Latest news with #InternationalFestival
The Herald Scotland
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
For Women Scotland: 'Irresponsible for EIF to promote choking show'
They told The Herald: "The last thing we need is a respected international festival endorsing it." However the International Festival said the work "does not explore violence against women" but rather a "deeply personal reflection on the artist's own experiences of consent and sexuality". The Dan Daw Show is due to be performed across three nights at The Lyceum theatre next month as part of the Edinburgh International Festival and is billed as a fuse of "sexy choreography and touching theatricality" to "take a stand against ableism". The festival's programme says it sees the Australian dancer "turn the spotlight inward, to find his own truth through a subject that holds the power to both challenge and liberate: kink". Content guidance for the show adds: "During some of the physical interaction between Dan and [collaborator] KrisX, KrisX puts a hand around Dan's neck as if choking him. Dan is placed into a latex vacuum cube, that is tight around his neck." Read more Posting online For Women Scotland, the campaign group which successfully took the Scottish Government to court over the legal definition of a woman, said: "It is absolutely disgusting that [EIF] is promoting a 'performance' which features the dangerous practice of 'choking'. "It should NEVER be entertainment! We really think this show should be pulled as a matter of urgency." Speaking to The Herald, the group added: "It is recklessly irresponsible for the Edinburgh Festival to promote dangerous and abusive acts in the name of art. "Organisations tackling violence against women have been warning about choking in particular, and the outcomes which can include brain damage and fatalities. "Sadly, this practice is widespread among younger generations and the last thing we need is a respected international festival endorsing it." The annual arts festival which runs for three weeks in August receives public funding from the [[Scottish Government]] and [[Edinburgh]] Council. It bills itself as featuring "the best artists from opera, music, theatre and dance on the world's greatest stage". Last year Beira's Place, the Edinburgh-based women's protection charity funded by J.K. Rowling, warned sexual choking was "becoming very normalised" among teenagers who increasingly saw it as a routine sexual act. It said a growing number of young women were turning to its counselling services after experiencing unwanted choking during sex. Rape Crisis Scotland similarly warned strangulation was often raised by pupils in consent and pornography workshops in schools. A spokesperson for the International Festival said: "We take the safety of artists and audiences very seriously. The detailed content descriptions for this performance are provided as guidance for those audience members who seek more information in order to make informed decisions, to feel safe and prepared. "This work does not explore violence against women. Instead, it is a deeply personal reflection on the artist's own experiences of consent and sexuality. "We encourage audiences to contact us directly if they would like to discuss the performance further." Dan Daw was approached for a response.
The Herald Scotland
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
For Women Scotland 'Irresponsible for EIF to promote choking show'
They told The Herald: "The last thing we need is a respected international festival endorsing it." However the International Festival said the work "does not explore violence against women" but rather a "deeply personal reflection on the artist's own experiences of consent and sexuality". The Dan Daw Show is due to be performed across three nights at The Lyceum theatre next month as part of the Edinburgh International Festival and is billed as a fuse of "sexy choreography and touching theatricality" to "take a stand against ableism". The festival's programme says it sees the Australian dancer "turn the spotlight inward, to find his own truth through a subject that holds the power to both challenge and liberate: kink". Content guidance for the show adds: "During some of the physical interaction between Dan and [collaborator] KrisX, KrisX puts a hand around Dan's neck as if choking him. Dan is placed into a latex vacuum cube, that is tight around his neck." Read more Posting online For Women Scotland, the campaign group which successfully took the Scottish Government to court over the legal definition of a woman, said: "It is absolutely disgusting that [EIF] is promoting a 'performance' which features the dangerous practice of 'choking'. "It should NEVER be entertainment! We really think this show should be pulled as a matter of urgency." Speaking to The Herald, the group added: "It is recklessly irresponsible for the Edinburgh Festival to promote dangerous and abusive acts in the name of art. "Organisations tackling violence against women have been warning about choking in particular, and the outcomes which can include brain damage and fatalities. "Sadly, this practice is widespread among younger generations and the last thing we need is a respected international festival endorsing it." Last year Beira's Place, the Edinburgh-based women's protection charity funded by J.K. Rowling, warned sexual choking was "becoming very normalised" among teenagers who increasingly saw it as a routine sexual act. It said a growing number of young women were turning to its counselling services after experiencing unwanted choking during sex. Rape Crisis Scotland similarly warned strangulation was often raised by pupils in consent and pornography workshops in schools. A spokesperson for the International Festival said: "We take the safety of artists and audiences very seriously. The detailed content descriptions for this performance are provided as guidance for those audience members who seek more information in order to make informed decisions, to feel safe and prepared. "This work does not explore violence against women. Instead, it is a deeply personal reflection on the artist's own experiences of consent and sexuality. "We encourage audiences to contact us directly if they would like to discuss the performance further." Dan Daw was approached for a response.
