2008 was the year that…

So You Think You’re Funny? celebrated its 21st Birthday! In full party mode, Gilded Balloon took over the Festival Theatre for a night of celebration and hilarity. Hosts Bill Bailey, Arthur Smith and Fred Macaulay welcomed back to the stage some true Gilded Balloon pedigree to mark the occasion, with appearances from the likes of Rhona Cameron, Tommy Tiernan, David O’Doherty, Jason Byrne and many more.

Meanwhile, in fringe land, we welcomed a host of talented comedians and actors back into the Gilded Balloon fold. Drags Aloud returned with a new award-winning fringe hit, ‘The Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show’, and wowed audiences once again with more of their flamboyant pizzazz!

As did Karen Dunbar, Rhona Cameron, Richard Fry, Phil Kay, Craig Hill and our very own musical comedy protégé, Tim Minchin! The wonderfully quirky and talented Bill Bailey also graced us with a one-night-only performance of ‘Tinselworm’, in the beautiful Edinburgh Playhouse.

It was also the year if some fantastic acts making their home at the Gilded Balloon for the first time, with the likes of Axis of Awesome, Dead Cat Bounce, Andrew Stanley, Gamarjobat and many more.

The Paper Birds took the festival by storm with the world premier of a breathtaking new show – ‘In a Thousand Pieces’ and did the Gilded Balloon proud, scooping up the Fringe First Award and gaining two other prestigious nominations.

Everybody’s favourite Irishman Jimeoin took to the Gilded Balloon >stage once again, to packed out audiences, unable to resist his laid-back Irish charm! And Stephen K Amos returned with his weekend chat show, getting our lovely audiences in gear for the best late night on the fringe with the notorious and riotously funny Late ‘n’ live!

And Norwegian funnyman Daniel Simonsen won So You Think You’re Funny? with his strong Nordic accent and odd take on life.

AWARDS
The Forth One Fringe Award Grease Lightnin’ Drag Show
Fringe First Award The Paper Birds – In a Thousand Pieces

NOMINATIONS
Stage Award for Best Solo Performer Karen Dunbar – A Drunk Woman Looks at a Thistle
Stage Award for Best Ensemble The Paper Birds – In a Thousand Pieces
Total Theatre Award for Best Young Company The Paper Birds – In a Thousand Pieces