Gilded Balloon presents 'White Magic'*, Christmas cabaret in the beautiful Belgian Spiegeltent, La Gaieté.
Escape the cold with the hottest ticket in town for a night of fantastic live entertainment, music and laughter. From the 28th of November marvel at amazing magical feats, the glamour, glitter and laughs of Australia’s premiere drag act Drags Aloud (think Priscilla, Queen of the Ice) and Edinburgh’s own b-boy, hip hop crew Etch 'n' Sketch. Don't miss the slapstick and comedy of the sensational Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre and outrageous fun from Clive Nicholas Andrews.
Drags Aloud
Featuring the lovely Jessica James, Amanda Monroe, Linda Lamont and Kris Del Vayze, Drags Aloud formed in Melbourne in 2005 and soon became Australia’s top drag show.
On a tour of Australia in 2007, Karen Koren the artistic director of the Gilded Balloon, saw them perform at ‘Pink’ in Melbourne. Karen invited them to the Gilded Balloon at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007. The show was ‘The Sound of Music’ the Drag Show, and the rest is history…
2008 saw Drags Aloud return to Edinburgh with the World Premier of their ‘Grease Lightning Drag Show’ which played nightly to packed audiences.
From Edinburgh to sellout runs in London’s West End and an extended season in New York’s Off Broadway, the drags are taking over the world. They’ve appeared on the groundbreaking Australian sitcom Kath and Kim, won the Forth One Fringe Award 2008 and in January 2009 will feature with Joan Rivers in a top rated US TV program.
Clive Nicholas Andrews
Clive Nicholas Andrews, performs JANGO, an eccentric & quirky character. This hapless innocent has mislaid the plot but knows where the heart is and will touch yours with his fumbling slapstick antics, as he discovers bizarre comic solutions to life’s simple problems.
In the timeless silent comedy tradition, he is a bewildered, bemused, balletic buffoon finding grace in chaos and magic in the mundane.
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre have been a sellout two years running at the Fringe, and they're loved by young and old. With songs, sketches, socks and violence.
"For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz – denier miss it." - **** The Scotsman Aug 2008
Kevin McMahon
(28,29,30 November, 3-7 December)
Kevin has trained with the best magicians in the UK and USA to create a modern, mind-blowing form of magic that never fails to impress and entertain.
His appearance on Channel 4's 'Faking It' show, saw him fool the Daddy of Magic; Paul Daniels on national television, and go onto become one of the country's most sought after magicians.
With two magic shows under his hat McMahon combines sneaky sleight of hand with hilarious theatrical effects. Expect funny, hard hitting magic that isn't for the feint-hearted.
Ali Cook
(10-14,17-24,26-30 December,
1-4 January)
Ali has written and starred in seven television series for ITV, Channel 4, Five and Sky One. He is best known for his comedy series: Dirty Tricks (Channel 4) and Monkey Magic (Five). Both series were nominated for The Golden Rose of Montreaux and The British Comedy Awards. Ali has performed many private parties for VIP personalities including Damian Hirst, Basement Jaxx and JK Rowling.
His sell-out debut show in Edinburgh mixed cutting edge magic effects with stand up and received four star reviews. Promoter Mick Perrin brought the show to the west end as part of The Big Joke Comedy Festival. Again, the show sold out.
**** "...his manic charm means that you will be instantly drawn in. He does eat razor blades and it does get gruesome, but when it's this astonishing, you won't mind." Three Weeks.
**** "With a pleasing mix of cheesy/sinister, he chews razor blades, crushes doves and gets journalists up on stage to help him perform tricks: Ali Cook simply has no fear" The List.
"Immensely funny" Daily Telegraph.
“Supremely Talented” Time Out.
Etch N Sketch
Etch N Sketch are Edinburgh based Hip Hop duo - Wallace Sulley & Nico Major.
One a DJ... One an Artist... both Dancers with a combined passion for Hip Hop culture.
Their debut performance at Breakin Convention '07 at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre recieved rave reviews fueling them to continue to develop their freestyle flow which has since taken them from The Leith Festival to the T-Mobile Jukebox Tour.
They are currently collaborating with long-term Scottish B-girls - Emma Ready & Shelltoe Mel bring a new slice fo Funky Fresh to the dance floor... Expect high energy antics from this pair!
Philip Dundas
Philip began his career in media and broadcasting, working as a freelance writer and producer for more than 10 years. In the early 1990’s Philip read English Literature at the University of Oxford where he acted in a number of student productions including Dr. Faustus, The Homecoming, and The Lifted Veil. After graduated he taught English and Drama for several years before joining the BBC Scotland where he became Senior Producer in Factual and Learning. In 2004 Philip was a winner of the BBC New Presenter Talent competition. In 2006 Philip embarked on his acting career. He was given an Outstanding Achievement Award for his performance as Prior Walter in Tony Kushner’s epic 2 part play ‘Angels in America’.
La Gaiete will also be open throughout the day for coffee and full bar service.
*For ages 16 and over