Scotsman
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Summer events will leave us thunderstruck
Brian Johnson and Angus Young from AC/DC perform at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California in April 2025 (Picture: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images) With August just around the corner, the city is set to once again become the world's stage and play host to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the International Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, Film Festival, and the iconic Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. With the Fringe alone boasting 3350 shows across 265 venues there will be no shortage of things to see and do. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... August will also see Oasis play three gigs at Murrayfield which will see over 200,000 fans descend on the stadium as part of their long-awaited reunion tour. With AC/DC set for their Scottish return the following week, the range of events on offer this summer will leave us 'Thunderstruck'. Of course, our many festivals and events bring significant economic and cultural benefits to the city each year, but they also come at a cost. They require meticulous planning and coordination behind the scenes to limit the inevitable pressure on the city and our residents – and I want to extend my thanks to the many people who are working to ensure that Edinburgh and our world-leading events programme remains safe, inclusive, and successful. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This summer also marks one year until the Edinburgh Visitor Levy comes into effect on July 24, 2026. This will bring tens of millions of pounds to the city, and I'm really pleased to welcome Julie Ashworth to her new role as Chair of the Visitor Levy Forum. The forum will play a key role in advising councillors on how best to deliver this scheme in a way that benefits everyone working in, living in and visiting the city. With elected members the ultimate decision makers on how funds are spent, this will be an excellent opportunity to invest the proceeds into enhancing and sustaining the things that make Edinburgh the world class place to live and visit that it is. I recently went along to the launch of the Scran Academy which is a unique café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where young people are given jobs and training that will help them to grow their confidence in a real workplace. There are currently six people employed, and many others will benefit from work placements in the future. The Scran Academy lives the principle that every young person has the potential, and the power, to thrive when given the right support. This is exactly the kind of new approach that we want to champion in Edinburgh, where employability goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing, and where young people are supported not just to work, but to feel happy, valued and confident while doing so. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Finally, I'd like to welcome the acceptance by the trade unions – Unite, GMB and Unison – of a two-year pay deal which recognises the value of colleagues across the council and ensures that people are paid fairly for the work they do. I look forward to seeing this payment reach the pockets of many of the people who provide the services that we all rely on across the city, from those working to keep the streets clean, to the teams responsible for clearing the beach at Portobello, as well as all of our teachers who will soon begin a new year educating children throughout the city. They all play such an important role in making Edinburgh the city that is.
Scotsman
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Dougie MacLean set to open Edinburgh International Festival with free singalong
Scottish music legend Dougie MacLean is set to open Edinburgh International Festival kicking off a free singalong in the city centre. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... The Scottish capital is calling MacLean, who will headline The Big Singalong in Princes Street Gardens on August 3rd joined by a range of community choirs led by choir director Stephen Deazley. The iconic Scottish singer will sing his most beloved song, Caledonia, and the event encourages crowds to come and singalong with him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dougie Maclean will lead a free singalong in Edinburgh | PA For the opening weekend of the International Festival, Scottish national treasure Dougie MacLean headlines free event The Big Singalong with iconic song Caledonia, joined by a range of community choirs led by choir director Stephen Deazley. The range of choirs include The Phoenix Choir, the Maryhill Integration Project Joyous Choir and the Westerton Male Voice Choir. While the event is free, it is still ticketed. Tickets go on sale on June 19.
