May in suspenders, Nicola the drag queen and a spot of Pussy Riot(It
THERESA May in suspenders, the world’s most pierced woman, superhero sock puppets and a Dad’s Army dining experience – it could only be Edinburgh’s famous Festival Fringe.
The world’s largest arts event descends on the capital next month for its 71st year, with more than 55,000 performances set to take place in more than 300 venues – from the grand Assembly Rooms to the top of Arthur’s Seat.
This year sees the return of some stalwarts but the two million festival-goers can also seek out new talent and neverbefore-seen shows – with almost 2,000 premieres.
For those looking for big-name comics, Paul Merton, Dylan Moran, Ruby Wax, Russell Howard and John Culshaw will all be taking to the stage.
Television and radio veteran Nicholas Parsons, 94 – who holds the title of the oldest ever performer – is returning to the Fringe for the 18th year with his popular show Happy Hour at the Pleasance Courtyard.
The exotic Lady Boys of Bangkok are also back at the Sabai Pavilion in Fountainbridge for their 16th Edinburgh show.
As ever, politics provides a wealth of artistic inspiration – with the UK’s forthcoming exit from the European Union one of the key themes of 2018.
Edinburgh-born drag queen Ripley will make her Fringe debut with the colourful and controversial cabaret show Like A Sturgeon at Underbelly on the Cowgate – taking on the guise of Scotland’s First Minister, as well as Prime Minister Theresa May and First Lady Melania Trump.
The artiste’s performance is described as ‘pushing the boundaries of drag, pop and politics’.
Burlesque show Fifty Shades of May at Assembly Roxy – which is not suitable for under-16s – also pokes fun at both the Prime Minister and First Minister.
Comedian Lolly Jones dons a black lacy basque and suspenders for a satirical take on Mrs May’s Brussels negotiations – and sports bright blue nipple tassels embellished with the Yes logo for her ‘saucy Nicola Sturgeon’ impression.
Meanwhile Trump’d at C venue on Chambers Street and Trumpageddon at Gilded Balloon Teviot take a satirical look at the President of the United States. On a less frivolous note, former Labour leader Ed Miliband will host Reasons to be Cheerful – described as ‘a show for the politically disheartened’ – at the Pleasance Courtyard.
Away from the world of politics, the newly crowned winner of Britain’s Got Talent, Lee Ridley – better known as Lost Voice Guy – who has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak, will be appearing at the Gilded Balloon.
Former Blue Peter presenters Peter Purves, Janet Ellis, Peter Duncan, Mark Curry and Tim Vincent will unite in celebration of the TV programme’s 60th anniversary.
Once Seen on Blue Peter: Makes, Bakes and Out-takes will run between August 4 and August 26 at the Assembly Rooms. Jason Donovan and his Amazing Midlife Crisis at Assembly George Square Gardens will feature the singer and former Neighbours star opening up about the trials and tribulations of his showbusiness career that he ‘wasn’t able to tell on TV’.
Dame Esther Rantzen will share anecdotes from her 50 years in broadcasting in That’s Life – named after her famous 1970s and 80s television show – at Gilded Balloon Teviot.
A Dad’s Army dining experience at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre will feature Great British Bake Off cookery guru Prue Leith creating a 1940sstyle menu for festival-goers.
They will also be entertained by actors playing the characters
‘Pushing boundaries of drag, pop and politics’
from the classic sitcom. Foodies might also enjoy lunchtime poetry show Haggis, Neeps and Burns at the Hill Street Theatre, where they will be served the Scottish staple while listening to recitals of some of the Bard’s best work.
Bubble Show for Adults Only at C on Chambers Street will feature ‘foam burlesque’ and warns audience members that they will ‘never look at a bubble in the same way’, while the world’s most pierced woman, Elaine Davidson, is putting on a Kinky Freakshow at Zoo Charteris at The Pleasance.
She is better known for her day job, but BBC local weather forecaster Sam Fraser will make her Fringe debut.
Her free show Stand Up, Weather Presenter will be at the Counting House on West Nicolson Street. The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre are back for their tenth year with Superheroes at Gilded Balloon Teviot.
Meanwhile the Hamilton (Lewis) musical at Assembly George Square Studios will use hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap and R&B to tell the story of Britain’s most successful motor racing driver.
Pussy Riot – the Russian feminist art collective who famously fell foul of Vladimir Putin’s regime and were jailed for two years for hooliganism for protesting in a Moscow church – will be in residency at Summerhall arts centre, which will also exhibit work by Yoko Ono.
Some of the venues this year are just as bizarre as the comedic content.
Laughing Horse Comedy will be putting on the world’s smallest comedy show – for only three audience members at a time – in a chicken coop on West Nicolson Street, beside the University of Edinburgh.
Comedians Josie Long, Simon Munnery and Rich Fulcher will trek to the top of 823ft Arthur’s Seat for a one-off show on August 18.
And a ‘pianodrome’ – constructed of 55 recycled pianos in the Royal Botanic Garden – will also be transformed into a performance venue. Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘This year’s programme contains an eclectic mix of creative endeavour from across the globe that will move, challenge and, of course, entertain.
‘This year we are encouraging everyone who comes to the Fringe to take a leap into the unknown.
‘Whether this is your first or your 50th time visiting the Fringe as a performer or audience member, this is a place where new discoveries wait around every corner.
‘There is no other festival in the world that offers such a broad or diverse range of cultural experiences.
‘The Fringe is a festival that empowers its audiences to create their own adventure.’
‘An eclectic mix of creative endeavour’