Students shine in the Edinburgh spotlight

Bristol Improv's flyers for their shows at the Edinburgh Fringe

Press release issued: 6 August 2013

Performers from the University of Bristol are out in force at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this month, showcasing their talents at the largest arts festival in the world. Five groups are involved in a total of 11 shows as they join performers from all over the world for the famous festival which thrusts new acts into the spotlight every year.

Five groups are involved in a total of 11 shows as they join performers from all over the world for the famous festival which thrusts new acts into the spotlight every year.

The current generation of Bristol thespians, performers and comedians will be following in the footsteps of famous Bristol University alumni Simon Pegg, David Walliams and Matt Lucas, who all performed in Edinburgh before finding fame.

Bristol Improv, Revunions, Dramasoc, Music Theatre Bristol, Panto Soc and several Bristol graduates will be taking multiple shows to the Scottish capital throughout August.

Stephen Hartill, from the Bristol Improv Society, said: “This year we are attempting three different shows with three different casts. We’re really excited about doing a different improvised format every week, and have been preparing all year for this run, having performed each of the three shows since November. With the highest number of new members coming with the society ever; we can’t wait to show off all the hard work we’ve put in all year.”

Here’s the full line-up:

Revunions sketch group is taking two shows – Elegant Nymphs and Give Us Your Lunch.
Bristol Improv is taking three shows – Steals the Show, An Unexpected Tale and A Night of Noir - each with a one week run.
Dramsoc is supporting Tap Tap, a student-led company taking three plays all written and directed by Bristol students who have just graduated.
Music Theatre Bristol (MTB) is supporting student-led company 1945 Productions, performing Take it Interns and Morag and Keats.
Panto Soc will be performing its adult version of Dick Whittington.

Recent Bristol graduate and award-winning performance poet Vanessa Kissule will be performing One Last Thing, a play she’s written and directed herself, with the new Whispers and Shouts theatre company.

Since starting in 1947, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has grown to be the largest arts festival in the world hosting a multitude of acts including theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, musicals, operas, music, exhibitions and events.

This year sees 2,800 shows performed by over 24,000 artists, in 273 venues across the city.

Imogen Palmer, Vice President for Activities at the University of Bristol Students' Union (UBU), said: "The eclectic mix of student-led productions going to the Edinburgh Fringe this year just goes to show how talented and innovative UBU performing arts societies are. These students are the top writers, performers, comedians, producers and directors of the future and I feel lucky to know them.”