2014: The Year Of Suffering
Published: Wednesday 13th August 2014
We are constantly told, 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. Well, if that's the case, there's a lot of problem-halving occurring in Scotland at the moment.
Edinburgh always has an unprecedented amount of great shows on offer, yet 2014 really is the year of suffering.
For example, the Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief charity have started a new and incredible project called Death On The Fringe. This is a series of shows that look at death and dying from different perspectives - some serious, some comical - but all contributing to the debate on death and end of life matters.
Sticking with death, Malcolm Hardee Award nominee Nathan Cassidy explores how your life would be different if, like him, you had a Date Of Death.
Yet it is not only morbidity. After critical acclaim last year, Juliette Burton is exploring who we really are in her new show Look At Me. Focussing on mental health, body image and more, this show proves to be as funny as it is insightful.
Equally, Helen Duff's play Vanity Bites Back centres around anorexia and attention seeking from a recovered anorexic finding the freedom to bite back.
Finally, 80 year-old Lynn Ruth Miller tells the story of her incredible life. Not Dead Yet is a show in which she explains how she has faced massive fears, eaten a lot of last suppers and started stand-up comedy at 71.
Yet, is this year so different? It's not so absurd to say that, in a lot cases, it is the suffering which has 'made' the performer. At the core all comedic routines are about what makes the performer different. Whether that is their gender, their race, their appearance their outlook... the list goes on.
Comedy is unique in its ability to help people overcome things. Laughter is incredible in its power to make the unbearable bearable. So, as awful as suffering is, in a lot of cases it has actually been the one thing that helped.
I explore this in a show called Over It - Death, Anorexia & Other Funny Things. It demonstrates that you are a conglomeration of your experiences and what happens makes you who you are. So, a problem shared might be a problem halved, but, it also might be a joke in the making.
'Over It - Death, Anorexia & Other Funny Things' is a free show at Finnegan's Wake at 5pm until the 30th August. Listing
Help us publish more great content by becoming a BCG Supporter. You'll be backing our mission to champion, celebrate and promote British comedy in all its forms: past, present and future.
We understand times are tough, but if you believe in the power of laughter we'd be honoured to have you join us. Advertising doesn't cover our costs, so every single donation matters and is put to good use. Thank you.
Love comedy? Find out more