Pride at Shetland Fringe performances

I’ve just been down to the Edinburgh Fringe, which was noisy, busy and exciting. Truly international, incredible sunshine. Lots of fun and some bizarre street performers. Loved it, as I always do.

I was delighted to see Emily Briggs’s one woman show, Garbunzo. I saw it at Mareel a few weeks ago when it was first performed and this time I went with my daughter who lives and works in Edinburgh.

Emily’s ability to do physical theatre is incredible, her humour, musicality and grounded Shetland style was a pleasure to watch. I have seen her perform as a young much shyer teenager but she has grown much, worked so hard at her craft and is truly inspirational.

I have gone to the theatre a lot all my adult life and I believe Emily has a great career ahead of her. To do a solo show takes guts and this young Shetlander has that by the bucket full.

Emily Briggs performing her one woman show Garbunzo.

Emily Briggs performing her one woman show Garbunzo.

We also managed to get much sought after tickets to see Marjolein Robertson, another feisty and hilarious Shetlander making a very big name for herself across the country.

She had the packed audience in the palm of her hand. I expected storytelling and comedy, but this performance was much more than that.

Marjolein’s acting ability just gets better and better every time I see her on stage. She had the audience silent in the more painful moments, when she spoke of trauma, and then in great raucous laughter the next.

I felt very pleased to be watching and to share both of these performances with my eldest daughter who lives and works in Edinburgh. Both Marjolein and Emily were familiar faces from my daughter’s school days and it was fabulous to be able to both support and enjoy these performances.

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Solo acts at such a massive international arts festival are many but amongst much of what we saw these two stand out for me. Although I get being a Shetlander, I confess I am probably just a little bit biased!

I was extremely proud of these two young women for doing what makes them happy and speaking of their island homes. Definitely worth the trip.

Joyce Davies
Scalloway