univarsal arts 2014

New Town Theatre venue 7Hill Street Solo Theatre venue 41Hill Street Drama Lodge venue 41aEdinburgh International Conference Centre venue 150

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 201431 July – 24August

universalartsfestival.com

25th InternationalProgramme

use this 3:Brochure 2014 19/6/14 14:58

UNIVERSAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2

Universal Arts TeamTomek Borkowy CEO & Artistic DirectorAllie YoungOperations Manager & New Town Theatre Venue ManagerCourtenay Drakos Hill Street Theatre Venue ManagerNeil Foulis Production & New Town Theatre Technical ManagerAllan GrayHill Street Solo Theatre Technical ManagerChris Lord Communications ManagerTrish McGuinness Press & Media ManagerKeri Dolan Learning & Development ManagerEmmaQuinn Graphic DesignTomasz KowolWeb Mastermedia enquiries [email protected] Arts Productions Ltd., 12 Edina Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5RP +44 (0)131 478 0195

AcknowledgementsWe cannot build our venues without support from international cultural agencies, sponsors,local businesses and other partners. We do not receive any regular public funding, so werely on partnerships and donations from our audiences to develop our work and createopportunities for the artists we present. We invest all of our income (ticket sales, bars,sponsorship and donations) into presenting the best international theatre, dance and musicat the Fringe and to offer the most comfortable, professional venues.

Universal Arts is grateful to all our partners and supporters without whom we would beunable to produce an international programme of such scale and ambition. Awards for ourhigh-quality programmes and our professionally run venues are just two of the reasons whyour partners appreciate the benefits of working with us. We are always looking to forge newpartnerships with individuals, businesses and organisations who share our passion for highquality theatre, international understanding and collaboration, the best customer care andservice and, above all, passionate, entertaining and extraordinary live experiences.

To find out about ways in which you can work with us to continually develop ouraward-winning programme and venues, please email [email protected]

Thanks for our 2014 programme to:

The Grand Lodge of Scotland and especially Mr David Begg and Mr Clark Wilson; Hill StreetMasonic Society; Essential Edinburgh; Zero 88 and Hawthorns for ensuring that ourinternational companies have access to the best technical equipment and skills development

Universal Arts produces and programmesEdinburgh Festival Fringe venues and stage

shows and acts as agents and consultantsto the performing arts industry


UNIVERSAL ARTS FESTIVAL 3

We are international producers, agents and promoters based in Edinburgh.We programme and manage two prestigious Edinburgh festival venueslocated in the heart of the city – the New Town Theatre and Hill Street SoloTheatre and, this year, we also present the spectacular Philharmonic of Wit atthe EICC and, in collaboration with Edinburgh’s own In Your Face TheatreCompany two thrilling, visceral shows for Hill Street Drama Lodge.

Over the previous twenty-four festivals, we have introduced literally thousandsof artists from around the world to UK audiences. We have brought companiesto Edinburgh from over 40 countries, making audiences laugh or cry butalways striving to create a first-rate theatre experience. This year you canenjoy ancient sit-down comedy from Japan, contemporary vaudeville circusfrom France, a love story for Scotland from Russia, cutting edge performancefrom Japan, magical drama from Brazil, the return of big hits – PrincessPumpalot, and Silence in Court (accompanied by the all new Conflict inCourt), late evening musical variety shows and the second Hill Street SoloTheatre programme … we hope to welcome you to one or all of our venues.

Tomek Borkowy, Artistic Director

“dedicated to quality” Daily Telegraph

“a long record of welcoming quality international work” The List

HERALD ARCHANGEL AWARD WINNERS 2009 for 20-year track recordof top international theatre at the Fringe

You can keep up-to-date with developments by following us on Facebook and Twitter


25festivalsWelcome to Universal ArtsFestival – our 25th Fringe.We’re proud to be at the heartof this, the biggest live artsfestival in the world.


universalartsfestival.com 4

venue150@eicc

Filharmonia Dowcipu (Poland)

Philharmonic ofWitThe Philharmonic of Wit turns the classics you know and love upside down in this wacky,witty, sexy show created by pianist and compere Waldemar Malicki, conductor BernardChmielarz and director Jacek Kęcik.

This extraordinary, riotous show features an orchestra of nineteen professional musiciansand opera singers. They can play everything: from Bach, through film music, to heavymetal. Waldemar Malicki comperes with the comic style and panache of Victor Borge– 'incredibly funny, intelligent and a huge dose of great music’ Komediowo.pl.

The Philharmonic of Wit is a global phenomenon. Born out of the huge, award-winningPolish prime-time TV show Co tu jest grane (What’s going on or What’s being playednow), this unique musical-comedy show uses the potential of classical music to revealthat boundaries between nations do not really exist – we share universal values, as jokesand the music are loved by everyone!

The Philharmonic of Wit is classical music applied to 21st century life. Familiar andmuch-loved operatic and symphonic hits sound as if they were composed today,

“drowned in an unusual arrangement of ideas, sounds, voices, instrumentalcapabilities and volleys of audience laughter. Surprising, elegant, sometimes twisted ...a whole range of positive emotions flows from the stage.” Bilety24.pl

filharmoniadowcipu.pl

venue150@eicc I July 31 – August 24 (not 21) I 18:30 (75mins)

Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1 previews £8; Mon-Fri £12 (£10), family £30;Sat & Sun £14 (£12), family £36


box office 0131 226 0000 5

new town theatre venue 7

Cia do Meu Tio (Brazil)

MyUncle’s ShoesTravelling by wagon from town to town, an old clown teaches the art of clowning to hisnephew with a rigorous discipline. On their journey through life, between successes andfailures, the pair experience moments of anguish, pain, joy, sadness, laughter and tears.It is a relationship with few words but full of respect, humour and above all poetry.

