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Edinburgh Reporter
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Shetland performer comes to the Fringe with new show
Shetland Choreographer and Performer Kathryn Gordon has Assembly@DanceBase all a birl this Edinburgh Festival Fringe as she introduces her sublime new work A JOURNEY OF FLIGHT. This is an immersive fifty-minute dance performance created in Shetland and inspired by the migration of birds. The work includes Gordon's signature element of engaging environmental awareness, inviting audiences to reflect on the delicate balance between nature, movement and our emotional ties to place. Featuring mesmerising choreography and live music from Jenny Sturgeon alongside 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, dancers Kathryn Gordon and Jorja Follina move through ever changing spaces, exploring new states of being and new homes. This visual piece is set to be one of the most striking and thought provoking physical theatre performances of the Fringe. Kathryn Gordon said:'We can't wait to bring the show to the Fringe, within our nationwide tour. It's such an honour to be part of the Made in Scotland showcase, alongside such great artists and performances. We are hoping to build connections at the Fringe to allow us to keep this work on its journey, exploring connections that can be made as it travels, by flight and by sea.' This show is supported by The Made in Scotland Showcase, Creative Scotland and Shetland Arts. 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
The Herald Scotland
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh Festival Fringe success is 'taken for granted'
Mr Lankester has set a new three million ticket sales target for the 78-year-old festival, which boasted more than 3700 shows in its programme last year. He suggested the event should expand its footprint across Edinburgh to ease pressure on the city centre, but highlighted the high costs involved in creating 'pop-up venues". Read more: Mr Lankester suggested the new tram link to Edinburgh's waterfront, which was launched nearly two years ago, could help spread the Fringe out more. He also called for trains to run throughout the night to Glasgow in August to make it easier to attend shows and offer an alternative to staying in Edinburgh during the festival. The Fringe broke the two million ticket sales barrier in 2014 and three million tickets were sold for the first time in 2019, when 3841 shows were staged, before the event fell victim to the pandemic in 2020. The Fringe Society has been under mounting pressure to address the increased costs faced by artists, performers, producers and venues in recent years. The festival has been valued at more than £200m for the city's economy but currently gets less than £2m in public funding from the Scottish and UK governments, and the city council. The Fringe Society is expected to lobby for more backing through an event through a recently-created taskforce involving the Scottish Government, the council and the city's main arts festivals. It was announced weeks after the Fringe Society received new core funding from the government for the first time in seven years. At the time the £300,000 funding deal was announced, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes suggested the festival 'does not neatly fit into funding streams available to other cultural organisations". The Fringe Society said it had been in talks with the government to develop a 'long-term sustainable funding model' for the Fringe. A Keep It Fringe Fund, which has provided bursaries worth £2500 to 180 artists to help them meet the cost of taking part in this year's Fringe, is running for a second year after being backed by the UK Government, although the future of the funding pot is uncertain. The Fringe Society, which oversees a £550,000 Made in Scotland programme paid for by the Scottish Government, receives just £75,000 in funding from the city council to help meet some of the costs involved in running street entertainment. To support our arts coverage and follow along with our Arts Correspondent, subscribe to a year of The Herald for only £20. "The Herald will be at the heart of debates about Scotland's cultural life, holding key decision-makers to account, fighting for a fair deal for the arts, and championing the brightest new talents in theatre, music, visual art, comedy, film, television and more." However, the charity was left furious last year when it failed to make the final stage of Creative Scotland's three-year funding programme. The quango has since been put under review by the Scottish Government. Mr Lankester said: 'Public entities and governments sometimes take for granted events like this. "In certain quarters, there is an assumption that the Fringe will just carry on and that it will always be there, regardless of how many slings and arrows get thrown in its direction. 'My message to the governments and the city council would be that I want them all to keep using the Fringe as an example of a success story, but I want them to back that up by looking for ways to invest in the broader eco-system. 'It's not about writing out cheques to the Fringe Society. It's about investing in the kind of things that keep our team awake at night and keep the venue operators awake at night. 'I would say to them: 'Don't throttle the golden goose – invest in it. Don't take us for granted, engage with us and find out how you can make a tangible difference and get rid of the speed bumps to staging this event and the issues which constrain the Fringe. 'I'm wary of going down too far down the growth road. I don't want the Fringe to sell six million tickets. I think three million is a great number to aim for, which would get us back to where we were before.' Mr Lankester recalled his experiences of 'disruption and chaos' when he had visited the Fringe while the city's tram network was being built. He said: 'I would love to see venue operators and entrepreneurs taking advantage of the fact that that corridor is now open. It would definitely take the pressure off a particular part of the city. It would need to happen organically. The Fringe Society can't dictate anything on venues. I have huge sympathy with their business models as they are taking a financial risk every year. 'I can see why there is a particular centre of gravity at the Fringe.A lot of it is to do with the availability of venues from Edinburgh University. They have fit-for-purpose spaces. It's hard to turn something else into a pop-up. 'But Fringe audiences are adventurous. They need to be to navigate this festival.' Mr Lankester said he believed an all-night rail service between Edinburgh Glasgow was a 'really viable alternative' to staying in the city during the Fringe. He added: 'It's a 45-minute journey. If you live and work in London you will be travelling between 30 and 60 minutes between your work and your home. 'If you are an artist, you would perhaps lose out slightly by now being in the energy of the city during the Fringe. But I also know from speaking to a lot of artists that they like escaping the bubble.' Mr Lankester insisted he was 'way more interested' in the experiences of an 'average Fringe-goer' than the scale or growth of the event. He added: 'The size of the Fringe can be a bit of a red herring sometimes. I realise why it is important to talk about the size of the event. Its impact is important and that needs to be managed. But I am way more interested in the individual experience. 'We can shout from the rooftops about the fact we have got more than 3000 shows, but your average Fringe-goer is only going to see about 10 of them. 'I really want to understand their experiences. What made them decide to come here, what was their experience of booking tickets, how did they make their accommodation choices, what was their experience on the ground, did they feel it was value for money or did they feel ripped off, not just from the Fringe but from the wider hospitality sector? 'Did they leave with a promise to themselves to come back and have they become advocates for the Fringe? That obviously what we would want.'
