Edinburgh Festivals - Accessible shows and a pick of the Fringe
Edinburgh Festivals endeavour to make events are as inclusive as possible. There are Access tickets for those that require special services for example: wheelchair and special seating, seats for personal assistants, assistance to avoid queues, assistance dogs allowed, hearing aids, hearing loops, audio description headsets, captioning units and BSL signed performances. There will be a number of Changing Places adult toilets in central Edinburgh during August this year. Search to filter shows by access provision. Captioning, Audio Description, Signed Performance, Relaxed Performance, Wheelchair Access, Audio Enhancement System and Wheelchair Accessible Toilets. There is a comprehensive guide to Access at the Fringe with information on venues and shows.
See below a pick of the fringe shows at some of the venues which are the most accessible – this is just a few from the selection of accessible shows. Those below are wheelchair accessible - the full accessible information is in each show’s listing.
Edinburgh and it’s Festivals
Edinburgh is a year round destination for all with so much to offer from the best foodie hangouts, street performers, cutting edge theatre, films, shows and Whiskey tasting galore. The vibe in the city is buzzing year round and there are festivals throughout the year from the Science Festival in April, Storytelling Festival in October and New Year Hogmanay celebrations. In the summer discover the Book, Film, Art, Jazz and Blues, International and the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. 2022 sees the 75th anniversary year of Edinburgh’s first festivals. The Fringe also starts from the 5th August with information on the full programme launching from the 7th July.
Gilded Balloon
The Gilded Balloon hosts Shazia Mirza and her show Coconut, reflecting on the events of the past two years, while Rob Rouse (Bottom, BBC’s Upstart Crow) performs No Refunds. Tehran Von Ghasri (who was "named to honour the city of his birth") is a charismatic, sexy, no-holds-barred, Black, Iranian, Jewish, Baptist, Muslim, Zoroastrian, agnostic comedian who promises he’s GONNA GET CANCELLED.
Assembly Roxy
Assembly hosts young musical comedy duo Flo & Joan who are armed with a piano and percussion section to bring you a brand new show: Sweet Release. Phil Wang with his The Real Hero in All This about race, family and everything that’s been going on in his “Philly little life”. At Assembly Rooms, Reginald D. Hunter tackles climate change, mass unemployment, economic pandemics and the rise of global fascism in Bombe Shuffleur. Black Sheep at Assembly follows Livia: an aspiring circus star who uses poetry, music and performance to speak about the challenges a Black woman faces when daring to move into her power.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
- MOIRA IN LOCKDOWN. Written and performed by Alan Bissett this follows two hilarious instalments of The Moira Monologues (a previous Fringe First winner). Journey through the highs and lows of lockdown with a charismatic character who lusts after Joe Wickes, rages at Cummings and finds her own entertainment. Audio enhancement system in place.
- The Man Who Planted Trees. This multi award-winning environmental tale by Puppet State Theatre Company has been touring internationally with appearances at the Sydney Opera House and Off-Broadway. A unique blend of comedy, puppetry and inspiring storytelling. Audio described and signed performances.
- Miss Lindsay’s Secret. A museum curator finds hidden letters with intimate secrets. A true tale of sewing and 1900s sexting, revealed by the Curator, the Musician and the Man. Audio described and signed performances.
The Space at Venue 45
Tam O’Shanter, Tales & Whisky is a comic celebration of the gothic poems of Robert Burns. Stolen Elephant Theatre will be performing Tam O’ Shanter, Death and Dr Hornbook, and Address to the Deil. There will also be comic versions of Scottish folk tales The Witch of Fife and The Haunted Ships all accompanied by a supernatural soundscape. Some performances will also include a free dram of Whisky.
Summerhall
- Caste-ing explores the experiences of three black actresses using beatboxing, rap, song and spoken word. Captioned and relaxed performance.
- Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder. Best Friends Forever Kathy and Stella aim to be true-crime podcast superstars. A hilarious murder-mystery musical from the Olivier Award-winning team behind Fleabag, Baby Reindeer and A Super Happy Story.. Captioned.
- Sap. Rafaella Marcus promises a queer urban fable about bisexuality - a contemporary thriller with ancient roots. The award-winning Atticist and Ellie Keel present this new play about passion, power, and photosynthesis. Captioned.
- Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen is a dark new comedy about vulnerability, intimacy, ego and truth starring Samuel Barnett, written by Marcelo Dos Santos and directed by Matthew Xia. Captioned.
- Lots and Not Lots. Lots of performers, lots of singing, lots of dancing - with exceptional young performers who question the universe and their place within it. Signed performance and captioned.
Pleasance Courtyard and Pleasance Dome
- Bogeyman is a ghost story that playfully combines music, movement and history in the ultimate underdog story of resistance against the oppressor inspired by the Haitian revolution. Powerful, moving and ultimately uplifting, this is a thrilling, genre-defying tale of hope, rebellion and connection. Captioned. Audio enhancement system.
- Rosie Holt, Social media sensation and Chortle Award winner debuts an hour of character comedy based on her hit satirical videos. A right-wing "opinionist" and other extraordinary characters come together when their creator accidentally becomes the news. Captioned. Audio enhancement system.
- Made in India/Britain. Since leaving home in Birmingham, Rinkoo Barpaga encountered racism, discrimination and has begun asking himself: 'Where do I belong?'. Join him as he goes on a journey of self-discovery. Performed by Rinkoo in British Sign Language with live voice-over provided by an actor. Captioned.
Dance Base
- The legendary Irish artist Pat Kinevane is back with King, a new show about Luther, a man born on the day Martin Luther King was assassinated, who leaves his house only to perform as an Elvis impersonator. Audio Enhancement
- Dan Daw Show. The fusion of contemporary dance, Physical Theatre and Circus is disabled led. Dan Daw is done being an inspiration to others and presents a show about care, intimacy and resilience, about letting go and reclaiming yourself. Audio enhancement.
Murrayfield
Macro. The 75th Festival opens with a spectacular free outdoor performance by Gravity and Other Myths and First Nations dance theatre group Djuki Mala, with music from Scottish and Irish artists in a fusion of music, circus and dance. A 30 person team up with a choir for a stunning performance with music, projections, drums and a spectacular light display. Free but booking required.
Festival Theatre
The Festival Theatre has Edinburgh Festivals Awards for accessibility, where venues and festival organisers are rewarded for their commitment to taking steps toward inclusion. Scottish Ballet are presenting a contemporary version of Coppélia that blends location and real-time filming as it asks what it means to be human in a world of artificial intelligence.
Edinburgh Deaf Festival 12-19 August
Edinburgh Deaf Festival is an accessible celebration of deaf culture, language and heritage. There will be a wide variety of performances and events throughout the week. Events are performed in BSL, or will be BSL interpreted and captioned. This is a festival for everyone.
Blackwood Bar. Deaf Action Bar
Spill Your Drink A Deaf Cabaret. A rollercoaster ride of comedy, songs, drag and drama - a celebration of Scottish deaf talent. Up close and personal in Deaf Action’s bar which hosts a range of shows throughout the festival and throughout the year. Signed and Audio enhancement system.
Find more information at Access at the Fringe.
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