Awfey Huge Variety Pics
Huge burst of energy for Festival Theatre
By Thom Dibdin
Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre staged The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show on Wednesday 22 June, 2016, a production featuring over 200 children from the city’s state-funded special schools.
This unique performance, the first of its kind according to the organisers, celebrated the creative talent of Scotland’s Young Learning Disabled Artists.
The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show in full swing. Pic: Greg Macvean
Presented by actor-comedian Andy Gray with a little help from some of his celebrity friends, the event encompassed live singing and dancing, puppetry performance, rock’n’roll, animation, clowning and short plays.
With each school encompassing varying degrees and types of additional needs, the performers themselves chose the art forms that best express their abilities.
The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show featured a variety of genres. Photo Greg Macvean
In addition to learning about all aspects of staging an ‘awfey huge variety show’, the children had guidance and support in developing skills in sound, lighting and design from the staff in the technical team at the Festival Theatre.
The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show follows on the success of Pilrig Park special school’s annual showcase, presented at the Festival Theatre for the past 10 years.
Compere Andy Gray and singing star in the Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show. Photo: Greg Macvean
In 2016, staff at the theatre saw the opportunity to get children from all Edinburgh special schools involved and Andy Gray immediately offered his support to the project.
Twelve schools and a group from WHALE Arts Centre took part: St Crispin’s, Prospect Bank, Redhall, Rowanfield, Pilrig Park, Woodlands, Gorgie Mills, Panmure St Ann’s, Kaimes, Braidburn, Oaklands and Harmeny.
A spokesman for the Festival Theatre told Æ: “We hope that this is something we can again do next year!”
The Awfey Huge Fantastic Variety Show backing band. Photo Greg Macvean
ENDS
