes, The Avison Brothers bring Godfather Death: A Grimms’ Musical to the stage. This award-winning musical, based on a lesser-known Grimms’ fairytale, explores mortality, healthcare, and class. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre offers a lighter touch with I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, a hilarious and heartfelt musical that tackles the intricacies of modern love. From first dates to marriage, children, and the twilight years, this show traces the arc of relationships through life’s stages.
Chevron Theatre presents Fringe – The Musical, a hilarious musical comedy set in a beloved family-run hairdressing salon in Essex. Finally, BramwellBrand Productions brings Wallis to the stage, telling the story of Wallis Simpson and her romance with Prince Edward, who gave up his crown for her. This musical explores whether their story is a love tale or a narrative of a woman trapped by her ambition and media scrutiny.
Comedy Highlights
Steve Goodie brings a unique tribute to the stage with AL! The Weird Tribute (and How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up in This Nonsense)complete with songs, accordions, guitars, and visual effects that cost many dozens of dollars. In Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers, Ajahnis Charley explores the hilariously absurd journey of a nerdy gaymer who, after a failed death drop at a rave, finds himself at the gates of Gay Heaven as audiences witness the HOMO and avoid the FOMO. Described as a hidden gem, Aude Lener returns to the Fringe with a typically French show that redefines love stories in Aude Lener – Love Reboot.
The renowned host of Rule of 7×7 and co-star of Friends from College and Ray Donovan Brett Epstein: Alone on Stage is a darkly comic solo show that delves into the highs and lows of being an artist and the essence of being alone. In Chris Tavener is Faking Cool,Chris Tavener battles intrusive thoughts through witty, satirical songs. Known for his performances and appearances on BBC 6 Music and Sky’s Showcase TV, Tavener brings his unique brand of humour to the stage. Help! My Vagina Is Trying to Kill Me!by Yola Jean Lu is a darkly comedic solo show that explores one woman’s journey through STDs, miscarriages, and pre-cervical cancer.
Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?! marks the Edinburgh debut of viral comedian Tom Hearn. This Canadian Comedy Award winner brings jaw-dropping musical performances and original characters to the Fringe stage. Disco Horses: A Sketch Revueby American duo Disco Horses presents an hour of absurd, high-concept comedy. Tales from a British Country Pub by Chris Sainton-Clark takes audiences through the hilarious and troublesome experiences of working in British pubs.
And finally, join theSpaceUK for different comedy line-ups every night, with known faces and new acts – all broadcast LIVE on ITVX. Be part of the action and watch the chaos of comedy live from the Fringe!
Children’s Highlights
Goose by TaleGate Theatre tells the charming story of Sophie, who meets Goose while on a trip to the park, and the pair quickly become best friends in a brand new musical for the under-fives that’s the perfect theatre trip, featuring muddy puddles, wild goose chases, and plenty of honking.
The Comedy Games with Coach Monby Monique Warren brings a sports extravaganza to the stage. In this Olympic-inspired kid’s clown show, the audience helps find the missing athletes and participates in sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups and a slow-motion running race.
Follow a teacher’s magical seaside summer holiday in Miss English’s Holiday by Action Theatre. With puppetry, masks, magic, sing-along songs, and comedy, this show is a smash hit from Italy and is perfect for those under nine.
Cantonese Opera x Children’s Interactive Theatre presents the Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground and invites young audiences to join Captain Dic Dic and Chang Chang at the Cantonese Opera Playground in Edinburgh.
Dance & Music Highlights
Grammy award-winning cellist Leah Coloff stars in Super Second Rate,the compelling story of playing alongside music greats like David Bowie and Debbie Harry. Janis: The Story, the Music, the Legend, presented by Rockology Productions Australia, is a rockumentary showcasing Janice Smithers fronting a world-class band as they perform the hits of superstar Janis Joplin.
