It’s time to paint the town pink once more as Gilded Balloon celebrates their 40th anniversary with another year of their legendary Pink Wednesday – a 24 hour charity day with £5 tickets for some of the Fringe’s most in-demand shows!
Join Gilded Balloon’s staff and performers as they bring out their most fabulously pink outfits to fundraise for this year’s charity partner Waverley Care, all whilst enjoying discounted tickets for Fringe shows, fancy dress, competition prizes and more.
With over 200 shows across three venues, fans can snap up £5 tickets for comedy, theatre, family, cabaret and more, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity.
Fringe fans can enjoy some great entertainment and give back to a good cause, as shows participating in £5 tickets include Baxter vs the Bookies starring Andy Linden, last year’s So You Think You’re Funny winner Alana Jackson with her debut show Last Orders, local Edinburgh comic Michael Welch, Jack Docherty as The Chief with The Chief: Still No Apologies, Kim Blythe, Late’n’Live, Sophia Wren and many more!
Make a night of it with fun interactive shows like John Robertson’s The Dark Room, modern mentalist and hypnotist show PENMAN: The Imaginator – You, karaoke extravaganza Sink or SING!, and IKEA WARS, which challenges two comedians to build Ikea furniture on stage in a battle of wits (and home improvement skills).
For a full list of shows offering £5 tickets and to book, please visit:
or stop by one of the Box Offices across venues: Patter House, The Museum or our brand new Appleton Tower!
Ts&Cs: £5 plus handling fees. Tickets to participating shows only, whilst stocks last. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance and must be booked on the day via Gilded Balloon’s box offices and website.
Traditionally nicknamed ‘Black Wednesday’ and known as a day of slower ticket sales across the Fringe, Gilded Balloon introduced Pink Wednesday in 2018 to encourage locals and Fringe fans to take a chance on a new show and enjoy discounted tickets, all whilst raising vital funds for charity.
Each £5 ticket sold will see a percentage donated to Waverley Care, as well as charity staff fundraising throughout the day with bucket collections, QR codes and information points.
Waverley Care was 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.
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “We’re thrilled to offer £5 tickets all day for some of the biggest shows at the Fringe – from Late’n’Live to Jack Docherty, as well as some of the best rising talent like Alana Jackson, Michael Welch and Sophia Wren.
“Pink Wednesday is the perfect day to get out and see some new shows at a discounted price, all whilst supporting our fantastic charity partner Waverley Care.
“It’s wonderful to see so many of our acts opt in to support Waverley Care and donate a percentage of their £5 ticket sales today to a charity who are doing vitally important work across Scotland.”
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive, Waverley Care said,“We’re thrilled to be Gilded Balloon’s charity partner once again for this year’s Pink Wednesday event.
“As Scotland’s leading HIV and Hepatitis C charity, we’re committed to making sure no one feels isolated. We provide safe, inclusive spaces where people can access care and community with dignity, free from stigma.
“Thanks to medical advances, people living with HIV can now live long, healthy lives. But stigma remains a significant barrier that continues to harm many.
“Fundraising events like Pink Wednesday are vital. They enable us to deliver life-changing services, expand access to testing and prevention, and tackle the misconceptions that still surround blood borne viruses.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone taking part and supporting our mission to improve lives across 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.
Blind mentalist stuns with unforgettable Fringe stunt beneath the rainforest canopy
Dynamic Earth provided the backdrop yesterday (23 July) for an unforgettable twist on the classic game of Hide and Seek delivered by visually impaired Albino mentalist Fraser Penman.
Fraser, described as “Scotland’s answer to Derren Brown”, used an astonishing feat of mind reading and psychological skill to locate a personal item hidden deep within the centre’s tropical rainforest by Still Game actors ‘Isa’ and ‘Tam’.
The Fringe performer – known as PENMAN: The Imaginator – used the rare art of Hellstromism (or muscle-reading) to perform the jaw-dropping stunt. Without sight, but with heightened senses, Fraser placed his hand lightly on Isa’s shoulder and guided her through Dynamic Earths immersive galleries.
