Tag: Fringe25

Asian Art Awards winners announced

Asian Art Awards – Award Ceremony at MOXY Fountainbridge

Members of the Scottish Indian community were prominent among the winners of the 2025 Asian Art Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe. The awards have been running since 2014 and exist to bring Asian artists together at the Fringe and reward the best of them.

90 shows participated in 2025, up significantly from 55 in 2024.

The highly acclaimed “Kanpur: 1857”, written and co-performed by Edinburgh-based Niall Moorjani and which showed at the Pleasance, won the award for Outstanding Production.

Set at the time of the Kanpur uprising in India, this new play “comically satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence, and making art in times of crisis”. The award was collected by the production’s musician, Sodhi.

Shows by Sanjay Lago  (Love me Like a Chai Tea Latte [wearing the colourful shirt]) and Dance Ihayami, with their show Dansa Rickshaw, also won awards for Highly Commended performances (i.e. Runners Up). Sanjay is Scottish Indian while Dance Ihayami is “Scotland’s Indian dance company”. Like Sodhi, Sanjay is from Glasgow (“Ibrox, don’t judge me” he says).

Hahaha-Hamlet from Hong Kong, which played at the Paradise Green venue on George IV Bridge, won the award for Outstanding Show.

The award reviewers simply loved this “captivating reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tale, blending original musical with dark humour [..and..] intertwining the struggles of contemporary Hongkongers with Hamlet’s timeless tale”.

Energetic, inventive and incredibly affecting with some reviewers moved to tears as the tales of Hamlet and Hong Kong coincided at the end. The whole cast were in attendance to receive the award [red and black t-shirts under their clothes] and they were delighted.

Mayuri Bhandari of the Anti “Yogi” took home the award for Outstanding Female while Jeremy Rafal won Outstanding Male for The Boy from Bantay “a heartwarming journey of growth and self-discovery”.

Mayuri was in attendance with her percussionist Neel Agrawal while Jeremy sent a video message to the audience. Both shows were hugely popular. At the Anti “Yogi” the audience were invited to “Join Mayuri Bhandari and Kali, the Goddess of Death every day as they navigate the absurdities of Western Yoga culture. Liberation, not Lululemon!” 

The Outstanding Youth Performance was won by the show “Landscape of the Other Shore” from Shenzhen University  which was also inspired by another European classic: Géricault’s painting and Georg Kaiser’s play The Raft of the Medusa.

The Asian Arts Special Award was shared between GENDAI TOKYO  and Up-cycle Music  by Creative Art of Korea. GENDAI TOKYO had a simply incredible laser show playing at WU Asia Pacific three times per night. Everyone who sees it simply loves it.

Up-cycle Music is a “response to climate change from a uniquely artistic perspective. They use waste to make music – cellos from abandoned equipment from rural areas, stringed instruments of thrown away plastic toys – and compose piano songs based on the characteristics of endangered animals, to ask vital questions about the climate crisis”.

Lyndsey Jackson from the Fringe presented the awards along with Richard Lewis and Chelsea Zhou of Asian Art Fund Scotland, the charity which runs the Asian Art Awards.

Winners – 2025 Asian Art Awards

Outstanding Show

Winner: Hahaha–Hamlet – Chai Wan Rabble (Hong Kong)

Highly Commended: 1Shoulder Pad: Galaxy Train, Japanese Musical Theatre (Japan)

Highly Commended: Practice of Zen – Theatre Ronin (Hong Kong)

Outstanding Production

Winner: Kanpur: 1857 – Niall Moorjani Storyteller and Pleasance (Scotland / India)

Highly Commended: 1457, The Boy at Rest – Poem and Star / Korean Season by GCC & AtoBiz (Korea)

Highly Commended: Relaxing and Balancing – Ying Yang – On/Off Theatre (Hong Kong)

Highly Commended: The Time Painter – ACC, ACCF, Haddangse / Korean Season by GCC and AtoBiz (Korea)

Outstanding Male Performer

Winner: Jeremy Rafal, The Boy from Bantay (Philippines / USA)

Highly Commended: Zheng Xiaofan Dance Theatre, PERSONALLERY 4.0 (China)

Highly Commended: Kumar Muniandy – Second Class Queer (Malaysia / UK / Germany)

Highly Commended: Eden Choi – Proust Effect (Korea) [1]

