‘I've had death threats': Why Edinburgh Fringe isn't safe for Jews
Comedian Philip Simon has performed there for the past few years; so much so that, on his posters for this year's festival, he described his shows as 'staples of Niddry Street'. Events of the past week, however, mean that Simon's promotional material is now out of date – and he has no desire to go anywhere near the venues at which he has previously had such a good time.
First, Simon and his fellow Jewish comic, Rachel Creeger, had their shows cancelled by the Whistle Binkies bar less than two weeks before the festival started. It was claimed that venue staff raised 'safety concerns' as a result of the extra security put on amid the escalation of the war in the Middle East and the knock-on effect for British Jews. His run of gigs, Jew-O-Rama, is a showcase of different comics, while hers, Ultimate Jewish Mother, is an interactive stand-up show that has also played at the venue for years.
Neither show is political, or about the Israel-Hamas war. But they are the only shows with 'Jew' in the title, and the only ones cancelled by Whistle Binkies this year.
Then Simon had a second run of gigs, Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way?, axed by the neighbouring Banshee Labyrinth after its bosses trawled his social media profiles. It was decided that his attendance at a vigil for victims of the Hamas attacks of October 2023, and public calls for a return of the hostages taken into Gaza, were beyond the pale. He was told that 'it is inappropriate for us to provide a platform for performers whose views and actions align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations'.
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Scottish Sun
6 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
New hard-hitting play about suicide in prison stars real-life ex-offenders
'When I heard there was a over 40 per cent increase in suicides in Scottish prisons, I gasped. It wasn't good enough and it never left me' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DEATHS in Scottish prisons are amongst the highest in Europe after increasing by 60 per cent in the past year, a recent report revealed. The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research found 64 people died in jail in 2024 - up from 40 in 2023 - with 17 of those deaths apparent suicides. 4 Ex-offenders Duncan Stewart and David Ross play cellmates Shug and Rambo. 4 All the cast together at The Fort Theatre in Glasgow where they are staging Fever. 4 Fever is written by Gemma Muir, who was triggered by the high rates of suicide behind bars in Scottish jails. Professor Sarah Armstrong. who led the research for Glasgow University, stated the figures were 'unprecedented'. Chief Features Writer MATT BENDORIS speaks to Natalie Logan, who lost her own dad to suicide in jail, about a new play that aims to turn the spotlight on the blight going on behind bars with a new play called Fever. FEVER is the elation that prisoners feel in the build-up to the day they are set free - but this play was written out of sheer shock at the appalling rates of suicide behind bars. Natalie Logan runs the charity Sisco which works hand-in-hand with the Scottish Prison Service to help offenders return to society. But her community manager Gemma Muir was inspired to put pen to paper after a visit to Barlinnie where she discovered The Scottish Prison Service's Talk to Me suicide prevention strategy had failed - with a 42 per cent rise in suicides since the scheme was introduced in 2016. Gemma, 39, from Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, said: 'Before I started working with Sisco I was very much of the mindset that if you do the crime you do the time. 'But when I started my training the facts and figures that were trotted out from the work book were pretty triggering for me. 'When I heard there was a over 40 per cent increase in suicides in Scottish prisons, I gasped. It wasn't good enough and it never left me.' Four years on it has led to Gemma's first play Fever, following the stories of cellmates Shug and Rambo as they prepare for release. Every actor in the production, which begins a three night run at Bishopbrigg's Fort Theatre from tonight (July 31), are ex-offenders including including Glaswegians Duncan Stewart, 64, from Possilpark, who plays Shug and David Ross, 53, from Springburn, who portrays Rambo. Inside Belmarsh: Secrets of Britain's most notorious prisoners Natalie and Gemma and the rest of the team hear stories like theirs all the time at the Sisco Recovery Cafes they run both inside and outside of Scotland's jails. Duncan said: 'I was first put in the care system when I was 10. That escalated to approved schools, then jail. ' But about 10 years ago I met Natalie and I started getting off my heroin, my crack, my spice, my methadone, my booze. I was still smoking cannabis, but I don't do that now. 'What changed for me? My attitude, I didn't care about myself. But I found people that gave me tools to start caring about myself. 'It took me about seven and a half years for the penny to drop, but they never once asked me to leave.' Asked how he's adapted to being an actor, Duncan just laughs: 'We've been actors our whole life - we knew how to lie and cheat. 