Pink Wednesday
Today is Pink Wednesday when you can buy £5 tickets for some of the shows at Gilded Balloon (as long as you buy them today). It is a way of boosting sales on what used to be Black Wednesday but also it is a way of raising funds for charity Waverley Care.
What we have seen
Last night it was time to go and see the much reviewed and lauded Make it Happen at Festival Theatre in which Brian Cox, CBE, plays Adam Smith.
I am not planning to write a full review since it is not quite my forte, but suffice to say that Cox’s presence on the Festival Theatre stage is immense – even though he is not on stage for a great deal of the play.
And if any play ever deserved a five star review it is this one. This is an amazing production right from the very first moment, keeping the audience in the moment, and experiencing every step towards the ultimate downfall of Goodwin and the bank. It would be an uncomfortable watch for anyone involved – but then it was a dreadful experience for so many who depended on their share income, their pension or just having their money in a bank.
Sandy Grierson is a Leither who plays a very believable Fred Goodwin – a name well known in Edinburgh, and someone who changed the course of economic history (as did Adam Smith) – but not in a good way.
The comedy and the music were unexpected but beautifully delivered.
Read the Edinburgh Guide’s four star review here.
And the photo session below was conducted in Dover House which is the office of the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Who did we meet
We met Nica Burns, CBE, Director of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and who hosted a lunch for press and industry representatives on Sunday.
Nica said: “In 2025, we are celebrating the 45th birthday of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards! We are only five years away from our half century!! Spotlighting the best up-and-coming talent at the Edinburgh Fringe is a huge privilege, which we take very seriously. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is, and always will be, the world showcase for comedy talent and every year we look forward to discovering the next generation of comedy stars.
“This year, we said a fond goodbye to Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Fringe Society who was such a wonderful champion of the Fringe. We are looking forward to working with her successor, Tony Lankester, who brings a wealth of experience and a steady pair of hands to this vital and challenging role.
“We would like to offer some big thank yous. Firstly, to our illustrious panel of judges and supporting scouts, who will collectively watch thousands of hours of comedy over the next month. We’re equally grateful to our returning co-sponsors: DLT Entertainment, The Taffner Family Charitable Trust, the Victoria Wood Foundation, and of course, me!
“Comedy has been the largest genre at the Fringe for many years now and I predict it will still be the largest when the Edinburgh Comedy Awards celebrate their 100th year in 2080!
“Looking forward to a bumper festival for all!”
Donald Taffner, Jr, Chairman of DLT Entertainment UK Ltd, said: “The Edinburgh Comedy Awards are the most prestigious honours in comedy, and supporting them is deeply personal for me. My parents founded DLT Entertainment 62 years ago, and I grew up in a household that believed in nurturing talent and celebrating laughter. The Fringe is the highlight of my year — and yes, I still try to beat my own record for shows seen.
“DLT Entertainment is proud to sponsor the Best Newcomer Award, championing the rising stars just starting to make their mark. And through the Taffner Family Trust’s support of the Taffner Family Best Comedy Show, we honour a family tradition of backing brilliant performers who keep pushing comedy forward.”
Edinburgh Comedy Awards lunch at Ghillie Dhu Pic Greg Macvean
Flypasts at Edinburgh Castle during August
- 07 August – there will be a flypast but it is not yet known what the aircraft will be
- 09 Aug – the Red Arrows
- 20 Aug – Again there will be a flypast but not yet known what it will consist of
- 21 Aug – Apache helicopters
- 22 Aug – Apache helicopters
Letter to the Editor on National Play Day
Dear Editor,
We are proud to support National Play Day on Wednesday, August 6, which has the theme of ‘Spaces for Play’, highlighting the vital importance of spaces for children to play and explore.
It’s crucial for young people to spend time connecting with their friends, and children have the right to play, as stated in the UN Convention on Rights of a Child.
However, Play Scotland has revealed startling figures within the School Grounds in Scotland Report.
It says 15 per cent of schools have lost outdoor space in recent years and nearly half of schools consider their grounds as ‘low utility’ for supporting learning, play, and sport.
This Playday we are supporting calls for spaces for play that are welcoming, accessible and inclusive of children and young people of all ages and abilities.
And we are encouraging families, carers and communities to come together through play across the generations.
The NSPCC has a set of fun and evidence-based resources for new parents called Look, Say, Sing, Play, that provide activities to be enjoyed with babies and toddlers to help encourage higher quality interactions and build stronger bonds.
Together we can create a more playful world where all children can grow, thrive and feel a stronger sense of belonging.
Visit www.nspcc.org.uk or search online for NSPCC Look Say Sing Play.
Yours sincerely,
Kirsty Aitken
NSPCC Scotland Assistant Director