Edinburgh Reporter
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Festival City Goes Digital: How Edinburgh's Entertainment Landscape Is Evolving Online
Edinburgh has long been known for its vibrant festivals, cobbled streets full of performers, and the sheer buzz of live events that seem to pulse through the city every summer. It's the kind of place where creativity isn't just welcomed, it's expected. But lately, the way people are soaking up the city's culture has started to shift. And if you've noticed more screen time creeping into your free time, you're not alone. Because, like everywhere else, Edinburgh's entertainment sector is going online, and it's not a phase. Tradition Meets Technology First of all, the festivals. The Fringe, the International Festival, Hogmanay; these are interwoven with the city. They've filled theatres, transformed parks into festivals, and filled pubs to the brim for decades. But more and more, they're finding new ways to connect, and more often than not, that means online. In recent years, live performances, virtual reality experiences, and hybrid productions have been a standard feature of the festival circuit. And honestly? It's paying off. Not only can more people participate (even if they can't attend in person), but acts are getting to global crowds without having to leave Edinburgh. It's not about duplicating the miracle of live performance. It's about multiplying it. Binge-Watching the Best of Edinburgh You know that feeling when you want something to watch, but something local? And, as luck would have it, there is a demand for on-demand culture that isn't a new Netflix series. In Edinburgh alone, there are even smaller theatres and artistic groups streaming and recording their shows. From amateur theatrical productions to live acoustic performances being recorded in small, dingy spaces, there's plenty to watch without having to leave home. It's affordable, it's easy, and it's lovely watching a show in your pyjamas sometimes. This shift isn't for convenience alone either. It's making the arts more accessible to those for whom going out to events in person isn't an option, due to cost, mobility, or just a hectic schedule. Gaming, Gambling, and Digital Escapes And of course, not all that is available on the internet is arts-related. Some of it is just about switching off and unwinding. Gaming has become extremely popular in Edinburgh, as it has elsewhere in the UK, with more and more people grabbing their phones or laptops for some relaxation time. Online gambling has also grown. But with a twist here: people are getting smarter. They want sites that are secure, user-friendly, and allow for rapid, cashless payments. Amidst all the online action, many people also tried bookmakers that accept Skrill, liking how speedy and easy the websites are to execute secure, hassle-free payments. When people are in control of how they pay, they also feel more at ease with how they play. And it's not high-stakes or risky behaviour. It's a bit of innocent fun, with ease and safety first. Local Creators Go Global This online growth isn't only succeeding for viewers, it's changing creators, too. Musicians, filmmakers, artists, and comedians from Edinburgh are no longer limited to the audience in front of them. They're connecting with people across the country, or even worldwide. Others are employing platforms like Patreon or YouTube. Others are selling digital downloads, online classes, or pay-per-month livestreams. It's giving local artists a way of building their audience and their income, all without needing a massive venue or corporate backing. Even bricks-and-mortar buildings, such as The Cameo, Summerhall, or the Scottish Storytelling Centre, are going digital, streaming their events to a wider, often younger, digitally-born audience. It's Not All Smooth Sailing Of course, this internet boom hasn't all been smooth sailing. Screen fatigue is no myth. So is attempting to cut through in a very crowded digital landscape. There's something about live performance, as well, the buzz of an audience, the shared experience, that can't quite be replicated online. But with all that, the positives undeniably outweigh the negatives. One individual is missing the retro charm of a packed theatre, for everyone who now feels they can join in, thanks to digital accessibility. It is a case of balance. The Future? A Little Bit of Everything So what's next for Edinburgh entertainment? More diversity, basically. The future will be partly virtual, but not all, and nor will it be purely pre-digital. It will be both. You'll still be able to grab a pint before a show, settle into a creaky theatre seat, and experience something live. But you'll also have the option to stream it the next day. Or catch a behind-the-scenes clip online. Or support your favourite act via their latest digital gig. In a city as creative and adaptable as Edinburgh, the mix of old and new feels just right. Like this: Like Related
