Discover the Fringe at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is, without question, one of the jewels of Edinburgh’s cultural landscape. Throughout the year it gives city residents the chance to experience the best in the storytelling arts made locally, and worldwide. Peruse the history of reviews here on theQR and you’ll see how many fine, fine performers and productions we’ve been fortunate to experience there.

Every August, the Centre goes into a different gear, still focussed on storytelling but with its doors open to a wider array of performances. Throughout the month you’ll often find me using the Centre cafe, run by the wondrous Haggis Box, as my office and refuge from the Fringe storm. More people should know, and therefore love the Scottish Storytelling Centre as I do.

It therefore occurred to me to ask Edinburgh Fringe performers coming to the Centre this August a related question:

“The Edinburgh Fringe looks to be bigger, and busier than ever. What does it mean to you to stage your show at the Storytelling Centre amidst this maelstrom?”

Read the answers, and then get booking.

Alice Fernbank, presenting Odin’s Eye and the Art of Seeing

“The Storytelling Centre is a space dear to my heart, a haven of calm for story lovers. My show, born as a commission for the SISF 2023, tells a personal story of ill health and expands into mythic realms with the tales of Odin, Freya, and Mimir. There is no other venue I would rather have host my work.”

One more reason to appreciate the Scottish Storytelling Centre is its dedication to commissioning and, just as importantly, supporting new work.

Mark Borthwick of Young Edinburgh Storytellers

“The Young Edinburgh Storytellers are bringing two storytelling shows to the Scottish Storytelling Centre this year. It feels like the right place to be showcasing this kind of work. The building is beautiful, a magnet for the right kind of people. The conversations you can have in the café, surrounded by the bookshop, museum, art gallery, and theatres, are always enlightening. There’s nowhere like it in the world, especially during the Fringe.”

The Young Edinburgh Storytellers exemplify the Centre’s year-round fostering of new storytelling talent. In these cash-strapped, opportunity-light days, this couldn’t be more vital.

Clockwise from Top Left: STUMPED, Don Quixote, Joyfully Grimm, Odin’s Eye, Shadow Walking. Credits in image titles if provided – click to enlarge.

James Stedman, bringing Joyfully Grimm: Reimagining a Queer Adolescence

“It’s perhaps an overworn cliché, but to be able to bring my own solo show to the beautiful Scottish Storytelling Centre, that wee gem of a theatre right in the heart of the action there on the Royal Mile, is an absolute dream come true.

I have been attending the Fringe as a punter for over a decade and I absolutely adore it. The energy, the atmosphere, the intensity, the people, the creativity, the sheer artistic genius of folk is like nothing else.

And I feel like the Scottish Storytelling Centre is my second home here in the city as their programme of events throughout the year is amazing.

Joyfully Grimm debuted there at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, so it feels just right to be performing there again for this longer run.

To be on the Storytelling Centre’s bill of shows for the Fringe festival amongst such a wealth of other talent is very special.

I couldn’t be happier.”

TheQR reviewed James’ show when it debuted, you can read the review here if you need extra motivation to book a ticket.

Lewis Coenen-Row part of the team behind brand new miniature Opera STUMPED

“As Fringe first-timers, the whole thing is slightly terrifying for us, but the Scottish Storytelling Centre feels like a safe haven in the midst of it all. We’re bringing a brand new opera, STUMPED, to the festival. It’s an unusual offering at the Fringe to be sure, but we’re really keen to show that opera can be for anyone. STUMPED is all about the importance of trees and forests and the power of storytelling to help protect our world, so the Storytelling Centre feels like a great home for it. We’re really pleased to be with a venue that’s up for trying out completely new work like this.”

Miniature storytelling opera…I mean it doesn’t get much more Fringe than that! I’m going to be there…I can’t promise it will be the best thing ever, but it might be! What I do know is that the Scottish Storytelling Centre operates a steep threshold when it comes to minimum talent levels in its performers.

Maria MacDonell will premiere LIFE

“In the maelstrom the Scottish Storytelling Centre is an inspiring haven of creativity where I have been invited to present the world premiere of LIFE. Well that means the world to me. And I do love the quiche.”