In this lyrical comedy drama, the relationship of the characters is driven by classicalclowning but with a humanity that reveals deeper aspects of human existence.

What is learned? What is taught? Is it worth it? And our life, how should we live it?

Cia do Meu Tio has toured widely throughout Brazil. These performances mark itsEuropean premiere.

osapatodomeutio.blogspot.com

New Town Theatre, Majestic I August 5 – 24 (not 11, 18) I 11:45 (75mins)Tickets: £10 (£5) family £20

pho

to:Andréa

Magnoni




Armazém Theatre Company (Brazil)

The Day SamDiedThe Day Sam Died dramatises the ethical choices that define the fate of six peoplewho meet in the corridors of a large hospital. How do you remain pure in a worldwhere everything can be relativised or when life changes drastically in a snap?

You are forced to take a stand.

Subtitles in English

The astonishing Armazém Theatre returns following its hit Fringe 13 show A Mark of Water:

“gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous … an unexpected treat to discover such anaccomplished production”★★★★★ Mark Fisher, The Scotsman

“darkly dreamlike … a physical and often surreal production that plays with formand performance” The Stage

armazemciadeteatro.com.br

New Town Theatre, Majestic I August 5 – 24 (not 11, 18) I 13:45 (75mins)

Tickets: £10 (£8)


box office 0131 226 0000 7


“Full of Chaplinesque vulnerability, Adkins delivers rubber-limbed clowning at his best,performing immaculately timed feats that have to be seen to be believed. He is the eternalsad character, always understated and as he anxiously juggles, walks the high wire andexecutes incredible balancing acts, he seemingly makes the impossible look achievable.This breathtakingly talented man performs magic in his funny and utterly engagingnot-quite-wordless show, as he surprises and bewitches his captivated audience.”Edinburgh Guide

“Frees a pure and profound laugh that gives you wings” Le Monde

“Resolutely funny, filled with soul and poetry” Le Devoir

“Graceful athleticism and perfect comic timing” NY Times

dddames.eu

New Town Theatre, Majestic I July 31 – August 24 (not 6, 12, 18) I 16:00 (65mins)Tickets: Preview July 31 £7Aug 1, 2 3, 4, 5, 8 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24: £14 (£12), family £46Aug 7, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21: £12 (£10), family £40

pho

to:AmandaRussell

DdD (France)Jamie Adkins Collectif(Canada)

CircusIncognitusJamie Adkins is a performer in thevaudeville tradition of Charlie Chaplin andBuster Keaton. With no hi-tech distractions,his irresistible character heroically battleswith the everyday objects of life,permanently on the verge of disaster…moving but hilarious.




The Thistle (Russia)

The ThistleThe Thistle is a musical with an original Russian script and score. It is a love story for Scotland,set in the middle ages, which tells the story of England conquering Scotland in 18 acts.

Beautifully sung and performed by a professional cast of ten renowned Russian theatreactors. The Thistle is a passionate story that speaks to Scottish nationalism and pride; anemotive love story between a motherland and her son. Emotive, emotional, compelling!

Subtitles in English

facebook.com/thistleatfringe

New Town Theatre, Majestic I July 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 18:00 (75mins)Tickets: July 31 preview £7; Aug 1 – 24 Mon – Thu £12 (£10), Fri – Sun £14 (£12)


box office 0131 226 0000 9


DEN Entertainment (Japan)

The SakeDance and Multimedia show highlights the best of both traditional and contemporary Japan.DEN invites you to the beautiful visionary world of The Sake with aerial acrobatics, comicstorytelling and Japanese Rakugo dance, enhanced by world-beating projection mappingand 3D sound.

DEN’s motto is “feel Japan through the five senses”, and this performance will certainlystimulate yours as they interpret the process of creating the famous Japanese sake.Featuring artists with diverse backgrounds and skills, DEN will guide you to the twilight zone!

Producer/Director David ‘Junya’ Yamada has had a major role in Seong, Japan’s female youthfashion culture with shows such as Tokyo Girls Collection, and produced events for Fendiand Louis Vuitton. He has also directed shows for JIPop princess Kyary Pamyupamyu and theworld’s largest and arguably most famous idol group AKB48.

den-entertainment.com

New Town Theatre, Majestic I August 2 – 24 I 20:30 (60mins)Tickets: previews Aug 2 & 3 £8; £12 (£10), family £20




emeraldBLUE(Scotland)

AVirgin’sGuideto RockyHorrorA tribute to the genius of Richard O'Brien

Ever wondered how to do The Rocky HorrorShow? Let us take you through the audienceparticipation step by step while revealing thehistory of the world's most outrageous musical.

“An anarchic, zany, sexy romp ... well conceivedand cleverly scripted, filled full of audienceparticipation and well packed underwear”Edinburgh Evening News

Let's do the Timewarp again! Dress to distress(or just for prizes).

This is not The Rocky Horror Show stage production.

