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Edinburgh Reporter
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Made in Scotland 2025
The Made in Scotland Showcase will again form an integral part of the Fringe this year with sixteen shows backed by The Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund. The initiative was set up in 2009 and has supported 299 shows to date with an onward touring fund supporting more than 130 productions to visit 50 countries on six continents. Musician Karine Polwart is pictured in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with a sabal palm seedling, a 'child' of the original two centuries old sabal tree. Ms Polwart makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut with 'Windblown', a poignant and tender theatrical tribute to plants, gardeners and grieving. Too old and unsteady to move, too vulnerable to survive on its own, the lofty Sabal palm of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden reflects on two hundred years of containment, dislocation and human care, as it outgrows its 19th century glasshouse home and approaches its chainsaw demise, making way for a new conservation research facility. Award-winning writer-musician Karine Polwart imagines the poetic and musical voice of the old Sabal itself, in an exploration of historical legacies, ecological loss, collective ritual and the multi-generational promise of gardens. The show is at The Queen's Hall from 9-13 August. The partners in the government funded collaboration include Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Scottish Music Centre and Creative Scotland. Tony Lankester, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said:'The support we receive from the Scottish Government's EXPO Fund is truly transformative for Scottish artists. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their extraordinary work on an unparalleled platform at the Edinburgh Fringe, and then to take those shows to audiences around the world. The EXPO Fund's commitment to nurturing Scotland's cultural talent ensures that artists have the space to do what they do best, and to thrive on the world stage. The Fringe Society is privileged to help deliver this opportunity and we look forward to celebrating their success with them.' Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, Head of Theatre at Creative Scotland said: 'Once again, the Made in Scotland Showcase serves up a dizzying array of Scottish talent. This August, audiences in Edinburgh will get advance sight of work which we are confident will be gracing international stages for years to come, following in the footsteps of the exceptional and select 299 shows which have been worthy recipients of Made in Scotland funding since 2009. We wish everyone enormous success this Fringe!' Alex McGowan, Interim CEO of Federation of Scottish Theatre said: 'The Federation of Scottish Theatre is delighted to continue its association with the Made in Scotland showcase. Thanks to the continuing funding support of the Scottish Government, it's fantastic to see such a diverse range of work being given this vital platform for connecting Scotland's artists with the world.' Gill Maxwell, Executive Director, Scottish Music Centre said:'We are thrilled to be part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2025, presenting world-class music shows that celebrate the rich talent, creativity, and aspirations of composers, songwriters, musicians, and artists working in Scotland today. Made in Scotland at The Fringe is not just a celebration of creativity; it's a stepping stone—an extraordinary opportunity to share Scotland's music with the world. This year's showcase offers an incredible selection of work from across the country, full of invention, fresh ideas, multidisciplinary performances and striking visuals.' 2025 Made in Scotland Programme CHILDREN'S SHOWS PEKKU Red Bridge Arts Recommended Age Guidance: 3+ Venue: ZOO Southside, Main House (82) Time: 11:00 (45 mins) Dates: 1st – 9th Aug Category: Theatre Shh… What's that noise? A squeak? A squeal? A bird? It's getting louder. Oh dear… Pekku takes a playful look at what happens when you want to be left alone and others have a different idea. A new show for 3 to 6-year-olds by the creators of White and Stick by Me. Co-commissioned by Red Bridge Arts, ROHM Theatre and Ricca Ricca Festival. Produced by Red Bridge Arts. First performed at ROHM Theatre, Kyoto on 15 July 2023. THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP OF FEATHER BOY AND TENTACLE GIRL Vee Smith and Sadiq Ali. Produced by Catherine Wheels, commissioned by Imaginate, created in association with National