Why aren’t Christian performers going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?

The Edinburgh Fringe is an event that’s been central to the Scottish calendar for decades,starting in 1947, as well as being a platform for budding performers, whether that be theatre companies or comedians.

On Tuesday last week I listened to a radio interview with Reverend Professor Gordon Graham, Chair of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation. The main topic of conversation was the famous festival and the lack of Christian presence.

Graham was concerned that artists from faith based companies are missing opportunities to showcase what they can bring to the stage.

Graham was concerned that artists from faith based companies are missing opportunities to showcase what they can bring to the stage. He went on to explain that he became increasingly anxious after receiving a parish newsletter. It stated that all church activities would be postponed until after the festival, with exception of Sunday worship. These closures meant churches were forgoing the Edinburgh Fringe, in exchange for renting out their premises.

As an advocate for the arts, Graham felt this was a missed opportunity. He believes that the church should draw upon its rich inheritance and contribute to the city during the festival season. His suggestion would be to invite festival goers to experience material that comes from the Christian faith, therefore creating a cultural and religious interface.

He believes that the church should draw upon its rich inheritance and contribute to the city, during the festival season

“Sometimes people think of art as being slightly removed, as though it weren’t a way of giving expression to Christian faith. I think its important to see that an awful lot that counts as art, and a hymn is a particularly good example, is imbedded in Christian life and practice. That’s what we’re trying to shoulder people to, that some astonishingly, find expressions of human, artistic imagination and creativity, actually arise our faith and are built into Christian practice.”

After listening to the interview I took to the internet, browsing this years festival programme. Unsurprisingly I found very little evidence of Christian plays or comedians listed in the schedule. I did however find many shows with critical religious themes, some of which involved; abuse, trauma or performers who had turned from faith. Maybe this was deterring Christian performers? Perhaps they wanted to avoid discrimination from secular artists or audiences?

When taking musicals into account, this is all rather baffling. The events of the Bible have been adapted numerous times into hit West End musicals. ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat’ is just one example, it has been running since 1973 and won an Olivier Award. While these shows aren’t theological accurate, their appearance keeps faith based stories in the minds of UK theatre goers. And they are clearly very popular!

Among the acts showcased a this years festival, is a brand new comedy making its debut, featuring Binocchio. She is one of the few artists who identifies as a Christian but also bisexual. Her 45 minute show consists of two halves; observational stand up and a ten minute musical interlude, where she performs original songs about her experiences as an outted bisexual Christian. Themes navigate the complexities of living in 1980s Scotland, exploring sexuality and her relationship with Jesus. Although she is new to performing, Binocchio is a seasoned public speaker who has preached at the United Reformed Church. I wonder if her sexuality allows her the acceptance that her Christian peers would not receive?

In the UK we are quick to shut the door on religion, pushing its creativity to the side in the process. Maybe this is one occasion when Christians are too aware that we are ‘in the world but not of it,’ forgetting that events like the Edinburgh Fringe could be an opportunity for evangelism. We should be taking part, not running away.