Latest news with #KarenDunbar
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Karen Dunbar returns to the Fringe for the first time since 2008
Comedian, actor, writer, DJ, and star of Chewin' The Fat, Karen Dunbar, and the Karen Dunbar Show, returns to the Fringe with an hour of comedy, stories, and observations. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Karen Dunbar returns to the Fringe for the first time in almost 20 years with a limited run of a show she describes as a mix of 'chat about TV, observations and stories'. 'I'm looking forward to being back in Edinburgh – I love the city and I love the Fringe – and I can't wait to spend time with the audience in a more intimate venue. I'll be chatting and connecting with the audience. It's all about sharing a connection and having a laugh' says Karen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm even looking forward to travelling through to Edinburgh from Glasgow every night. I actually love driving on the M8 – I did it three nights a week for five years when I was hosting karaoke gigs in Edinburgh – and because my show's on just after 9 o'clock at night, I'll get the miss the rush hour!' she adds. Karen is looking forward be being back at The Fringe Karen last performed at the Fringe in 2008, when she performed two shows; a stand-up show and the monologue, A Drunk Women Looks At The Thistle, which was written especially for her by Denise Mina. One particular performance of the monologue has stuck in her mind: 'it was a brilliant piece, quite serious in places, and because I was also doing a stand-up show that year and was known to most people for being in comedy shows on the telly, it was a bit of a weird cross over. "Some people came along expecting it to be pure comedy. I'd come on wearing a pink paper Stetson hat, and the first few minutes were quite comedic – the character had been developed from a drunk woman character from my TV show' Karen explains. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'But a few minutes in there was a real change of pace and it became an exploration of the Scottish psyche. One night I started the piece, and I could hear people talking, not whispering, but chatting at a normal conversation volume. And they kept on talking. I was trying to work out what was going on. I initially thought it was maybe someone translating or something, but then I became aware of the rest of the audience tutting and making shushing noises. But the chat continued. Karen will be at Just The Tonic from 13th to 24th August "After about 20 minutes I worked out it was three blonde women, a bit the worse for wear, so I said to them, 'excuse me, is my monologue interrupting your conversation?' to which they responded 'nah, we were just saying we'd like to leave'. I replied, 'away you go!'. And off they went in a flurry of handbags and clicky heels. The rest of the audience were delighted to see the back of them, but thirty seconds later one of them reappears, shouts 'this is shite!' and staggers off again. "I was feeling really energised by that point, and was full of adrenaline, so picked up the show where I'd stopped and had the best performance of the entire run – it went brilliantly, and I got a standing ovation!' Karen Dunbar is on at Just Upstairs at Just the Tonic at The Caves, 13th to 24th August (Not 18th).
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Chewin' the Fat star to be guest of honour at Glasgow event
Comic, singer, BAFTA-winning actor and DJ Karen Dunbar will officially "cut the ribbon" at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust's open day on Sunday, July 27. 'I have a love of buses, and Glasgow - and buses in Glasgow,' says Karen, with a laugh. 'I'm always happy to go to community events when I can, and celebrate the culture of our city and the people who help preserve and honour it.' Karen Dunbar (Image: Karen Dunbar) A spokesperson for the event said: 'GVVT is stocking up on individual fruit trifles as we prepare to welcome a very special guest to our Family and Community Super Sunday. 'Karen Dunbar, star of legendary Chewin' the Fat, at last has escaped the corner shop and found a friend – more than a thousand of them, in fact, who will attend our sparkling, fun event at Bridgeton Bus Garage.' Karen's countless on-screen alter egos in the hit sketch show included the lonely shopkeeper, who took a little too much interest in the lives of her customers, in the hope of sharing a fruit trifle or two with them. The star will kick-start the show at noon, introducing the swinging sound of the Michael Brawley Big Band, supported by Super Sunday newcomers the Jump 'n' Jive Dancers. Other newbies include Ghostbusters Alba, complete with 12-foot-high Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Ectomobiles and charity merchandise. Other highlights will include toy and art stalls and community groups, including Glasgow North East Foodbank who will gratefully accept donations of tins, jars, pasta and more. (Image: Newsquest) Darth Vader and his Star Wars troopers return along with the classic Tunnock's van, superb model buses and boats, face painters, Wee Happy Shop and Bus, Clippies Café, and a new museum display. Visitors can also test their bus driving skills on the SIM1 simulator and their rowing prowess, courtesy of Clydesdale Rowing Club, and of course, browse around more than 130 vintage buses, lorries and fire engines. The event runs from 11am, with a free vintage bus service running to and from George Square with an added pick-up at Bellgrove Station. More details are available from the GVVT website.