Highly Commended: Sanjay Lago – Love me Like a Chai Tea Latte (Scotland / India)

Outstanding Female Performer

Winner: Mayuri Bhandari – The Anti “Yogi” (USA / India)

Highly Commended: Dansa Rickshaw – Dance Ihayami (Scotland / India)

Highly Commended: Elisabeth Gunawan and KISS WITNESS – Stampin’ in the Graveyard (UK / Indonesia)

Highly Commended: Afreena Islam-Wright – Lucky Tonight! (UK / Bangladesh)

Highly Commended: Chi-An Chen – Sole to Soul (Taiwan, China)

Outstanding Young Performer [Winner] 3

Winner: Shenzhen University School of Arts 201 Theatre Company – The Landscape of the Other Shore (China)

Highly Commended: Creative Group SSAK / Korean Season by GCC & AtoBiz – Dream Space (Korea)

Highly Commended: Jasmine Thien – I Dream in Colour (UK / China)

Asian Arts Special Award – Joint Award (two winners)

GENDAI TOKYO (Japan) and

Up-cycle Music, Creative Art (Korea)

Edinburgh Napier actors land Fringe award for boxing drama Cornermen

The four-strong cast have completed a knockout Edinburgh Festival theatre run

A group of Edinburgh Napier University acting students have claimed an industry award for an Edinburgh Festival Fringe show that packed a punch.

Starring Daniel John Doherty, Liam Scobie, Arran Hogg and Ruairi Francis McCormack – and directed by Lecturer David Wotton from ENU’s School of Arts & Creative Industries –  Cornermen tells the story of a young boxer and the exploitation of his success.

Following a successful run at theSpace on the Mile throughout this month, the cast have been presented with the coveted ‘Bright Spark’ award by The Scottish Theatre Awards on the Fringe.

Awarded every year by the Scottish Arts Club, the prize recognises Scottish actors or theatre-makers just embarking on their career, with the winner selected by a panel of expert judges.

Put on by in-house company Authentically False Productions, Cornermen stood out from the crowd of theatre acts on show across the city during August, drawing praise for its assured performance.

Responding to their award win, Daniel, Liam, Arran and Ruairi said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to have won the ‘Bright Spark’ award at our first foray into the professional theatre world after our training at Edinburgh Napier University. 

“The hard work and dedication we put into Cornermen has paid off and we couldn’t be prouder to represent Edinburgh Napier and the Scottish theatre scene in this way. 

“Hopefully, this award will be a great kick start to our career. We’ll always remember this moment, this award and this training.”

Cornermen director David Wotton said: “It’s awards like this that highlight our department and the hard work we do to make sure our training actors thrive in such a competitive market. 

“This award marks a year of dedication by the cast of Cornermen, Daniel John Doherty, Liam Scobie, Arran Hogg and Ruairi Francis McCormack, and our department. 

“Year upon year our course has exceptional National Student Survey results, and industry recognition like this shows that Edinburgh Napier University is a great place for an actor to train. 

“Directing these four talented actors has been so very rewarding. It’s great that the industry sees and appreciates the work and dedication shown by both our talented actors and staff alike.”

Cornermen was one of many theatre productions put on by ENU students during the Edinburgh Festivals, which draw to a close this week.

It also follows previous shows such as Everything Under the Sun in being recognised by the industry.

An exciting and energising Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 comes to a close

The 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe officially wrapped up on Monday (25 August 2025), with the Fringe Society reporting a strong year for the event.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Chief Executive, Tony Lankester said: ‘With over 2.6 million tickets issued for 3,893 shows, it is clear that – despite many ongoing challenges facing the Fringe community – it remains the single best platform in the world for artists to showcase their work. It remains a critical step in their professional journey.’ 

As the largest marketplace and expo for performing arts professional development in the world, this year’s Fringe attracted 1,770 accredited producers, programmers, bookers, talent agencies and festivals from 68 countries, who came to Edinburgh looking for talent. These connections will provide touring and onward opportunities for artists well beyond the Festival Fringe. 

301 venues hosted a diverse selection of work across 53,942 performances in August. 62 countries were represented on Fringe stages, with 17 international showcases at the forefront including Denmark, Australia, South Korea and Canada. 