New Town Theatre, Majestic I July 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 22:30 (60mins)

Tickets: Sun – Thu £12 (£10), Fri & Sat £14 (£12)


box office 0131 226 0000 11


Cadies Productions andLRStageworks (Scotland)

Princess Pumpalot:The Farting PrincessShe's a princess and she farts. What more do you need toknow? Can Princess Pumpalot protect Wiffyville Castlefrom the invasion of the evil Low-Flying Gnomes? Will shewin her battle with the nasty Prince? Who will take her tothe Royal Birthday Ball?

Based on the top-selling book, this is a fast-paced,fun-packed show for all the family. Warning: fartingwill take place during this performance and audienceparticipation is compulsory!

2013 Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★ smash hit show

princesspumpalot.co.uk

New Town Theatre, Mysterious

July 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 11:30 (50mins)

Tickets: £11 (£9), family £32

Cia dos Atores (Brazil)

LaborActorial &MaybeFor the first time in Edinburgh, highly acclaimed andaward-winning Brazilian company Cia dos Atores (Actors’Company) presents two multimedia solos, whichcontemplate modern life in relation to technology.

"Vital performance, which redefines theatre", O GloboReview

www.ciadosatores.com.br

LaborActorial is an impressive interplay between a soloperformer and his multiple video selfies, which provokeshim to rethink the core of his identity. Subtitles In English.

New Town Theatre, MysteriousAugust 6 – 14 I 16:15 (50mins) I Tickets: £10 (£8)

In Maybe an ordinary man is held hostage by his computer.His thoughts and reflections become transformative andterrifying. Subtitles In English.

New Town Theatre, MysteriousAugust 16 – 24 I 16:15 (50mins) I Tickets: £10 (£8)

pho

tos:AndréMacieira



new town theatre venue 7emeraldBLUE (Scotland)Silence in CourtJennifer Lyons claims rape. Charles Brand claims it was consensual sex.There are no witnesses. There is no evidence. You, the audience, are the juryand must decide – guilty or not guilty.“An uncomfortable yet engaging and profoundly thought-provokingexperience”★★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News“Highly recommended”★★★★ Fringe ReviewContains themes of sexual violence. facebook.com/Silence-In-Court

New Town Theatre, Committee Room I July 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 18:30 (60mins)Tickets: Sun – Thu £10 (£8), Fri & Sat £12 (£10)

Sum Theatre (Canada)

My RabbiA Jew and a Muslim walk into a bar... My Rabbi is acomedic drama about two Canadian best friendswho go on spiritual journeys that change their livesforever. A laugh out loud thought-provoking storyabout the lines that occur between faith andfriendship.

Saskatoon’s Sum Theatre is dedicated to bringingpeople together through non-traditional livetheatre experiences. This world premiere is SumTheatre's latest contemporary Canadian play,written and performed by Kayvon Kelly andJoel Bernbaum.

Supported by the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

sumtheatre.comNew Town Theatre, MysteriousAugust 5 – 24 I 14:00 (70mins)Tickets: Aug 5 preview £10 (£5); Aug 6 – 24 £12

Conflict in CourtThe long awaited follow-up to Silence in Court. The Right Honourable Marcus Ballie MP is suing ShirleyAnn Knot for libel after her paper, The Daily Globe, ran a story claiming he paid a rent boy to spend thenight with him. A family man, the Tory MP claims there is no truth in the claim and is seeking damages.It seems like a straightforward case until an unexpected witness arrives to take to the stand. Who willwin, tabloid editor or Tory MP? Only you, the jury, can decide. facebook.com/Conflict-In-Court

New Town Theatre, Committee Room I July 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 16:30 (60mins)Tickets: Sun – Thu £10 (£8), Fri & Sat £12 (£10)


box office 0131 226 0000 13


Ten Clowning Street (Scotland)

Referendumand DumberThis September Scotland answers: yes or no. We ask youto make a tougher call: plums or bananas. So pick yoursides but then split your sides and laugh as we laugh atthem laughing at you! Edinburgh-based ensembleTen Clowning Street hold a wonky mirror up to thewibbly-wobbly world of capitalist consumer drivenculture and cardboard politicians.

Absurdist satirical mirthmaticians on a mission to makeyou grin, we poke fun right in the eye! How deep are thewaters that divide us? Come swim for yourself and findout. Banana or plum, we all laugh as one!


July 31 – August 24 (not 11, 12, 13) I 18:15 (60mins)

Tickets:Aug 1 & 3 previews £6;Aug 2 preview £7, family £20;Sun – Thu £10 (£8), family £26;Fri & Sat £12 (£10), family £30

Katsura Sunshine (Japan)

Sit Down Comedy– Japanese-styleHilarious. Fascinating. Unforgettable. Japan’sanswer to stand-up comedy is Rakugo – a400-year-old tradition of “sit-down” comedy.Traditional, but more popular in Japan todaythan it ever was.

There are almost 800 professional Rakugocomedians working in Japan today, and onlyone is not Japanese: Katsura Sunshine! Freshfrom a 20-city North American tour. Come foran hour of laughter and hilarity, and leavewith a little bit of Japan in your heart.

katsurasunshine.com


July 31 – August 24 I 20:00 (60mins)

Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1 previews £7;Mon – Thu £10 (£8), family £20;Fri – Sun £12 (£10), family £24



new town theatre venue 7Woodstock Taylor and Guests(Scotland)

The Hat Packworld music cabaretEclectic mixed cabaret in the Mysterious theatre bar withveteran Fringe chanteuse Woodstock Taylor and her bandand a changing lineup of international and local guestmusicians who will bring you jazz, blues, folk, world music,hip hop, original songwriters and more.