Audiences will be transported back in time with iconic tales that have shaped the phenomenal jazz landscape from the 1900s in Divas of Jazz, From Fitzgerald to Jones. Brief Case of Crazy by Skedaddle Theatre Company tells the story of Thomas, a remarkable and unconventional introvert who navigates his way through a 9 to 5 job while admiring his equally shy colleague, Daisy.
There’s the most extensive a cappella line-up at the Fringe, featuring eight of the finest a cappella groups from the UK: Algorhythm, AcadePitch Productions, Steelworks A Cappella, Cadenza, Durham Dynamics, The Rolling Tones, Trinity A Cappella and Perfect Forth.
Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK, said:“WELCOME to theSpaceUK! The home of award-winning performance and new writing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“As we celebrate 30 years of bringing work to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe it’s with great pleasure that we present our 2024 programme.
“theSpaceUK experience is how this fabulous festival is meant to be seen, every genre of live performance in one spectacular programme. We’re very proud to be known in Edinburgh for presenting new and original work, for harnessing grassroots performance, for identifying that untapped ‘gem’, as well as hosting work from established artists.
“Whether it be at our very stylish Royal Mile venues, the magical Venue 45 where we started our fringe journey all those years ago or our state-of-the-art hub at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Symposium Hall and theSpaceTriplex, complete with new theatres and garden bars, we look forward to hosting another vast array of exceptional and award-winning work from across the globe.
“Of course, we can’t make any of this happen without the commitment of all who bring shows. It’s to those creatives that we applaud loudly as another August in Edinburgh beckons.”
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.
theSpaceUK continues its tradition of championing new writing with an eclectic array of shows that promise to entertain, enlighten, and engage. From stand-up comedy to poignant dramas, musical mayhem to physical theatre, there’s something for every taste.
With over 150 brand new shows going on sale at theSpaceUK for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, here are some highlights of the shows you won’t want to miss:
Theatre
David Hare’s groundbreaking drama play, Via Dolorosa deals with the history, complexities, and tensions of the Israel-Palestine conflict in this new adaptation by Chasing Rainbows. The 2023 Fringe First winners, Xhloe Rice and Natasha Roland, return with their smash-hit sell-out, What If They Ate The Baby? Enter the world of housewife secrets and societal expectations in this comedic exploration of hidden desires and untold truths.
There’s a world of suspense and intrigue with Agatha Christie’s The Rats by Hart Players, a one-act play from Agatha Christie’s Rule of Three collection. Take a witty and irreverent trip through ballet history in Bluffing Your Way in Ballet, which features an ensemble of former Royal Ballet dancers telling tales from backstage stories to iconic performances.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of 1980s urban culture in Bouncers & Shakers by Paperlight Theatre as nightclubs and cocktail bars come alive with energy. From prom to after-party, follow the generational identity crises of a group of friends in Disco, Baby? by Acting Speaks Louder, set to an original score blending pop, funk, jazz, and disco. Set in the 1980s, follow Kevin’s journey from coding to time travel as he navigates an alternative AI world with his brand-new Commodore 64 in Hungry Like the Future by Greene Shoots Theatre Company.
Join eccentric ex-detective Richard P Cooper in two uproarious adventures, featuring time-bending mysteries and laugh-out-loud escapades in Defective Inspector: A Stitch in Time and Defective Inspector: An American Odyssey by The Defectors. Strap in for a sky-high spectacle as two passengers embark on a comedic journey 30,000 feet above the Atlantic with Cabin Fever by Fresh !nk Theatre Company. Bucket List by Show Don’t Tell Productions is a darkly humorous tale of shared lives and afterlives.
The complexities of platonic and romantic love are explored in Three Bed (No Living Room) by Laldie Theatre, an original play set in a student flat in Edinburgh, exploring queer identity in the 2020s. There’s a feminist retelling of the Pygmalion and Galatea myth in Malion by Tired Horses Theatre, which explores themes of identity and socialisation in a thought-provoking narrative.
