There's only six months to go until the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, and the game is on! Assembly, one of the major venue operators of the festival, has announced the first round of its theatre, comedy, children’s shows, circus, and cabaret programming.
Running July 31 to August 26, the Assembly Festival within the Edinburgh Fringe will take place in a number of venues throughout Edinburgh, including Assembly Roxy, Assembly Checkpoint, Assembly Hall, Assembly Rooms, and Assembly George Square Gardens.
Assembly will feature the National Theatre of Scotland’s Dear Billy, A Love Letter to the Big Yin, a solo-show performed by Gary McNair celebrating Scottish actor Billy Connolly. The venue will also host the return of Brian Foster’s award-winning play Myra’s Story, Nigel Miles-Thomas' Sherlock Holmes the Last Act, as well as Rifco Theatre and Soho Theatre's Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow.
In addition to these initial theatrical offerings, Assembly will also present the comedy stylings Susie McCabe and Jason Byrne, as well as actor, cartoonist, and comedian Jessie Cave's newest self titled show. Rob Auton will return with a new piece titled The Eyes Open and Shut Show, and the cabaret stalwart Aunty Ginger will roar back to life with Finding Splashman. Adults only!
For families, ARC Circus and Cluster Arts will present the Australian physical theatre show A Bee Story, which celebrates the teamwork between a Queen Bee and Worker Bee who have to rebuild their hive after a bushfire. Guinness World Record holder Mr Bubbles (A.K.A. The Highland Joker) will bring his beloved soap bubbles to the masses with The Bubble Show, and the 19th year of Assembly's Comedy Club 4 Kids will be on hand to tickle the funny bones of audiences young and old.
Finally, The Black Blues Brothers will return to Assembly as a part of their farewell season; the long running burlesque night Best of Burlesque will celebrate their tenth anniversary; the Sexy Circus Sideshow will blend the worlds of sensual sideshow and novelty act; and acclaimed magician Ben Hart will present his long developed collection of favorite material, HEX.
For more information, visit AssemblyFestival.com.