Theatre of Scotland and supported by Assembly. Supported by the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund, development funded by Creative Scotland. Recommended Age Guidance: 8+ Venue: Assembly Roxy (139) Time: 11:25 (60 mins) Dates: 4th – 17th Aug Category: Interdisciplinary Two friends perform breathtaking aerial shows. They fly, spin, hang from the rooftops and fall out of the sky… But they weren't always so glorious. How did they transform from feeling like outsiders to the fantastical creatures they always knew they had inside them? A touching story of a girl who wants to be a monster and a boy who wants to fly. This dynamic and visually stunning aerial show for ages 8 plus explores the universal yearning to belong and the joy of friendship. DANCE PHYSICAL THEATRE AND CIRCUS BALFOUR REPARATIONS Farah Saleh Recommended Age Guidance: 12+ Venue: Summerhall, TechCube 0 (26) Dates: 13th – 25th Aug Time: 16:30 (60 mins) Category: Dance The Balfour Reparations is a performance lecture examines the UK's colonial legacy in Palestine, focusing on Arthur James Balfour, Prime Minister (1902-1905) and Foreign Secretary (1916-1919), and his role in denying Palestinian political rights. Utilising speculative choreography and Afrofuturism, Saleh intertwines history, fiction, and fantasy, drawing inspiration from archival materials. Set in 2045, the lecture reflects on a fictive apology letter issued by the UK in 2025, promising reparations to the Palestinian people. The audience become members of the reparations' evaluation committee created on the 20th anniversary of the apology and are invited to participate in the performance. through warm temperatures Mele Broomes Recommended Age Guidance: 3+ Venue: Assembly @ Dance Base, DB1 (22a) Dates: 12th – 24th Aug Time: 13:15 (60 mins) Category: Dance through warm temperatures affirms castor oil's legacy as a natural remedy, an elixir, and a historic source that transcends boundaries. This performance takes you on a journey of reconnection with nature and the body. Weaving vocals and dance, the work shifts from meditative gestures to unfiltered expression building towards self-acceptance. Mele Broomes' choreography and vocals, with Simone Seales' live cello and electronic soundscapes, merge as performers shift between solos, duos, and collective movement. Moving towards a place of warmth. Inviting release. This work is BSL integrated. STEPPING IN…SPILLING OUT Mark Bleakley Recommended Age Guidance: 12+ Venue: Assembly @ Dance Base, DB 3 (22a) Dates: 12th – 17th Aug Time: 19:50 (50 mins) Category: Dance Stepping in… Spilling out: across your parent's carpet, stepping into the cypher, stepping in solidarity, stepping with strangers in the club. Collaboration with French percussionist Rémy Gouffault, this work takes a walk along the personal history of Mark's dance practice through the foundational act of stepping; the different people, communities, histories and politics that collide with Mark's body through movement. Beginning on an oversized drawing of his family home carpet, using movement, conversations, participation and music, Mark and Rémy guide you through layers of landscapes stepping through; parties, protests, rituals, mosh pits and gas clouds. KATHRYN GORDON: A JOURNEY OF FLIGHT Kathryn Gordon Recommended Age Guidance: 8+ Venue: Assembly @ Dance Base, DB 3 (22a) Dates: 12th – 17th Aug Time: 14:30 (50 mins) Category: Interdisciplinary An immersive fifty-minute dance performance created in Shetland and inspired by the migration of birds. Mesmerising choreography, live music from Jenny Sturgeon and stunning projected visuals, A Journey of Flight creates a thought-provoking journey of arrivals, departures, the nostalgia of place and the notion of flight itself. Set against a backdrop of flowing white sheets, the dancers move through ever changing spaces, exploring new states of being and new homes. This visually stunning piece invites audiences to reflect on the delicate balance between nature, movement and our emotional ties to place. PICKLED REPUBLIC Ruxandra Cantir Recommended Age Guidance: 14+ Venue: Summerhall, Anatomy Lecture Theatre (26) Dates: 31st Jul – 25th Aug Time: 13:15 (60 mins) Category: Theatre Welcome to the jar. Here, tragedy floats and the wail of an abandoned tomato cuts through the salty atmosphere. Come hear the lament of lives not lived, watch the chaotic energy of the search for meaning and find connections between these decaying vegetables and your own existence. Be prepared, bring a hankie, will you laugh or cry? Who knows. You'll leave stirred up but none the wiser. A surreal theatrical cabaret for adults with puppetry, masks, and