Buckle up and brace yourself for a twisted ride through OCD, breakups, breakdowns, and self-discovery in the shockingly funny solo show Driver’s Seat: Obsessive Compulsive Disaster by Ellie Brelis.
Enter a world where nursery politics collide with Shakespearean subplots in Get Thee to a Nursery by Exi Attica, a whimsical exploration of childhood imagination.
Music & Musicals
There are new musicals aplenty in theSpaceUK’s lineup for 2024. Set in 1960s Georgia, USA, The Gardening Club: A New Musical by Wright and McRitchie is a new musical that follows six girls who start an illegal drug ring to distribute birth control pills, using their gardening club as a cover-up.
There’s an exploration into the complexities, love, and ambition of the enigmatic Wallis Simpson in the brand new musical, Wallis by BramwellBrand Productions.
Join six eccentric middle-schoolers as they compete in the hilariously quirky The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by C&C Productions. Enter the mysteriously spooky world of the Addams Family in the kooky musical, The Addams Family by The Talentz.
Packed with show-stoppers and chart-toppers depicting a day at Cambridge University, Cadenza is a whirlwind journey through smooth jazz, angelic choirs, and beloved pop hits. Embark on a creative musical journey through the rich tapestry of Celtic melodies that connect us to our roots and the places we call home in Celtic Roots by Kevin Littlejohn and Right Here Productions.
Finally, don’t miss the intimate acoustic show by 22-year-old singer-songwriter Sean Lomas. With heartfelt lyrics and acoustic undertones, Sean shares the stories behind his songs, promising an evening of genuine emotion and raw talent.
Comedy
Join Andrei Palchyk for a solo stand-up show filled with Instagram-approved jokes that delve into the immigrant experience and the resilience required to survive dictatorship in The Ultimate Collection of Reels.
Brace yourself for a candid and at times unsettling glimpse into the life of a doctor in Keith Mendes: Medical Negligence by Keith Mendes. From unspeakable acts of medical negligence to encounters with ghosts and demons, Keith shares stories from his career and personal life that are sure to leave audiences both intrigued and entertained.
Love / Less of a Man by Isabella Pip and Jess Elgene is a double bill offering a contrasting exploration of love and self-discovery.
Isabella Pip brings her disdain for love to the forefront, while Jess Elgene shares her journey of transition and empowerment. Join two Plebs as they hilariously recount the tale of Macbeth armed with nothing but their wits, wigs, and willies in MacPlebs by The Raymondos. Despite not having read the play, these surviving cast members give their unique interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic.
Dance Physical Theatre and Circus
Unconventional introvert Thomas typically fiddles and fumbles through his conventional office job until he’s dragged on a journey of discovery by a mischievous briefcase in A Brief Case of Crazy by Skedaddle Theatre Company.
Experience the beauty and mystery of traditional Korean artistry as various pictures are painted on stage using the traditional Korean hat called sangmo in Korean Painter by Contemporary Yunhee.
Pushing the genre of Argentine tango to its limits, there’s super-charged stage tango dancing, acting, video projection, and sensory, sensual immersion in Auto-Erotic Tango by Tango Fantasy, which explores the tension created between a traditional heteronormative tango couple and their unusual, real, and hidden desires.
Cabaret and Variety
Dive into a dazzling night of song, story, and sensuality as Ryan Patrick Welsh and The K*ntz! boldly explore sex, sexuality, and sex work in “Sex, Camp, Rock’n’Roll” by Ryan Patrick Welsh – 8th Best Legs Productions. Step into the world of LA actress Nina Rose Carlin as she navigates the highs and lows of seeking representation in Hollywood in Nina Rose Carlin: Seeking Representation.
Rising star Angus Baskerville combines mind-reading and trickery in an exploration of autism and magic in Naughty or Neurodiverse – Magic from Another Planet. Join scientist and jazz singer Malcolm Windsor as he explores the chemistry between couples through story and song in Love, Loss, and Chemistry by The Swells.