Hat wearing is encouraged, but not compulsory; a paltryprize will be awarded nightly for the best hat worn by amember of the audience. What better way to unwind inthe hours before midnight than in the company of someof the best acts the Fringe has to offer?

scarybiscuits.com/clients/ed-fringe-events


July 31 – August 24 (not 15 & 22) I 22:15 (90mins)

Tickets: July 31 preview £7; Fri 1 & Sat 2,Sat 16 & Sat 23 £12 (£10);Aug 3 – 14 & 17 – 21 & 24 £10 (£8)

Samba Sene (Senegal)Rise Kagona (Zimbabwe)

Africa Live!A whistle-stop tour of some of the best African music at the Fringe,headlined by popular Fringe performers Samba Sene and Diwan(Senegal) on 15 August and Rise Kagona (Zimbabwe), original memberof the legendary Bhundu Boys, and his Jit Jive Trio on 22 August.

A different line-up of special guests each night will deliver spine-tinglingvocals, exuberant Afrobeats, jiti rhythms and much more, drawn fromround the Fringe and round the world. An African Pick of the Fringewith performers from South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Senegal andNigeria (not to mention Uganda, UK, USA, New Zealand and beyond).Dancing is highly likely!

Rise Kagona – “sunny, intricate, agile yet rock steady guitar lines,whose easy suppleness and sparkle belied their technical prowess”★★★★ The Scotsman

Samba Sene & Diwan – “a blistering tequila sunrise of a gig…not to be missed”★★★★ Broadway Baby

“brilliant”★★★★ 3 Weeks

scarybiscuits.com/clients/ed-fringe-events


August 15 & August 22

22.15 (90mins)

Tickets: £12 (£8)


box office 0131 226 0000 15

hill street solo theatre venue 41

Play the Spotlight Theatre (Romania)

Zelda – The Last Flapper“I don’t want to live. I want to love first, and live incidentally.”

William Luce’s play for one-woman performer celebrates the life andlegacy of Zelda Fitzgerald, one of the most intriguing women of the20th century,

Zelda didn’t seem to care about any of the obstructions she had toface. She was full of life, talent and love and spread them all aroundher regardless of the uptight society she lived in.

Romania’s Play the Spotlight Theatre likes to remember her as agreat soul, a devoted wife, and a visionary human being but mostof all, an extremely gifted writer, painter and ballet dancer.

This stunning solo is performed by renowned film, TV and theatreartist Ioana Pavelescu, awarded Best Actress at New York City’sIndependent Film Festival 2013, and directed by Liana Ceterchi.

"Amust see show! An unforgettable and breathtaking IoanaPavelescu is the disturbed wife of one of the most importantwriters of the 20th century, Zelda Fitzgerald!”Irina Margareta Nistor (writer, broadcaster, producer)

Presented in Association with the Women's Theatre Association IF

Hill Street Solo Theatre, ThespisJuly 31 – August 24 (not 12)15:00 (60mins)Tickets: Preview July 31 & Aug 1 £7;July 31-Aug 24 £10

Hill Street Solo Theatre is the oldestFestival Fringe venue, in constantoperation for the last 35 years. It isdedicated to solo performances, whichprovide a direct, intimate and highlycharged encounter between actor(often also writer) and audience.

“a hub for solo shows with a single actor owning the stage and commandingthe audience’s attention from beginning to end … the connection betweenactor and audience becomesmore intimate” Evening News

“this is THE place for intimate fringe theatre” Fringe Review

“a firmly established landmark on the Fringe goers' map” The List



hill street solo theatre venue 41

Anna-Mari Laulumaa (Finland)

God is in My TypewriterStriking one-woman show about the brilliant, tumultuouslife of Pulitzer-winning American poet Anne Sexton,blending verse, letters, and therapy session tapes withButoh and humour to explore the relationship betweenwomen, creativity and madness.

Child, wife, mother, author; stumbling through life, pickingup the pieces. Searching. Falling. Praying.

‘Your performance is stirring. I think you get to the heartof mymother. She would be very happy could she seethe way that you are carrying on her work’ Linda GraySexton

annamarilaulumaa.com

Hill Street Solo Theatre, Thespis

July 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 16:30 (65mins)

Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1 preview £7;Aug 2 – 24 £10 (£8)

Jägerhorn Productions (Finland)

Waiting for HitchcockBreathtaking news: Alfred Hitchcock’s long-lost first silent filmNumber 8 has just been found!

The discovery of this thrilling spy story was made by the magicianRobert Jägerhorn. But due to some unexpected events, Robert isforced to present the story without the film.

The show is full of irresistible magic and brilliant comedy, creatingan unforgettable evening of magic and laughter! Robert Jägerhorn isa pioneer within the magic field. His original approach is what he callssituational magic, where he combines various elements of magic andtheatre into a comprehensive package.

