The Awfey Huge Variety Show

By Contributor -

The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show - not to be missed!

On Wednesday, 22 June, actor/comedian, panto legend and now River City star Andy Gray will host a fabulous show featuring a cast of exceptionally talented children from all over Edinburgh

The Awfey Huge Variety Show brings together all state-funded special schools in Edinburgh for a unique performance celebrating the creative talent of Young Learning Disabled Artists on Scotland’s biggest stage.

Presented and directed by Andy Gray with a little help from some of his celebrity friends, the event promises to be an ‘awfey huge variety’ extravaganza and is the very first of its kind.

Dancers, musicians, storytellers, animators, actors, film-makers, photographers and puppeteers

School pupils ranging in age from 7-18 from 12 schools, along with a group from WHALE Arts Centre, will all be contributing to the show. Each school will be supported by a member of the new team of ‘Engagement Artists’ at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh.

The team, comprising dancers, musicians, storytellers, animators, actors, film-makers, photographers and puppeteers, has been appointed to work with developing artists to draw out the very best of them according to their interests, abilities and talents.

“A dream come true”

“This is a dream come true,” said nine-year-old Kayleigh,from Prospect Bank School, who is taking part in the show.

Cat Sheridan, Learning & Participation Co-ordinator said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer an opportunity to these young performers to present their work on the largest stage in Scotland. The Trust which runs the Festival and King’s Theatres is fully committed to supporting the development of their voices, talents and ambitions.

“The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show showcases their creativity and it’s a great privilege for us to give these young learning disabled artists a platform.”

Children from all of Edinburgh’s
special schools

The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show follows on the success of Pilrig Park special school’s annual showcase, which has been presented at the Festival Theatre for the past 10 years.

In 2016, staff at the theatre saw the opportunity to get children from all of Edinburgh’s special schools involved and Andy Gray immediately offered his support to the project.

“We’re creating something new here,” said Andy Gray. “I feel tremendously proud to be part of it.”

Tickets for The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show (priced £12) are on sale now – available in person at the Festival and King’s Theatre box offices or click here.

: Pilrig Park pupil Stuart Barr. Photo by Phil Wilkinson

: The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show – not to be missed!

: Pupils from Pilrig Park School will be taking part in the Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show

Who’s Who

WHALE Arts and Kate Griffin are creating a fantastical fairy film
St Crispin’s and Alex McCabe are producing a fusion of live art and dance
Prospect Bank, Andy Gray and Paul Hudson are staging a song and producing a film
Redhall and Emma Anderson are creating a puppet story
Rowanfield and Jane McInally are creating an animation
Pilrig Park and Dance base are creating a live and filmed dance piece
Woodlands and Ruari Dunn are bringing their live band to the show
Gorgie Mills are working with William Thorburn to perform live parkour
Panmure St Anns are making a physical theatre piece with Cat Sheridan and Skye Reynolds
Kaimes and Sarah Wakeford are creating costumes for their live performance piece
Braidburn are making an animation with Gill Whyte
Oaklands and Oliver Ridgewell are creating an original song and animation
Harmony and Melony Jordan are creating a live clowning piece