You can’t beat the electrifying atmosphere and excitement that takes over the streets of Edinburgh during the month of August. Arguably one of the most important highlights in the global arts calendar, the Edinburgh Festival began to provide an unprecedented and diverse platform for the performing arts back in 1947.
The Edinburgh Fringe was created in 1959 as the 'Festival Fringe Society' in response to eight precocious theatre groups that turned up to the Edinburgh International Festival to perform, even though they were not part of the programme. As it leapt from strength to strength, the Festival Fringe soon became the home of the growing alternative comedy scene, its popularity growing year after year. Many of today’s most popular female performers cut their comedy teeth up in Edinburgh – French & Saunders, Jo Brand and Jenny Éclair, who famously went on to be the first woman ever to win the prestigious Perrier Award, just to name a few.
This is the eighth year that Funny Women has had a presence at the Fringe and our run of shows and events are playing a significant part in the celebrations for our 10th Anniversary.
Throughout the year, we have been taking the Funny Women Awards 2012 around some fantastic venues, such as the Pavilion Theatre in Brighton, The Lowry in Manchester, and our regular venue, the Leicester Square Theatre in London. We have been showcasing our semi-finalists, choosing one winner and two runner ups from each event. While we are in Edinburgh, we will be putting on two fantastic semi-finals that will take place on Wednesday 8th August and Wednesday 15th August, respectively.
We are also presenting an abundance of fantastic shows and events that exhibit just how talented female comedians can be! Bringing you entertainment in the form of hilarious female performers such as Ria Lina, Sara Pascoe, Suzy Bennett, Ellie Taylor and Katherine Ryan and other Funny Women alumni we'll be making the most of it during our Fringe run in partnership with Benefit Cosmetics. Each event will be taking place in our residence for the Festival, the Bosco in Assembly George Square Gardens. An absolutely lovely outdoor venue, we are extremely proud and excited to call it our home for the month and cannot wait to invite you all to see our fantastic shows.
New talent is encouraged as well. On Saturday 11th August we will be hosting one of our fantastically popular Introductory Workshop's at The Melting Pot. This event will be free so make sure you check out how to get a place before they disappear, all details of how to book are HERE! If that wasn’t enough, from Saturday 18th August- Sunday 26th August, our winner of the Funny Women Awards 2011 lara A king will be showcasing her new show ‘People Pleaser.’
As the weather seems to be steering towards an Indian summer, we can only hope that it follows us to Edinburgh so the sunshine can match our avid anticipation for what we hope will be a brilliant run at the celebrated festival.
Pictured from top to bottom, Jenny Eclair, who won the Perrier Award in 1995 and the Bosco Tent at Assembly George Square Gardens, residence for Funny Women for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Chloe Nicholson