Plenty of shows to pore over and ponder for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe!
theSpaceUK announce over 100 shows go on sale at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024
It’s time to bring a little cheer into your life as theSpaceUK announces the first shows on sale for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
With over 100 shows going on sale, here’s a quick peak at some you should definitely book early for:
Theatre
Double Fringe First winners, Xhloe and Natasha are back with the absurd brilliance of A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First. After picking up consecutive Fringe Firsts in the last two years, the talented NYC based duo are back with their brand new two-hander that explores the complexities of the idealised American childhood and the lingering impact it leaves behind.
Explore the revolutionary reimagining of Shelley’s Frankenstein in Cruel Britannia: After Frankenstein by Kristen Smyth and Ben Anderson, which offers a daring transgender perspective set in the tumultuous landscape of Maggie Thatcher’s Britain. There’s queer, political coming-of-age fantasy in The Sun King by Peedie Productions, which tells the story of a boy’s adolescence in conversations with the king of a magical realm.
The mysterious world of Charles Dickens: The Hanged Man’s Bride by Blue Orange Arts is a tale of suspense and intrigue, questioning what is real and what is not. Step into the tumultuous world of social media in Addict from Motovoho Productions, when a seemingly innocuous tweet goes viral, the relentless online trolls attack in this brand-new tale of revenge and self-discovery.
Death Becomes Us by Hannah Whittingham is a brand new drama that faces death head-on with confessions, music and an explanation as to why no decent death jokes exist. One Sugar, Stirred to the Left by Karekare Production is a heart-warming new musical play, where nurse Bronwyn finds herself commissioned to write an album by one of her dying patients.
Based on true events of one woman’s odyssey to escape Syria’s brutal war with her baby Hagar: War Mother by Amena Shehab is apoignant journey. Winning is more than eternity in The Gospel of Joan (Crawford) by teatrito where five women united in Hell face a high-stakes poker match dealt by the illustrious Joan Crawford, vying for a spot in Heaven.
Music & Musicals
here’s crimes, rhymes, and good times in the thrilling world of The Detective’s Demise by Grownup Playhouse. In this new murder-mystery comedy musical, a detective meets his demise at his own birthday party and trainee sleuth Molly Evans is keen to crack the case. There’s a wild ride through the trials and triumphs of growing up in Essex in Trust Me, I’m from Essex. Buckle up as Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett takes you on a wild ride through what it was like growing up in Essex, being bullied at school, and everything in between. Five down the rabbit hole in the family-friendly adventure Alice in Wonderland by Nardone’s Academy of Performing Arts a brand-new musical adaptation of the timeless classic that’s packed with zany adventures, curious characters, and whimsical wonders.
Discover the remarkable life story of Helen Carte in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Improbable New Musical: …and Helen by The Coily Dart Theatre Company that features music from every Gilbert & Sullivan production and shines a spotlight on Carte’s contributions to the success of these famous operettas. Frankie Mack – The Vegas Showman stars the electrifying Frankie Mack. Experience a powerhouse fusion of charm, energy, flair, smoothness, and wit as Mack channels the spirits of Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, and Freddie Starr.
Night Owl Shows return with a packed programme of old favourites and brand-new shows in their inimitable style depicting the lives of some of the most influential singer songwriters of the 20th Century. Returning fan favourites feature 007 Voices of Bond, California Dreams, Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse, The Blondie Story, The Billy Joel Story, The Look of Dusty and The Fleetwood Mac Story. Whilst new for 2024 are 21: The Music of Adele with the awe-inspiring Ella McCready, The Elton John Story, and The Story of Sting and The Police fromAngus Munro whilst Hannah Richards premieres the newest addition to the award-winning Night Owl line-up in The Kate Bush Story.