The themes and issues explored by artists in the programme included everything from rebellious women to the paranormal; the apocalypse to nostalgia; queer joy to life with illness; rave and club culture to science and technology. Alongside big names, there was strong representation across emerging talent, those from a working-class background, LGBTQ+, and neurodiverse-led work. 

The highest number of accredited journalists in the festival’s history attended, with nearly 1,090 media professionals from 36 countries accredited for this year’s festival. Over 600 artists also attended the annual Meet the Media event, designed to support performers without professional PR support at the festival.

Often recognised as a key entry point for audiences to experience the arts, Edinburgh played host to 320 of the world’s finest street performers, buskers and street artists, who brought excitement to the Mound and Royal Mile as part of Fringe Street Events. 

In addition, over 37 local schools, charities and community groups took part in the Fringe Days Out scheme, ensuring participation in the festival is open to all, whether here for professional reasons or simply for fun and experience.

Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘What is clear is that the Fringe remains the most important cultural event in the world.  Artists remain at the heart of this joyous festival, and we’re consistently in awe of their creative work which often tackles topical issues and examines them through a creative lens.  

“We recognise the many challenges artists, producers and venues face in staging the event, and call on the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Government and the UK Government to continue working with the Fringe community to explore ways to alleviate these challenges.

“There are no easy answers to the challenging cost of participating in the Fringe, but we know that the will is there to explore some innovative, high impact solutions, and we look forward to advancing the many conversations we’ve begun with stakeholders and partners. 

“This year’s Festival Fringe has felt joyful and exciting, and we thank the artists, the hundreds of venues, promoters, producers, workers and teams that make this fantastic event happen every year.”

The Fringe in numbers

  • 62 countries were represented on stage at this year’s Fringe, including 17 country showcases and spotlights
  • 1,770 accredited arts industry members – e.g. promoters, producers, festival and venue bookers – from 68 countries attended the festival to buy work and support artists beyond the Fringe
  • 1,084 professional media accredited from 36 countries.  The majority of these were reviewers (718) attending and reviewing work
  • More than 300 sensory resources were used by neurodiverse children and adults, to help make their experience of the Fringe more enjoyable
  • 60% of Fringe shows were level access venues and nearly 25,000 tickets were issued via the Fringe Society’s access ticketing service
  • 37 local schools, charities and community groups took part in the Fringe Days Out scheme, which offers Fringe vouchers and Lothian Bus tickets to people who wouldn’t normally get to choose their own experience of the Fringe
  • An estimated 2,604,404 tickets were issued across the festival, with countless more attending non-ticketed shows and Street Events

Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 07 – 31 August 2026.

Haste Ye Back! theSpaceUK rounds off a vibrant 2025 Festival Fringe

With 469 shows, 3,357 artists, and 188,000 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, with a strong focus on new-writing and new companies, alongside a wide range of support provided for artists bringing work to the Fringe for the first time.

187,913 tickets were issued for shows at theSpaceUK this year, demonstrating both the resilience of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the strong platform of shows at theSpaceUK.

This year saw 469 shows featuring 3357 artists at theSpaceUK, representing over 13 different countries. Each day of the 2025 Fringe saw an average of over 8162 audience members watching shows at theSpaceUK with an average of 54% of seats filled per show. 

Two artists at theSpaceUK garnered critical acclaim and were awarded the prestigious Broadway Baby Bobby Award; Sam Sherman’s Kaddish (How to be a Sanctuary), a reflection on Jewish-American life, and Baffin Productions’ In the Black, which subtly navigated systemic and institutional conflicts. 

The latter was also shortlisted for the BBC’s Popcorn Award for outstanding new writing and won the Binge Fringe’s Black Performers’ Award.

Our Asian Arts season was also celebrated for its diverse range of exciting work, with Cathy Lamb’s Dots and Ah-Ma being nominated for the Holden Street Theatres Award and the Brighton Fringe Award, respectively. Sole to Soul from the We ART together Foundation and The Boy From Bantay from Bantay Productions were also awarded Asian Arts Awards.

Artists at theSpaceUK were recognised for their work with Cornermen winning the coveted Theatre Scotland Bright Spark Award. Ghosted! A New Musical and I was a Teenage She-Devil, were the winners and runners up of Best Musical for this year’s Spookies, from The Edinburgh Horror Festival. Roadkill Bambi by Mal MacKenzie picked up the Queer Writing Award at Binge Fringe’s Queer Performers’ Awards, or ‘Queeries‘, which celebrate excellence in shows that champion LGBTQIA+ perspectives.

