The 'Vice-Admiral' of the Free Festival

Edinburgh Fringe producer Lydia Mason has died unexpectedly at the age of 40.

A close friend of Laughing Horse Free Festival organiser Alex Petty for 30 years, Mason had been visiting the Fringe since the early 2000s, and has been part of the Free Festival – where she was dubbed the ‘Vice-Admiral’ –  since 2014.

Petty said she helped shape the direction of the enterprise ‘keeping the technical side of things running, and most importantly being the first person to be able to help performers, comfort those needing help, and become instant friends with everyone she met.’

She was a champion of mental health support and with comedian Dave Chawner, was instrumental in securing funding for mental health for performers across the Fringe last year.

On Thursday, a special tribute edition of Free Festival’s Early Late Show will be staged in tribute, with donations and ticket sales going to the UK Sepsis Trust. All will be doubled by Laughing Horse.

The show, at The Three Sisters in Cowgate will be hosted by Vladimir McTavish, who Mason encouraged to become a talk-show host at the Fringe. Jay Sodagar, Mike Shepherd and Kathryn Henson are also appearing. Tickets

There will also be a gathering for performers and friends in Edinburgh before the end of the Fringe, the Free Festival say, although the date and time are to be announced. This will be followed by a memorial in London on August 29^. Anyone who would like to attend these other events should contact alex@laughinghorse.co.uk

Published: 15 Aug 2023