Comedy
Join Private Eye’s MD Phil Hammond and DrClare Gerada in Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS as they devise a revolutionary health manifesto with your help. Blending the silly with the serious, this subversive take on the challenges facing the NHS is supporting the charity, Doctors in Distress. Prepare to have your perceptions of pleasure dissected and examined in The Ins and Outs of Pleasure by Phil Hammond. Using a blend of science and storytelling, Phil Hammond helps audiences in safe and sustainable pleasuring practices.
In the whimsical world of AL! The Weird Tribute (and How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up in This Nonsense) by Steve Goodie, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe join forces at the Fringe (sort of)! Packed full of laughter, surprises, and perhaps a touch of magic.
This fabulous new comedy from viral sensation Tom Hearn in Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?! whichfeatures an array of original characters alongside musical performances and guest appearances. Laugh until your sides ache with Antics Joke Show: Sketch and Improv Comedy by Up the Antics with their mix of sketches, improvising and non-stop laughter.
And finally, don’t miss Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers as the feisty twink navigates the challenges of Gay Heaven. Witness the HOMO, or suffer the FOMO.
Plenty of shows to pour over and ponder for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Initial batch of shows available to book months in advance of August festival, giving artists a longer lead-in to promote their work
Today, Thursday 22 February 2024, the first batch of shows that will be staged at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe have been revealed. All shows will be available to view on edfringe.com from 12:00 today.
The 276 shows span many genres of the Fringe programme, including cabaret and variety; children’s shows; comedy; dance, physical theatre and circus; music; musicals and opera; spoken word; and theatre. They will take place across 31 venues, with more shows to be revealed in the run-up to August.
It’s Fringe artists themselves who choose which date their show listing will go live on edfringe.com. For many, the reason to go live at this early stage in the year is to have a broader window in which to finance the show, sell tickets and promote their work.
This year, more than ever, the Fringe Society encourages audiences to start planning their Fringe experience as early as possible; to support the artists, venues, producers, promoters and all the participants of this world-renowned festival. It is a serious investment to put on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe and the only way that Fringe-makers can get a return is if audiences come out, see the shows and support the creatives who are the beating heart of this festival.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It is always special to see the first batch of shows that will be performing at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“Those working across the Fringe have been preparing for this moment for months – laying the groundwork for artists to come to this year’s festival and the creative explosion that is August in Edinburgh. Being able to browse the first set of shows always adds an extra level of excitement.
“It’s a reminder that the 2024 Fringe is just around the corner, and it feels a lot more real for the whole Fringe community. I encourage audiences to support those performing at the Fringe this August by browsing shows and booking tickets as early as you can.
“It’s no secret that the cost of putting on a Fringe show can be a barrier to attending, and our role is in supporting artists in every way that we can, whether that’s keeping registration fees affordable, sourcing low-cost accommodation, seeking out direct routes to funding, or simply providing advice and information. Our Artist Services team is on hand to offer advice around every aspect of putting on a show, so please do reach out to us.”
Below is a small representative sample of shows available to book from today. The full list of shows released today can be found at edfringe.com.
Cabaret and variety
Cameron Young: The Scottish Magician (Gilded Balloon) offers ‘mind-bending illusions, captivating mind reading, and uproarious comedy’, while Ben Hart: HeX (Assembly) is a collection of Ben’s ‘most exciting material from the last decade alongside new ideas fresh from his laboratory, guaranteed to put a spell on you’.
Musicians Juliette Pochin and James Morgan promise ‘outlandish musical mashups (who knew Meatloaf worked with Mozart) and the entire history of Western music in just under four minutes’ in Music, Mayhem and a Mezzo at theSpaceUK. All-Stars Burlesque is a ‘celebration of bodies, tradition and inclusivity by award-winning, world-class artists and rising stars on the scene’ – it’s at Just the Tonic. At Laughing Horse, Stacey Clare and Gypsy Charms return with their adult Q&A session, Ask A Stripper: No Holes Barred.