perhaps a poem that promises more vegetables per pound than any supermarket. Don't worry about inflation when there is disintegration. THESE MECHANISMS Christine Thynne & Robbie Synge Recommended Age Guidance: 8+ Venue: Assembly@Dance Base, DB 3 (22a) Dates: 1st – 20th Aug Time: 17:15 (60 mins) Category: Dance In her eightieth year, Christine wondered if she might create her first show. Who says an octogenarian shouldn't be working with stepladders, electronics… and water? A performance of persistence and joy, celebrating the beautiful functions and limits of a human body and the desire to make things happen. Assisted by her helper, Calum, Christine manipulates and raps her way along a precarious journey of movement and sound, taking us to surprising places. This is real, what happens along the way we can't be sure. Just got to keep going! Programmed by Dance Base in collaboration with Assembly. SMALL TOWN BOYS Shaper Caper Limited Recommended Age Guidance: 18+ Venue: ZOO Southside, Main House (82) Dates: 1st – 17th Aug (not 4th &11th), BSL dates (10th & 12th) Time: 19:15 (90 mins) Category: Dance A young man embarks on a thrilling journey from his small hometown to the big city, where he finds solace and joy in the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. However, his adventure takes a dramatic turn as he confronts a terrifying health crisis, largely ignored by the government. Eight electrifying dancers bring the legendary Paradise Nightclub to life with a community cast, who blur the lines between performer and audience, infusing the show with the joy and chaos of the club scene. Winner of the Creative Arts Award at the 2024 Proud Scotland Awards. EXHIBITION MŮO Lomond Campbell Recommended Age Guidance: 12+ Venue: French Institute in Scotland, Salle Pierre Boulez (N/A) Dates: 8th – 25th Aug Time: 11:00 (360 mins) Category: Interdisciplinary MŮO is an immersive audiovisual installation by Lomond Campbell which makes use of muon detectors, sensing harmless radiation in the atmosphere. This radiation is created by cosmic rays, which in turn are the result of powerful nuclear events such as black holes, stars exploding and galaxies colliding. These intergalactic events will literally shape the soundscape, light and visuals in real time, inviting the audience to contemplate the invisible force of the surrounding cosmos and the fragility of our own existence here on Earth. This unique showcase is presented in partnership with Sonica and the University of Glasgow. MUSIC MŮO LIVE Lomond Campbell Recommended Age Guidance: 14+ Venue: French Institute in Scotland, Salle Emilienne Moreau-Evrard (168) Dates: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,7th, 14th, 19th, 23rd Aug Time: 18:00 (60 mins) Category: Interdisciplinary Join Scottish artist and musician Lomond Campbell for a unique live performance of MŮO, an audiovisual experience powered by the universe itself. Using muon detectors, MŮO captures cosmic radiation from deep space, transforming it into reactive sound and entrancing live visuals. Performing with his one-of-a-kind handmade instrument, the Můonophone, Lomond creates a constantly evolving sonic landscape, joined by special musical guests throughout the festival. Blending art, science and sound in a way you've never seen before, MŮO is a cosmic journey not to be missed. Presented in partnership with Sonica and the University of Glasgow. WAXEN FIGURES Muto Major Recommended Age Guidance: 12+ Venue: Summerhall, TechCube 0 (26) Dates: 31st Jul – 11th Aug Time: 16:30 (60 mins) & Venue: Summerhall, Dissection Room (26) Dates: 12th – 15th Aug Time: 17:30 (60 mins) Category: Interdisciplinary Waxen Figures is an immersive audiovisual experience – a supernatural fever dream, where live contemporary dance, Gaelic singing, and cutting-edge technology collide. This Cryptic Commission by audio-visual duo Muto Major plunges into Scotland's folklore, exploring the chasm between ancient rituals and modern lives. Clay, wax, and the human form intertwine, summoning the mythic and the mystical. Projection mapping and augmented reality bring Pictish carvings to life, blurring the line between past and present. Waxen Figures invites you into a multisensory world, where innovation and tradition dance together, reawakening forgotten truths through a bold, poetic lens. AUD THE DEEP MINDED Joanna Nicholson Recommended Age Guidance: 12+ Venue: theSpaceTriplex (38) Dates:13th – 17th Aug Time: 11:15 (40 mins) Category: Music A groundbreaking music drama by Scottish New Music Awards shortlisted Joanna Nicholson combining projection art, voice, electronic soundscapes, clarinet and horn. Psychological time