World class theatre and dance from Scotland EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE | AUGUST | 2010
www.madeinscotland2010.com
WELCOME I am very pleased to introduce Made in Scotland, a major showcase of Scottish theatre and dance across the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, Made in Scotland is a partnership between the Fringe, the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Scottish Arts Council. It is helping talented Scottish-based performers and companies present and promote their work on the international stage, as part of the largest open access arts festival in the world. This brochure contains everything you need to know about the vibrant, exciting and diverse programme that is Made in Scotland 2010. Following last year’s successful and award-winning showcase, audiences will again experience a range of performances from established theatre companies and emerging talent. It is great to see such a wide range of work which will appeal to all ages, encompassing theatre, poetry, dance and experimental work. I hope you manage to see some of this work as part of your festival experience and I wish every success to the companies and participants involved. Fiona Hyslop MSP Scottish Government Minister for Culture and External Affairs
www.madeinscotland2010.com
Supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo fund
CONTENTS We’re delighted to present the 2010 Made in Scotland showcase, the second showcase of some of Scotland’s most exciting companies performing on the Fringe. A distinguished panel of programmers, cultural managers and commentators selected the following programme of Scottish theatre and dance. The resultant showcase represents not only a shortlist of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Highlights but also some of the finest work being produced in Scotland today. Supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, Made in Scotland aims to place a diverse programme of high quality Scottish work firmly in the festival spotlight. Last year’s programme contained seven award winners and a host of rave reviews as well as numerous international touring opportunities for the Made in Scotland companies. A joint initiative between the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Scottish Arts Council, Made in Scotland 2010 promises to build on this success with a brand new programme of theatre and dance to excite, inspire and entertain. See you there! The Made in Scotland Team
A Wee Home From Home
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Bette/Cavett
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Cargo
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Decky Does a Bronco
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Markus Makavellian’s International Order
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Musical
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Private Dancer
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Roadkill
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Scottish Dance Theatre
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Sub Rosa
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The Not-So-Fatal Death of Grandpa Fredo
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The Songbird : A Tone Poem
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While You Lie
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White
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Playwrights’ Studio Lunchtime Talks
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Daily Planner
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Map and Venue List
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Access and Box Office Information
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Special Thanks
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Photo: Maria Falconer
A WEE HOME FROM HOME plan B Directed by Gerry Mulgrew Choreography by Frank McConnell Music by Michael Marra Designed by Karen Tennent Lighting Design by Jeanine Davies plan B acknowledges support from the Scottish Arts Council, The Highland Council and HI-Arts.
The Herald The Scotsman The Times
A highly charged and compelling dance-theatre piece, A Wee Home From Home explores the dizzying emotions and memories that one man’s homecoming can provoke. Told with affection and wandering through other familiar territory that would rather be forgotten, the show is a roller coaster ride down an unpredictable memory lane. Frank McConnell’s inspired and well-observed choreography perfectly partners the caustic and heart breaking observations contained in Michael Marra’s exceptional live music. Powerful, telling and humorous, this is one homecoming not to be missed! www.planbcreative.org
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Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s Venue 123 Aug 10-15 17:20 (1hr 5mins) | £10/£8 Aug 17-22 17:20 (1hr 5mins) | £10/£8
“what really scores is the bantering, almost vaudevillian between McConnell and Marra. Amazingly talented and both men true to form” The Herald
BETTE/CAVETT Grant Smeaton
“BEGUILING” The Scotsman
“INSPIRED... RUNAWAY SUCCESS” The List
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1971. The dawn of the decade of trash. She’s the 63 year old Queen of Hollywood. He’s the host who gets the guests his rivals can’t get near. Meet Bette Davis. Meet Dick Cavett. Using verbatim text and studded with some hilariously unPC 70s commercials, BETTE/CAVETT re-imagines one of the most candid TV meetings of all time - sliding down the rose-tinted sunglasses of our perceptions of “the old days” and challenging our tendency to glamorize the past. Coming up... Ms Davis on losing her virginity ...We’ll be right back!