Children’s shows
A Bee Story (Assembly) is ‘a uniquely Australian physical theatre show for children and families incorporating a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music’. Doktor Kaboom: Man of Science! returns to Pleasance with a combination of ‘astonishing live science experiments, stand-up comedy and lessons in empowerment’. The Amazing Bubble Man, Louis Pearl, is at Underbelly, ‘thrilling audiences… with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles’.
All-New Crazy Puppet Magic Show at Frankenstein Pub promises ‘crazy puppets, lots of magic and audience participation – young kids and older ones alike will love it’. Fever Pitch Academy Showcase 2024 (theSpaceUK) is an Edinburgh Fringe debut, ‘featuring music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, SpongeBob, Legally Blonde, Grease and loads more’.
Comedy
Gilded Balloon hosts ‘the top three acts from the 2023 edition of So You Think You’re Funny?’ – Samira Banks, Christopher Donovan and Lizzie Norm – at their Best of So You Think You’re Funny? line-up show. ‘Transatlantic middle-aged Jewish atheist divorcee’ Leslie Gold brings A Chip Off the Gold Block (WIP) to Laughing Horse.
Canada’s Ajahnis Charley dies and ‘awakens at the gates of Gay Heaven’ where he faces ‘a mighty, flighty and unabashedly white-y God’ in Thots and Prayers (theSpaceUK). Kemah Bob brings their debut stand-up show, Miss Fortunate, to Pleasance. Character creation Frank Sanazi returns to the Fringe, once again ‘engaging in a spirited battle against the forces of political correctness’ in Frank Sanazi’s Mein Way (Le Monde).
At Greenside, Laura Rose will perform ‘an autobiographic comedic feast following stories from growing up on an Australian pineapple farm, misadventures abroad, Laura’s crazy family, and her forever loving husband’ in BUSHPIG. Polish-Cockney comedian Dickie Richards is at PBH’s Free Fringe with his show, Sexual Tyrannosaur 2024. Among the comedians representing Scotland at this year’s festival are Adele Birkmyre (Boteco de Brasil), Connor Burns (Just the Tonic), Jo Caulfield (The Stand Comedy Club), Kathleen Hughes (Gilded Balloon), Susie McCabe (Assembly) Raymond Mearns (Hootenannies) and Stuart Mitchell (Scottish Comedy Festival).
All of the above will be joined by some familiar famous faces at the Fringe: Jason Byrne, Jessie Cave, Rob Auton are at Assembly; Fern Brady is at the Edinburgh Playhouse; Jimeoin is at Just the Tonic; Catherine Bohart is at Monkey Barrel; Catherine Cohen, Chloe Petts and Rosie Jones are at Pleasance; and Geoff Norcott and Rhys Nicholson are at Underbelly.
Dance, physical theatre and circus
At theSpaceUK, ‘Hong Kong veteran community theatre company, Art Home, masquerade in masks and physical theatre to confuse the definitions of what is a human and who is a dog’ in Hound in the Light. Caller Ken Gourlay and his ceilidh band are hosting Ceilidhs (Scottish Dancing) at Royal College of Physicians, ‘an authentic Scottish experience in a historic building’. The Black Blues Brothers (Assembly) are returning to the Fringe ‘for the last time’, inviting audiences to join them for ‘the farewell season of this acrobatic celebration joining the energy of Africa with a R’n’B sound’.
Online, Displaced ‘explores contemporary challenges such as culture, place, race and imperialism’, while Odyssea ‘follows the epic journey of a curious sea traveller as she encounters flora and fauna in fantastical realms’ – both courtesy of C venues.
Music
At Novotel, Jazz at Lunchtime offers ‘jazz standards and melodic originals in a comfortable, intimate jazz club setting’ created by Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer. Memphis, Tennessee-born songwriter/singer/guitarist Andrea Carlson offers ‘a delicious evening of swing, jive, romance and occasional special guests’ at Andrea’s 21st-Century Speakeasy! (Argyle Cellar Bar). The Jazz Bar plays host to John Hunt Four O’Clock Afternoon Blues and Swing for his 12th year at the Fringe. Orchestra of Sound (Greenside) is ‘an electrifying one-man show seamlessly weaving unique inventive instruments, hundreds of sounds, and explosive original music into an unforgettable sonic and visual extravaganza’.