travel draws us into the inner world of Aud the Deep Minded, a real-life Christian Viking and conflicted yet brilliant leader in 9th century Scotland. Inspired by fragments of unreliably documented history, and reframed in the present, we explore Aud's transformatory journey from oppressed to oppressor to liberator. Contains swearing. Soprano – Clíona Cassidy, Horn – Andy Saunders, Clarinet – Joanna Nicholson, Electronics – Alistair MacDonald, Projection – Kirsty Anderson. #IamAud THEATRE BURST Creative Electric Recommended Age Guidance: All Ages Venue: Summerhall, Red Lecture Decking (26) Dates: 31st Jul – 25th Aug Time: 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30 (25 mins) Category: Interdisciplinary An oasis of peace and calm in a sea of festival chaos. Burst is a sensory escape from the intensity of the Fringe. Designed with, and for, neurodivergent families and their friends, Burst aims to explore and soothe anxiety. Creative Electric's bubble doctors prescribe a short stay in one of their infamous bubble beds where you will listen to a track over wireless headphones… slowly throughout your experience bubbles will appear and you'll feel your anxiety float away. In collaboration with Refuweegee, Burst is available in Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian and English KARINE POLWART: WINDBLOWN Raw Material Arts Recommended Age Guidance: 12+ Venue: The Queen's Hall (72) Dates: 9th – 13th Aug Time: 19:30 (60 mins) Category: Interdisciplinary Too old and unsteady to move, too vulnerable to survive on its own, the lofty Sabal palm of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden reflects on two hundred years of containment, dislocation and human care, as it outgrows its 19th century glasshouse home and approaches its chainsaw demise, making way for a new conservation research facility. Award-winning writer-musician Karine Polwart imagines the poetic and musical voice of the old Sabal itself, in an exploration of historical legacies, ecological loss, collective ritual and the multi-generational promise of gardens. With acclaimed pianist Dave Milligan. FLOAT F-Bomb Theatre Recommended Age Guidance: 14+ Venue: Gilded Balloon Patter House, Other Yin (24) Dates: 30th Jul – 25th Aug Time: 18:00 (60 mins) Category: Theatre Join Astronaut Indra on a nine-month mission to the moon… but not all missions are successful. A new autobiographical solo show by Indra Wilson about the lonely, turbulent journey of experiencing pregnancy loss as a queer young person. A black hole forms when a star dies, explodes into tiny little pieces until it returns back to the dust it once was – as if it never even existed in the first place. With dynamic sound and projections, be immersed in this unique, heartfelt and hopeful debut. Produced by award-winning feminist company, F-Bomb Theatre (Fringe First, Sit-Up Award). CHUNKY JEWELLERY Barrowland Ballet Recommended Age Guidance: 14+ Venue: Assembly Rooms, Music Hall (20) Dates: 1st – 24th Aug Time: 13:30 (75 mins) Category: Theatre Two friends, one year, two births, a death, 18 bursts of laughter, 34,000 tears (each) and one piece of chunky jewellery. It was a year to forget but instead Natasha and Jude turned it into a show. This is a comedy that bites. An achingly joyous celebration of sisterhood, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster with open-hearted, brutal honesty. These uncompromising performers team up with Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke of Lost Dog to create this unflinchingly honest, human and hilarious show. Multi-award winning musician Karine Polwart makes her Edinburgh fringe debut with 'Windblown', a poignant and tender theatrical tribute to plants, gardeners and grieving as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2025. PHOTO Colin Hattersley Photography Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Fringe: Nine shows in the Made in Scotland showcase to be performed this summer
The sixteen Scottish performances to make up this year's Made in Scotland showcase have been revealed. Two friends, one year, two births, a death, 18 bursts of laughter, 34,000 tears (each) and one piece of chunky jewellery. It was a year to forget but instead Natasha and Jude turned it into a show. This performance by Barrowland Ballet is described as a comedy that bites. An achingly joyous celebration of sisterhood, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster with open-hearted, brutal honesty. The performers team up with Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke of Lost Dog to create this "unflinchingly honest, human and hilarious" show. Assembly Rooms, Music Hall, 1-24th August. 