Fringe acts to perform on rail service

Comic Gavin Webster will be performing on a Newcastle to Edinburgh train next week, as part of a tie-up between rail operator Lumo and the Fringe.

The Culture Train Live show will be hosted by Newcastle drag queen Mutha Tucka and also feature musician Joe Edwards and comedian Robert Reed.

Tucka said: ‘Newcastle is a melting pot of home-grown talent, many of whom perform at the Fringe in Edinburgh. It’s amazing to be given a stage with a difference by Lumo – the Fringe is meant to be a bit random and a lot of fun – and that’s exactly what you can expect.’

Lumo said the event will ‘bring a taste of the Edinburgh Fringe to Newcastle travellers’ doorsteps while demonstrating how easy it is to get there by train’.The company is one of the few rail operators not affected by the wave of strike action hitting the network this week.

The performance takes place on the17.51 Newcastle to Edinburgh service next Wednesday. After a brief stop in Edinburgh, passengers will take part in a singalong dubbed ‘carriage-oke’ on the way home.

It comes the night before the official Fringe programme launch.

Lumo’s managing director Martijn Gilbert said: ‘This must surely be Newcastle’s first ever variety performance on a train, and we’re thrilled to host it. We are very proud to be based in Newcastle and wanted to find a way to showcase the performing arts scene in the city. 

‘The Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s greatest festival and we want Newcastle residents to realise it is on our doorstep and very easily accessible by train.’

The company has also the Fringe Society’s ‘Keep It Fringe’ fund, which has distributed bursaries of £2,000 to 50 artists and companies bringing work to the Fringe, by donating return tickets to all bursary recipients.

Tickets have to be specially purchased for the show carriage, priced £30 including a beer. They are availabe here.

Webster’s Fringe show, You Cannot Say Nowt These Days, will be running at the Stand throughout August.

Published: 1 Jun 2023