What's On

2006 was the year that…

The Gilded Balloon turned 21!!

From its humble beginnings in 1985 in the now no-longer Cowgate, with only seven shows in one studio space, to its reputation as a venue hub right in the hustle bustle of it all at Teviot Row House, with over 100 shows across nine venues, in 2006!

Tim Minchin made a stonking comeback with an even more exciting show “So … Rock! which, predictably, sold-out for the run and Karen Dunbar joined him in the sell-out show stakes, with her fantastically witty first stand up show since her television series on BBC Scotland.

Tim Healy performed his first solo show in Philip Meek’s “Twinkle Little Star” while Stephen Frost performed with his nephew, Danny Frost, in Jim Sweeney’s newly written piece “Cabin Fever”. Amy Lamé, direct from Celebrity Fit Club, performed “Mamma Cass Family Singers” and B A Robertson returned with a true story about John F Kennedy, while we welcomed Aussie Sam Simmons into the Gilded Balloon comedy fold.

Barry Cryer and Ronnie Golden delighted us with even more wit and ditties and 80’s icon Howard Jones gave a series of acoustic shows. In honour of Rain Pryor’s father, Richard, we presented a benefit in aid of MS sufferers, staring the best of what the comedy world has to offer – Adam Hills, Tim Minchin, Stephen K Amos, Antonio Forcioni and Jimmy Carr.

The Gilded Balloon also presented a sold out run of Bill Bailey’s new stand up show “Steampunk” at the EICC, which sold out for 9 nights and we welcomed him and Beergut 100 crew back to the Gilded Balloon for four nights of this highly acclaimed comedy furore.

This years So You Think You’re Funny? Winner was Welshman Wes Packer, who brought the judges to their knees with his fearless and honest brand of comedy.

AWARDS
Scotsman Fringe – First The Pool by James Brough & Helen Elizabeth
Scotsman Fringe First – Meeting Joe Strummer

NOMINATIONS
Stage Award for Best Solo Show – Tim Healy ‘Twinkle Little Star’
Stage Award for Best Solo Show – Lizzie Roper ‘Piccadillo Circus’