At St Giles’ Cathedral, South Australian cellist / songwriter William Jack performs ‘iconic songs (by AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Oasis and more) dismantled and reimagined for solo cello’ in This Old Cello Box. Marchmont St Giles Church is hosting Marchmont Music, a series of free afternoon concerts ‘from up-and-coming young musicians’. At Bannermans, Driven Serious play folk-rock from their new album Look On These Works, described by NARC Magazine as ‘an impressive experience’.
There are tributes to a host of popular artists across the Fringe, including (but not limited to) Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison (Frankenstein Pub); Lady Gaga, Adele and Joni Mitchell (Le Monde); Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys and Sam Fender (Liquid Room); plus Amy Winehouse, Celine Dion, Blondie, Dusty Springfield and many more at theSpaceUK.
‘Legendary 70s Tyneside folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne present a classic five-piece line-up of long-time members fronted by founder-member Rod Clements’ at the Queen’s Hall. Edinburgh trio Curmudgeon play their Traditional Scottish Folk Music at artSpace@StMarks.
Musicals and opera
Created by Sarah Bishop, Somewhere (theSpaceUK) is ‘a brand-new fantasy musical with music and lyrics by internationally acclaimed indie-folk duo The Dunwells and other established Yorkshire singer-songwriters’. At Pleasance, Gwyneth Goes Skiing is ‘a story of love, betrayal and skiing – where you are the jury’.
Spoken word
‘The distilled 40-year career of an internationally renowned British Army doctor’ is ‘presented as a collection of original poems’ in Frontlines and Lifelines – An Army Doctor in Crisis and War (Forces @ The Fringe). Peter Barratt pays tribute to his great-grandmother in Alice Hawkins – Working-Class Suffragette at the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre.
Eileen Mahony performs a pair of thematically linked shows at Greenside, each musing on artefacts and memories from the past: Loft Clearance and Loft Luggage. Nikky Smedley, aka ‘LaaLaa (the yellow one)’, returns the theSpaceUk with Confessions of a Teletubby.
Online via C venues, Hiding Behind the Mask: Jesters, Jokers, and Clowns is ‘a rollercoaster through the joys and sorrows, comedies and tragedies of life’ with Professor Rosemary George.
Theatre
Written by Aksam Alyousef and performed by Amena Shehab, Hagar: War Mother (theSpaceUK) follows ‘one woman’s odyssey to escape Syria’s brutal war with her son, who should be having his first birthday party’. At Greenside, Purple Hat Theatre present A Time Traveller’s Life, ‘a Fringe show about the Fringe; a time-travelling odyssey through one woman’s joys, sorrows, triumphs and inability to learn from her mistakes’.
Sarah Cameron-West brings KAREN to Underbelly, ‘a powder keg of heartbreak and identity crisis which explodes in the ultimate office showdown’. ‘Familiar Chekhov themes of lost opportunity, failed love affairs, sibling rivalry and fear of a changing future are thrown into the blender with 21st-century characters and high comedy’ in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at St Ninian’s Hall.
At Assembly, Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow follows an ‘uncle and nephew DJing duo’ who ‘must successfully navigate their latest gig to save the company, their future aspirations, and ultimately, their relationship’. ‘Unstoppable 82-year-old Miriam Margolyes returns to the Fringe’ with Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits (Pleasance), ‘combining her infectious passion for Charles Dickens with her phenomenal versatility’.
Online, Theatre Ronin of Hong Kong ‘recreates folklore and contemporary emotional landscape’ in their Wuxia-themed production, Practice of Zen (C venues).
