FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond is bouncing back after losing his seat at the Westminster election by presenting his own show on the Edinburgh Fringe.
From August 13 to 27, at 1.45pm each day, the former SNP leader will present Alex Salmond Unleashed, at the Ballroom in the Assembly Rooms in George Street.
Salmond will take part in a production with a loose chat show format, discussing a wide range of topics with invited guests, many of them friends he has made over the years of his long career in politics.
There will be an audience participation element in the show – unlike certain prime ministers we could name, Salmond has said he’s happy to be questioned by the public and doesn’t need planted people or queries in the audience.
The National has had a sneak preview at the advance publicity for the show which asks: “Ever wondered what Scotland’s longest serving First Minister really thinks? Well now’s your chance.
“Alex Salmond, unleashed from the restraints of public office, is appearing at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms for a bit of light-hearted banter and a few behind the scenes revelations about his time in power.
“The show will consist of Alex’s thoughts and stories, conversations with some especially chosen friends, music, comedy and your chance to question him on just about anything you like!
“Each performance will involve a different celebrity guest from the world of politics, showbiz and sport — all to be revealed when you come and see the show.”
Described as “a festival of fun, friends and freedom”, each show is expected to last for an hour.
Alex Salmond told The National: “I have always fancied a spot at the Edinburgh Fringe and this is going to be lots of fun. Obviously in the show there will be lots about politics but the emphasis will be very much on the lighter side “Among the invited guests there is already plenty of excitement and quite a few surprises. I suspect some people might be taken aback at the range of friends whom I invite along.
“I can confirm that the President of the United States will not be appearing in person but he may well feature in quite a few of the stories I tell about recent political events.”
His production team includes former SNP MP and National columnist Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Denise Silvey and her Cahoots Theatre Company, which has a long list of successful productions on the Fringe and elsewhere.
Their previous productions include Starting Here, Starting Now, Snap, Sick Dictators at the Jermyn St Theatre, the national tour of the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the tour of Don’t Call Me Nigel … an Evening with Graham Seed, Burton, Clown in the Moon (Edinburgh and St James’ Theatre), Dead Sheep (Park Theatre and national tour), Wilde Without the Boy, The Man Called Monkhouse and Hurricane Michael in Edinburgh.
In addition to Cahoots Theatre Company, Denise Silvey is the production supervisor of the West End Production of The Mousetrap.
The show will be directed by Ian Talbot.
Previous political personalities who have appeared on the Fringe include George Galloway and Gyles Brandreth.
Lembit Opik, the former LibDem MP, appeared in last year’s Rocking Your Vote! show.
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