Adventures in Edinburgh

I have loved the theater ever since I was a teenager.  In high school I often surprised my date by taking her to a play or a musical, rather than to a movie – even though a dark movie theater was a much better venue for making out.  (Babysitting with my girlfriend was another great venue – once the kids were asleep of course – but I’ll save that for another blog).

Years ago, my father introduced me to the joy of the Edinburgh International Festival and the accompanying Festival Fringe.  Annually, in the month of August, Edinburgh is transformed into the theater and live performance capital of the world.  The Fringe offers more than 300 events on stages varying from an outdoor tent holding thousands of spectators, to a small room that barely contains an audience of 15.  The performances include theater, comedy, dance, musicals, spoken word, circus, cabaret and more, and feature both big name celebrities and unknown artists.

Before the COVID pandemic, you’d often find me in Edinburgh during the second week in August.  Based on the local reviews, I’d select five or six performances to attend each day.  I was seldom disappointed.

On our first visit to the festival, we hired a driver, Jimmy, to chauffeur us around.  We had arranged for him to meet our flight at the airport, but there was an airline strike, and we had to take an express train that arrived in the evening.  And yet, there was Jimmy, cheerfully meeting us as we stepped off our train.  He was a great driver, filled with stories and helpful tips, and after a week in his company we wanted to take him home with us.

Attending the Edinburg Festival is like taking a river cruise.  You unpack once, sleep in the same room, and (with a little walking) the scenery comes to you.

Fortunately, I live in Los Angeles where theater is both outstanding and abundant.  But in L.A. I could never attend more than two, maybe three, performances in a single day.

So, if you are bored one August and seeking entertainment, I highly recommend a visit to Edinburgh.  I also recommend that you stay at the Sheraton Grand hotel and Spa.

But enough travel agenting.  You can select your own airline.

Happy viewing.

Alan