Zoo Roxy in The Loft Venue 115 Aug 6-7 15:05 (1hr) | £8 Preview Aug 8-30 (not 18th) 15:05 (1hr) | £11/£9 conc
“A TRIUMPH AND A DELIGHT” The Herald
CARGO Iron-Oxide Ltd/ Edinburgh Mela In co-production Supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo fund
A risk-taking, water-soaked exploration of the universal need to migrate. This daring large-scale outdoor production weaves together extreme physicality, a stunning soundtrack, intricate imagery and strange yet familiar characters. In a world of dangers, high seas and troubled lands, CARGO tells the tale of two people and their quest for the perfect place to call home. Filled with adventurers, exiles, conquerors and slaves, CARGO explores the primal urge of humans to leave their country of origin, whether it be for a better life, to escape a past, for a new way of living, or to find... themselves. www.iron-oxide.org www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk
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Leith Links West Venue 167 Aug 11-15 21:15 (1hr approx) | £10/£8 Aug 17-22 21:15 (1hr approx) | £10/£8
A DARING JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Photo: Murdo McLeod
DECKY DOES A BRONCO Grid Iron Written by Douglas Maxwell Directed by Ben Harrison
‘To bronco a swing you stand on it, worky up to the bumps, kick the swing over your head and jump beneath it.’ It’s the summer of 1983. Five lads act out their dreams and fears in their local playground in Scotland. Broncoing is a sign of manhood – which Decky and his friends all impatiently await. Little do they know how suddenly and abruptly it will be forced upon them this summer… Multi-award winners Grid Iron return to the Fringe with this Scotsman Fringe First and Stage Award winning production. www.gridiron.org.uk
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Traverse @ Scotland Yard Venue 80 Aug 5-21 (not Mondays) 19:30 (75mins) | Sun-Thurs £17/£12 (£6) Fri-Sat: £19/£13
“Theatre that effortlessly breathes straight from the heart” The Times
MARKUS MAKAVELLIAN’S INTERNATIONAL ORDER proudExposure Written and Performed by Drew Taylor Directed by Al Seed
Join New York performance artist Markus Makavellian for this year’s poetry show: a gender-bending comedic glitter encrusted perspective on the modern psyche... This mad-cap romp, featuring tales of displaced lovers, Lady Gaga haters, perils of the office poo, aspirations of fatherhood and feeling the weight of the world... will brighten, bemuse and astound. www.myspace.com/ orderofmarkusmakavellian
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Iron Belly, Underbelly Cowgate Venue 61 Aug 5, 6 18:00 (45mins) | £6 Preview Aug 7-29 (Not Monday 16) 18:00 (45mins) | Mon-Thurs £9/£8 Fri-Sun: £10.50/£9.50
“...a formidable performance poet. His voice is raw, clever and disturbing, and we will be hearing much more of it in years to come.” Joyce Macmillan, The Scotsman
Photo: Raymond Mallentjer
MUSICAL Colette Sadler/Stammer Productions
Musical by Internationally acclaimed Scottish choreographer Colette Sadler takes a humorous look at entertainment through the lens of post-modern dance. Musical is an intricate choreographic and musical composition that playfully interweaves sounds that make movement and movements that make sound. Produced by Stammer Productions with financial support from Scottish Arts Council and NPN National Performance Network Germany. Created in residency at Dance Ireland, PACT Zollverein Essen, Vooruit Ghent and WPZimmer Antwerp. Musical is currently on a European tour following its Berlin premiere. www.stammerproductions.com
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Zoo Southside Venue 82 Aug 15-21 12:30 (50mins) | £12/£9
“Musical is extraordinarily striking… Sadler’s smart timed choreography is infectiously amusing” NRC Handelsblad Amsterdam
PRIVATE DANCER Janice Parker Dance Company Private Dancer is a promenade performance. Chairs will be available as necessary. Please let Dance Base know your access requirements, we aim to provide a bespoke service! This project originated from a residency supported by The Work Room, Dance House, Glasgow and The Scottish Arts Council’s Disability Arts Open Fund. Commission as part of Unlimited, the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme. The project is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and is delivered in partnership between London 2012, Arts Council England, the Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council.
A dance that is never seen... alone, at home, we give it our all...our best performance... ever. Janice Parker’s extraordinary new work plays with our expectations and emotions through unique choreography created by some of Scotland’s best disabled dancers. The spectacular Penthouse is transformed by artist Richard Layzell and fourteen performers moving in and around a real sized luminous house. In a rare glimpse of a personal world you will see the most beautiful dancing, and be offered the treat of watching alone. We might let you in...! www.janiceparker.co.uk www.love.dancebase.co.uk
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Dance Base@The Mercure Point Hotel Venue 109 Aug 17-21 16:00 and 18:30 (1hr 15mins) | £10 (£5)
“......compelling artistry in every strand of this project.....” The Herald
ROADKILL Ankur and Pachamama Productions in association with the Traverse and Tron Theatre Directed by Cora Bissett Contains strong language and sexual imagery Age suitability 14+
Supported by: Made in Scotland, Tron Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Scottish Arts Council, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Refugee Council, FST, Women’s Fund for Scotland
In Benin City, a young girl struggles to support her family. A world away, in an Edinburgh tenement, ‘aunty’ Martha arranges a job and flight for her.
