Gilded Balloon have today added over 65 shows for 2024’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe line-up including Mhairi Black’s first ever Fringe show, a triumphant return for Michelle Brasier and social media sensation Christopher Hall. They form an expertly-curated programme of comedy, theatre, children’s shows, magic and more as the Fringe’s original home of comedy returns in 2024.
Gilded Balloon shows take place from 31st July - 26th August with tickets on sale from 12pm Tuesday 2nd April - tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk
Mhairi Black said, "I'm looking forward to my first Fringe show and think it'll be a good laugh - spending over 10 years in Westminster means I have plenty of stories to tell and I'm looking forward to pulling back the curtain and revealing a little more about my experiences there. Expect a brutally honest look at politics as I embrace my fairly dark sense of humour to reflect on my time there and look ahead to what's next."
Michelle Brasier said, “Edinburgh Fringe has the best audience in the world. I can’t wait to kiss you all on the forehead again this August.”
Hosting shows across two venues this year, Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland, Gilded Balloon will welcome acts from around the world to entertain audiences this August, with highlights from Australian comic Michelle Brasier, Scottish politician Mhairi Black’s (pictured) first ever Fringe show, a hilarious return for Grace Campbell, TikTok star Christopher Hall’s sophomore show, a nostalgia-fuelled Primary School Bangers extravaganza, and even a Baby Shark dedicated kids show.
A particular highlight in this year’s programme, Gilded Balloon presents Mhairi Black’s first foray into Fringe with Politics Isn’t For Me. After becoming the youngest person ever elected to the House of Commons at the age of 20, Mhairi embraces her dark sense of humour as she reflects on her time in Westminster and presents a first-hand, ruthlessly honest look at 21st century politics. Following rave reviews and a sold out run in 2023, Michelle Brasier returns with Legacy, an exploration into all the women she might have been if she had made different choices, whilst social media star Christopher Hall presents Girl For All Seasons after garnering a huge fan base online with his background singer sketches leading him to collaborations with Shania Twain and Kylie.
Millennials across Edinburgh will get to relive their youth at Primary School Bangers Live, an hour of pure nostalgia as audiences step back in time with singalong tunes, throwback mashups and comic reflections on growing up in the 90s. For another deep dive into the 90s and 00s, FRIEND (The One With Gunther) will retell all 236 episodes of Friends through the eyes of everyone’s favourite barista. One of the modern day masters of silent comedy, Japanese artist Ketch returns to Fringe with an explosive new all-ages comedy show filled with music, magic and mime in Ketch Sketch.
Comedian, author and actor Grace Campbell presents a brand new show Grace Campbell Is On Heat; a hilarious and unhinged exploration of adulthood, relationships and mental health, spurred on by the strange events that happened when Grace’s dog went into heat. 2023 So You Think You’re Funny finalist Sophie Garrad joins forces with Leigh Douglas for their Fringe debut; with Sophie’s dad in and out of prison and Leigh’s dad only contactable via clairvoyant, Sophie and Leigh are Daddy’s Girls on the loose. Plus, SYTYF 2022 winner Joshua Bethania presents his self-titled debut show, about an Indian immigrant’s attempts to fix the UK.
Little ones will have a whale of a time at Baby Shark and Tails of the Seven Seas, as Fiddlefox and Baby Shark travel around the world seeking a lost friend, in a multimedia show filled with live music and video, storytelling and magic. A nod to Gilded Balloon Director Katy Koren’s newest addition to the family, Baby Penny, families can enjoy Sing, Sign and Sensory; a first of its kind, creative and immersive workshop. Tailor-made for infants from 0 to 24 months, the sessions offer customised, inflatable sensory pods to enjoy songs, stories and captivating animations. Plus, the whole family can enjoy mind bending magic with magician/scientist Kevin Quantum’s impossible illusions in Anti-Gravity;
Watch the epic saga of Liz Truss’ tenure as Prime Minister unfold as Imperial College acapella champs The Techtonics take on 44 days of Liz Truss. From tanking the economy to one very final meeting with The Queen, this acapella musical comedy has it all. Plus, following a stint on Broadway in 2023, Aquapella return with performances of everything from indie to pop bangers.
An exciting premiere of new Scottish writing, Pals is an adventure-comedy play following four Scottish gal pals embarking on a camping trip on the West of Scotland, whilst Our Little Secret: The 23andMe Musical tells the true story of a DNA test revealing more than the writer bargained for, kickstarting an unforgettable journey blending comedy, drama and music.
In Funny Bones, a clown contemplates life, death and other laughing matters, or enjoy a heart-wrenching rollercoaster ride in Mutant Olive as Mitch Hara tells a tale of sex, drugs, disco balls and blackouts, all taking place during an audition for Hamilton Unplugged. With over 500 million views around the world, NYC sketch show I Mostly Blame Myself takes on everything from Disney parodies to some slightly controversial topics, with every show guaranteed to be brand new, completely original and absolutely absurd.
And the fun doesn’t stop there, with a host of comedy, magic, theatre and musical shows including: SYTYF alumni Chris Weir’s debut show Well Flung; a hilarious hour from Njambi McGrath on poverty porn, white saviours and giving to Africa; international comedian Carter Morgan brings The Death of Cool to Gilded Balloon; Fix Your Mind analyses a complex sibling relationship dealing with the patriarchy, love and the internet; acclaimed stand-up Harriet Dyer performs new show Skin; award winning comedian Juliette Burton showcases two new shows with Juliette Burton is Talking Crazy and Hopepunk ;Kate Lois-Elliott dives into family life in a cult in How to Belong Without Joining A Cult; Jay Lafferty’s rave reviewed show Bahookie returns for a limited run; laughter meets lunacy in Pitch It Good - Live, where comedians pitch outlandish movie ideas to hapless hosts and Logan, A One Woman Show presents the true story of a family member’s murder, packaged up as a comedy macabre game show considering the evidence surrounding true crime.
Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “It’s so exciting to reveal more of 2024’s Fringe programme - we’re particularly pleased to have such outstanding talented women on the bill from Mhairi Black to Michelle Brasier with a real mix of comedy, politics and real-life. As always, we’ve been working hard to programme shows that appeal to a range of Fringe audiences, with the addition of kids shows like Sing, Sign and Sensory and Baby Shark meaning there’s plenty to see with the little ones this summer. As the Fringe’s original home of comedy, we’re proud to present some of the very best rising talent around including Christopher Hall, Kathleen Hughes,Chris Weir and Joshua Bethania this year. We still have lots more to come so stay tuned and see you in summer!”
Gilded Balloon’s ‘Pals in Pink’ will welcome audiences from around the world as staff transform Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland into fabulously pink hubs of creativity with acts from every genre descending during the month of August.
Prepare for a pink takeover this August as Gilded Balloon presents the very best rising stars, renowned comedians, spellbinding magic shows, thrilling theatre and wild and wonderful kids shows this Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Book online from 12pm on Tuesday 2nd April at tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk or call Tel: 0131 622 6552
Mhairi Black picture by Steve Ullathorne
