Lumo will bring a ‘first’ to Newcastle next week when it hosts a series of live Fringe performances in two of its train carriages on an after-work return journey between Newcastle and Edinburgh.
The Newcastle-based 100% electric train company is marking a new collaboration with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by hosting a special train packed with live entertainment – for one night only – on 7th June.
Lumo’s ‘Culture Train Live’ will be hosted by Newcastle’s popular Drag Queen Mutha Tucka, fresh from their US and European tours. It will also feature local Newcastle acts including award-winning Fringe comedian Gavin Webster (pictured) and supporting acts including musician Joe Edwards and comedian Robert Reed. Webster’s Fringe show, You Cannot Say Nowt These Days, will be running at the Edinburgh Fringe throughout August.
After a brief stop in Edinburgh, passengers will enjoy a musical sing-a-long dubbed ‘carriage-oke’ on the way home.
Mutha Tucka said: “Newcastle is a melting pot of home-grown talent, many of whom perform at the Fringe in Edinburgh. It’s amazing to be given a stage with a difference by Lumo – the Fringe is meant to be a bit random and a lot of fun – and that’s exactly what you can expect on Lumo’s Culture Train Live!”
Lumo is putting on the one-off event in a bid to bring a taste of the Edinburgh Fringe to Newcastle travellers’ doorsteps while demonstrating how easy it is to get there by train. It comes the night before the official programme launch of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is the world’s largest performing arts festival.
Lumo has also supported the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s ‘Keep It Fringe’ Fund, which distributes bursaries of £2,000 to artists and companies bringing work to the Fringe in 2023. The fund is intended to level the playing field for artists, providing the opportunity to reap the rewards of all the Fringe has to offer. Lumo has donated return tickets to all bursary recipients.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “This must surely be Newcastle’s first ever variety performance on a train, and we’re thrilled to host it. We are very proud to be based in Newcastle and wanted to find a way to showcase the performing arts scene in the city. The Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s greatest festival and we want Newcastle residents to realise it is on our doorstep and very easily accessible by train.
“We are running regular, affordable trains between the two cities, and with the Plus Bus add on ticket option it also enables the use of Edinburgh’s buses and trams to get around the venues too. This means customers can take full advantage and enjoy a great value and visit to Edinburgh.”
Lumo’s ‘Culture Train Live’ departs from Newcastle on 7th June at 17:50, returning at 21:30. For more information and to purchase tickets for the exclusive event, which includes a Lumo Train Beer, please visit the Eventbrite page here.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from 4 – 28 August. With all Lumo fares under £25 each way, book your travel to and from the festival, visit the Lumo booking page here.
