The Edinburgh Festival Fringe returns to Scotland this August with an eclectic programme of comedy, theatre and dance. Renowned for its diversity and inclusivity, the fringe is the largest performing arts festival in the world and is visited by an estimated 4.5 million people each year. The festival brings together artists, audiences and thinkers from every continent, transforming Edinburgh into a vibrant stage for global entertainment, debate, performance and visual arts.
Israel continues to have a strong representation at the Festival Fringe, despite continuously facing resistance from groups such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), most notably in 2014 when two productions were boycotted. Recent years have seen runs of successful performances that reflect Israel’s flourishing theatre scene – from comedy to documentary theatre.
In 2022, the cultural department at the Embassy of Israel in London supported the production of Maternity, Hana Vanzana Grunwald’s play which told the story of the Yemenite Children Affair in newly-founded 1940s Israel. Based on a true story, the performance belonged to the documentary-poetry genre, combining elements of documentary theatre and improvisation forms with piyyut, a traditional liturgical prayer.
This year, the fringe is hosting thousands of cutting-edge performances, including important contributions from Israeli actors, directors and comedians.
Stand-up comedian Ori Halevy reminisces about moving to Germany as an Israeli-Jew in his heart-warming comedy set Laughing Matters (Work in Progress), while Noam Tomaschoff’s musical Our Little Secret: The 23andMe Musical, grapples with questions of identity and family in an addictive blend of comedy, drama and music. Directed by Eli Zuzovsky, Long Distance is a play about love, despair, and the obstruction of intimacy cause by an all-consuming reliance on modern technology.
Rebels and Patriots, directed by Nadav Burstein, is a new play starring an ensemble of Israeli and British actors that highlights the complexities of Israeli conscription. The drama follows four young people in Tel Aviv as they navigate adolescence alongside life in the IDF. It is featured on The Telegraph’s list of 50 best shows to see in August.
This year’s performances take place between 2 and 26 August. Tickets available to purchase here.
References:
Rebels and Patriots | Pleasance Theatre Trust
Home | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)
Fringe Review – Maternity ★★★★★ | The Edinburgh Reporter