He then homed in on the hidden item – H.G. Wells novel ‘The Invisible Man’ – using subtle psychological techniques. Fraser made a final connection with the popular TV actors before pinpointing the exact hiding place of the novel, secretly hidden beneath the rainforest canopy.
In a dramatic finale, Fraser unveiled an envelope with a note inside correctly predicting the name of the book, leaving those who witnessed the moment in awe.
Blending ancient play – Hide and Seek was first documented by Greek writer Julius Pollux in the 2nd century – with cutting-edge mentalism, the stunt offered a glimpse of what audiences can expect from Fraser’s debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, PENMAN: The Imaginator – YOU, at the Gilded Balloon.
Penman, 30, from East Kilbride, lives with the most extreme form of Oculocutaneous Albinism, meaning he is visually impaired. His Fringe act fuses mind reading, hypnosis, and comedy, inspired by his journey to transform a childhood coping mechanism into a remarkable skill.
Photo – Garry F McHarg / FOCAL Scotland.
Fraser Penman, who describes himself as a “Psychological influencer”, said: “I grew up just like other children across the country playing Hide and Seek, But I played it differently, as I was born with a severe visual impairment, which meant I had to learn to sense things another way.
“And that’s what today’s stunt at Dynamic Earth was all about, learning to sense differently. To imagine differently and be able to influence people’s thoughts.
“Using a little-known technique called Hellstromism, also known as muscle reading, I didn’t just read where Tam and Isa went to in Dynamic Earth, I also gently influenced where they would go, before they even knew.
“By simply touching both their shoulders again and using the same psychological methods, I was able to go deeper into their mind to find the exact spot in the rainforest area where they had hidden the book.
“With so many different attractions, Dynamic Earth was the ideal venue for a fun game of Hide and Seek with a twist. Today’s stunt was a taste of YOU, my live theatre show premiering at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“A show about breaking beliefs, finding inner superpowers and discovering just how extraordinary your own mind can be.”
Jane McCarry (Isa) chose the novel, The Invisible Man, as the ‘hidden item’ as it is very personal to her, having been given to her mum in 1941.
Jane said: “I thought choosing the book, ‘The Invisible Man’, was very appropriate for the stunt with Fraser. I have always had a fascination with magic and I want to believe it’s real, so it was amazing to be up close and see Fraser in action.
“I can’t imagine for a second how he knew where the item was and then guessed that it was the book I had brought with me.”
Mark Cox (Tam) said:“The whole stunt was mind-boggling and baffling, Fraser blew me away with his performance. I have no idea how he managed to find the item and predict in advance what the personal item was. I’m still scratching me head how he did it.”
Suzie Holligan, Visitor Experience and Events Director at Dynamic Earth, said: “It was a real pleasure to host Fraser for this one-of-a-kind experience. Dynamic Earth is all about inspiring curiosity and encouraging people to see the world differently, and Fraser’s incredible skills brought that to life in such a unique way.
“We’re proud to be an official Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue, providing a spectacular setting where science meets storytelling. We’re thrilled to have been part of this special event and wish him all the best for a fantastic Fringe debut.”
Fraser has previously hypnotised Pop Star Callum Beattie, some of Scotland’s top TikTok social media influencers and renowned Scottish comedian Gary Faulds.
With more than 2.5 million views on TikTok, he is determined to change the perception of those with Albinism and hopes his Fringe stage show will act as an inspiration for people with the condition.
Fraser added: “When I was training to be a primary teacher in my 20’s I was inspired by Derren Brown’s storytelling and showmanship, I must have watched a DVD about hypnosis a thousand times.
“Once I read a few books and looked into the neuroscience behind it I realised that I had the ability to hypnotise someone almost instantly. It was like having a superpower, I was blown away.