Finally, Here Comes Gudong by Roarrr Theatre is a sensory-rich puppetry adventure and won Theatre Weekly’s Best Family Show, whilst Entertainment Now WoW Award for Best Theatre has been awarded to When We Were Young by Geezabreak Productions. This production was acclaimed for it’s powerful and hilarious story about the realities of gang culture in Glasgow during the 90s. 

Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK said: “In contrast to much of the concerns pre this year’s festival theSpaceUK has again enjoyed a fabulous month. Presenting a record number of shows, entertaining near on 200,000 audience members and boasting an array of major festival awards. 

“Our unrivalled locations, focus on programming work from across all genres, sensible and affordable ticket prices, all driven by the ethos of this festival as a platform for all, will continue to give those visiting this fabulous event the experiences they will want to repeat year on year.

“Thank you to all who participated in and watched shows at our venues. We look forward to hosting you all again in 2026 and beyond!”

Week 3 winners of Besties announced

The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of the week three’s The Besties, in the following categories: 

The Spooky Award – Ghouls Aloud for Elysium, Gilded Balloon

The New Writing Award – Emma Frankland for No Apologies, Summerhall

Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to Scottish publishing – 404 Ink, Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Dissident Award – Abdolreza Kahani for Mortician, Edinburgh International Film Festival

The Radgie Award – Rosa Garland for Primal Bog, Assembly Roxy

The Alt Reekie Award – Liam Withnail for Big Strong Boy, Monkey Barrell

The Fringe Legend Award – Mark Silcox for The Gold Trader, PBH Free Fringe, Voodoo Rooms 

The award ceremony took place today (Saturday 23rd August) at the Festival Theatre, hosted by Jess Robinson, whose show Jess Robinson: Your Song is at Assembly George Square Gardens until Sunday.  

The Besties awards, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter a recent graduate of Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, use recyclable plastics gathered by the partners and leftover wood sourced locally.  

Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and celebrating the breadth of Edinburgh’s Festivals, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.  

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. 

Madeleine Brettingham wins So You Think You’re Funny? 2025

Karen & Katy Koren and the Gilded Balloon are delighted to announce Madeleine Brettingham as winner of the 38th edition of So You Think You’re Funny? – the UK’s most prestigious comedy newcomer competition. 

Reb Day and Joel Walker came second and third place respectively, coming out top from over 435 initial applications and entertaining a sold out crowd at this year’s final at Appleton Tower, hosted by all-star MC Laura Lexx.

Following hilarious heats across the UK, comic Madeleine Brettingham claimed the crown for this year’s competition after a judging panel including special guest judge Doon Mackichan (Comedian and TV Star) plus Angela Squire (Artistic Director of the Kilkenny Cat Laughs 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 7 minute sets from all 10 finalists, before convening to choose the winner. 

Since it began in 1988, previous winners of SYTYF? have included Aisling Bea, Maisie Adam, Ivo Graham, Tommy Tiernan, Alana Jackson, David O’Doherty 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. 

Madeleine Brettingham is a writer-turned-performer who, after years of avoiding the spotlight, tried stand-up when a famous comedian appeared in a dream and told her to. Against all odds, it turned out to be pretty solid advice. She lives in London.

Madeleine Brettingham and Doon Mackichan – credit Steve Ullathorne

Karen & Katy Koren and the So You Think You’re Funny? team would like to offer a huge congratulations to 2025’s finalists (in alphabetical order) : 

Joel Walker – second runner up 

Madeleine Brettingham – winner 

Noni

Oro Rose

Peter Josip

Qasim Akhtar

Rachel Porter

Reb Day – first runner up 

Sean Chalmers

Valeria Vulpe

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon and So You Think You’re Funny? said: “Huge congratulations to Madeleine Brettingham – 2025’s fantastic winner of So You Think You’re Funny?

“This year’s competition was extremely competitive with over 435 applications, so it’s an outstanding feat for these 10 finalists from across the UK to have made it this far and perform in front of our sold out crowd tonight.

“Each year it’s fantastic to see so many So You Think You’re Funny? alumni return to the Fringe to make their debut or take part in mixed bill runs. 2024’s winner Alana Jackson has had a huge sold out run with us this August, as well as brilliant shows from the likes of Sophia Wren, Christopher Donovan, our Best of So You Think You’re Funny acts and many more. 

