2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Palestinian comedians to make debuts at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
As part of The Stand's programme this year, The Palestine Comedy Club will be brought to the Fringe.
PalCom is a Palestine-UK collective developing comedy unique to the Palestinian experience and organisers say it will act as a platform for Palestinian artists to share their stories.
Making their debut at the Fringe will be Alaa Shehada (Jenin), Diana Sweity (Hebron) Hanna Shammas (Haifa) and Sami Abu-Wardeh (London).
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As well as a trio of shows at the Fringe, PalCom will also visit Stand venues in Glasgow and Newcastle.
The Stand Comedy Club said it is vital that Palestine is represented at the Fringe this year.
Chair of the board Tommy Shepherd said: 'All too often people have forgot the Palestinians have a thriving Mediterranean culture. This is what the Israeli government are trying to extinguish.
'We're delighted to do our part in standing in solidarity with Palestinian artists and helping them reach an international audience.'
The Stand has made several moves in support of Palestine including becoming a supporter of Unite Hospitality Glasgow's Serve Solidarity, Boycott Apartheid campaign, which aims to support worker-led boycotts of PepsiCo products and Israeli fresh produce.
To help fund travel costs for Palestine Comedy Club, The Stand will also hold two benefit nights that will feature some of Scotland's leading talent in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In Glasgow on Monday, June 16, host Billy Kirkwood will introduce Stuart McPherson, Ray Bradshaw, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Susie McCabe.
Meanwhile, the Edinburgh benefit will take place on Tuesday, June 24, with Susan Morrison hosting Vladimir McTavish, Marc Jennings, Krystal Evans, Ryan Cullen and Jay Lafferty.
PalCom will appear at Newcastle's Stand on Saturday, August 16, before heading to its Edinburgh branch on Monday 18, Tuesday 19 and Wednesday, August 20, with a final stop-off in Glasgow on Thursday, August 21.