“I had a difficult childhood growing up with Albinism, so having this gift has allowed me to turn around my life and chase my dreams of one day having my own residency at Vegas.
“Many people with Albinism are confined to the house wearing dark glasses but I’m determined to change that perception. I want to inspire others that if you can see it in your imagination anything is possible, or even when you don’t believe in yourself you can still believe in your dream.
“After being bullied at school I was determined to change my mindset, and it ended up saving my life.”
For the past six years, Fraser has been holding down two jobs while honing his craft with performances at venues around the UK. His new Fringe show is the first time it will be performed before audiences in Scotland.
A new venue to support the performing arts has been announced for Edinburgh’s Bristo Square, with The Gilded Saloon bar & kitchen set to open on 30th July 2025, alongside a 200 capacity club and venue in the basement.
A new venture from comedy operators Gilded Balloon, Scots musical and arts festival Kelburn Garden Party and creative community pub Paradise Palms, the bar and venue will open its doors in time for Edinburgh Fringe.
Located on 45-47 Lothian Street overlooking Bristo Square and right next to city favourite Paradise Palms, the new venue will launch a vibrant programme of music, performance, comedy and events, operating 7 days a week.
The three businesses have teamed up to create a joint venture with the new space, which will aim to support the creative and performing arts community from across Scotland with gigs, club nights, music performances, comedy shows, pub theatre, spoken word and more, right in the heart of Edinburgh.
The Gilded Saloon will serve up a broad selection of draught beers, wines and spirits alongside hearty modern pub grub and a Fringe pop-up, ‘Coop’, during August by local chef Tomas Gormley (known for his restaurants Skua and Cardinal).
Due to open July 2025, the Gilded Saloon will also act as a hub for Edinburgh Fringe performers during August and a supportive artist space year round, providing discounted food and drinks to the creative sector as well as rehearsal, workshop and collaborative space to established and grassroots artists and promoters.
The basement club will unveil its own programme in the coming weeks …
Gilded Balloon is a family run enterprise and one of Scotland’s leading entertainment producers, presenting shows across the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as well as tours year-round throughout the UK.
This year they will celebrate 40 years at the Fringe with a programme featuring some of comedy’s most iconic names including Rosie O’Donnell, Smack the Pony and Alan Davies. Run by Co-Directors Karen and Katy Koren, Gilded Balloon will run comedy, theatre, sketch and non-music programming at The Gilded Saloon which is named after the venue they lost during the infamous Cowgate fire over 20 years ago in 2002.
Kelburn Garden Party is Scotland’s best loved independent music and arts festival, which has just celebrated their 15th edition at Kelburn Castle on the West Coast with a sell out attendance..
Welcoming over 5000 fans each year, the festival showcases the best in Scottish and international talent from music to contemporary art. The team behind the festival will programme oversee much of the club bookings plus mobilise their team of festival supporters and artists to collaborate and help curate this new year round creative space.
Paradise Palms was always set up to be a community centre as much as it is a bar. The folks behind it are from Edinburgh but between them have opened venues in London, Ibiza, Sydney, Auckland, Nashville & L.A. so they know what it takes to make something tick and how important community is.
Always championing the grassroots and marginalised the venue also runs its own record label – Paradise Palms Records, which it uses as a platform to promote the music it loves and artists from Scotland and overseas. They will assist in general programming and oversee the operation of the new venue.
Tomás Gormley is a local award-winning chef and restaurateur. After earning a Michelin star at his first restaurant, Heron, in 2023, he went on to open Skua, a Michelin Bib Gourmand small plates spot, and Cardinal, an intimate fine dining restaurant in Stockbridge.
This August, he brings back his cult fried chicken pop-up, COOP, serving fried chicken and smoked lobster rolls across multiple Fringe locations.
The full year-round programme of events specifically curated by Paradise Palms, Kelburn Arts and Gilded Balloon will be launched from September but in the meantime, visit the Gilded Saloon from the 30th July and throughout the Fringe.
