A FEW days ago he was a relatively unknown comic, but now Lee Ridley, better known as Lost Voice Guy, is being hailed as one of the stars of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
That’s because Lost Voice Guy won Britain’s Got Talent with his hilarious and inspirational performances – he suffers from cerebral palsy and has to speak his lines via a computer.
READ MORE: Borders village will host first Scottish performance by 'Lost Voice Guy'
Ridley brings his show Lost Voice Guy: Inspiration Porn to the Gilded Balloon. He often credits previous Fringe appearances as encouraging him to take up comedy as a career.
Ridley is going to have some tough competition in Edinburgh this August. As well as comedy stars like Rory Bremner and Jack Docherty – returning after 25 years – this year’s Fringe will see the 20th appearances of both Craig Hill and Reginald D Hunter, while Jimeoin and Vladimir McTavish made it 25 years not out.
Drag queen Ripley will also play Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May.
People of a certain age may wish to wallow in nostalgia with Once Seen on Blue Peter, a tribute to the children’s TV show, starring former presenters Peter Purves, Janet Ellis, Peter Duncan, Mark Curry, Tim Vincent and surprise celebrity guests.
Princes Street Gardens will host some of the music side of the Fringe, with concerts by Tom Jones, Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, Paloma Faith and The Shires.
Launching the 2018 Fringe programme, Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “On behalf of the artists, producers and venues that make the Fringe happen, I am thrilled to reveal the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.
“This year’s programme contains an eclectic mix of creative endeavour from across the globe that will move, challenge and, of course, entertain.
“This year we are encouraging everyone who comes to the Fringe to take a leap into the unknown. “Whether this is your first or your 50th time visiting the Fringe as a performer or audience member, this is a place where new discoveries wait around every corner.
“There is no other festival in the world that offers such a broad or diverse range of cultural experiences. The Fringe is a festival that empowers its audiences to create their own adventure.
“We look forward to audiences and artists from around the world joining us to take a leap into the unknown at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, commented: “The Fringe continues to innovate, inspire, challenge and delight audiences, providing Scottish artists the opportunity to showcase their work on a renowned platform to industry professionals from across the globe.
“It enables the international arts community to experience all that Edinburgh, our world-renowned festival city, has to offer.”
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