Behind the Curtains at the Edinburgh Fringe
Edge Group Scotland Volunteers with The Pleasance
Volunteering at the world’s biggest arts festival is no small feat – but this August, our Life Programme participants stepped right into the heart of it all at The Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms. A special thank you goes to Candida and Sofie, who made everything possible on the ground. Their support – along with the wider Pleasance team – ensured our group didn’t just see the festival, but truly experienced it, both on stage and behind the curtains.
The Shows That Stole the Spotlight
Across our two volunteering days, our teams had the chance to enjoy a variety of performances, each one leaving a lasting impression:
The Brilliance of Broken Glass: Button (Brooke Being Brooke/The Brilliance of Broken Glass)
Dead Air (Alfrun Rose)
Arcade (Darkfield)
Talking Cakes with Peter Bakes (Peter Sawkins)
Fly, You Fools (Recent Cutbacks)
Cartoonopolis (Lewis Ian Bray) – and this one deserves a special mention!
Not only did we get to watch Cartoonopolis, but we also experienced the set turnaround – the full spectacle of lighting, audio, and staging coming together in real time. It was utterly breathtaking. The show itself was beyond brilliant: ASD-friendly, inclusive, and welcoming in every sense. Audience members were free to regulate or step out if needed, and the performance itself was simply phenomenal. This wasn’t just a five-star show – it deserves all the stars.
Learning Through Experience
Alongside watching shows, our participants volunteered at the Kidzone, toured the Pleasance venues, and listened to talks from different departments about the many roles that make a festival of this scale happen. From programming and admin to staging and patron engagement, they gained a rare insight into the inner workings of one of the Fringe’s most iconic venues.
At Edge Group Scotland, we’re committed to providing unique opportunities that give our young adults fresh perspectives on the world of work. Experiences like this not only help them develop skills in real time, but also support them in making informed decisions about their futures – shaping pathways to positive destinations with confidence.
Pride and Gratitude
We are incredibly proud of how well our volunteers handled the pace, energy, and atmosphere of the festival. The Edinburgh Fringe can be overwhelming, but our participants embraced it with enthusiasm, resilience, and joy.
Our deepest thanks to Candida, Sofie, and the entire Pleasance team for their generosity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to opportunities and inclusion for all. You helped make this an unforgettable experience – one that will inspire our programme participants for years to come.
✨ Want to know more about the amazing work The Pleasance does to inspire the next generation?
Check out Pleasance Futures — their youth initiative that opens doors, creates opportunities, and supports young people to discover their place in the arts.