“a Lapland Cary Grant … really amusing … Hitchcock was never sosmooth” Nancy Cohen, Huffington Post, New York

“A charming, light and playful hour, bubbling with mimicry ofsilent movies, Chaplinesque slapstick, excitement and magicaldisappearances” Helsingin Sanomat, Finland

Best Magic Show 2013, United Solo Festival, New York

waitingforhitchcock.comSupported by Embassy of Finland, the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, CircusInfoFinland and the Art Community Association in Finland.

Hill Street Solo Theatre, Thespis

July 31 – August 24 (not 12)

18:30 (65mins)

Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1previews £7;Aug 2 – 24 £12 (£10)


box office 0131 226 0000 17

hill street solo theatre venue 41Quant Theatre (England)

TheQuantYou heard there was a killing to be made in the City. So you studiedhard at school, got into a good university, studied some more,graduated (with honours) and finally landed a job at the world’ssecond biggest bank. But the hard work has only just begun.

Luckily The Quant is here to help. He’ll guide you through thecomplicated world of financial risk, show you how to wieldweapons of financial mass destruction and make sure you knowto get out before the proverbial hits the fan. Just be sure to leaveyour soul at the door.

Take a whirlwind tour of derivatives, leverage, systemic risk andtoxic assets with writer-performer Jamie Griffiths, who spent 5years getting under the skin of the financial sector to produce ashow that turns traditional city stereotypes on their head.

quanttheatre.co.uk

Hill Street Solo Theatre, ThespisJuly 31 – August 24 (not 12)20:05 (55mins)Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1 – 3 previews £5;Aug 4 – 24 £10 (£8), family £32

LRStageworks (Scotland)

ThiefSailor thrives in the bars, dives and doss-housesof the most squalid ports.

Look, you will see him.

Sailor lives for robbery, imprisonment and expulsion.Be his victim.

Sailor's virtues are simple: rent, theft, and betrayal.Join him.

From Liam Rudden (director of 2011's award-winningCock And Bull Story & 2013's sell-out Silence In Court)comes Thief, a dark and challenging piece of theatre in-spired by the works of Jean Genet.

Not for the easily offended. Disturbing. Spellbinding.

Best Theatre Performance Award, Brighton Fringe 2014

★★★★★ "Incredible performance and writing ... thebest play I've ever seen at the Fringe" Brighton Argus

playthief.com

Hill Street Solo Theatre, ThespisJuly 31 – August 24 (not 12) I 21:30 (50mins)Tickets: Tickets: £10 (£8)



hill street drama lodge venue 41a

In Your Face Theatre (Scotland)

The Lieutenantof InishmoreHave you ever been given a protective suit at a show, satin the middle of the room with the action all round you aseveryone and everything is splattered in blood? If not,then you haven't ever taken part in an IYF Theatreexperience.

The Company return to the Fringe after last year's sell-outfive-star production of The Hard Man with an Irish darkcomedy from In Bruges writer Martin McDonagh.

‘experience what it’s like to sit inside a movie’BroadwayBaby.com

inyourfacetheatre.com

Hill Street Drama Lodge, Master’s Room

July 31 – August 24 (not 6, 12, 13, 20)15:15, 17:45, 21:15 (75mins)

Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1 previews £7;Mon – -Fri £11 (£9), Sat & Sun £12.50 (£10)

In Your Face Theatre (Scotland)

TrainspottingTo celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irvine Welsh novel,relive the story like never before. Take part in this once in alife time promenade experience and expect heavy druguse, strong language and scenes of both a violent andsexual nature. Expect the walls to move, to be part of arave and the unnerving claustrophobic darkness.

“Like stepping into a time-warp ... a vital restaging thatsuggests that a brand new generation might just be enroute to finding their voice’★★★★ Neil Cooper, The Herald

This is immersive theatre. This is Trainspotting.

inyourfacetheatre.com

Hill Street Drama Lodge

July 31 – August 24 (not 5, 12, 19)

18:45, 21:00, 23:15 (75mins)

Tickets: July 31 & Aug 1 previews £7;Mon – Fri £12 (£10), Sat & Sun £14 (£12)


19

exhibitions

New Town Theatre

Arnold OchmanphotographsArnold Ochman. Born inMiasteczko Slaskie, Poland in 1968.In 2005 he moved to Stirling,Scotland, where he currently lives.

arnoldochman.com

The Dr WhoyearsPhotographs and material fromTomek Borkowy’s Dr Who archive.

Hill Street Solo Theatre

Universal Arts – 25 FestivalsProgrammes and memorabilia from the Fringe 1989 – 2013


Undoubtedly the Edinburgh Festival Fringe isthe biggest Performing Arts event in the world.It also injects over £120m into the local economywithout which the city and region would bemuch poorer. However there is little realappreciation or understanding of how thiswealth is delivered and how fragile it is.

Edinburgh Fringe stakeholders fall into two maingroups. Investors and Beneficiaries. Theatrecompanies and performing artists invest theirown money to perform at the Fringe. The biginvestors are venue producers, who convertempty spaces into theatres and engagetechnical, marketing and front of house staff.

The second group of stakeholders areBeneficiaries: the flat owners and hoteliersrenting accommodation to 40,000 performersand over 500,000 visitors; landlords rentingpremises to venue producers; suppliers oftechnical equipment; the printers; pub andrestaurant owners; retailers; transportcompanies; and the City Council. All of thembenefit from the greatest arts event in theworld – without investing in it.

