Topdeck Travel Blog

by Kara Segedin

Which festival combines a grand military showcase with music, theatre, fireworks, comedy and the bizarre? None other than the Edinburgh Festival!

Made up of 12 different festivals including the Military Tattoo, International Festival and Fringe, Edinburgh is world’s largest cultural event.

During festivities the city’s main street, the Royal Mile, becomes a Mecca for performers as every bar, restaurant and available space is transformed into a venue for arts of all kinds.

On the back of a 4 star review at last year’s Fringe, British (and one time Kiwi) comedian Diane Spencer will be entertaining the crowds with her latest hilarious (and sometimes shocking) offering - All-pervading Madness.

Topdeck sat down with Di to chat about her experiences in Edinburgh…

How many times have you performed at Fringe?

This is my third annual visit in a row - third time’s a charm they say too. This year better pull something special out!

What makes the Edinburgh Festival so unique?

It’s the largest arts festival in the world, in the hilliest place in the world, which means that you get a fair amount of walking in. Though I wonder how disabled access friendly it is. There are lots of steps and I’ve seen some muscular dudes in wheelchairs pushing the “long way” round up slopes.

Anyway (totally distracted) - the city of Edinburgh is also beautiful, historic - there’s the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and because this festival operates at many tiers, you can usually find something to meet your budget. You can splash out and go see loads of famous comedians in big beautiful venues or you can plunder through the free Fringe programme. It’s really unique because it’s so large, there’s something for everyone.

Best Edinburgh Fest experience?

That day I got my first four star review. My Mum sent me the text all in capitals with the word “FANTASTIC!” She was really proud, I was so chuffed. It was lovely - because that’s like an end of year exam, or a job appraisal. You’ve been working so hard all year and then you get examined!

Worst Edinburgh Fest experience?

A couple of boys stole my phone and purse from my bag when I was onstage. It was such a violating feeling. Then to have to go to the police station, cancel all my cards, and it was raining of course. You just have to keep an eye on things.

What have been some of your festival highlights?

I’ve seen so many brilliant performances from a variety of sources - some in the theatre, but once, I was walking up the Royal Mile, it was oddly a quiet time of night, and suddenly the sky exploded in fireworks and I sort of just fell in love with the feeling and stood there on the street just being the happiest person on the planet.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform?

I enjoy Asher Treleaven, an Aussie Comic. Also like vintage diva Lili La Scala. The Boy with Tape on his Face has a new show too, and he’s a Kiwi. I’ll definitely catch Carey Marx’s new show - I’ve sort of made it a tradition to see his show each year. Oo, and Nick Helm, he’s always good fun.

Where do you go to get a bite to eat?

For the ultimate steak, but obviously at a price, you have to go to the Scotsman Hotel brasserie. Proper HUGE bit of

cow. In terms of amazing coffee - the Wellington Coffee house on George Street. They also do really nice warm scones with jam and clotted cream.

What are your must-see sights in Edinburgh?

Just by walking around this beautiful city you come across really interesting and wonderful items. I did take a trip into the Edinburgh Dungeons one year - that was gruesome but fun.

Why should people come and see you?

Because I am hilariously funny, silly, rude, naughty and funny AGAIN. Also this year I won an award, the Chortle Best Newcomer 2011, and then this show, which I’m performing at Edinburgh now, was nominated for “Best Comedy (Emerging)” at the Adelaide Fringe Awards. So I’m funny now!

Tell us a joke….

I’ll have to invoice you for that if I do.

If you’d like to get in on the Edinburgh action join us on our Tattoo & Festival trip departing 26 August and get 20% off!

Diane Spencer: All-pervading Madness

Venue: Gilded Balloon

Dates: 3-28 Aug (no show on the 16th)

Time: 5.45pm

By Brett Edmonds

Each year for 3 jam-packed weeks in August the city of Edinburgh resigns itself to theatrical hijack. Thousands descend on Scotland’s capital to amaze, tempt and entice the spectator into parting with their time: in exchange for laughter, tears, ridicule, and amusement.

From its humble beginnings in August 1947 when a handful of companies that hadn’t been invited to appear in the inaugural Edinburgh International Festival decided to perform anyway, the Fringe has grown into the largest arts festival in the world.

With every corner turned drama lurks, enticing bystanders with Asian acrobatics displaying extraordinary feats of balance and agility; Spanish entertainers performing breathtaking fire juggling and fire eating acts; modern Houdinis miraculously escaping elaborate chains and super-safe contraptions. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a walking, talking, dancing Hoover or two.

Edinburgh Houdini

A handy tip is to get yourself an Edinburgh Fringe guide. This comes complete with map and handy venue guide. With over two hundred venues and over 30,000 performances running throughout the festival, it will you help navigate the city and get you to your favourite performances on time.

The Fringe takes place all over the city. Shows play not only in established year-round venues such as the Traverse Theatre, Cabaret Voltaire and The Stand comedy club, but also in ad-hoc spaces in rooms above pubs, public parks and even moving vehicles.

Fringe Actors may appear as strange, complex characters, but they are quite possibly some of the most entertaining, bewildering and loveable characters you will ever come across, who adore a sympathetic spectator. So while you meander down the Royal Mile, smile kindly on those poor, struggling actors clap and cheer their efforts, maybe even give them your small change. You never know, you may come face to face with tomorrow’s next “big thing”.

In the evening, crowds that flood the city ascend the Royal Mile towards enchanting Edinburgh Castle to watch the spectacle that is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. On the last Saturday in August during the Bank holiday weekend, the most dramatic and awe inspiring of these evenings occur.

Over 30 countries have been represented at the Tattoo over the years, from military regiments to African tribes. With performances from pipers, gymnasts, singers and dancers, the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo is an amazing display of music and theatre. Each performance is as varied as the next and with this diverse collaboration of musicians it is sure to entertain the many thousands that brave the Scottish weather each night.

Fireworks at Edinburgh Castle

The climax of this eventful evening is undoubtedly the thrilling fireworks display.  Set high above Edinburgh Castle, this awesome display lights up the night sky for many miles. These seemingly endless bursts of red, orange, green and purple hues bathe this beautiful city and make for spectacular photo keepsakes (a must for those budding photographers out there).

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