Outdoor Fringe shows to take to the streets of Leith and the Old Town

Two new outdoor shows are set to be staged under social distancing restrictions during the Edinburgh Festivacl Fringe on the streets of Leith and the Old Town.

The new Leith Comedy Festival will be launching its first event in the form of a specially-created walking tour promising tales of everything from Queen Victoria to Trainspotting.

The 90-minute Funshine on Leith show on 16 August will be led by Paul Stewart, a guide with social enterprise tour company, which specialises in training up people who have experienced homelessness. The festival says the tour will be “packed with historical curiosities, personal anecodotes and juicy details that will make your jaw drop”.

Meanwhile a theatre company has revealed plans to stage an interactive outdoor adventure inspired by the works of Scots writer John Buchan and his most famous character, Richard Hannay, the action hero of The Thirty-nine Steps.

Not Cricket Productions, who specialise in turning classic texts and tales into shows, plan to stage a three-night run of Standfast, which is based on the third Hannay adventure Mr Standfast, at the end of August.

Billed as a cross between an escape room experience and theatre, the show, which will start from Makar’s Court, off the Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile, will see participants face a race against time to prevent a networkofgermanspiesfrom leaking state secrets.

A spokesman said: “No smart phones are necessary, just pen and paper and some problem-solving skills.

“Teamsshouldbeofbetween two and five members and sensible footwear and waterproofs are recommended.

“The event takes place outdoors and will be socially distanced. Numbers are strictly limited to conform with the current guidelines.”