Rosie O’Donnell, an American comedian, is set to headline the Gilded Balloon’s 40th-anniversary celebration at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe in August. The festival, known as the home of comedy, will host Rosie and many other performers from July 30 to August 25.
This marks Rosie’s first appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe, following her move from America to Ireland in protest against Donald Trump’s presidency. Expressing her excitement, Rosie said, “I’m beyond thrilled for my first Fringe Festival! Grateful to be part of this historic gathering of artists, I’m so happy to be included and hope you can swing by and say hi.”
Joining Rosie on stage will be renowned comedians such as Alan Davies, Fred MacAulay, and Smack the Pony throughout the festival. The lineup also includes a musical parody of Donald Trump, promising a diverse and entertaining program for attendees.
Karen and Katy Koren, the Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon, reflected on the venue’s 40-year journey, starting from humble beginnings in the Cowgate area. They expressed pride in working with some of the country’s most exciting acts and looked forward to celebrating the milestone with iconic shows like Women in Comedy and welcoming back familiar faces like Alan Davies and Jenny Eclair.
Alan Davies himself shared his excitement about returning to Gilded Balloon for his first Fringe show since the venue’s 30th anniversary in 2015. He praised the venue for its longstanding support of unique and unconventional Fringe shows that capture the essence of the festival.
Additionally, the festival will feature the debut of the hit BBC news podcast Newscast at Gilded Balloon, where host Adam Fleming will discuss daily news with guests. The program will also showcase rising Scottish talent, including solo shows from Amanda Hursy and Hannah Morton, as well as thought-provoking theater performances like Tatty Pants’ “24Weeks,” exploring a UK shaped by anti-abortion policies.
The highly-anticipated Smack the Pony reunion will bring together Doon Mackichan, Fiona Allen, and Sally Phillips after 24 years. The trio expressed their excitement about revisiting their sketch comedy roots and joked about qualifying as “vintage” in the comedy scene.
As the festival approaches, attendees can look forward to a diverse lineup of comedy, theater, and music, celebrating 40 years of talent at Gilded Balloon. With performances from established names and emerging artists, the event promises to be a memorable experience for all who attend.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Gilded Balloon is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration of comedy and entertainment this summer. And maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the eclectic mix of performers and shows will make this year’s Edinburgh Fringe a must-visit event for comedy enthusiasts and art lovers alike. So, mark your calendars and get ready to laugh, think, and be entertained at the Gilded Balloon’s 40th-anniversary extravaganza!
