Gilded Balloon Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Showcasing a captivating mix of acts by fresh and accomplished talent, the Gilded Balloon is returning this August with a big, bold programme of outstanding entertainment!
Article Source: Gilded Balloon
Last Updated: 8 June 2022 16:37
Britney Spears, mental health, fitness, relationships, disability and sex are just a snippet of themes covered, while hilarious storytelling, music and magic take kids on an unforgettable journey of laughs and self-discovery.
“We are delighted to launch our full programme of shows after nearly two and a half years”, said thrilled Artistic Director Karen Koren. “We’re incredibly proud to work with some tremendous international and local shows, artists, and companies to present their work at this 75th Anniversary Edinburgh Festival Fringe for Scotland ¬– and the world!”
Fellow Artistic Director Katy Koren said: “We’re working hard to ensure this year’s Fringe is the best it possibly can be for all involved and excited to support all who work with us to flourish this summer. Our programme really has something for everyone, and we hope locals and tourists will buy tickets to support such incredible creative talent at the Fringe once again.”
Looking for fun and feminism? Take note: Ayesha Hazarika’s State of the Nation and Elf Lyons’s horrifying comedy Raven, inspired by Stephen King, are not to be missed. And there’s more: fresh from Live at The Apollo, Mock the Week and The Last Leg, Best Newcomer nominee Maisie Adam’s Buzzed plus Grace Campbell’s eagerly awaited Fringe return following her 2019 sell-out show about her two lifelong passions: men and herself. Also, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Kaye Adams brings her show How to be 60: Live!
Julie Jay’s This Is Toxic centres around surviving sexism but, most of all, is a tribute to “Princess of Pop” Britney Spears. Everyone’s favourite tennis mum Judy Murray joins actor and comedian Chris Forbes in The Duncan and Judy Show – Duncan being Judy’s other son!
Sharing a harrowing tale, you won't forget in a hurry, Harriet Dyer is an award-winning comedian and mental health advocate while The Guilty Feminist whacks us with a laugh-out-loud routine. Other notable performers are Eleanor Tiernan, Esther Manito, Alice Fraser, Lou Conran, Anna Clifford, Janeane Garofalo from the US and loads more!
Exploring diagnosis, relationships, sexuality, creativity and the history of autism, Ian Lynam’s Autistic License sets out to prove autistic people have more to offer than being good at maths. Lost Voice Guy (aka Lee Ridley) brings his brand-new show Cerebral LOL-sy to the Gilded Balloon. In a Geordie accent, The Britain's Got Talent winner and star of Ability on BBC Radio 4 pokes fun at his life living as a disabled person in a post-apocalyptic world. When The New York Times asked Jamie MacDonald “What's the worst that could happen to you?” Blindness won! But Jamie's not so sure. The star of Life on the Blink (BBC Radio 4) and Blind Ambition (BBC Two) once hated his eyes, now he loves them (a similar journey he had with olives).
Spoons by Jon Canter is a sharp and touching play about the revenge of a couples’ counsellor who spent 35 years with bickering partners. Jon has worked alongside Dawn French, Richard Wilson, Fry and Laurie and Lenny Henry.
Triple-Fringe First winner Henry Naylor’s Afghanistan Is Not Funny is an extraordinary award-winning performance that takes us back to the start of the modern Afghan tragedy. Birds of Passage in the Half Light by Kat Woods is dark, comedic theatre unravelling some of life’s deep complexities. Award-winning writer Keir McAllister’s The Intervention is a black comedy full of funny twists while Jack Docherty, BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad, delivers a tender yet playful tale where he grapples with lost youth, love, fatherhood and truth in Nothing But.
Cameron Young is one of the hottest names in modern magic having appeared on national television shows such as Britain's Got Talent, Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Tu Si Que Vales. His A Secret Show debuts at the Fringe this year. There’s more magic from Tom Crosbie, Kevin Quantum, Pete Heat and headliner and leading comic Pete Firman.
Jesus L’Oréal is so worth it! Sassy, dyslexic, he’s the ultimate lifestyle guru presenting a high-octane hour of song and dance. His Jehovah's Fitness will help you flex those Pentecostal muscles. Jazz Emu is here to clear his name. He can explain why, and when it comes to theatrical wrestling, Mythos Ragnarok is ready for the rounds.