Edinburgh Live
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh protest sees actors gather at Holyrood to save 'beloved' TV soap
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A protest in Edinburgh on Wednesday saw the cast of River City gather at Holyrood in a bid to save their show. Actors were at the Scottish Parliament pushing against the decision to shut down the drama, which has been running for more than 20 years. The cast were met with some agreement from MSPS, with one saying the cancellation of the show risks creating a 'cultural vacuum', reports the Daily Record. Stephen Purdon - who plays Shellsuit Bob in the series - said: "We are attending the Scottish Parliament because we care deeply about the production and all the people who work on it. Training, pathways, and opportunities will be lost for many people. "Seventy-two trainees have come through River City in the last two and a half years. How will that be replaced? "And most of all, for our audience, people who love the show, what about them? That's why we must be there, to ask BBC Scotland to reverse this decision before it's too late." The iconic Glasgow-based drama - which is filmed in Dumbarton - has entertained audiences since 2002. But BBC Scotland announced last month that Scotland's only domestic soap will end in September 2026. The cast attended a debate in the Scottish Parliament on a Labour motion calling for the programme to be saved. SNP, Labour, Tory and Green MSPs all joined forces in calling for the BBC to reverse its decision. The SNP's Elena Whitham said: "Cancelling this show risks creating a cultural vacuum, and an economic one too. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "We talk about levelling up, about decentralising opportunity, but how can we do that if we're cutting off the very platforms that nurture regional talent... This also smacks of snobbery and classism, and we must call that out." Scottish Labour Deputy Leader - who represents Dumbarton where the soap is filmed - Jackie Baillie said: "River City has put Dumbarton on the map for TV and film talent while creating jobs and opportunities in everything from catering to directing. "The announcement of its closure has sent shockwaves through my constituency -- I urge the BBC to save River City, and commit to its Dumbarton studio site so that more shows can be Made in Scotland not less." Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: "There is clearly an abundance of passion and support for River City and the opportunities that this kind of production brings to our creative sector. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "I've been clear to the BBC that they must protect and increase its investment in Scotland, and enhance the network of professionals who contribute to its productions like River City. I expect the BBC to fully and fairly represent all communities in Scotland, and I'll continue to advocate on behalf of License Fee payers to ensure that the Scottish industry and audiences are properly represented." When it was announced that the soap was ending BBC Scotland bosses said that "viewing habits have changed" and they will be investing in the "next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland". Reflecting a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter runs, the BBC will make a considerable boost in major drama productions set across Scotland. This means moving the River City investment and starting with three new series - Counsels, Grams and The Young Team.
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trade minister hails department's ‘crucial' role for Scottish exporters
Trade policy minister Douglas Alexander said Scottish companies have benefited from export finance deals worth £42 million which were brokered by a UK Government department since last summer. Mr Alexander, who is also MP for Lothian East, said UK Export Finance (UKEF) was 'crucial' to helping Scottish exporters grow. The department is the UK's export credit agency and helps exporters to access working capital and government guarantees. It has brokered deals worth £42 million for Scottish companies since July. Companies to benefit from the deals include Aberdeen-based First Tech – an offshore services firm working in renewables. UKEF helped one of its subsidiaries renew a £12 million support package to help it access the global offshore wind market. On Thursday, the trade policy minister will attend the Made in Scotland, Sold to the World exporters roadshow in Edinburgh. Mr Alexander said: 'Growing the economy is a key part of this UK Government's plan for change and we recognise the importance of boosting Scottish exports in achieving this. 'We're working hard to ensure that Scottish businesses have the support they need to sell to the world and grow, and the help that UK Export Finance provides is a crucial part of this.' Martin Suttie, First Tech's chairman, said: 'Floating wind technology enables almost every country in the world to integrate floating wind renewable energy into their energy mix. 'It is therefore vitally important that the industry continues to develop and prove large-scale commercial developments if we are going to genuinely change the energy mix around the globe. 'The First Tech Group is excited to play an important part in making this transition happen.'