'I didn't know it then but that's the same as acting. But then these women took a leap of faith to put me in a play to do it for real.' David also found himself in the care system from a young age, but admits acting out his character Rambo's suicidal thoughts was personally a tough ask. He said: 'I had a similar experience with my last sentence. I was suicidal. 'If it wasn't for me having these people that cared for me, then I might not be here today. 'But we just want to get the message out there that there are other options. That there's always hope - you just need to talk to somebody.' Every scene in Fever is also based on real-life scenarios experienced by all the cast. Natalie, 46, from Springburn said: 'The importance of having lived-experienced actors is we didn't want any of the play to be superficial, fabricated or untrue. 'We wanted it to be as gritty and real as possible and to leave people questioning, does the Scottish Prison Service work? 'Ultimately, at the moment, they don't do enough because they don't have adequate resources to support people.' The mum-of-two has skin in the game after her dad Stephen Logan took his life in jail in 1986. She called her charity Sisco as it was his nickname. She said: 'My father was on suicide watch. Now the bottom line is if someone is on suicide watch you would assume that your family member is in a place of safety. 'A fatal accident inquiry found there was no accountability. Nothing's changed since then almost 40 years on. REVIEW OF NEW PRISON PLAY FEVER FEVER starts with Shug and his 'co-pilot' (cellmate) Rambo getting on each other's nerves. The play follows all their ups and downs from the excitement building to their release, to their hopes and fears over their family relationships down to where they are going to stay. But it doesn't skirt over their rampant drug taking and dealing behind bars with Rambo's kid sister sneaking his supply in during visiting time. There are plenty of laughs too, like the moment Shug says it's 'Willy Wallace day' because he's getting his 'freedom!' It all builds to a Sliding Doors-style climax where Rambo - immediately rearrested after release - can take no more and decides to end his life, alone in his cell. Members of the audience, who were themselves ex-offenders or their families, were in floods of tears. But it ends with an alternative scenario when an upbeat letter from Shug saves the day with Rambo deciding to get back on the straight and narrow, leaving us all with hope. MATT BENDORIS 'Although they're in prison, they're not all bad people. Yes, we have a small cohort of really, really bad people that absolutely should be in prison. 'But I just wish policy makers would come to see this play to see what's going on inside the Scottish Prison Service because if nothing it done then the next set of suicide figures are going to be truly eye-watering.' A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Our staff work hard to support and protect vulnerable people in our care, including in moments of crisis in their lives. 'Following recent Fatal Accident Inquiry determinations, we have committed to delivering rapid and systemic change, which will be enduring and impactful and also look at ways in which we can go beyond them, help our staff build positive relationships with people in custody, particularly those who might be vulnerable, and keep them safe. 'This includes an overhaul of Talk To Me, our suicide prevention programme, based on the advice of independent experts.'
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Scotsman
36 minutes ago
- Scotsman
'Drink of the summer' to takeover Edinburgh Festivals venue courtyard
A revived gin drink from the 1950s is taking over an 'iconic' Edinburgh courtyard this month. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Lonkero - a long drink from Finland - is bringing Nordic flair to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a takeover of Summerhall's courtyard, featuring artist-led installations, a Finnish performance partnership, and a charitable initiative supporting independent arts. Throughout August, Nordic vibes meet Edinburgh creativity as Lonkero - Finland's fresh, fruity long drink named as The Guardian's 'Drink of Summer 2025' takes over the courtyard at Summerhall during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Lonkero is a popular alcoholic drink that's typically made with gin and grapefruit soda. Born in Helsinki for the 1952 Olympics, Finnish long drink was created to keep international visitors refreshed - and fast Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a celebration of art, culture and community, Lonkero is transforming the venue into a visual and social hub, featuring courtyard-wide designs created in collaboration with local artist Ross Blair of TrenchOne Industries, an Edinburgh-based Art and Technology Studio. Lonkero is also putting its values into action by kicking off Summerhall's fundraiser with a £1,000 donation. In addition, for every pint of Lonkero served throughout the Fringe, the brand will donate 25p to Summerhall - directly supporting the venue's vibrant programme of independent arts and performance. In keeping with its Nordic roots, Lonkero is partnering with Red Nose Company, Finland's leading clown theatre double-act, who are returning to Edinburgh Fringe for the third run of their 5-star show 'Don Quixote' at Assembly Studio Two. A further Fringe collaboration to celebrate the shared spirit of Nordic creativity, connection, and cultural exchange. Lonkero at Summerhall Courtyard | Mike Wilkinson Working with local artist Ross Blair of TrenchOne Industries, Lonkero has transformed Summerhall's courtyard into an immersive Finnish experience. Festival-goers can also enjoy pint-sized serves of Lonkero's crisp and zingy long drink. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The serve is already a cult favourite in Finland and is now being poured on draught at Summerhall – the brand proudly states they are 'refreshingly not beer' offering a light and zesty alternative to beer or cider, served ice-topped with a slice of grapefruit. In a show of support for the venue's future, 25p from every pint of Lonkero sold at Summerhall will go directly back to the venue – helping sustain its year-round programme of theatre, music, art and innovation. Joe Harris, co-founder and director of Lonkero, said: 'Summerhall is everything we love about Edinburgh – creative, bold and proudly independent. Lonkero is all about community and eccentricity - it belongs here. From supporting artists and performers to transforming one of the city's most loved venues, this is more than a brand activation - it's a love letter to community and creativity.' Ross Blair, founder and creative director of TrenchOne Industries added: 'We wanted to create something that captures the energy of Fringe while nodding to Lonkero's Nordic roots. It's a mash-up of urban texture, playful geometry and social space - something that invites people in, sparks curiosity, and gives them a place to connect at the creative institution that is Summerhall.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Joe Harris of Lonkero, continued: 'Whether you're stopping by for a crisp pint or soaking in the courtyard's evolving artwork, Lonkero invites locals and festival-goers alike to raise a glass to art, culture, and good company - Nordic style. We can't wait to see all the smiling faces with a pint in hand at Summerhall this Fringe - hopefully enjoying some sunshine too!' Sam Gough, CEO Summerhall Arts said: 'Here at Summerhall Arts we champion innovation and creativity across all artforms and with this partnership this ethos continues. This comes at a pivotal point for us as we continue to support and develop the Arts in Edinburgh. So we will be encouraging all of our wonderful customers and artists across the Fringe and beyond to help us by enjoying Lonkero, responsibly of course.' Lonkero is a brand of Finnish Long Drink. At 4.7% ABV, it's ideal as a one-off refresher, or for sipping during a session.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'My friend plans to name her baby after a TV demon - I put my foot down'
A woman shared how she discouraged her friend from naming their baby something outlandish and bizarre, saying that she'd done the world a service by dissuading her Naming a baby is no small feat, and parents will likely deliberate for most of the pregnancy on what they want to call their bundle of joy. From unique monikers to more traditional names, there are so many considerations parents will make. You don't want something that will appear again and again on their school's register, but also nothing so outlandish that you may open them up to bullying. That's why, when one woman's friend was discussing baby name options with her, she felt that she had to speak up against the name and be completely honest. Her friend was going to name her baby after a TV demon. Taking to Reddit, the woman explained: "My friend told me she was pregnant with her first child, which was super exciting. (This was a face-to-face interaction.) So I asked, 'Do you have any thoughts about the name?' "She responds, 'Well, if it's a girl, I will name her Mazikeen'. (Pronounced kinda like if you said magazine backwards lol). "Apparently, the name is from a demon that is on the show Lucifer… "I truly thought she was joking, so I laughed and said something along the lines of 'lol no way what'. "She then proceeded to explain the name origin, to which I continued to think she was joking and said 'you're going to name your child after a demon… suuuure'." Because of how truthful she was in the interaction, her friend decided not to use the name for her baby. "Thankfully, the baby wasn't named that after all, and I feel somewhat responsible for the decision. Another win for any other human names on planet earth," she joked. In the comments of the post, people highlighted that the name had a much deeper meaning than just a TV demon. One wrote: "Mazakeen is a supernatural entity in Jewish mythology. It's a harmful spirit. That's a lot of bad juju for a baby! The DC comics people used it, and then the show used it". Another replied: "The worst part is the kid would meet people brought up on Jewish mythology who would have terrible associations to it. Like people naming their kid Loki/Loke. They might think Marvel, Scandinavians will not". Somebody defended the name Loki, however, saying: "At least Loki is primarily known for being a mischievous trickster, nowhere near being a demon, and shows/retellings often make him cool in various ways, so there's a positive underdog association to him. Leagues better than naming your kid after a demon or malicious spirit". Some shared that it was more of a "pet name" than one for a baby, and the Redditor added that her friend was saving the name for her "next pet bird".