“a remarkable show; and a profoundly admirable one” The Scotsman on Ankur’s Detainee A
Journey with her on the bus that leads to a new life and discover the nightmare reality behind Martha’s promises. Based on the experiences of young women trafficked to Scotland, Cora Bissett’s explosive production, combines direct, chilling performances with video, animation and music. Roadkill thrusts you into the brutal, complex, hidden world behind the newspaper headlines on sex-trafficking. Not a world away from you, but a world on your doorstep.
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Meet at Traverse Box Office Venue 15 to be transported by bus to site specific venue. Limited capacity, no latecomers Aug 7, 8, 10 19:00 (1hr 30mins including bus trip) Preview | £12 (£6) Aug 11 15:00 and 19:00 (1hr 30mins including bus trip) Press Aug 12-29 (not 16 or 23) Various times | Sun-Thurs £17/£12 (£6) Fri-Sat: £19/£13
Photo: Tim Morozzo
www.ankurproductions.org.uk
Photo: Andrew Ross
SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE Scottish Dance Theatre Artistic Director Janet Smith
SDT, Scotland’s national contemporary dance company presents three works over alternate evenings. Choreographed by SDT Artistic Director Janet Smith, Marc Brew and Caroline Bowditch, NQR is an irreverent enquiry into ‘normality’ examining our eccentricities that defy attempts to fit into the mould. Drift by James Wilton is ‘an impressively powerful duet of exhilarating movement’ (ballet.co.uk) The Life & Times of Girl A, by award winning choreographer Ben Duke (Lost Dog) is an eloquent blend of dance theatre veering between moments of hilarity and exposed vulnerability. ‘cool and quirky’ (Herald) www.scottishdancetheatre.com
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Zoo Southside Venue 82 NQR and Drift [double bill] Aug 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22 19:00 (48mins) | £12 The Life and Times of Girl A Aug 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21 19:00 (40mins) | £12 £18 for two shows (offer only available through venue box office)
‘STARK BRILLIANCE’ The Scotsman for NQR
Photo: David Leddy
SUB ROSA Fire Exit in association with the Citizens Theatre by David Leddy
‘Tremendous… vivid’ Herald
‘Chilling… ravishing… exquisite’ Guardian
‘Compelling… cunningly seductive’ Financial Times
A Gothic Victorian promenade for small audiences around secret spaces in a Masonic lodge by award-winning ‘theatrical maverick’ (Financial Times) and ‘site-specific genius’ (Scotsman) David Leddy. A haunting, darkly comic tale of yet another chorus girl burning to death. Meet Flora McIvor and witness her meteoric rise to power in a corrupt music hall. Bloodthirsty coup or red velvet revolution? The management are getting away with murder. Book early, tickets limited. www.DavidLeddy.com
‘Something special… skill, style, suspense, panache’ Metro
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Hill Street Theatre Venue 41 (1hr 40mins) Aug 5-6 22:20, 22:40, 23:00, 23:20, 00:00, 00:20, 00:40 | £7 Preview Aug 7-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 22:20, 22:40, 23:00, 23:20, 00:00, 00:20, 00:40 | £15 Aug 11,18, 25 22:20, 22:40, 23:00, 23:20, 00:00, 00:20, 00:40 | £10
‘HAUNTING… BRILLIANT… MAGNIFICENT… STUNNING’ The Scotsman
THE NOT-SO-FATAL DEATH OF GRANDPA FREDO Vox Motus in a co-production with Arts and Theatres Trust Fife and Supported by Platform
“I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying.” Woody Allen
“ faultless, fast-paced, brilliant sense of style...a cutting-edge comic-strip show for theatre” The Scotsman on Festival sell-out success Slick
A frozen body found in a woodshed wreaks havoc in the local community, forcing them to confront questions of science, faith and immortality. Inspired by an incredible true story, Fringe First 2008 winners Vox Motus present a pitch dark comedy featuring a host of eccentric characters, original live music and stunning design.
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Traverse Theatre (Traverse One) Venue 15 Aug 2 19:00 (80mins) Aug 7 15:00 (80mins) Preview | £12 (£6) Aug 8-29 (not Mondays) Various times (80mins) | Sun-Thurs £17/£12 (£6) Fri-Sat: £19/£13
Image: Gary Birnie
www.voxmotus.co.uk
Giant in association with Platform Conceived and Directed by Katrina Caldwell Music and Libretto by David Paul Jones Please allow sufficient travel time from the ticket collection point to The Royal Botanic Garden (access via East Gate, Inverleith Row).