After a successful inaugural run in 2024, Edinburgh Fringe venue Gilded Balloon has relaunched its Postcode Pals scheme, offering local residents discounted tickets for some of the Festival’s biggest and best shows.
Over 125 shows will offer £6 tickets for residents across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk including Alana Jackson, Caroline Rhea, Jack Docherty in The Chief, Kim Blythe, Rosie O’Donnell and many more.
This year’s programme celebrates Gilded Balloon’s 40th Fringe, with household names returning alongside a lineup of newcomers and fresh talent. And now, Postcode Pals will ensure local residents can grab discounts for the very best Fringe shows for the first few days of the Festival, whether planning a family day out, late night comedy or thrilling theatre.
Postcode Pals runs from now until 6pm Tuesday 29th July for residents in EH, KY and FK postcodes. Valid for select shows from 30th July – 3rd August
Thousands of tickets across Gilded Balloon’s varied programme of comedy, theatre, magic, kids, musicals and more will be discounted for a limited time only. Locals have from now until 29th July to claim their Postcode Pals tickets, with a limited number of tickets available for each performance and subject to availability. This scheme enables local residents to see some of the Fringe’s top shows in the very first few days of the world’s biggest arts festival, with discounted tickets available for performances from 30th July to 3rd August.
Ts&Cs: £6 tickets (plus handling fees) for cards registered to addresses from EH, KY and FK postcodes via Gilded Balloon website only. Offer available to purchase from 12pm 14th July –6pm 29th July. Discounted tickets for participating shows from 30th July – 3rd August, subject to availability. Max 2 per show, max 6 per transaction. Log in to Gilded Balloon website and use PALS25 at checkout to unlock discount.
For the ultimate family day out, locals can enjoy a lineup of fantastic family-friendly entertainment from world-class performers like Lindsey Cole and Mark Thompson, as well as interactive shows like Woody’s Bush Cabaret for Kids and A.L.Ex & the ImproBots: How to Train Your Robot, which are sure to keep the kids (and parents) entertained!
Postcode Pals can secure tickets to some of the Fringe’s top comedians including Jack Docherty in The Chief, Rosie O’Donnell’s first Fringe, TikTok star Kim Blythe, rising star Alana Jackson, local comic Michael Welch and Aunt Hilda herself, Caroline Rhea. They can also enjoy some top-tier comedy from abroad, including New Zealand funny girl Sarah Bradley in Just Like Other Girls and NYC comic Liz Coin’s show Lizzy Sunshine.
For pals who are more on the adventurous side, Gilded Balloon’s interactive shows will keep you on the edge of your seat, and sometimes bring you onto the stage! Some exciting additions to the programme this year are IKEA WARS, which challenges two comedians to build Ikea furniture on stage in a race against the clock, Married at Fringe Sight, a Fringe dating show that ends with a marriage, as well as some show-stopping tricks at 1 Hour of Insane Magic.
Postcode Pals can also bag discounted tickets for some of the most exciting new theatre at this year’s festival, including Gail Watson in Faye’s Red Lines and EastEnders star Michelle Collins in her new show, Motorhome Marilyn. For the musically inclined, Arthur Hull’s FLOP and Midnight at the Palace are two that can’t be missed.
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “We’re excited to launch a second year of Postcode Pals and release thousands of discounted tickets for some of our very best shows to ensure local residents don’t miss out on Fringe fun.
“With the world’s largest arts festival on our doorstep, it’s important as locals that we embrace it and we hope Postcode Pals helps local residents to get involved, grab a bargain and see some big names, or maybe take a chance on someone new!
“With £6 tickets running across all three of our venues, there’s shows on offer for all types of Fringe fans – from the littlest members of your family to comedy fans, theatregoers and more.”
Gilded Balloon’s ‘Pals in Pink’ will welcome audiences from around the world as staff transform all three venues (Appleton Tower, 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.
Postcode Pals gives local residents even more incentive to start their Fringe wish lists early so they can take advantage of this great opportunity to see some of the biggest shows of the year at the start of their runs.
