EDINBURGH FRINGE: Climate Change Theatre Action 2025*****

We all know that theatre isn’t just about entertaining. Nor is it just about transporting us into a magical world. It’s a platform for addressing the issues of the day, and for getting people to think differently.

In this year’s Fringe there is the usual raft of LGBTQ+ shows, and I noticed quite a few about female friendship, but I had to hunt for what is affecting all of us right now – climate change.

There are a few but then I discovered Venue 13, hidden away off the Canongate, where a plethora of original short plays, no less than 50 in fact, are being performed over 23 days by performers from all over the world.

Under the umbrella of The Time is Now, Climate Change Action Theatre, involving The Art & Climate Initiative from America and The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts from Canada, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by making its UK debut commissioning 10 new plays, including one from Edinburgh’s own Traverse Theatre, which are being performed alongside 40 others they have presented over the last decade.

Together with readings, immersive adaptations, performance art, installations, dance, music, games, and workshops, each day becomes its own exclusive micro-festival of climate storytelling, and is a the place to be for anyone who is concerned about the future of our planet.

The day I went along two actresses from an award-winning non-profit cultural association performed four works (in English!). But of special interest to locals (if they haven’t all left town for the month) is a performance on August 22 by ECCAN (Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network), a hub for connecting like-minded people and fostering community-led climate action in Edinburgh.Climate Change Theatre Action is on at 4pm until Aug 23 at Venue 13. www.venue13.com