And what is wrong with this, you may ask?Surely we live in a market economy andeverybody is entitled to take any opportunity tomake money. The problem is that many of thebeneficiaries not only grab opportunities tomake extra money, but effectively profiteer tothe extent of milking the Fringe cow to inevitabledeath.

During the 25 years that I have produceda Fringe venue the cost has risen by over 600%,which is greatly more than the increase of theaverage ticket price. Many of the cost increasesare due to ever-growing statutory obligationsimposed by legislators with little regard to thecost of implementation. For example, the priceof a temporary theatre licence in Edinburgh isthe most expensive in the world. Venueproducers have no choice; they have to pay.

The most outrageous profiteers however areaccommodation and property owners. For manyyears, hotels have imposed a special “festival”rate – often double the high-season rate – andthen they campaign vigorously against a £1festival bed tax. Residential accommodationrents double or even quadruple during theFestival and rental fees for buildings used asFestival venues continue to rise much fasterthan inflation.

I have to say however, that Universal Arts’landlords at the Freemasons’ Hall on GeorgeStreet and the Hill Street Masonic Society arenotable exceptions and I thank them for that. Iam not a Mason but maybe there is somethingin their moral code that makes them moreunderstanding and supportive.

The biggest landlord of the Fringe is EdinburghUniversity and therefore one of biggestbeneficiaries. In the last eight years students’accommodation rented out to Fringe companieshas risen over 200% with the biggest increasesin the last three years.

For a number of festivals we have presentedshows in the University’s Old College Quad.This year we had lined up one of Poland’s mostimpressive outdoor puppetry companiesoffering performances plus free familyworkshops and a free exhibition. Unfortunatelythis year’s fee has risen to a level that is nowdisproportionate to the level of facilities andservices offered and beyond what the companycould afford. As a venue producer I am wellaware of what it costs to convert a space, toprovide a high quality performing environment,to legally staff it for 15 hours a day and run afour-month PR campaign to support thepresented work. I believe that in comparisononly a tiny fraction of these costs are needed torun the Old College Quad as an outdoor venuewith no seating installed and when lights andsound are provided by the performing company.

20

In his annual Fringe essay, Artistic Director Tomek Borkowy asks

AREWE STARVING THE FRINGE GOOSETHAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS?


21There are many similar examples across thecity contributing to a growing internationalreputation of Edinburgh as being greedy. Everyyear the beneficiaries are waiting for the FringeGoose to lay for them another golden egg. Butthey don’t see that the Goose is being starved.The culture of profiteering is definitely not inthe interests of the city and Fringe. I urge theUniversity, as the leading landlord, to rethink itsrelationship with the world’s premier arts event.

Currently 75% of the Fringe audience attendlicenced venues. In the last decade only one ortwo new venue producers have been preparedto take the risk of producing a venue, becauseit is too costly, too risky and too stressful.And they are right. The costs of producing aprofessional venue ranges from £200K to wellover £1m. Given that our Fringe industry istotally self-financed, the risk is enormous andwhen the old timers such as myself retire, whowill be willing to pay to create the professionalvenues of the future? Will the Fringe Goosesimply die? Can Edinburgh afford that?

As a reaction to the growing costs ofparticipation, there are now three Free Fringemanagements mainly presenting first timeperformers and amateurs in bars and pubs.Their investment is negligible as they don’t payrent, don’t provide proper theatre facilities orneed temporary theatre licences, using thelandlords’ year-round entertainment licence.Landlords are happy to accommodate theseunregulated and often unsafe “free venues” asthey make money from increased alcohol andfood sales.

The Free Fringe has already become a threatto smaller licenced and well-equipped venues.This could have long-term consequence for theentire Festival including the Fringe Society.The Free Fringe has secured a number ofplaces on the Society’s Board of Directors.The irony is that although Free Fringeparticipants make significant use of FringeOffice services, on principle they don’t selltickets through the Fringe Box Office,effectively working against the financialstability of the organisation. Since the 2008crisis, the Fringe Office under the leadership ofKath Mainland and her supportive team, hasbecome a better and stronger organisation.

However, the lack of a long-range strategicvision from a weak Board of Directors is trickyfor the entire festival. The Fringe Office hasgrown to perform many more tasks than tenyears ago. This enlargement has spawned acorporate structure, which has become aproblem in itself. Because of the size, its primeresponsibility has become its own well-being.This contradicts the purpose of the Society’sexistence, which first and foremost isconstituted to serve and support EdinburghFringe participants, venue producers andpromoters.

The main source of the Fringe Office income isits commission on ticket sales. Since a growingnumber of the Free Fringe participants,supported by a number of Society Boardmembers, refuse to sell tickets through FringeBox Office, the Fringe Office has to look forother sources of income. A key one hasbecome advertisements in the Fringebrochure. It is expensive and therefore givesadvantage to the wealthiest companies,affluent comedy agencies and commercialcompanies. It looks as though the purpose ofthis advertising is to make money for theFringe Office. I believe that removing ALLadverts, except commercial advertising notconnected with performances, would bringback a genuine level playing field and animpartial Fringe Society.

The Festival Fringe’s survival, and continuedeconomic benefit to the city, depends on adiverse programme from around the world.To deliver this we need participation in theFringe to be an affordable experience forperformers and visitors.