An innovative development in music theatre for everybody 8 years and over. The Songbird follows the tale of an extraordinary, exotic bird that is captured in the tranquil solitude of the forest by a ruthless logger, captivated by her song. Using live music, a language of specially developed sound poetry and interactive, sensory performance techniques, this is a subtle story with a powerful, emotional punch. www.giantproductions.org
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Royal Botanic Garden (The Fletcher Building) Venue 136 Aug 19, 23, 25 16:30 (50mins) | £9 Aug 20-22, 26-28 13:30 and 16:30 (50mins) | £9
‘...the children in the audience are held rapt from beginning to end.’ The Scotsman
Image: small-media-large
for aud young ienc es
THE SONGBIRD: A TONE POEM
Traverse Theatre Company By Sam Holcroft Directed by Zinnie Harris, award-winning playwright and director (Fall, Further than the Furthest Thing).
“Small lies, little lies, tender lies, well-intentioned untruths.” Ana calls Edward’s bluff on their disintegrating relationship and enters a deadly truthful world where honesty is celebrated in all its dangerous glory. They don’t make women like Helen anymore: loving mother, home-maker, wife. But beneath her civilised world, a dark truth threatens to surface. Two couples explore the threat of honesty, and our perverse need for it. A blistering play from one of UK theatre’s most exciting new voices, Sam Holcroft. Sam’s debut play, Cockroach, was produced to great audience and critical acclaim by the Traverse and the National Theatre of Scotland. www.traverse.co.uk
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Traverse Theatre, Traverse Two Venue 15 July 30 14:30 and 20:00 Aug 5 15:45 Preview | £11 (£6) Aug 6-29 (not Mondays) Various times | Sun-Thurs £15/£11 (£6) Fri-Sat: £17/£12
Photo: Laurence Winram
WHILE YOU LIE
for aud young ienc es
WHITE Catherine Wheels Theatre Company
‘One of Scotland’s top theatre groups for children’ The Scotsman
A performance especially for 2-4 year olds. Come with us into the sparkling world of White where everything is bright and new. It gleams, dazzles and shines in the night. But someone has to keep it that way and there’s a problem. All anyone can think about in this white world is red…and yellow…and green… and blue… White is a playful, highly visual new show for very young children and is a perfect first time theatre experience. Catherine Wheels is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed children’s theatre company. www.catherinewheels.co.uk
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Traverse@ Scottish Book Trust Venue 346 Aug 5 10:30 (35mins) Preview | £4 Aug 5 13:30 (35mins) | £6 (£5 groups over 10 people. 11th ticket free) Aug 6-29 (not 9, 14, 15, 16, 23) 10:30 and 13:30 | £6 (£5 groups over 10 people. 11th ticket free)
LET’S TALK OVER LUNCH Bring your lunch and join us for a series of lunchtime conversations with artists from the Made in Scotland programme. We’ll be exploring the ideas behind their work and challenging them to talk about what inspired their projects.
Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland in association with Made in Scotland Fringe Central – Lecture Theatre 2 Time: 12pm – 2pm
Let’s talk... topics and dates
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Wednesday
Thursday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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12
16
17
18
19
Are disabled artists capable of excellence?
Going Out To Play
Glamour & Pain
Why would you not want to work in the theatre? Many productions are now made to be performed in spaces that are not theatres. Is the motivation artistic or is it really pragmatism?
There is a curious connection between glamorous figures and deep emotional pain. Why are we so drawn to these characters and what do we learn about our lives?
Who wrote this?
No Taboos
Many pieces of contemporary work are created collectively. Does it affect the quality of the work? How does it affect its reception if we cannot identify the authorial voice?
What matters when the subject you want to explore could be painful to others? What is the burden of responsibility when real stories or incidents are the starting point for your work?
Chaired by Caroline Bowditch (dancer, choreographer and Scottish Dance Theatre’s Dance Agent for Change) this session is about firing up, challenging and shifting our thinking around disabled people in dance.
How Small is Your Audience? Some of the world’s best theatre is made for children. Does not being able to rely on the spoken word make for a more powerful theatrical experience?
