Edinburgh's Free Festival shows to offer BSL interpretation for the first time

The Laughing Horse’s Free Festival is to offer British Sign Language translation for the first time.

Cash from the Fringe Resilience Fund, aimed at helping the festival bounce back from Covid, has allowed the move.

A Laughing Horse spokesman said: ‘The hurdles for arranging interpreted shows at venues that operate on a very limited budget are the high cost of an interpreter and the availability of interpreters who are able to interpret for shows, particularly comedy.

‘Thanks to funding this year from the Fringe Resilience Fund, we are able…. to open up low-cost and free shows to deaf audiences, and expand the number of interpreted shows across the Fringe.’

The organisation will also have other interpreters shadows signers, to help widen the pool.

The performances currently scheduled to be interpreted are:

Game On 3: August 12 at The Three Sisters,  2pm
Dave Chawner: Mental: August 12 at Cabaret Voltaire,  5pm
Martha McBrier: Who Knew?: August 13 at Dragonfly,  4.30pm
Disabled Cants Aug 16 at Bar 50,  5.30pm
Martin Mor: The Antidote August 16 at The Pear Tree,  7.30pm
Dan Tiernan: Cherub: August 16 at Counting House,  9pm
Diane Spencer Slid Off the Turkey: August 17 at Counting House,  9.15pm

Any additions to the list will be announced here.

Separately, Chortle’s Fast Fringe showcase at the Pleasance Dome is offering live captions for the performances on August 16 and 24 at 6.50pm. Tickets.

This year the Free Festival has shows that are both free and unticketed, and ‘pay what you can’ offering a range of ticket prices to secure a seat and support the performer. Unreserved seats are then offered free when it comes to showtime.

Published: 24 Jul 2022