NEWS
EVENTS
Stand Up For Freedom
Other | Sunday 5th August 2012 | Osh
You may remember that a couple of weeks ago we at The Guestlist Network brought you the news that the Edinburgh Festival Fringe was due to take place, as with every year, this August. With August already underway (the months are just flying by!) the Fringe is kicking off, with many great shows, comics and performances to check out. One such show that should be seen by anyone hoping to check out some hot comic action at the Fringe is ‘Stand Up For Freedom’, Amnesty International’s annual sell out Fringe show.
As no doubt many of you already know, Amnesty International has a long standing connection with comedy in its attempts to highlight the importance of the freedom of expression, and in promoting the speaking out against injustice, aiming to help those who are suffering. This year, Amnesty international are promoting the case of U Myint Aye, who is currently serving life imprisonment in Burma (aged 61) after a trial that Amnesty International believe was unfair and that featured fabricated evidence. He is considered to be a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty, and it is their goal to have both him and other prisoners of conscience held captive in Burma, released.
One of the ways they raise awareness is through hosting stand-up and comedy shows, and with the Edinburgh Fringe being one of the best known arts festivals in the world, Amnesty have a tradition dating back 15 years of holding a show of their, ‘Stand Up For Freedom’. Held on Wednesday 15th August, and hosted by Susan Calman and Fred MacAulay, this year it features the best of Edinburgh’s stand up, sketch artists and Cabaret, featuring names such as Josie Long, Sara Pascoe, David O’Doherty and Hannibal Buress, as well as many other names (some of which are yet to be announced). With tickets starting from £16.00, this show is set to be popular. Even better news is that for the first time Amnesty International is teaming up with the radio show, ‘No Pressure To Be Funny’ (tickets for that starting at just £8.00), which sees a team discussing the week’s news, as well as featuring comedic songs and monologues. More good news comes in the form of Amnesty’s annual ‘Critics vs. Comics’ football match, which is due to take place on Saturday 19th August. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, throughout the Fringe ‘Amnesty’s Secret Comedy Podcast: Live From Edinburgh’ will be featuring the top acts from the festival.
Amnesty International, known for its links with the cream of comedy is once again providing a show that has both plenty of laughs and heart. If any of you happen to be at the Fringe when it’s on, check it out. You’d be a fool not to.
Vicki Haughton