The long-term health of the Fringe largelydepends on whether the beneficiaries areprepared to be part of the solution. So, here’sto more joined-up thinking and meaningfulpartnerships and a Golden Egg for everybody!

Tomek Borkowy


Scots and Poles have a long history. Since the16th century Scots have been active in Poland.The most enlightened mayor of Warsaw was aScot – Alexander Charmer. Scots introducedpotatoes as a field crop to Polish agriculture andstarted to make vodka from it.

I call myself a Scottisised Pole. I found my newhome here and I love Scotland. I work hard, paymy dues and I have earned my right to vote inthe referendum.

I will vote YES for Independence because as aPole I understand what it means to be free.My country fought for independence for 200years and 32 years ago I escaped from mysubjugated motherland.

Unlike the UK, the Scottish Government hascreated opportunities for Poles and otherforeigners to settle, work and build our futurein Scotland.

London’s Conservative government and partiesopposing independence treat foreigners asfreeloaders and scroungers, who are coming tothe UK to receive benefits. But foreigners arehard-working and valued employees and wehave earned our right to a place in this countryand to a vote for its, and our, future.

I will vote YES because Scottish Independenceis the best option for us all. If we lose this vote,our future within the UK could be difficult.The London government, pressurised by Britishfar-right-wing parties, will lead the UK to exitfrom the European Union and lurch even furtherto the right.

Scotland is in a much better position than manysmall countries that have gained independencein the last 25 years. On our own WE CAN forgeour own destiny; as part of the UK we willcontinue to be a ‘northern territory’.

LET’S VOTE YES FOR INDEPENDENCE!

Tomek Borkowy, Artistic Director, Universal Arts

I was born into a Scottish, working class family,always voting Labour. But times change, and somust I, with a referendum leading to anindependent Scotland.

I was fashioned in my political beliefs firstly bymy Scottish granny, my parents, friends andexperiences since returning home 30 years ago.But there was the ‘another’: my father whocame to Scotland to study in the 1920s fromBritish India, instilling the need for education andindependent thinking. He gloried in the creationof Pakistan, independence for India and forevery country that also gained independence.

Once married, with children in Pakistan andBangladesh, I experienced military dictatorships,stood in queues to vote, had my thumb &forefinger marked with indelible ink, and livedthrough a deadly war fought for independence.

For the sake of my grandchildren here, andfuture generations, maintaining the status quowith social economic deprivation in Scotland isnot an option, so seizing the opportunity toshape an independent Scotland is a must.

It won’t be roses all the way. Has it ever been?I’m told that businesses need stability and a Yesvote could be disruptive. For whom? Companies,Shareholders? All with their ethos of profit first?Possible hiatus regarding EU membership? Butwhat if a UK referendum removed Scotland fromthe EU?

‘Stability’ is not the reason for the referendum.Scotland’s future is. As women, our experiencesand aspirations are vital … I’ve joinedwww.womenforindependence.org

I want my vote to count where it’s needed. I’mvoting for my independent Scotland.

Selma Rahman, writer and Director of FifeRacial Equality Council

22

an independentcreative Scotland …


I sometimes wonder what kind of Scotland wewould be living in today if the SNP surge in themid-1970s had led to independence.

With 11 MPs and around a third of the Scottishvote in the October 1974 election, they were stillwell short of a mandate for independence.

But just imagine...

Scotland had a steel industry and carmanufacturing. Margaret Thatcher and herdevastation were still a few years in the future.What if we had been merely outside observersof the de-industrialisation of the UK rather thana major victim of it?

What if we hadn’t been part of a society that hasseen a relentless increase in child poverty and agradual whittling away of individuals’ rights tothe point where the most vulnerable membersof society are defenceless against a governmentintent on easing the burden on the very richestwhile tightening the screw on the have-nots?

I’m voting Yes in September not because I’m anationalist (I’m not) but because I believe thathere is an opportunity to change our societyfor the better.

There are no guarantees. The simple act ofbecoming independent will not produce acopper-bottomed assurance that Scotland willhave a progressive, more caring government.

That will be up to us. It will be our opportunity toelect a Scottish Government that we believe willlead to a fairer, more equal society, a society thatwill look after its most vulnerable members.

Can we do that while remaining part of theUnited Kingdom, where the likes of DavidCameron and Nigel Farage win elections whilebeing widely rejected in Scotland?

I think not. A better Scotland lies within ourgrasp – if we vote YES and take control ofour destiny.

Gerry Cassidy, writer and publisher

So, I'm voting YES in September.

Why? Well for many reasons. I remember thedark days of the late ‘70s, when the Torygovernment, under Margaret Thatcher, stole andabused industry across Scotland. I grew up inWishaw; a stone's throw from Ravenscraig, theheart of an industrial town. And a Labourheartland.

Industry died and communities died. Thedevastation of the area lingers on. Under thecurrent Tory government we see the systematicdemise of the NHS and a rise in the number offood banks across the United Kingdom.

That's not the kind of future I want for myteenage daughters. I took them to the openingof the Scottish Parliament in 1999 – they werethree and two at the time. I told them this wastheir history. They didn't understand; they donow!

An Independent Scotland, I believe, will givethem a better chance for a prosperous future; afairer future and a fairer society. I'm not blinkered– I don't expect change overnight, but I wouldhope for positive change in the coming years.

I'm voting YES for my future and for that of mychildren.

I'm voting YES for a democratic Scotland and afairer life ahead.