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Katie Price among star-studded line-up at Glasgow Pride
The former glamour model who in 2005 was the runner-up in the search for the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, will perform following the Pride march on Saturday, July 19. Organisers revealed the exciting line-up on social media this morning, with this year's entertainment featuring a host of high-profile acts. READ MORE: Glasgow Pride bans political parties from event amid Supreme Court row Kelly Llorenna, the 90s icon known for her vocals on the dance anthem Set You Free by N-Trance, is expected to deliver an electric performance. Comedian Karen Dunbar, widely known for her role in Chewin' the Fat, will also take to the Barrowlands outdoor stage with her unique comedic style. Joining the bill are British-Norwegian trio Subwoolfer, who represented Norway at Eurovision 2022 with their debut song Give That Wolf a Banana. (Image: Newsquest) The organisers expressed their excitement in a statement posted online: "Glasgow's Pride 2025 line-up reveal. Get ready to party, Glasgow! We're absolutely bursting with excitement to announce the incredible talent hitting our outdoor stage at Glasgow Barrowlands on Saturday, July 19. "Prepare for show-stopping performances from Katie Price, Kelly Llorenna, Subwoolfer, and Karen Dunbar." Hosting duties will be led by journalist Bev Lyons and Miss Bella Houston, who is affectionately regarded as the Queen at the Heart of the Glasgow Scene. In addition to the headline acts, a variety of support performers will grace the stage, including Roisin McCarney, Scottish boyband Just the Brave, Lee Cammy, Girls R Loud, and Nicole Caldwell. Organisers also confirmed that the sensational winners of Pride's Got Talent and Drag Idol will perform on the day. READ MORE: Glasgow Pride 2025 route announced as organisers tease major announcement The Glasgow Times previously reported that the parade will begin at Kelvingrove Park, where registered groups are invited to assemble from 10am, followed by unregistered participants at 11am. Marchers will then proceed through Glasgow city centre, moving along the iconic Sauchiehall Street, continuing into the Merchant City before reaching Barrowland Park. At that point, walking groups will disperse, while floats continue along the Gallowgate.
Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Karen Dunbar: ‘Personal struggles are always funny'
Born in Glasgow and brought up in Ayr, Karen Dunbar is an actress, DJ, comedian and writer, best known for Chewin' the Fat. She's about to start an 80-date solo tour. The first half is all new material based on what I've been up to in the last year — I've just written stuff on winning the Bafta — and some of the issues I've had. Personal struggles are always funny. The second half is about my time on Chewin' the Fat and The Karen Dunbar Show, so the audience can expect to see some of the well-loved characters from these shows. We only ever had one destination: Blackpool. Every year we got the bus from Ayr down the west coast and, oh
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scottish comedy legend Karen Dunbar bringing new show to Dumfries and Galloway
Scotish comedy legend Karen Dunbar is bringing her new show to Dumfries and Galloway . The comedian , DJ and Chewin' The Fat Star will be sharing stories from her life and talking about her career – with a heap of humour and jokes – on her 80-date tour. And that includes visits to Newton Stewart Cinema and Stranraer's Millennium Cinema on Friday, May 16. She'll also be appearing in Dumfries later in the year, with fans able to enjoy An Evening with Karen Dunbar at the Easterbrook Hall on Thursday, November 13. This is a brand new show for 2025 and is Karen's fourth tour with promoters Breakneck Comedy since 2023. Breakneck Comedy founder, Naz Hussain, said: 'This is the biggest tour we've ever organised, and I'm delighted that we're working with Karen for it. 'This is a big year for Breakneck Comedy – it's our 15th anniversary and to be able to deliver such a huge tour for such a well-loved Scottish act is the icing on the cake. 'Anyone who's been to one of Karen's shows before will know that it's a great night of laughs, jokes, stories, and anecdotes from her career, covering everything from her time on Chewin' The Fat, right through to her latest adventures as a DJ. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. 'This is a brand-new show for 2025, and the fact that Karen has so many fresh new stories to share is testament to her talent as a comedian, and her amazing career. 'I love bringing big names to towns that some promoters might overlook. 'It's really exciting to be able to put on shows all over Scotland and make it easier for people to be able to enjoy a great night of comedy and entertainment without them having to worry about catching a train home from the city.' To buy tickets, click here.
