theSpaceUK will feature more than 350 shows in its 17 performance spaces in two locations on the Royal Mile and Nicholson Street / Hill Square in this year's Edinburgh Fringe, which it claims is more than 100 shows more than will be offered by any other producer.
Amongst the new writing is Dan Freeman's A Joke starring Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who), Robert Picardo (Star Trek) and Rick Oliver (The Flight of the Rocket), Taggart creator Glenn Chandler's adaptation of the comic novel Lord Dismiss Us by Michael Campbell and two new works from Naughty Corner Productions: Church Blitz and The British Idles, plus Karen Houge and David Tann's Undercover Refugee and Henry C Krempels's The Sleeper examine the plight of migrants caught up in the refugee crisis.
Technology journalist Geoff White and ethical hacker Glenn Wilkinson present an interactive show illustrating what information our mobile devices are passing on to others, The Secret Life of Your Mobile Phone, while Threadbare reveals the shattering effects of revenge porn. Know Brexit is Geoffrey Brown’s sequel to last year’s Knowing EU, the effects of bullying are exposed in Cult-ure and The Gun Show shares true stories about America’s gun culture.
The fears of a prospective mother are expressed in All KIDding Aside and Woman On Fire is a based on the life of passionate suffragette Edith Rigby. Bella Freak: Unwritten and Naming Culture are two perspectives on a life of disability drawn from true-life experiences.
Music events include classical (the Russian String Orchestra, aka Misha’s Gang), Scottish folk (Elspeth McVeigh) and Neapolitan melodies (Anema). The winner of BBC Two’s The Choir: Gareth’s Best in Britain, Semi-Toned, presents its show Stay Tuned and Rock Choir will be making its Fringe debut.
Artistic Director Charles Pamment said, "it’s 70 years since the first ever Edinburgh Festival Fringe and few venues represent the very ethos of why this fabulous event was created: a platform for all, performer and audience.
"Here at theSpaceUK, we offer just that: a programme embracing opportunity and diversity and the largest ‘new writing’ programme in Edinburgh, incorporating every genre of live performance possible. We’re proud to present one of the oldest Fringe venues, still going strong: theSpace @ Venue 45.
"Our 2017 programme gives, in the true spirit of the festival, something for everyone."