A unique take on rock ‘n’ roll, a musical insight into family dynamics, an improvised one-man musical, a self-retrospective with Michelle Shocked and a show exploring the works of Annie Lennox, are to play in The Boards at the Edinburgh Playhouse this August.
Announced today, this year’s The Playhouse on the Fringe line-up will showcase the works of five international performers across 56 shows. Helping celebrate seven decades of Edinburgh as a festival city, the programme includes comedy, music and cabaret.
Now in its sixth year and running from 2nd until 26th August, The Playhouse on the Fringe will see return performances by Danny Condon and Michael Griffiths. Following a hit season at Adelaide Fringe, Condon’s Songs from the Black Sheep is a unique comedy providing an insight into family dynamics, set to original music, Chopin and show tunes. Returning after his 2014 sell-out debut In Vogue, Helpmann Best Cabaret Award winner Michael Griffiths takes on Annie Lennox as he charts her career and life from the early days of the Eurythmics to her solo work, with Sweet Dreams.
As well as Australian talent, the venue will also provide the backdrop for American singer songwriter and three-time Grammy nominee, Michelle Shocked with Truth vs Reality. Meanwhile Jason Kravits’ Off the Top! presents an evening of improvised cabaret based on audience suggestions. Following her Edinburgh Fringe debut last year, Carla Lippis’ Cast a Dark Shadow sees original songs and cult classics come together in a reinvention of rock ‘n’ roll in an intimate cabaret style.
Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre Director, James Haworth, said: “We’re pleased to be returning for our sixth year of The Playhouse on the Fringe. We’ve worked with Civil Disobedience to develop a small but dynamic programme that offers Fringe-goers international variety, all within one of the city’s most iconic venues. It’s a real celebration of talent in cabaret, music, diversity, performance are and comedy, including a completely improvised one-man cabaret show and a performance exploring the career and works of Scottish singer/songwriter Annie Lennox, amongst others. Our Fringe offering, which runs alongside movement and music performances for the Edinburgh International Festival, promises to make for a fantastic August season. All made doubly special as Edinburgh marks 70 years of its world-renowned festivals.”
The Playhouse on the Fringe has been produced in partnership with Civil Disobedience.
Barry Church-Woods, Co-founder of Civil Disobedience and Producer of The Playhouse on the Fringe, added: “We’re really excited that we’re co-producing our first venue season with the iconic Edinburgh Playhouse. As a local, the venue has been part of my life since childhood and it’s where I attended my first-ever festival performance – Sandra Bernhard in 1993. We’re excited to bring Carla Lippis, Michelle Shocked, Danny Condon and Michael Griffiths as part of the Civil Disobedience Fringe 2017 season and equally thrilled to have partnered with New York’s PM2 Management to bring Jason Kravits to the Edinburgh stage.”
Alongside a programme of dance and music for the Edinburgh International Festival and in addition to the Playhouse’s Fringe line-up in The Boards, throughout August the main stage will welcome performances by the likes of singer songwriter Regina Spektor (3rd August) and renowned illusionist Derren Brown (14th and 15th August). Over the course of two days, Friday 4th and Saturday 5th August, Forth on the Fringe will present this year’s must see acts and performers with a selection of dance, comedy and music.
Tickets for The Playhouse on the Fringe are available now here
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
