BRIDGET CHRISTIE

BIIG PIIG

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL

FILM FESTIVAL

18–23 August edfilmfest.org.uk

Andy Williams sang about Christmas being ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. Bah humbug. The guy clearly never stomped around the streets of Edinburgh in August, trouser pockets crammed with flyers as he stumbled unwittingly into a silent disco. Probably during one of the city’s renowned ‘light showers’.

Yes, it remains a genuine delight and huge privilege for the world’s biggest arts festival to be right on our doorstep. Of course it has its problems (how could such a vast undertaking not experience some issues) and those shouty naysayers will be just as vocal as they always are, but for anyone who loves the Edinburgh Festival and feared that it would be wiped out by covid, these are the good times.

Here’s a brief selection of what’s coming up in this bumper package: homecoming queen Gail Porter tells us why she’s taking the plunge into stand-up; Geoff Sobelle, creator of theatre that’s ‘sublime ridiculous’ (his words), revels in being out of control; mentalist Colin Cloud touches on more personal material for his new magic hour; we mark 40 years of the Book Festival, compile an A–Z of Grayson Perry, and speak to Fringe acts who are using pole dancing to smash the patriarchy. And our cover star Bridget Christie tells us why a comedy show about the menopause really does contain something for everyone. Plus we have a City Guide detailing all the places where you can eat, drink and refuel before heading to your next show.

Of course, the fun doesn’t end here with this Festival Guide; far from it. We have three weekly magazines to lavish upon you, starting with a big preview issue on 31 July then two offerings in August packed with reviews of the good, the bad and the 3-star. On top of that, there’ll be acres of shows to write about online while a host of weird and wonderful things will be occurring on our socials. Brace yourselves. It’s going to be a big one.

Brian Donaldson

FESTIVAL GUIDE EDITOR

Contributors

CEO Sheri Friers

Festival Guide Editor

Brian Donaldson

Festival Guide Deputy Editor

Megan Merino

City Guide Editor

Jo Laidlaw

Art Director

Seonaid Rafferty

Designer

Carys Tennant

Writers

Ailsa Sheldon, Ania Magliano, Brian Donaldson, Carol Main, Claire Sawers, Danny Munro, Eddie Harrison, Fiona Shepherd, Greg Thomas, Isy Santini, James Mottram, Jessica Matthewson, Jo Laidlaw, Katherine McLaughlin, Kelly Apter, Kevin Fullerton, Lucy Ribchester, Marissa Burgess, Megan Merino, Miranda Heggie, Neil Cooper, Rachel Ashenden, Rory Doherty, Stewart Smith, Suzy Pope, Zara Janjua

Sub Editors

Paul McLean, Megan Merino

Social Media and Content Editor

Megan Merino

Senior Business Development Manager

Jayne Atkinson

Online News Editor

Kevin Fullerton

Media Sales Executive

Ewan Wood

Digital Operations Executive

Leah Bauer

Events Assistant Eve Johnston

Editorial Assistant

Jessica Matthewson

Sequels are complicated. It’s rare that a follow-up makes as big of a splash as the original (notable exceptions: Paddington 2, World War 2). If you’ve had something go well, you’ll be familiar with the initial elation of ‘I did it!’, followed by the anxiety of ‘how will I ever do that again?! I will embarrass myself and bring shame to my family.’ That’s how I felt when I started writing my second stand-up comedy hour. It’s not technically a sequel, but it is still about my life. You could describe it as confessional, autobiographical, or ‘a lot to think about’ if you’re my dad.