Trish McGuinness, arts PR consultant

23



Tickets and Information

NEW TOWN THEATRE

Fringe Venue 7, Freemasons’ Hall,96 George Street, EH2 3DH

BOX OFFICE from 31 July: 0131 220 0143

The beautiful and lavishly decoratedFreemasons Hall features four well-equippedand comfortable theatres. Situated 300mfrom the Assembly Rooms and 300m fromthe International Book Festival, it is ideallyplaced in the city centre.

Please note we do not have level accessto the venue. Please call 0131 220 0143(from 31 July) to find out how we canassist with your visit.

VENUE 150@EICC

Fringe Venue 150, 150 Morrison Street,EH3 8EE

BOX OFFICE: 0844 847 1639

The Edinburgh International ConferenceCentre is just two minutes from LothianRoad and ten minutes from Princes Street.It is fully accessible to all patrons.

HILL STREET SOLO THEATRE

Fringe Venue 41, Hill Street, EH2 3JP


The oldest Fringe venue constantly inoperation (40 years) is a two-minute walkfrom New Town Theatre and three minutesfrom the Assembly Rooms and theInternational Book Festival.The venue is dedicated to solo theatreor one-person shows.


HILL STREET DRAMA LODGE

Fringe Venue 41a, Hill Street, EH2 3JP


The venue shares the Hill Street MasonicLodge with the Hill Street Solo Theatre.


0131 226 0000(from 11 June – Fringe box office)

www.universalartsfestival.comTickets are also available directly fromwww.edfringe.com


at a glanceShow Company time duration dates no show venue see page

Princess Pumpalot Cadies & LRStageworks 11:30 50m 31 July- 24 Aug 12 Mysterious 11

MyUncle’s Shoes Cia doMeu Tio 11.45 75m 5-24Aug 11, 18 Majestic 5

TheDay SamDied ArmazémTheatre 13.45 75m 5-24Aug 11, 18 Majestic 6

MyRabbi SumTheatre 14:00 70m 5-24Aug Mysterious 12

Circus Incognitus DdD / Jamie Adkins 16:00 65m 31 July-24 Aug 6, 12, 18 Majestic 7

LaborActorial Cia dos Atores 16.15 50m 6-14Aug Mysterious 11

Maybe Cia dos Atores 16.15 50m 16-24 Aug Mysterious 11

Conflict in Court emeraldBLUE 16:30 60m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Committee Room 12

The Thistle The Thistle 18:00 75m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Majestic 8

Referendum&Dumber Ten Clowning Street 18:15 60m 31 July-24 Aug 11, 12, 13 Mysterious 13

Silence in Court emeraldBLUE 18.30 60m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Committee Room 12

Sit DownComedy Katsura Sunshine 20:00 60m 31 July-24 Aug Mysterious 13

The Sake DEN Entertainment 20:30 60m 2-24Aug Majestic 9

TheHat Pack Woodstock Taylor & guests 22.15 90m 31 July-24 Aug 15, 22 Mysterious 14

Africa Live! Samba Sene 22:15 90m 15Aug Mysterious 14

Africa Live! Rise Kagona 22:15 90m 22Aug Mysterious 14

A Virgin’s Guide to RockyHorror emeraldBLUE 22:30 60m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Majestic 10

New Town Theatre

Show Company time duration dates no show venue see page

Zelda – the Last Flapper Play the Spotlight Theatre 15:00 60m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Thespis 15

God is inMy Typewriter Anna-Mari Laulumaa 16:30 65m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Thespis 16

Waiting for Hitchcock Jägerhorn Productions 18:30 65m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Thespis 16

The Quant Quant Theatre 20.05 55m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Thespis 17

Thief LRStageworks 21:30 50m 31 July-24 Aug 12 Thespis 17

Hill Street Solo Theatre


Lieutenant of Inishmore In Your Face Theatre 15:15 75m 31 July- 24 Aug 6, 12, 13, 20 Master’s Room 18


Trainspotting In Your Face Theatre 18:45 75m 31 July-24 Aug 5, 12, 19 Almaz 18




Hill Street Drama Lodge


Philharmonic ofWit Filharmonia Dowcipu 18.30 75m 31 July-24 Aug 21 Auditorium 4

venue150@eicc


MAP 27

PRINCES STREET

MORRISON ST

JOHNSTON TERRACE

BREAD ST

WESTERNAPPROACH RD

COWGATE

QUEEN STREET

HILL STREET

CA

STLEST

FRED

ERIC

KST

HA

NO

VERST

GRASSMARKET

GEORGE STREET

ACCESS

Parking There is metered parking on/adjacent to both George Street and Hill Streetand in the vicinity of the EICC. Tickets are required 8.30am – 6.30pm Mon to Sat andtime is limited to 2 hours. For longer-term parking: NCP Car Park on Castle Terraceclose to Traverse Theatre.

Public Transport New Town Theatre, Hill Street Solo Theatre and venue150@ EICCare easily reached by public transport as many buses serve George Street andLothian Road. Day and weekly tickets available. www.lothianbuses.com

VENUE 150@EICC NEW TOWN THEATRE HILL STREET SOLO THEATREHILL STREET DRAMA LODGE



"a crucial part of the fabricof the Fringe, bringing music,theatre and dance from allover the world” The Herald


univarsal arts 2014

Documents