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.
THOUSANDS OF DISCOUNTED TICKETS WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR WAVERLEY CARE FOR 24 HOURS ONLY
It’s time to paint the town pink once more as Gilded Balloon, one of Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s longest-running venues, kicks off their legendary Pink Wednesday – a 24 hour charity day with £5 tickets for some of the Fringe’s most in-demand shows.
Gilded Balloon’s staff, performers and customers join together to don their best pink outfits and fundraise for this year’s charity partner Waverley Care, all whilst enjoying discounted tickets for Fringe shows, fancy dress, competition prizes and more.
With 130 shows across two venues in 2024, Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland, fans can snap up £5 tickets for comedy, theatre, family, cabaret and more, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity.
Acts raising funds for Waverley Care include Jack Docherty in The Chief – No Apologies, Martin Brock, Juliette Burton, Hypnotist Matt Hale, Chris Hall, Pop Off, Michelangelo, Grace Campbell and more, with £5 tickets available for these shows via Gilded Baloon’s box offices and websites.
Visit tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk to view all shows offering £5 tickets today across family, comedy, cabaret, theatre, magic and more.
Ts&Cs: £5 plus handling fees. Tickets to participating shows only, whilst stocks last
Traditionally nicknamed ‘Black Wednesday’ and known as a day of slower ticket sales across the Fringe, Gilded Balloon introduced Pink Wednesday in 2018 to encourage locals and Fringe fans to take a chance on a new show and enjoy discounted tickets, all whilst raising vital funds for charity.
Each £5 ticket sold will see money donated to Waverley Care, as well as charity staff fundraising throughout the day with bucket collections, QR codes and information points.
Waverley Care was 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.
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said: “It’s officially time to paint the town pink again as we launch £5 tickets for one day only, in support of the wonderful Waverley Care.
“Pink Wednesday is a chance for acts, customers and staff to join together and raise money for charity, support our brilliant artists and see some fantastic shows for only £5. It’s a great opportunity to take a chance on something new and buy a ticket for a show you haven’t heard of before, and maybe discover your new favourite comedian!
“We’re thrilled to see so many acts opt in to support Waverley Care by donating a percentage of their ticket sales for today to the charity, as they do unparalleled and vitally important work across Scotland. We hope everyone embraces the Pink Wednesday spirit, dons their best pink outfits today and comes down to get involved!”
Grant Sugden, Chief Executive, Waverley Care said: “Waverley Care is delighted to be chosen as Gilded Balloon’s charity partner for this year’s Pink Wednesday event. This collaboration is an incredible opportunity to tackle HIV stigma and raise vital funds.
“Scotland is on the verge of becoming one of the first countries to achieve zero new HIV transmission. To reach this goal, we need more people to get tested, to improve access to HIV prevention medication Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and to end harmful HIV stigma.
“We look forward to engaging with people attending shows, sharing our mission to end new HIV transmission by 2030, and raising money to support those affected by HIV and hepatitis C across 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. Find out more information and support Waverley Care – www.waverleycare.org
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.
PLUS LOCAL BREWERY NEWBARNS LAUNCH GILDED BALLOON’S VERY OWN PINKTASTIC PINTS
A brand new bar is set to open in the heart of Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August, as some of the city’s best food vendors pop up for daytime dining at Gilded Balloon’s brand-new bar Lucky Penny including Alby’s, Spitaki, Wing Theory and more.
The hidden gem will serve up everything from frozen cocktails, Kegronis and Gilded Balloon’s very own beer.
Located at 19-20 Teviot Place, in the former Saboteur venue, Lucky Penny will welcome Fringe fans, acts and industry to the bar, which will be run in partnership with local brewery Newbarns, serving up fresh pints and cocktails as well as the very best Edinburgh food and drink pop-ups.
Gilded Balloon is a family run business, operated by mother-daughter duo Katy and Karen Koren, with Lucky Penny named after the newest member of the family, Katy’s daughter Penny.
