The Gilded Balloon has announced that it has another a new venue. It will be presenting shows at the National Museums of Scotland at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The programme sees 18 productions covering adult and children’s theatre, comedy and music.
Comedy shows there include Rory Bremner in conversation with special guests and poilitic journalist Steve Richard presenting his Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics show.
Artistic Director Karen Koren (pictured, centre) said: ‘I am so excited to be working with the National Museums Scotland. The Gilded Balloon will bring shows to the auditorium within the National Museum of Scotland which will complement the work that the Museums already does; children's and family shows, educational and informative entertainment. Programming the auditorium gives the Gilded Balloon the opportunity to extend into new territories and is a great addition to our programme. We look forward to a long association!’
This is the start of a three year venture. There will be an outside bar selling drinks and also a pop-up bar inside the venue. Gilded Balloon at the Museum will have a fully functioning Box Office for all sales.
This follows the announcement earlier this year that the Gilded Balloon was taking over the Counting House, which had been run by the Laughing Horse as a free venue in recent years.
Highlights of the programme include:
Shakin’ Shakespeare
Brave Macbeth, Cheer Up Hamlet, Romantic Romeo: three hugely entertaining, fast and smart adaptations of Shakespeare’s stories that brilliantly weave the Bard’s words with wickedly witty songs, slapstick and fast-paced storytelling. Brave Macbeth: August 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27; Cheer Up Hamlet: August 4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,28
Romantic Romeo: August 5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29.
Mark Thompson's Spectacular Science Show
Explore the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant's toothpaste, vortex generating dustbins, dancing paste, vanishing beakers and even exploding Pringle tubes. If you thought science was boring - think again. TV astronomer and author Mark Thompson has been enthralling audiences for over 20 years with his fascinating journeys around the Universe. Now he is turning his infectious enthusiasm to things a little closer to home with this brand new show. Thursday 4 - Sunday 14 August, 16.30 (17.30)
Steve Richards Presents Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics
Loyalty. Betrayal. They are the themes of a brand new show from the journalist on stage, the dark and absurd conflicts between conviction, ambition and friendship. The award-winning columnist and broadcaster takes audiences behind the scenes of the latest epic dramas, bringing to life the characters from Nicola Sturgeon to Boris and Jeremy Corbyn and their nerve shredding dilemmas. Laugh and discover more about the highly charged world of politics and the media as Shakespearean emotions stir. Tuesday 16 – Sunday 28 August, 18.00 (19.00)
Rory Bremner Meets...
Rory Bremner hosts 7 shows of comedy and conversation with hand-picked, special guests. Rory and each guest will perform a short set with lively conversation in between. All done in the entertaining and informative way you would expect from the master of comedy and satire. Rory has won back-to-back BAFTAs for Britain’s Top Comedy Performance, together with three Royal Television Society and two British Comedy Awards. Be prepared for surprises, comedy and great conversation. Saturday 13 – Friday 19 August, 21.00 (22.00)
For the full programme go to www.gildedballoon.co.uk
