Gie’s peace...
The real comedians and magicians in Edinburgh this August are not on the Fringe, writes Kevan Christie
Been to see anything at the Festival? The most commonly asked question in August has become the Edinburgh-centric version of your hairdresser, barber or personal stylist asking if “you’re going anywhere nice for your holidays?”
Perhaps you’ve caught the latest up-and-coming comedian, a play covering the stigma of mental health – or you’ve just taken a bijou stroll along Princes Street and are wondering where the gentle sound of Peruvian pan pipers playing the Simon & Garfunkel classic El Condor Pasa has gone.
Maybe by chance you’ve stumbled on to Charlotte Square where the Pink Chino Massive hang out during the month of August, keeping a hungry lookout for stragglers from the Yellow Cords Brigade. If that be the case then there’s a small chance that you may have caught a glimpse of a current or former politician in the New York Times Theatre. Forget
Jerry Sadowitz and his inappropriate jokes, the real comedians and magicians are in the West End.
Take your pick from a basket (case) consisting of our very own First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who has appeared at this year’s Festival on four occasions, former unelected PM Gordon Brown, reality TV star Kezia Dugdale, Ruth Davidson from Celebrity Bake Off and a cameo appearance from a guy who was either Corbyn’s best mate John Mcdonnell or that actor Larry Lamb who once played Archie Mitchell in Eastenders.
Oor Nicola, who never travels anywhere without her well thumbed copy of Sunset Song, has been interviewed by football journalist Graham Spiers presumably about whether the Gers (not the tricky figures) can mount a serious title challenge this season.
She’s also spoken to political comedian Matt Forde, radio host Iain Dale and in true poacher turned