International Fr
Sam Young
If laughter is the best medicine then all the
doctors from every corner of the globe must
be giving their diagnosis. Comedy festivals.
Whether you have stubbed your big left toe or
have the common cold, a good old laugh riot
is as they say, ‘Just what the doctor ordered’.
So a trip to see a comedian weave in and out
of observations, stories from their family and
friends, life on the road or even a take on the
local accents, food and way of life is a necessity
to soak up a different source of your daily
recommended intake. In this case, you can not
ever get enough laughter in your life.
Here we are going to look at some international
fringe festivals from around the world. The
Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. The
Melbourne Fringe Festival in Australia. The
Vancouver Fringe Festival in Canada and the
Prague Fringe Festival the Czech Republic.
Let’s take a stroll through the streets and feel
the atmosphere and excitement these festivals
offer up.
Each of these are unique in their own quirky
way. I was fortunate enough to have lived and
breathed the sights and smells of the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival. The old world cobble stone
roads that lead to the Edinburgh Castle that sits
high up in the skyline is an incredible backdrop
for this amazing festival that brings in people
from everywhere. It is the largest running arts
festival and is held once a year, every year,
over a 3 week period in August in the cool
summer of the Scottish capital.
1947 was when it all began. Theatre and
comedy is the main feature however,
underneath all the talent that is on display
at the big shows, lies the emerging talents.
Street performers throwing flames, cracking
whips, attempting very long magic tricks that
keep the crowds flowing in are just some of
the sideshows. It is here that you will find Carl
Barron, Adam Hills, David O’Doherty, Jimeoin
and Danny Bhoy showing off their trade. Danny
Bhoy would have the locals in tears with his
spot on views of the Scottish lads and lassies.
I was fortunate enough to catch Adam Hill’s gig
whilst here. I just happened to be at this show
with my brother. This particular show had a
sign language interpreter. Again, the tears were
flowing. When there isn’t a sign for a word in
the English language, a gesture or a movement
will do just fine. To share this show with the
hearing impaired was an experience. Hillsy
does it with class. Edinburgh does it with class.
Whether it be in the back of an old bar or the
elegant old world buildings with all the charm to
welcome the Queen herself. Edinburgh allows
the whimsical to be free.
What I enjoyed most about living in Edinburgh
during this time of year was the excitement in
the air. Being able to see one, two or even thirty
eight shows each and every day if you feel you
want to. The people flowing through the streets
day and night. Meeting with friends. Having
buskers perform the very instrument that we all
associate with Scotland. The bagpipes on every
street corner. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
that runs throughout August rain, hail or shine.
The best extravaganza musically speaking.
The gifted performers. The lone piper in the
distance. Only in Edinburgh.
Bumping in to the comedians in town and
stopping to share a story with them. David
O’Doherty walking his bike through the crowd
outside in the garden. Henry Rollins with his big
frame, all dressed in black telling stories from
the road with you pre-gig. To shake his hand
and feel how genuine he is as he looks you in
the eye. Only in Edinburgh. I loved living there.
The Scottish are a proud bunch, and during
the Fringe Festival, the city of Edinburgh is
extremely proud to share the beauty of it all. It
is the closest you’ll get to living in a postcard.
But you have the ability to move and not be
sent back to a family member to be either stuck
on the fridge or live at the bottom of the rubbish
with the week old milk. Something to think
about. See Edinburgh and you’ll be happy.