1.30pm. | Made in Scotland Established in 2009, the initiative, which helps Scottish creatives, artists, performers, and communities to connect globally, has supported 299 shows to date, The onward touring fund component has supported over 130 productions to visit more than fifty countries over six continents. The showcase of music theatre and dance is backed by the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund; administered in a partnership between the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Scottish Music Centre and Creative Scotland. Angus Robertson, cabinet secretary for culture said: 'The Made in Scotland showcase is all about highlighting the best of our new talent to the world. Year-on-year Scottish artists have capitalised on the opportunity Made in Scotland provides, so I am delighted that this year's programme is bringing more shows than ever to international audiences of all ages. 'The Scottish Government is proud to support this year's Made in Scotland showcase with £540,000 of funding through our Expo fund, which aims to help festivals innovate and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists who contribute to them. I have no doubt those artists featured this year will enhance Scotland's culture sector by forging new connections across the world.' Tony Lankester, chief executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: 'The support we receive from the Scottish Government's EXPO Fund is truly transformative for Scottish artists. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their extraordinary work on an unparalleled platform at the Edinburgh Fringe, and then to take those shows to audiences around the world. 'The EXPO Fund's commitment to nurturing Scotland's cultural talent ensures that artists have the space to do what they do best, and to thrive on the world stage. The Fringe Society is privileged to help deliver this opportunity and we look forward to celebrating their success with them.' Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, head of theatre at Creative Scotland said: 'Once again, the Made in Scotland Showcase serves up a dizzying array of Scottish talent. This August, audiences in Edinburgh will get advance sight of work which we are confident will be gracing international stages for years to come, following in the footsteps of the exceptional and select 299 shows which have been worthy recipients of Made in Scotland funding since 2009. ' 1 . Kathryn Gordon: A Journey of Flight An immersive fifty-minute dance performance created in Shetland and inspired by the migration of birds. Mesmerising choreography, live music from Jenny Sturgeon and stunning projected visuals, A Journey of Flight creates a thought-provoking journey of arrivals, departures, the nostalgia of place and the notion of flight itself. Set against a backdrop of flowing white sheets, the dancers move through ever changing spaces, exploring new states of being and new homes. Assembly@ Dance Base 12-17 August, 2.30pm. | Made in Scotland Photo Sales 2 . Ruxandra Cantir: Pickled Republic A surreal theatrical cabaret for adults with puppetry, masks, and "perhaps a poem that promises more vegetables per pound than any supermarket". Summerhall, Anatomy Lecture Theatre. 31 July to 25 August. | Andy Catlin Photo Sales 3 . Karine Polwart: Windblown Too old and unsteady to move, too vulnerable to survive on its own, the lofty Sabal palm of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden reflects on two hundred years of containment, dislocation and human care, as it outgrows its 19th century glasshouse home and approaches its chainsaw demise, making way for a new conservation research facility. Award-winning writer-musician Karine Polwart imagines the poetic and musical voice of the old Sabal itself, in an exploration of historical legacies, ecological loss, collective ritual and the multi-generational promise of gardens. The Queen's Hall, 9-13 August. 7.30pm. | Made in Scotland Photo Sales 4 . Small Town Boys A young man embarks on a thrilling journey from his small hometown to the big city, where he finds solace and joy in the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. However, his adventure takes a dramatic turn as he confronts a terrifying health crisis, largely ignored by the government. Eight electrifying dancers bring the legendary Paradise Nightclub to life with a community cast, who blur the lines between performer and audience, infusing the show with the joy and chaos of the club scene. Winner of the Creative Arts Award at the 2024 Proud Scotland Awards. ZOO Southside, Main House 1– 17 Aug (not 4 and 11) | Made in Scotland Photo Sales
