BBC will showcase festival talent

Paul Merton, Chelsea Clinton and Nicola Benedetti are among those who will feature in the BBC’S coverage of the Edinburgh festivals this year.

BBC chiefs said their coverage would allow audiences from all corners of the UK to “feel the festival buzz”, showcasing top comedy, arts, writing and music.

Broadcasts will come from across the city with a brand new pop-up radio studio in Summerhall, recordings at Usher Hall, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo highlights from Edinburgh Castle and a radio programme from the heart of the Book Festival.

Highlights include the launch of the BBC Arts firsttime playwright initiative, Debut, which premieres the work of four writers who have never written for the stage before – Bim Adewunmi, Katherine Parkinson, Beryl Richards and Frank Skinner.

On BBC Two Scotland and BBC iplayer, Susan Calman will bring some of the best shows and new talent together from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival for “irreverent chat and laughs” while throughout August, Radio 3 will broadcast a series of live concerts from the Queen’s Hall with performances from artists including violinist Nicola Benedetti,

Jonty Claypole, director of BBC Arts, said: “I hope that this year’s coverage will allow audiences from all corners of the UK to feel the festival buzz.”