Fringe break for newbie

An unknown comic is to perform in front of an audience of 2,000 in a one-off Fringe show.

Craig Scott from East Calder in West Lothian has been given a guest spot on the Big Comedy Gala at Edinburgh's EICC

He has been performing since 2012 after starting by writing jokes on Twitter – but has done just ten gigs in that time.

Now he will be appearing alongside David O'Doherty, Felicity Ward, Andrew Maxwell, Andrew Lawrence, Imran Yusuf, Glenn Wool and hosts Die Roten Punkte at the fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Scott said: 'I'm really chuffed to be taking part  I'm hoping that I survive what's seeming like a very long four minutes right now.'

His selection for the August 28 gig may be linked to the fact he's known producer Barry Church-Woods since school.

Church-Woods, who is also venues and companies manager of the Edinburgh Fringe Society, said: 'I've known Craig since school and he's always had an uncanny ability to make people laugh, sometimes at him, but mainly with him.  I love the fact that he's agreed to take on this task.

'It's particularly pertinent as he'll be the first person to grace the stage in the show's four year history who actually knew my sister Julie, whose death inspired this event being staged.'

Julie died in 2010 at the aged of 40, just four months after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Meanwhile, the line-up for the Waverley Care Comedy Gala at the Edinburgh Playhouse has also been announced today.

The event on August 16 is organised by top agency the Off The Kerb, which has been backing the HIV and hepatitis C charity since 2003, and features many of its stand-up clients.

Hosts Adam Hills and Marcus Brigstocke will introduce Rob Beckett, Phill Jupitus, Nathan Caton, Angela Barnes, Charlie Baker, Andrew Ryan, Joel Dommett, Ivo Graham,and Phil Jerrod with more acts to be confirmed.

Grant Sugden, chief executive of Waverley Care said: 'We are thrilled to benefit from this fabulous night of comedy. Over the years, these events have raised in excess of £400,000 and we are very grateful to all of the comedians who give so generously of their time.'

Click here for tickets to the Waverley Care gig, and here for the Big Comedy Gala.

Published: 25 Jun 2015