That’s Fife’ Festival - 2017 Programme Announced

That’s Fife Festival returns to the Kingdom in April 2017 with an eclectic programme of comedy, theatre, spoken word, magic and family entertainment.

Fife Cultural Trust and The Gilded Balloon have today (08-03-17) unveiled a stunning programme of entertainment for That’s Fife Festival 2017. The month long festival will be staged at venues across the Kingdom from Saturday 1 to Friday 28 April 2017, with Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, the central hub of the festival.

From the masters of stand up and comedy entertainment on stage, TV and radio to the UK’s most spectacular touring magic show, The Champions of Magic, to shows from Fun Box for younger kids, theatre and the spoken word, there is something to entertain every member of the family at That’s Fife.

After three years That’s Fife has firmly established itself on the UK’s arts festival calendar enticing the giants of the entertainment world north of the Forth. Go Glenrothes and Fife Council’s Strategic Events Programme have contributed greatly to this year’s event which has been essential to the production of an entertainment line-up of such stature in the region.

Comedy big guns including Alan Davies, Russell Kane and Chris Ramsey are just a few of the names that should be on everyone’s must see wish list. They join the super stars of Scottish comedy and entertainment, Elaine C Smith and Fred MacAulay; together with the hottest up-and-coming talents including Scott Gibson, the Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ Best Newcomer 2017, Chris Forbes, star of BBC’s Scot Squad, Mark Nelson and Scott Agnew who are all bringing their acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 solo shows to the Kingdom.

It’s not all about stand up at That’s Fife Festival 2017. The acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter, Horse McDonald, stars in her award-winning autobiographical play, Careful; and Scotland’s Makar, Liz Lochhead, performs a mix of poems and monologues old and new in Somethings Old, Somethings New. Former Forth 1 DJ Grant Stott will perform his 2016 Edinburgh Fringe hit solo show, Tales From Behind The Mic, that lifts the lid on his 27-year journey in radio, TV and panto.

Gayle Telfer Stevens (River City) and Louise McCarthy (Only an Excuse?) bring their hilarious alter egos, The Dolls, Scotland’s filthiest Scrubbers, to Glenrothes in their new show, The Doll’s Abroad. Another fantastic double act, Robert Florence & Iain Connell (BBC‘s Burnistoun), will be visiting St Andrews with their new creation, The Uncles, who deliver big laughs and foul-mouthed guidance, as they know all the answers to everything.

For the 2017 ‘That’s Fife’ festival, Fife Cultural Trust have again joined forces with the Gilded Balloon, who have been programming comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for more than 30 years, to deliver the most expansive and inclusive programme yet; with events across Fife’s main cultural hubs. Rothes Halls, at the heart of Fife in Glenrothes, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy and The Byre Theatre, St Andrews will all be serving up top quality entertainment.

Evan Henderson, Fife Cultural Trust's Programme Manager said: “It's really exciting to launch this brilliant festival line up. The 2017 festival is a real celebration of the arts and has something for everyone whether you like comedy, theatre, spoken word, magic or a good fun family show, the ‘That’s Fife Festival’ guarantees a great night out in the Kingdom of Fife. Of course none of this could have been possible without the imaginative financial support of Go Glenrothes and Fife Council's Strategic Events Investment Programme in securing unique events like this that bring laughter and fun to the Kingdom.”

Karen Koren, Artistic Director of the Gilded Balloon, said: “Gilded Balloon are once again delighted to be bringing some brilliant shows to Fife this April from the best in Scottish entertainment to kids, magic and musical shows, Fife is the place to be this Easter holidays.”

Norman Laird, Area Manager Glenrothes, said: “This is exactly the kind of event that should be happening in Glenrothes. The Gilded Balloon’s reputation has helped bring some very high profile acts to an exciting festival. I’m delighted to see that the opening Gala event is being held in Glenrothes and I’m sure all the shows will be sell outs. I’m really happy to see Go Glenrothes working in partnership with Glided Balloon. Thanks to the energy and commitment of Go Glenrothes this is the first of a wide range of events which will encourage locals and visitors to the area and support local businesses.”

Mike Mowat, Chair Go Glenrothes, said: "As Chair of Go Glenrothes I’m really excited to be working in partnership with Gilded Balloon in bringing That’s Fife Comedy Festival about. We are delighted to see the quality of shows that we have helped bring to Glenrothes as part of the festival. Glenrothes has so much to offer and the comedy festival is just the start of an exciting year of events for Glenrothes. Go Glenrothes wants to help put Glenrothes on the map and the quality of this event and the others planned will really help with this.’

That’s Fife Festival information can be found at: http://www.onfife.com/fifecomedy. Tickets are on sale now with prices ranging from £8 to £25. Please check individual performance information at the four venues for prices. Full Box Office details can be found below the Your Guide to That’s Fife Festival 2017.