Lucky Penny opens from 12pm on 31st July until 26th August meaning foodie fans have almost four weeks to pop in and try some of the incredible Edinburgh vendors taking over the bespoke bar from 1-6pm for daytime dining like no other.
Locals and tourists alike can take a break from Fringe fun to feast on the capital’s very best food offerings in Lucky Penny before heading off to experience over 3000 shows on offer at the Festival.
Plus, renowned Leith brewers Newbarns have introduced a special Gilded Balloon themed IPA ‘Hiya Pals’ with pinktastic pints set to be poured in the Leith Newbarns taproom, at Lucky Penny and across all Gilded Balloon venue bars at Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland.
Gilded Balloon work with Scottish brands Tennent’s Lager, Newbarns and Leith Spirits to provide spirits, beer,cider and more across all of their Fringe bars.
Open 7 days a week from 12pm – late, Lucky Penny will welcome a relishing roster of seven different foodie pop-ups throughout the month of August including:
Alby’s take on a classic hot dog with Big Hot Bangers, deep fried specialists Big Dip, authentic Greek food from Spitaki, fried chicken connoisseurs Wing Theory, Lebanese street food from Lazeez, Vietnamese cuisine from Banh Mi Brothers, as well as frozen cocktails and mimosas from Pulp Friction. Plus, award winning pies from Jarvis Pickle will be available all day and night throughout the Festival for tasty bites in between shows! See below for full line-up and dates.
As one of the Fringe’s original, and pinkest, venues, Gilded Balloon’s brand new Lucky Penny is in addition to bars at two venues Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland. The pop up bar will be operated in partnership with Edinburgh’s Newbarns Brewery, pouring their own easy-drinking pale ales and lagers, Aperol Spritzes and Gin Fizzes, as well as Kegronis from other local favourite Electric Spirit, meaning Negronis on tap all summer long!
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said: “It’s so exciting to reveal our incredible line-up of vendors who will be popping up at Lucky Penny and bringing some of Edinburgh’s very best food to Fringe.
“From fresh hot sandwiches from Alby’s to authentic Greek food from Spitaki, Pulp Friction’s frozen cocktails and even Negronis on tap, Lucky Penny will be the spot to chill out and grab a bite of some of the city’s most delicious food before taking in lots of Fringe shows!
“We’re looking forward to throwing open the doors to Lucky Penny and welcoming Fringe fans, performers and the Fringe community and industry to the brand new space for some ‘Hiya Pals’ pints in the sun, fresh out of the tap from our pals at Newbarns.”
Emma McIntosh, Director of Newbarns Brewery said: “As a local Leith brewery, working with a renowned local Edinburgh Fringe venue such as Gilded Balloon made perfect sense.
“We’ve created our bespoke ‘Hiya Pals’ IPA in collaboration with Gilded Balloon, available exclusively throughout the Festival in our brand new perfectly pink cans. We hope Newbarns fans will pop along to the Lucky Penny to sip on some freshly brewed pints this August!”
LUCKY PENNY – AUGUST TAKEOVERS
Spitaki, 1-6pm
Thursday 1st
Sunday 4th
Thursday 15th
Lazeez, 1-6pm
Friday 2nd – Saturday 3rd
Pulp Friction, 7-10pm
Saturday 3rd
Wednesday 14th
Thursday 22nd
Saturday 24th
Wing Theory, 1-6pm
Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th August
Big Dip, 1-6pm
Saturday 17th August – Sunday 18th August
Banh Mi Brothers, 1-6pm
Thursday 22nd – Saturday 24th August
Alby’s, 1-6pm
Sunday 25th August
Jarvis Pickle Pies
Daily
Walk-ins only, no bookings. Open to the general public from 12pm – 6pm, artist and VIP bar only from 7pm.
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.
