Paul Cardwell picks 10 shows, events and exhibitions in Edinburgh this month that care about more than just a few laughs
1. Comedy Galas
If it’s comedy with a conscience you want then you can’t go wrong with a gala. Throughout the Fringe Festival comedians get together for good causes and put on nights of laugh out loud fun. Normally lasting at least a couple of hours you can be treated to sets from some of the best and sold-out acts from the Fringe. This year look out for Stand Up Against MND, Waverly Care’s Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit, See Me‘s A Gala for Mental Health, Stand Up for Shelter (featuring Max and Ivan pictured above), Barnardo’s Big Comedy Night and The Big Comedy Gala in Aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Various times and venues. Search at tickets.edfringe.com for details.
2. Loud and Proud on the Fringe
For the music fans, Loud & Proud, Scotland’s LGBT choir, continues its 10th anniversary celebrations at its Festival Fringe Concert. A veteran of the festivals the choir will sing a mix of songs it has sung over the last decade. The concert is in support of Scottish HIV and Hepatitis C charity Waverley Care. (Pic: [email protected])
St Cuthbert’s Church, August 22, 8.30pm.
3. Tissue
Tissue is a play and event run by student led organisation Cancer Out Loud. It is a play that deals with the painful issues surrounding a cancer diagnosis in the 1970s. Powerful, sometimes abstract and often darkly funny, Tissue explores many of the painfully neglected issues surrounding a cancer diagnosis. After the play there will be chance to ask questions during an informal Q&A session with a local breast cancer survivor and staff from the Western General Hospital & CRUK Edinburgh Centre. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to Cancer Research UK.theSpace on Niddry Street, August 25-29, 10am.
4. Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow: One in a million
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, the founder of Mary’s Meals, has written a book The Shed That Fed A Million Children and will be appearing for one day only at the International Book Festival in Charlotte Square. The book tells the story of how the Scottish charity was founded and has gone on to feed over 1 million children around the world.
Baillie Gifford Main Theatre, August 17, 10am.
5. The Clinic: An Afternoon of Serious Stand-Up
Universal Comedy is a Scottish social enterprise which offers comedy workshops and training courses to help change people’s lives. Often students are those living with ill or mental health problems and workshops are used to lift their self-esteem, improve their confidence, teach them new skills, help them meet new people and socialise. It’s sixth year at the Fringe it promises an afternoon of brilliant comedy from the company’s graduates and professional comedic tutors.
Gilded Balloon, August 18, 2.45pm.
6. Milk and Honey?
Milk and Honey? is this year’s Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show. An art exhibition to benefit Macmillan Cancer Support it features a range of exciting artwork and unique designer jewellery that can bought. The art show launched in June 2003 with the primary aim of creating a prestigious event to raise awareness and funds. To date it has raised over £140,000.
Bonhams, 22 Queen Street August 27, 10am-7pm August 28-30, 10am-4pm.
7. God’s Smuggler
Open Doors – a charity that helps those persecuted for their faith – is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the exciting new play God’s Smuggler which is about the life of its founder, Brother Andrew and his journey from smuggling bibles into Communist countries and to the work of his charity today. God’s Smuggler is an original production by Jerry Averill.
Buccleuch Free Church, August 18-22, 7.30-8.30pm.
8. Arctic Convoys: Men and Ice
The bravery of WWII Arctic convoy veterans are being honoured in a special exhibition. Hosted by St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh together with Legion Scotland, the exhibition features the stories of 16 veterans who were awarded the Russian Ushakov medal for courage. The free exhibition shows how the gruelling campaign changed the lives of the men who endured extreme hardships and dangers in hostile situations with unlikely allies.
July 27–August 31, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.
9. Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series
Amnesty International has returned to the Book Festival once again with its popular imprisoned writers series. Each day the event asks visitors to pay tribute to writers who have been persecuted for their words, thoughts and opinions. Themes throughout the series include Freedo, From Torture, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Dreams of Freedom and The Disappeared.
Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre, August 15-30, 5.30-6.15pm.
10. Letters to Aberlour
More than 200 boys from Aberlour Orphanage joined the First World War. More than 60 were killed. The forgotten voices in the letters they wrote, to the only home many had ever known, are woven into a compelling narrative about the extraordinary extended family created by the orphanage.
Just Festival at Central Hall, August 10-31, 8.30pm.