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NOTES
NOTES
W AL K
BR N O
E HOW
T GH OU
10 Orwell Terrace, EH11 2DZ 0131 346 1405 www.acousticmusiccentre.co.uk
R ST
ET
T TREE AS S
T EE
DUND
STRE
41 Hill Street Theatre
EET
ST TH
136 Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh East Gate Inverleith Row, EH3 5LR 0131 556 6550 www.pleasance.co.uk
80 Traverse @ Scotland Yard Venue
E
THE
RIDG
ET
EET
STR
RLEY WAVE E G BRID
STRE
TTE
RLO
CHA
CES
PRIN
Leith Links, EH6 7QR 0131 473 2000 www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk
CE
A O PL
LO
ER WAT
MOU
22 Eyre Place Lane, EH3 5EH 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk
EET
TR ET S
K
ND
MAR
346 Traverse@ Scottish Book Trust
346
E
L MIL ROYA
55 High Street, EH1 1SR 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk
1
LOTHIA
EDINBURGH CASTLE
61
Fringe Box Office
15 Traverse Theatre
AR
SM
AS
D
MBE
CHA
115
S ON
LS
O NIC
GR
ET
RE R ST
PLEASANCE
N ROA
15 T KE
61 Underbelly Cowgate
56 Cowgate, EH1 1EG www.underbelly.co.uk 2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU 0131 662 6892 www.zoofestival.co.uk
T
EE
RISTON PLACE LAU
123
10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk
115 Zoo Roxy in The Loft
TR
109
19 Hill Street, EH2 3JP 0131 226 6522 www.remarkable-arts.com
167 Leith Links West
EI
TH B NOR
STR
ARE
SQU
EET
RGE
GEO
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TLE
CAS
41
L
R OVE
HAN
EW NDR ST. A
ET
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EN S
CALTON HILL
REE T
HE
RE
123 Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s
34 Bread Street, EH3 9AF 0131 225 5525 www.love.dancebase.co.uk
W
QUE
VENUES
109 Dance Base@The Mercure Point Hotel
RO RIOT
A SQU
167
LE ITH
80
136
82
82 Zoo Southside
117 Nicolson St, EH8 9ER 0131 662 6892 www.zoofestival.co.uk
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ACCESS INFORMATION For full details on access please contact the venues directly. For contact details please see Venue Information on page 37. Acoustic Music Centre Accessible for wheelchair users except for the Back Room. Advance notice appreciated, please call venue. Accessible WC. Induction loop available in the Big Room. Hill Street Theatre No access to wheelchair users for promenade performance of Sub Rosa. Royal Botanic Garden Fletcher Building is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Traverse Theatre Fully accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible WCs on Ground and Bar Cafe levels. Infra red and induction loop systems available (headsets from box office). No access to wheelchair users and no accessible WC for off site productions: Decky Does a Bronco, Roadkill and White. Limited access at Traverse@Scottish Book Trust and Traverse@Scotland Yard. Underbelly Restricted wheelchair access to certain venues and floors. Assistance is offered. Zoo Venues Fully Accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible WC. Induction loop and large print programme available. 38
BSL Interpreted Performance While You Lie: Audio described and BSL interpreted performance is on Wednesday 18 (18.45)
BUYING TICKETS You can book tickets for all the Made in Scotland performances from the Fringe Box Office. Online:
edfringe.com
from 8am 11 June By phone:
0131 226 0000 11 June 12 June - 19 June 21 June - 17 July 9 July -1 August 2-30 August
8am-8pm 10am-6pm (inc Sun) 10am-6pm (Mon-Sat) 10am-6pm (Daily) 9am-9pm (Daily)
Over the counter at 180 High Street: (Venue 1 on Map) 11 June 8am-8pm 12 June - 19 June 10am-6pm (inc Sun) 21 June - 17 July 12pm-3pm (Mon-Sat) 19 July -1 August 10am-6pm (Daily) 2-30 August 10am-9pm (Daily) A booking fee of 90p per ticket (up to a maximum of £5.40) applies to telephone and web bookings. No booking fee applies to tickets purchased in person from the Fringe Box Office. General concession prices are applicable to students, the unemployed, customers with disabilities (often with one companion), over-60s and children under the age of 16. Proof of status must be presented at the venue. You can also book tickets directly from venues. Contact details on Page 37.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS... Made in Scotland Team Anita Clark Head of Dance, Scottish Arts Council Kath M Mainland Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Jon Morgan Director, Federation of Scottish Theatre
Made in Scotland Programming Panel Chair: Kath M Mainland Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Keith Bruce Arts Editor, The Herald Anita Clark Head of Dance, Scottish Arts Council Laura Collier Senior Producer, Battersea Arts Centre
And for advice and support - the British Council.
Paul Johnson Chief Executive, Dance Ireland Andrew Jones Dance and Drama advisor for the British Council Jon Morgan Director, Federation of Scottish Theatre Tina Rasmussen Director of Performing Arts, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
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Jackie Shearer Arts Manager, Platform at the Bridge