Tag Archives: Festival

Victorian Railway Treasures On Display, As Edinburgh Festival Fringe Is Underway.

August 5, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

An exhibition marking 200 years of rail travel opens its doors today at National Records of Scotland (NRS)

Crown copyright, National Records of Scotland

“Scots on the Move: Railways and Tourism in Victorian Scotland” is free to visit in the Adam Dome at General Register House on Princes Street.

Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the exhibition reveals how steam trains revolutionised Victorian Scotland between 1837-1901.

Visitors can browse treasures from the national archives including train tickets, timetables, posters, colourful tourist guides, private letters and photographs.

The items on display show how rail transformed holidays from an elite privilege into a pastime for all. The Victorian railways connected communities, spawned iconic routes like the West Highland Line and helped create a whole new industry – tourism.

The exhibition also explores Victorian reactions to the rail revolution, from anti-rail protest pamphlets to private letters describing newfound freedoms.

Outreach Archivist Veronica Schreuder said:

“This exhibition draws on National Records of Scotland’s vast Scottish railway archive – the largest in existence. These unique records transport visitors directly into the Victorian era, revealing how steam trains didn’t just change how people travelled – they transformed Scottish society itself.

A highlight for me is an original timetable recording one of Queen Victoria‘s final train journeys from her beloved Balmoral to Windsor in 1899.

I hope visitors will come and visit us in the Adam Dome, a magnificent architectural gem and one of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets, just across from Waverley station.”

Three free talks will accompany the exhibition, exploring Scotland’s tourism history, the first railway construction, and aristocratic influence on railway development. The talks will be held at General Register House, with online recordings made available where possible.

The exhibition runs weekdays 9:00-16:00 until 26 September in the Adam Dome, with late opening until 18:30 on 7 and 21 August. Entry is free and the exhibition is suitable for ages 12+.

Find out more on the National Records of Scotland website.

Documentary, Entertainment News, EVENTS, Film, Global News, Music, THE DEBUTANT

Julián Fontalvo Returns To The Edinburgh Fringe For The Third Time!

July 31, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

Julián Fontalvo Presents THE IMITATOR

Winner–United Solo Theatre Festival, New York, Best International Show 2024

Music and songs are the key elements that trigger Julian‘s memories, and set him off on a journey back to his childhood in South America where he discovers his passion for music and his gift for imitating voices. From there, he faces struggles in New York and Europe as he pursues his dream of becoming an artist.

Singer/actor Julián Fontalvo portrays different characters that play a part in his story and imitates 70 artists such as Sting, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner.

Julián Fontalvo returns to the Edinburgh Fringe for the third time with his acclaimed show The Imitator, this time at a new venue: Assembly Checkpoint.

He previously performed in New York at the United Solo Festival, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, where he was awarded Best International Show.

Additionally, Julián has presented the show over seven seasons in Madrid and at the prestigious Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, as well as during two previous editions of the Fringe.

An international showman, he has appeared in over 60 cities across 23 countries, performing for celebrities such as Michael Douglas and Anne Hathaway.

He has been cast in Spanish productions of We Will Rock You, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Avenue Q.

He is also highly sought after for exclusive corporate and private events; he even had the honor of being the sole performer at tennis champion Rafa Nadal’s wedding, at the personal request of the sportsman

“Outstanding show.”★★★★★Patricia Silver-FringeReview.co.ok

“A brilliant and uncanny impersonator of all the great singers. He brings a hundred characters with him.”★★★★★Roger Taylor, Queen

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STUART THOMAS : BAD FATTY

July 31, 2025 Rara Avis Leave a comment

Comedian Stuart Thomas, Brings Stand-up Show, “Bad Fatty” To The Stage At Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

As part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, comedian Stuart Thomas is bringing his sharp and unapologetic stand-up show, “Bad Fatty” to the stage.

A hilarious exploration of life as a fat Welshman, Stuart blends his working-class roots with a modern, no-nonsense approach to comedy that is both thought-provoking and outrageously funny.

In “Bad Fatty,” Stuart grabs diet culture by the scruff of the neck, exposing society’s absurd expectations of fat people with a blend of biting wit and heartfelt humour. From his upbringing on a sheep farm in Wales to navigating the intersections of body image, sexuality, and mental health, Stuart turns his personal experiences into an
extraordinary comedy show.

Stuart Thomas isn’t afraid to tackle the big stuff. Bisexual and open about his mental health struggles, he masterfully combines vulnerability with laugh-out-loud moments, flipping fat-shaming on its head and turning it into a celebration of self-acceptance and joy. His candid, no-prisoners approach to stand-up comedy leaves audiences inspired and in stitches.