Welcome to our weekly Festival Digest !
During the month of August, we will be showcasing the work of SPN members as well as other LGBT+ content from around the Edinburgh Festival. As part of this effort, we will be publishing a weekly digest during the Fringe, featuring show recommendations and reviews sent in by SPN members.
Seen a show you’d like to recommend?
Leave us a review using this form – it only takes a minute or two, and we’ll include your recommendation in next week’s digest so that other folks from around the university can check it out! |
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SPN (and Friends) Showcase
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| We’ve had a couple of late additions to our member showcase, why don’t you check out one of the performances listed below… |
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Afternoon T with Georgia Tasda
(Comedy/LGBT+/Satire)
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Here she comes! London’s breakthrough comedy drag act arrives in Edinburgh with a brand-new show! Join Georgia Tasda for a brew as she spills the T. Expect queer capers, gender-bending, and of course, cocktails!
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| ‘Georgia Tasda carries Leigh Bowery’s torch for weird and exceptional drag performance art’ (LoverboyMagazine.com)
‘This is a copyright lawsuit waiting to happen’ (Georgia’s lawyer)
Showtimes and tickets available: here |
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Gypsy Queen
(LGBT+/Drama)
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Can two men raised to fight ever learn to love? The story of “Gorgeous” George O’Connell, bare-knuckle fighter and traveller, who enters the world of professional boxing, putting him on a collision course with his roots, his identity and his greatest fear. In the opposite corner, gay boxer Dane “The Pain” Samson, the young pretender and son of a boxing legend, is fighting his own battles, which will lead to a tragedy that neither could predict. Gypsy Queen is an unconventional love story between two fighters who discover the greatest challenge lies outside the ring.
Tickets and Information available: here
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Pollyanna
(Cabaret and Variety)
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Hold your cocktails tight! Join host Pollyfilla for a showcase of performance art, drag, DJs and glittery carnage and ‘down-and-dirty joy… a bona fide asset to the Fringe’ **** (Scotsman). ‘Your life is poorer for not having been yet’ ***** (ScotsGay.co.uk). Escape the monotony, come sweat with us this evening. ‘The craziest, filthiest any-hole-will-do cabaret variety night… It’s a show, a happening and a movement’ (ScotsGay.co.uk). ‘A reminder that drag can go wild’ (NotTelevision.com). It’s intimate, it’s messy. ‘For those seeking the edge of queer creative talent, this is not one to miss’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
Tickets and info available: here
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Seriously Funny
(Comedy with an Academic Twist)
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11th August!
An evening of comedy that educates and entertains, featuring comedian Bethany Black, and the Staff Pride Network’s own Gina Maya Roberts!
Bethany Black has been a professional stand-up comedian since 2004. In her shows she tells the story of her being transgender, chronicling everything from her coming out through her transition and eventually falling in love. Gina Maya Roberts who is currently doing her research on transgender narratives in pop culture at the University of Edinburgh will reflect on perceptions surrounding transgender people in modern society.
Tickets and info available: here
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Adam
(Theatre/New Writing/Multimedia/LGBT+)
A fascinating story of a trans man moving from Egypt to Glasgow. Very creative staging and visual effects. Brilliantly performed – Adam himself part of the cast. A full 5 stars in my book.Tickets and Showtimes
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At a Stretch
(Children’s/ Physical Theatre/LGBT+)
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| In a big, busy city there’s loads of space. You can jump across rooftops and meet new people every day. But it can be lonely in the big city too. When Mel and Emma meet, something is different and they find themselves on a neon adventure they never expected. A wordless visual theatre production for children and families following the story of two women who meet, get stuck together with elastic and, despite their best efforts, fall in love. Sharp physical comedy, exciting choreography and breathtaking physical theatre from the Fringe First award-winning Jordan and Skinner.
Tickets and showtimes |
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Baby Mama:
One Woman’s quest to give her child to gay people
(Theatre/Solo Show/Storytelling)
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| ‘Funny, moving, and unapologetically candid’ (Time Out New York). Baby Mama tracks one birth mother’s true adoption journey, from conception to placement with the gay couple of her dreams – while still living her life, dating, and attending the occasional orgy. From adoption agencies to vaginal discharge, from burlesque to goodbyes, this intimate night of storytelling is up close and personal. Winner of The Dr Robert J Thierauf Producer’s Pick Award of the Cincinnati Fringe. Bring hankies.
Tickets and showtimes |
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Eve
(New Writing/Solo Show/LGBT+)
An intimate monologue by Jo Clifford about her life and transition. An incredible story and a warm and genuine performance. 5 stars. Tickets and showtimes
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Sweatshop
(Cabaret and Variety/Circus/Music)
Rating: 4/5
Briefs Factory present Sweatshop. If you like “Briefs” and are disappointed that it’s not participating in the festival this year, “Sweatshop” is a dirty alternative. Provocative and not for all tastes, it does away with taboo and provides over an hour of vulgar, in your face entertainment. Not quite the level of the original Briefs show, but still worth going. Tickets and showtimes
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Thanks to Emily Ford-Halliday, Manos Farsarakis, and Remus Valsan for this week’s submissions!
If you’d like to contribute to next week’s digest, please submit a review using this form. |
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[SPN] AGM – 1 Year Anniversary
Wednesday 16th August – 12:30-2:00pm, LT2 Business School
Your Staff Pride Network needs YOU!
Join us for our first AGM to hear about committee vacancies, volunteer opportunities, plans and achievements and celebrate our first birthday– we’ll even have cake! We’re very excited about our future possibilities and hope that you will be too.Please confirm your attendance via EventBrite
[SPN] Monthly Social
Friday 1st September – 5:30pm, The Potting Shed
Continuing our monthly evening socials, join us after work to unwind and meet other network members. Conveniently held on the first Friday after payday. |
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