For those unaware, LIFE will conjure a genuine life drawing class on stage, blurring the lines between play and audience. Is it brave, or otherwise – well there’s one way to find out. No one ever said the Scottish Storytelling Centre played safe with its Fringe programme.

Peter Chand is one of three talents bringing Shadow Walking back to the SSC this Fringe

“Bringing Shadow Walking to the Scottish Storytelling Centre for Edinburgh Fringe is a really exciting prospect, especially as there are so many other performances taking place over the month. Ruth Kirkpatrick is a stunning Scottish storyteller , and alongside the skills of double bass musician Tom Lyne, and my stories from an Indian bakground , we are taking a real walk on the dark side with stories which we don’t usually share in public. No matter which culture you come from, we all recognise the shadowy places…”

Shadow Walking is another memorably excellent show theQR has seen and admired before.

Bex Sherwood will be a key part of the LOUD POETS Fringe shows

“”It’s the 10th Fringe for the Loud Poets, and we’re so excited to bring the best spoken word artists the Fringe has to offer to the stage at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Spoken Word is always the smallest section of the Fringe guide, but we think it has the most to offer. From the laugh-out-loud funny to the thought-provoking and profound, spoken word has something for everything.

Enjoy a unique line-up at every show and find your new favourite spoken word poet!”

The Loud Poets are an Edinburgh institution for a reason: they produce the goods. I recommend you try their produce out sometime during August. You’ll have more than one chance, so no excuses!

Now these aren’t all the performers appearing at the Scottish Storytelling Centre this August, far from it. However, I hope it gives a flavour of the diversity of shows on offer and the talented folks behind them.

Now this might seem more like a promotional article than a carefully neutral, journalistic piece. However since I began my career as an arts reviewer and journalist, the Scottish Storytelling Centre has been staging first class work. I haven’t thrown flowers at every show, but the odds of a good, or great experience are always in the audience’s favour. Spoken word and Storytelling don’t enjoy the profile of theatre, never mind comedy during the Fringe, but if it’s radical, innovative, and downright enjoyable shows you’re seeking, you know where to look now. I’ll leave the last word to Daniel Abercrombie, Head of Programming at the Scottish Storytelling Centre:

“Storytelling is special because it asks us to share and to listen, to become part of the story. Our Fringe programme offers a platform to storytellers and creatives to share these amazing stories, and to create a space of calm energy for audiences to listen and enjoy. There are wonderful stories here with messages of hope, enthusiasm and activism, exploring the light and the dark of the worlds we inhabit. It is especially pleasing to present some excellent shows which have been developed with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival which deserve a wide audience. Our excellent venue team look forward to extending a warm welcome to all visitors and locals in August, just as they do throughout the year. It’s what makes the Storytelling Centre a special place to visit, and we look forward to welcoming new friends this August.”

Featured Image: Maria MacDonell’s LIFE credit: Roddy Simpson

Fringe Details – Scottish Storytelling Centre

Storytelling Shows – links to QR reviews

Animate Lands: A Celtic Mythic Cycle
Dougie Mackay & Freya Rae

A journey through Scotland’s storied soul, blending tales of ancient bards and druids with contemporary storytelling and music.
August 3-22 (varied dates), 11:00 AM

Joyfully Grimm: Reimagining a Queer Adolescence
James Stedman

A heartfelt, slightly irreverent look at queer history through traditional fairy tales and original poetry, featuring a grumpy frog.
August 2-24 (even dates, not the 14th), 5:00 PM

Odin’s Eye and the Art of Seeing
Alice Fernbank

A mythic exploration of Norse gods and their quests, inspired by an unexpected moment of beauty during cancer treatment.
August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 2:00 PM

Don Quixote Rides Again
Inés Álvarez Villa & Danielo Olivera

Experience the iconic adventures of Don Quixote brought to life with enchanting storytelling and flamenco music.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 3:00 PM

Shadow Walking
Peter Chand, Ruth Kirkpatrick & Tom Lyne

A unique storytelling performance that brings rarely told stories to light, accompanied by a jazz score.
August 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23; 7:00 PM

Orpheus/Orfeo
Dan Serridge, Neil Wood & Heather Cartwright

The famous Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is reimagined with a Scottish twist and a journey into the underworld.
August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 9:00 PM