“A massive thank you to every comic who entered the competition this year, and all our esteemed judges who joined us at heats across the UK to ensure we could provide a platform to some of the very best new up and coming comedians in the country.

“We’ve all been blown away by the talent on display tonight and we’re sure they will go on to do wonderful things!”

Celebrity guest judge Doon Mackichan said: “I’m absolutely bowled over and amazed at the talent tonight – it was a really difficult decision and such a high standard. I laughed at every single person, but we had to make a decision.

“This is brutal – it’s worse than The Voice and X Factor!”

Judges who chose this year’s finalists included: special guest judge Doon Mackichan, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Bruce Dessau, 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.
  • 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.
  • Opportunity to perform at Cat Laughs comedy festival in Kilkenny, Ireland (subject to programmer approval and slot availability)
  • Opportunity to perform at Glasgow International Comedy Festival (subject to programmer approval and slot availability)
  • Opportunity to take part in Soho Theatre’s Soho Labs programme in the year following the final.
  • 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:

 www.soyouthinkyourefunny.co.uk 

Blind comedian highlights accessibility barriers at Fringe

Performing at the world’s largest arts festival is no small feat. But for blind comedian Jamie MacDonald, just getting to his venue each day reveals a challenge that blind and partially sighted people face every day: getting to work.

Jamie, who is blind due to a degenerative eye condition, is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand-new show. Navigating busy streets, temporary venues, and the unpredictable festival layout can be difficult without the support that many sighted performers might never need to consider. 

“Getting about Edinburgh is already a total nightmare for blind people and folk with mobility issues,” Jamie says. “Medieval folk seem to have been four-feet tall with a love for steep, stone stairs.

“When you add in the road closures, crowds and performers that the biggest art festival in the world brings, moving about becomes lethal!”   

With no official assistance service available, Jamie reached out to RNIB, the national charity supporting people with sight loss. Two of the charity’s volunteers, Bill and Iain, stepped forward to support Jamie with getting to and from his venue throughout his run. Although providing one-to-one travel support isn’t within the charity’s usual role, RNIB Scotland was happy to help connect Jamie with volunteers ready to help, coordinated by Community Social Action Manager Jane Coates.  

Although Jamie is known for tackling blindness with humour, he’s serious about challenging the way society views disability. As he puts it, being blind seems to automatically make him a “role model,” whether he wants to be or not. He’s using comedy to question why disabled people are expected to be heroes rather than simply being complex, contradictory, or even a bit difficult – just like anyone else.  

That same questioning extends beyond attitudes to the practical barriers disabled performers face. 

“There must be a tonne of disabled performers who face the same or similar struggles to me,” Jamie says. “It would be sad, but not surprising if it put some people off coming to perform. I’m not pointing the finger at anyone here, I just think there could be more of a focus put on accessibility.” 

The Fringe has introduced several accessibility initiatives in recent years such as audio-described and BSL-interpreted performances. However, support and accessibility can vary depending on the venue. The historic layout of Edinburgh, coupled with the festival’s pop-up nature, adds to the challenge. 

Jane Coates, Community Social Action Manager for RNIB Scotland, says Jamie’s situation reflects a wider issue: “Accessibility shouldn’t come down to individual goodwill,” she says. “We need systemic solutions that make it easier for blind and partially sighted people to access cultural life, as audience members, and as creators and performers too.” 

For Jamie, the support from volunteers hasn’t solved the wider challenges, but it’s made all the difference in making the Fringe possible this year. 

“Bill and Iain are legends,” he says. “I’m lucky. I’ve got my volunteers in shining armour, Iain and Bill, guiding me through the mayhem.

“Legends without whose help and support would probably see me seriously injured or worse, late for a show. So a heart-felt thanks to them.” 

** Jamie MacDonald is performing ‘Toxic Bastard’ at Venue 24: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House from 15 – 24 August.

Tickets available at:

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jamie-macdonald-toxic-bastard

Police: Leave plenty of time for your travel in town tomorrow

Edinburgh City Centre is likely to be very busy on tomorrow (Thursday, 21 August) due to several events taking place.

Alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe Festival, AC/DC will perform Murrayfield Stadium and Hibernian FC will play Legia Warszawa.

Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, Chief Superintendent David Robertson, said: “With multiple events on in Edinburgh on Thursday, locals and visitors are advised to leave plenty of time to travel around the city.

“Transport is likely to be busier than normal so please plan your journeys in advance.

“An appropriate policing plan is in place and additional officers will be on patrol in the city.”

Sculpture unveiled to mark legacy of Edinburgh theatre company

Friends and supporters of Arkle Theatre Company have unveiled a sculpture to mark the thirty year legacy of grassroots theatre and to recognise the contribution of founders Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan to the arts.

The sculpture was unveiled at a reception attended by alumni of the theatre company and held at this year’s Fringe Central at Grassmarket Community Project on Monday (18 August).

The sculpture has been commissioned from Edinburgh blacksmith and artist Jack Waygood, and depicts a mischievous figure of Puck sat atop a step ladder and holding the full moon.

The design was inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of The 39 Steps; two favourite plays of Arkle Theatre founders and the ensemble productions that made up the company’s final Fringe performances. The work is due to go onto public display at the new Fringe Hub when it opens on Infirmary Street in 2026.

Talking about the artwork and contribution Arkle Theatre Company has made to the arts in Edinburgh, Head of Artist Services at the Fringe Society, Chris Snow said: “Edinburgh is packed year-round with talent – professional theatre companies, students and community groups alike.

“In this year’s Fringe programme hundreds of shows are presented by Edinburgh-based teams. Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan have led Arkle Theatre for 30 years, with the company performing more than 50 shows at the festival.

“The new Fringe Central isn’t just for August – it’s to provide support and space to our local artistic community year-round. We are proud to be a home for this sculpture, commissioned to mark the final Arkle productions and honour Rob and Michael’s legacy to the city and even the festival.”

Arkle Theatre Company was founded in 1996 by Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan who had previously been members of Edinburgh People’s Theatre. The company’s first production was Womberang by Sue Townsend, which was performed in August 1996 at Theatre East End, St Pauls and St George’s Church Hall.

Arkle went on to stage 85 productions in close to 500 performances in the subsequent 29 years, performing at over 20 different venues across Edinburgh and Scotland, and engaging the talent of over 200 Edinburgh based actors, directors, technicians, and artists.

Reflecting on 30 years, Arkle founder Michael Mulligan said: “You only get out what you put in. 

“You couldn’t pay me to act, I can’t act. So I’ve been doing the one thing I like to do, and that is to give talented people a chance to perform. It’s as simple as that.”

Rob Mackean added: “So many people just see the actors on the stage and they don’t realise the hours and hours of rehearsal and all the preparation behind the rehearsals that goes on.

“The performance is just the tip of the iceberg of what we do. It’s only when you’ve done something like this for 30 years or more that you realise people have no concept of all that stuff that goes on behind the scenes.”

The company’s final season came to a close at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it staged four productions at The Royal Scots Club; Nancy’s Philosopher, George, Don’t Do That… The Joy of Joyce Grenfell, The 39 Steps and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The sculpture by Jack Waygood (above) and gifted by friends of Arkle Theatre Company to Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan will be placed on public display at the new Fringe Central on Infirmary Street when it opens in 2026.

Besties week two winners announced

The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the winners of the week two’s The Besties, in the following categories:

The Genre Chaos Award – Sam Kruger and S E Grummett: Creepy Boys SLUGS at Summerhall

The Emerging Talent Award – Ayo Adenekan: Black Mediocrity at Monkey Barrell

The Heart Award – Sami Abu Wardeh: Palestine Peace de Resistence at Pleasance Dome

The Collaboration Award – Opera Queensland and Circa: Orpheus and Eurydice at Edinburgh International Festival

The Nature Award – Karine Polwart: Windblown at The Queen’s Hall

The Kids Award – The Listies: Make Some Noise at Assembly George Square Studios

The award ceremony took place on Saturday 16th August at the Festival Theatre, hosted by Michelle Brasier, whose show It’s a Shame we Won’t be Friends Next Year is at Gilded Balloon this Fringe with performances from rapidly rising singer-songwriter Pippa Blundell who played in Friday night’s Wide Days’ Made in Scotland Gigs.

The Besties awards, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter a recent graduate of Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, use recyclable plastics gathered by the partners and leftover wood sourced locally.

Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and celebrating the breadth of Edinburgh’s Festivals, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

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.

There will be one further award ceremony on Saturday 23rd August.