Article Source: Gilded Balloon
Last Updated: 20 February 2024 9:55
PINK PALS RETURN WITH FEAST OF COMEDY, THEATRE, MAGIC AND MORE THIS SUMMER
20th February 2024:
This year, Gilded Balloon, the Fringe’s original home of comedy, will welcome audiences to two dynamic and well-loved venue hubs throughout August: Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland. World-class comedy, theatre, magic and more will delight Fringe fans galore, for a summer of non-stop entertainment in Edinburgh’s city centre. This year’s Fringe programme so far includes Louise Atkinson, Hypnotist Matt Hale, John Robertson’s The Dark Room, Kathleen Hughes and more.
Gilded Balloon shows take place from 31st July - 26th August with tickets on sale from 12pm, Wednesday 21st February tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk
Gilded Balloon will bring legendary Fringe institutions like Late’n’Live and Best of So You Think You’re Funny? under the Patter House roof, whilst Teviot Row House undergoes renovation. The full Gilded Balloon Fringe programme will operate across a pink-tastic Patter House (3 Chambers Street) and the National Museum of Scotland (Lothian Street) in 2024, before returning to Teviot for Gilded Balloon’s 40th anniversary celebrations in August 2025.
Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “We’re delighted to reveal the first few shows of this year’s Fringe programme, ahead of what will be another exciting year for Gilded Balloon. As we transfer our full operation into two of our pre-existing venues, it’s a chance to refresh our programme this year. We’re looking forward to bringing a bigger and better operation to Patter House for 2024 including some brilliant programming - from kids shows to international comedy, thrilling theatre and lots of famous faces.
“We will, of course, miss Teviot Row House which has been a major part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe operation since 2001, but we look forward to returning next year for a big pink birthday bash to celebrate 40 years of Gilded Balloon. Planning is already underway for 2025’s very special celebrations, but in the meantime we can’t wait to welcome Fringe fans back to Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland for a month of wonderful shows.”
Gilded Balloon’s ‘Pals in Pink’ will welcome audiences from around the world as staff transform Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland into fabulously pink hubs of creativity with acts from every genre descending during the month of August. From internationally renowned comedians, rising stars, groundbreaking theatre, spellbinding magic shows and wild and wonderful kids shows, Gilded Balloon’s 2024 venues are set to be a hotspot of Fringe fun.
This year, Patter House will host the vast majority of Gilded Balloon shows including; a brand new hour from Louise Atkinson following an acclaimed run last year; John Robertson’s The Dark Room; and a triumphant return for Hypnotist Matt Hale: Top Fun! 80s Spectacular after a sold out 2023 season. The UK’s biggest new comedy competition, Best of So You Think You’re Funny? will host a mixed bill show featuring the top three acts from 2023’s competition including winner Samira Banks plus Christopher Donovan and Lizzie Norm. Also part of the 2024 programme is sketch show Biscuit Barrel: Not Another 69 Sketch Show and comedy murder mystery show Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit.
One of Scotland’s fastest rising comedy stars, Glaswegian Kathleen Hughes will showcase her debut hour, plus Britain’s Got Talent magician Cameron Young will bring mind-bending illusions and hilarious comedy to Gilded Balloon this year.
A Gilded Balloon venue for three years, Patter House will see a bigger and better line-up than ever before, with a focus on events programming and expanded bars in the three-story venue. With nightly pink projections on the building facade, an Instagrammable bar with late-night DJs, special bar discounts for all Fringe artists, and themed Patter Parties, Gilded Balloon will transform the Chambers Street venue into a Fringe must-visit once again.
For the eighth year, Gilded Balloon will pop up in the National Museum of Scotland, bringing an array of comedy, theatre and magic shows to one of the most visited venues in the UK. Revamped for 2024, Gilded Balloon’s outdoor bar at the Museum will return once again, providing food and drink from beloved local brands like Newbarns for Fringe audiences.
Introduced in 2023, Gilded Balloon’s ‘Support the Artist’ scheme returns for 2024, meaning customers can add an optional £2 to each ticket purchased, given directly to artists themselves. Designed to extend the support offered to performers faced with growing costs at the Festival, artists and fans can opt-in to the scheme at the point of purchase.
Get ready for a pink takeover like no other this August as Gilded Balloon delight Fringe fans with an array of award- winning shows, thrilling theatre and wall to wall to comedy once more.
Book online from 12pm on Wednesday 21st February at tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk
or call Tel: 0131 622 6552
This year the Edinburgh International Festival’s flagship workshop Art of Listening celebrates 25 years of bringing live classical music to schoolchildren across Edinburgh.
READ MOREA new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORESkyline Sips, Edinburgh’s most exciting rooftop venue, is back for its third year at Level 5, St James Quarter.
READ MOREThe Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gives audiences an exclusive look behind the drawbridge of its landmark 75th Anniversary Show, The Heroes Who Made Us.
READ MOREAudiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MOREFrom Music to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in May and June!
READ MOREHere & Now returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ith a brilliant programme of the best dance, installation, integrated performance, movement and theatre being created in England right now.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced Eva Victor’s acclaimed comedy-drama SORRY, BABY will open the Festival in August.
READ MORE2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MOREPavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORECold Town House in the Grassmarket has teamed up with Italy’s iconic orange bittersweet aperitif, Aperol, to add some spritz to its city centre location from May until September.
READ MOREDiscover some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this Summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh from 12 July 2025.
READ MOREFor one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MOREFor the first time in six years, Edinburgh Zoo is bringing its Giant Lanterns event back with a splash this winter.
READ MORECelebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MOREThis June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORENominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MOREThe Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MOREOne of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s most iconic venues, Gilded Balloon, has announced a huge roster of legendary names to celebrate its 40th anniversary this August.
READ MOREAllergy Awareness in Action as Conifox Adventure Park sets a new standard for safe family days out.
READ MORENewly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MOREA special one-off event celebrating the 20th anniversary of beloved Scottish band Skerryvore is getting even bigger, organisers have announced.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh International Book Festival is delighted to announce the second year of The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly.
READ MORERoll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.
READ MORETo celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MOREPavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MOREAldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Edinburgh, and one lucky local winner has raised £726.77 for CHAS while picking up the same amount in Aldi favourites for herself.
READ MOREAward-winning dance company Barrowland Ballet present world premiere of Wee Man and the revival of Chunky Jewellery, ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfers this year.
READ MORE