Stream Gilded Balloon’s brilliant podcast to hear Lynn Ferguson, Neil Harrington and the-one-and-only Chesney Hawkes chat temporary epiphanies and, most likely, some swearing! Each day a different guest joins this unlikely trio to reveal their perspective on life and in return Chesney plays his version of their favourite song and festival favourite Fred MacAulay makes a welcome comeback with ‘In Conversation’ with star guests from comedy and television.
Other leading acts in Gilded Balloon’s line-up include American comic and actress Janeane Garofalo, rock band King Crimson’s singer Jakko Jakszyk, who’s launching his one-man play The Road to Ballina directed by Michael Attenborough, Chris Gethard, Tehran Von Ghasri, Sammy Obeid and Saturday Night Live’s Sarah Sherman (aka Sarah Squirm), known for her surreal and body horror comedy.
For little ones, The Song of Fergus and Kate uses storytelling, music and animation to encourage children to celebrate their differences. A Ladder to the Stars is a heartfelt, humorous story of what can happen when the universe hears their dreams.
Britain's most loveable fox Basil Brush (Boom! Boom!) takes them on a journey of laughs, storytelling and song. It’s a show specially written for the live stage, packed with fun and excitement for all the family. (For adult fans of the fox book early for Unleashed… and Uncut).
The Haunted Bookshop has a story for everyone who can take the ghastly, the ghostly and the downright grizzly. There’s also Magic Roman’s Summer Holiday, The Dark Room, Pirates and Princesses vs Sea Monsters and award-winning Marcel Lucont’s gameshow for awful children called Les Enfants Terribles. For a collision of theatre, dance and circus, where the audience chooses the show order, Fruit Flies Like a Banana is a must-see.
Starting at an earlier time of 11:30pm (not 1am as before) is the legendary Late’n’live and the Leith Social makes its Fringe debut – the Gilded Balloon’s regular year-round variety show brings prominent names from the Fringe to Leith every week. Located in Lothian Street, the Gilded Balloon at the Museum hosts Attenborough, and his Animals, Boris Live at Five and other stellar acts.
Celebrating 35 years of So You Think You’re Funny?, the Gilded Balloon’s renowned comedy newcomer competition has supported hundreds of the greatest names in comedy in the first year of their careers. Backing last year’s winners, the Gilded Balloon’s mixed-bill show sees Andy Watts, Rae Brogan and winner Omar Badawy take to the stage. Also debuting is the 2019 competition winner Finlay Christie. Previous contestants and winners from So You Think You’re Funny? include Aisling Bea, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen, Kevin Bridges, Maisie Adam, and Sara Pascoe.
The competition heats and grand final take place live at the Gilded Balloon and online with streaming partner Next Up. Grab tickets to see where future comedy starts.
Tickets for all shows are available from https://gildedballoon.co.uk/
Image: Katy and Karen Koren
Sponsored Links
Latest Lanarkshire News
Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes
Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
South Lanarkshire Council announces dates for their 2025 Christmas Lights switch on events
The countdown to Christmas is underway with lights scheduled to be switched on at events across South Lanarkshire!
READ MORE
Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORE
Hidden treasures of Murrayfield
Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.
READ MORE
Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
Michel Roux unveils new laidback menu at Crossbasket Castle
Crossbasket Castle, one of Scotland's most enchanting five-star destinations, has unveiled a new Market Menu at its Foveran's restaurant.
READ MORE
Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
The Christmas tradition of the year is back...
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
Beat the Street CamGlen winners announced!
The Beat the Street challenge taking place across Cambuslang and Rutherglen has now concluded and the winners have been announced!
READ MORE
Pumpkin drive for pigs at the National Museum of Rural Life to reduce waste this Halloween
Visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life are being encouraged to donate their Halloween pumpkins and turnips on November 1st.
READ MORE
First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland Meats Germany
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Crossbasket Castle unveils festive events for 2025
As the festive season approaches, five-star Scottish castle, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled its calendar of seasonal events and experiences.
READ MORE
Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Theme park set to host Miss Rachel shows
M&D's Scotland's Theme Park, in partnership with Wicked Entertainment, is to host Miss Rachel inspired shows following sell out performances earlier in the year.
READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Community group celebrates four years of success thanks to green funding
A once little-known and unmanaged woodland in South Lanarkshire is now a vibrant outdoor learning space, thanks to a £117k renewables grant.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links