Big name stars from Michelle Brasier and Jack Docherty will take to the stage alongside comedy’s very best newcomers from Joshua Bethania to Kathleen Hughes, as well as an expertly-curated programme of theatre such as Chemo Savvy, a tribute to the late Andy Gray, The Steamie, Pop Off, Michelangelo and much more.
OVER 130 SHOWS WILL OFFER £6 TICKETS TO RESIDENTS ACROSS EDINBURGH, FIFE AND MORE
Edinburgh Fringe’s iconic pink venue Gilded Balloon has launched a brand new Postcode Pals scheme, offering local residents thousands of discounted tickets for some of the Festival’s biggest and best shows.
Over 130 shows will offer £6 tickets for residents across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk with huge names like Jack Docherty, Michelle Brasier, Cameron Young, and classic Fringe shows like Late’n’Live and more on offer.
Whether planning a family day out, on the lookout for comedy’s rising stars, thrilling theatre or preparing for some showstopping magic, Gilded Balloon’s Postcode Pals will ensure local residents can experience the very best of the Fringe at shows from 31st July – 4th August.
Thousands of tickets across Gilded Balloon’s varied programme of comedy, theatre, magic, kids, musicals and more will be discounted for a limited time only. Locals have from now until 30th July to claim their Postcode Pals tickets, with a limited number of tickets available for each performance and subject to availability.
The brand new scheme will invite residents across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk to see some of the Fringe’s top shows in the very first few days of the world’s biggest arts festival.
Ts&Cs: £6 tickets (plus handling fees) for cards registered to addresses from EH, KY and FK postcodes via Gilded Balloon website only. Offer available to purchase from 15th July – 6pm 30th July. Discounted tickets for participating shows from 31st July – 4th August, subject to availability. Max 2 per show, max 6 per transaction. Log in and use PALS24 at checkout to unlock discount.
For the ultimate family day out, locals can enjoy an explosive all-ages comedy masterclass from Japan’s best silent comedian Ketch Sketch, a show jam packed with clowning, juggling and hilarious audience interaction. Or, take the kids to Funny Bones – a clowning show with heart that tells the tale of a stubborn soul refusing to cooperate with his broken body. Expect large-scale puppetry, high-energy physical comedy and lots of laughs!
There’s even shows for the littlest members of the family including Baby Shark and Tails of the Seven Seas, Lost in the Woods and more.
As the Fringe’s original home of comedy, Gilded Balloon is the place to see rising stars including debuts from Joshua Bethania, Kyle Dolan and Kathleen Hughes, Scot Squad regular Elaine Malcolmson, a mixed bill from Sophie Garrad and Leigh Douglas, and of course, The Chief himself Jack Docherty. Enjoy the Fringe’s original late night show Late’n’Live showcasing a mixed bill featuring the very best of the Festival where anything can happen, or check out comedy stars of the future at Best of So You Think You’re Funny?
Postcode Pals can bag discounted tickets for some of the UK’s top magicians including the award winning magician meets scientist Kevin Quantum, Scottish star Cameron Young or Danish magician Martin Brock. Enjoy thrilling theatre including an ode to female friendship in Knives and Forks, or join Pals for an adventure-comedy play embarking on a camping trip in the west of Scotland.
Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said:, “It’s great to finally launch Postcode Pals and release thousands of discounted tickets for some of our very best shows to residents from the Festival’s surrounding areas.
“With the world’s largest arts festival on our doorstep and so many talented artists, comedians, actors, magicians and more ready to entertain us, Postcode Pals is a fantastic chance to secure discounted tickets for some of the Fringe’s most in-demand shows.
“We guarantee there’s something for every member of the family across both of our venues so don’t miss out!”
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.
Big name stars from Paul Black, Michelle Brasier and Jack Docherty will take to the stage alongside comedy’s very best newcomers from Nate Kitch to Stephanie Bradshaw, as well as an expertly-curated programme of theatre such as Chemo Savvy, a tribute to the late Andy Gray, The Steamie, Pop Off, Michelangelo and much more.
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.
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.