No One is Coming
Sinéad O’Brien

A storytelling performance about a mother and daughter, weaving Irish folklore and personal anecdotes.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 6:00 PM

Queer Folks’ Tales
Turan Ali & Scottish Storytelling Centre

A vibrant LGBTQ+ storytelling show featuring a fresh queer line-up every performance.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 8:00 PM

Land Under Wave
Young Edinburgh Storytellers

Three storytellers perform to earn their freedom, blending music and stories to explore queer identities.
August 2-18 (even dates), 2:00 PM

Traditional Tales from Scotland
Scottish Storytelling Centre

A relaxed session with different storytellers sharing their favorite traditional tales of Scotland.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 12:00 PM

Robert Burns: A Celebration
Bob Mitchell & Anne Hunter

An energetic presentation of Robert Burns’ best-loved works, blending song, poetry, and narrative.
August 5-21 (odd dates), 4:00 PM

Táin
Young Edinburgh Storytellers

A modern retelling of Ireland’s most ancient myth, blending music, myth, and magic.
August 3-21 (odd dates), 1:00 PM

Hero/Banlaoch
Sinéad O’Brien

Sinéad’s storytelling weaves Irish epics with personal stories, exploring themes of heroism and addiction.
August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 5:00 PM

Do Not Look Away: The Story of Medusa
Lily Asch & Dimitris Kounatiadis

A complex exploration of the myth of Medusa, with parallels to the modern world, accompanied by live music.
August 3-21 (even dates), 6:00 PM

Family Shows

Grow
Suitcase Storytelling Company

A fun, interactive show celebrating nature and growth, perfect for young children and families.
August 2-18 (even dates), 10:30 AM

Sing Along with the Fairy Song
Janis Mackay

An enchanting performance of storytelling and song, inviting fairies and children to join the fun.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 11:30 AM

The Tree and Her Tale
Jess Aquilina

A wholesome story of friendship between a boy and a magical tree, combining puppetry, music, and storytelling.
August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 1:00 PM

Macbeth for Bairns
Little Supernovas

A whimsical and comic adaptation of Macbeth for young children, featuring bubbles and sensory play.
August 2-20 (odd dates), 2:00 PM

Theatre Shows

LIFE
Maria Macdonell

A unique theatrical experience combining stillness, movement, and audience participation, set in a drawing class.
August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 3:00 PM

An American Love Letter to Edinburgh
Rick Conte

The tale of Benjamin Franklin’s love for Edinburgh, echoing the performer’s own experiences in the city.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 4:00 PM

Mairi Campbell: Living Stone
Mairi Campbell

An odyssey exploring the layers of mystery and resonance in a 400-million-year-old stone, through song, violin, and storytelling.
August 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 7:00 PM

Thunderstruck
David Colvin

The epic tale of the greatest bagpiper who changed Scottish music forever, returning for its fifth successive year.
August 2-24 (even dates), 9:00 PM

Gie’s Peace
Morna Burdon

Captivating stories of women’s peace activism, combining storytelling with evocative songs of protest.
August 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23; 5:00 PM

Music Shows

The Other
The Other

A multimedia performance exploring culture and displacement, featuring musicians, a dancer, a visual artist, and a filmmaker.
August 14-16, 3:15 PM and 6:45 PM

STUMPED
Stumped

A miniature opera exploring deforestation through ancient stories and modern internet conversations.
August 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24; 7:00 PM

Spoken Word Poetry Shows

Loud Poets: Best of Fringe
Loud Poets

Showcasing top spoken word talent with a mix of humorous, surreal, and emotional performances.
August 2-24 (varied dates), 8:00 PM

Stupid Sexy Poem Show
RJ Hunter

A subversive and powerful debut hour of spoken-word-comedy-cabaret, exploring the artist’s experience in the public eye.
August 3-21 (varied dates), 9:00 PM

Rogues So Banished
Paul Case

A visceral solo show set in 1790s New South Wales, telling the story of convicts lost in a nightmare of their own making.
August 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23; 6:00 PM

Address to a Haggis
Haggis Box Cafe & Scottish Storytelling Centre