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David O’Doherty to perform extra gig tonight to support fellow Fringe show

By | Published on Saturday 2 August 2014

David O'Doherty

The always marvellous David O’Doherty will perform an extra one-off show at SpaceCabaret @ 54 tonight at 10.30pm to help out another Fringe show, which was put in jeopardy when its producers were unable to negotiate down the theatre licence fee charged by Edinburgh City Council.

‘Barbara And Yogashwara’s Safe Space’ takes place in a caravan outside theSpace @ Niddry Street just off the Royal Mile. As it is, in essence, its own theatre, it needed a separate licence off the Council. But, with only one show in it, and that show performed to an audience of just six at a time, the show’s creators had hoped to get a more favourable rate from Edinburgh’s theatre licensing department. But alas that wasn’t to be.

One of the show’s creators, Susannah Hewlett told ThreeWeeks yesterday: “I had a call from Edinburgh Council yesterday saying unfortunately our appeal for a reduction of the full fee for a temporary theatre licence was unsuccessful. I think at the moment the ‘bracketed fee’ system is in conflict with non-conventional shows and small companies making site specific work such as ours”.

Word has it the City Council is already reviewing this issue, and may make changes next year, but that doesn’t help Hewlett who now has to find an extra £927, not an easy thing to do for a Fringe show at this stage in the proceedings.

Enter Mr O’Doherty. Continues Hewlett: “Comedian David O’Doherty, who I met up here at the Festival last year, heard about what happened and has very kindly and amazingly offered to perform a special one off gig as a fundraiser to help us out. And my venue, theSpaceUK, have offered up another of their venues for the gig. It will be just £5 to get in, and hopefully we can make some funds to help cover the licence fee. We’re really excited!”

So, whether you want to embrace the show-must-go-on help-your-fellow-performer spirit of the Fringe, or you just fancy a dirt cheap top notch comedy gig, or hopefully a bit of both, the ‘David O’Doherty – Spirit Of The Fringe Gig is tonight, 2 Aug, at 10.30pm at  SpaceCabaret @ 54 on North Bridge. Tickets are available from the box offices at the SpaceCabaret or the neighbouring theSpace on North Bridge, call 0131 510 2386 or 0131 510 2387.

O’Doherty’s main show is on at Assembly George Square this year, while ‘Barbara And Yogashwara’s Safe Space’ runs at various times on various days until 20 Aug outside theSpace on Niddry Street.



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