About

Gilded Balloon is one of Scotland’s leading and best-loved entertainment production companies presenting a cross genre programme of shows as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe annually. As one of the key venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe every August, Gilded Balloon is respected internationally for presenting a stunning annual showcase of theatre, comedy and cabaret. Gilded Balloon is also recognised as one of Scotland’s longest running comedy production companies touring and booking Scottish and UK performers throughout the year in Edinburgh and beyond.

During the Fringe, our main venue hubs include the iconic Teviot Row House on Bristo Square hosting nine theatres, with the largest of our spaces, the Debating Hall. Gilded Balloon have also found a home in the Auditorium in the National Museum of Scotland since 2015. We’ve loved hosting all types of shows in the fabulous 210 seater auditorium space as well as a unique comedy show we developed just for the space, Comedy Night at the Museum. In 2019, we took on Patter House on Chambers Street with five theatres and our main bar space where many performers, staff and punters enjoyed a drink and a dance into the wee hours of each night!

Gilded Balloon is also notably renowned for producing its own in-house late night comedy line-up show, Late‘n’Live. Funny, outrageous and more than a bit sweary, Late‘n’Live is the last stand of proper, raw, live comedy – where anything can, and does, happen because the audience are still very much in control. Many a household name has cut their teeth on the Late’n’Live stage, from Dylan Moran to Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan to Dane Baptiste, Bill Bailey to Tim Minchin and the infamous Russell Brand; the list of comedy pedigree is endless.

The Gilded Balloon is also well known for the So You Think You’re Funny? comedy competition which strives to discover new comic talent every year. It has now developed into the most influential competition of its kind in the UK, having just celebrated it’s 30th year. The pedigree of the competition is reflected in the list of past winners: Hannah Gadsby, Phil Kay, Aisling Bea, Lee Mack, Maisie Adam, Tommy Tiernan, Sarah Millican and Peter Kay.

More recently we took up residence at our year-round venue, the Gilded Balloon Basement. We loved putting on weekly comedy shows at the Basement as well as a weekly line-up of spoken word, theatre, music and cabaret in this intimate 120 seater space. Although the venue has only been open for three years, it has built up a reputation for a unique programme of performers and shows that has been a vital addition to the year-round Edinburgh arts scene. Sadly, in 2020 we had to make the difficult decision to close the venue and concentrate on our recovery. We hope to be able to return to having a year-round home again in Edinburgh soon.

Karen Koren, Artistic Director, is the founder and creative force behind the Gilded Balloon. Over the years, Karen has earned a deep respect throughout the comedy and entertainment industry both in the UK and abroad. The award winning track record at the Gilded Balloon is ample testament to her success in innovative programming and in her instinct for unleashing previously undeveloped potential.

In 2014, Katy Koren, Karen’s daughter, joined the company and since then they have become a partnership running the family business together. Katy shares Karen’s passion and determination to provide a supportive platform for new and emerging Scottish and international artists. Together they started a podcast to record their shared journey of running one of the largest comedy empires in Scotland. Boss Wummin’ is an insight into what it’s like to be women in the comedy industry as well as run a family business together.

The Gilded Balloon continues to push the boundaries of programming, choosing the best local and worldwide entertainment at the Edinburgh Fringe and throughout the year.

HISTORY OF GILDED BALLOON

“A venue with a touch of class” – The Evening News

The Gilded Balloon was established in 1986 and is now one of the largest and well known venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Gilded Balloon has experienced a dramatic evolution from its modest origins of one studio theatre with seven shows per day in 1986, to operating 22 venues, with over 240 shows per day featuring performers from across the globe in 2019!

Gilded Balloon’s position as a premier venue is based on intriguing, imaginative, adventurous and international programming covering exciting dance, physical theatre, spine chilling plays, challenging drama and children’s shows. The venue’s reputation however comes from promoting, supporting and nurturing comedy, presenting the best of stand-up, improvisation and character comedy.

Gilded Balloon is notably renowned for producing its own in-house late night comedy line-up show, Late‘n’ Live. Funny, outrageous and more than a bit sweary, Late ‘n’ Live is the last stand of proper , raw, live comedy – where anything can, and does happen because the audience are still very much in control. Nowadays, Late’n’Live takes place seven nights a week, 1am – 5am, during Fringe in Teviot's Debating Hall. Many a household name has cut their teeth on the Late’n’Live stage from Dylan Moran to Rhona Cameron, Tommy Tiernan to Peter Kay, Bill Bailey to Tim Minchin; the list of comedy pedigree is endless.

In 1988, the Gilded Balloon devised So You Think You’re Funny? in order to discover new comic talent; it has now developed into the most influential competition of its kind in the UK. The pedigree of the competition is reflected in the list of past winners: Bruce Morton, Phil Kay, Rhona Cameron, Lee Mack, Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan and Peter Kay to name just a few.

It takes time and patience to establish and gain a reputation within a festival arena and over the years the Gilded Balloon made its mark on various venues, but its constant home for 16 years was in the heart of the Cowgate. The Studio, where it all began, was well known for it's music and intimate bar, while the old favourites included Backstage I, II and III and the all year round Gilded Saloon.

In 2001 the Gilded Balloon expanded to Teviot Row House to include a more diverse range of entertainment including children’s shows, cabaret and physical theatre; housing five venues and seven bars it proved to be extremely popular. In 2002 the infamous Late'n’ Live moved permanently from Wilkie House to Teviot Row House, taking over a larger space with a 5am bar licence and a live link to the prestigious Library Bar. It was in hindsight a fortuitous decision, as no one could have known what was going to befall the Gilded Balloon later that year…

On 7th December 2002 a fire in the Cowgate destroyed part of the heart of Edinburgh’s old town. Although the fire brigade arrived within minutes the fire had quickly spread to the South Bridge before consuming the Gilded Balloon. The fire burned for four days and a total of eleven buildings were destroyed in one of the worst fires Edinburgh’s living memory.

Although devastating, the Gilded Balloon, not to be defeated, dusted itself off and focused on Teviot Row House.

Since then, Gilded Balloon has expanded across Edinburgh presenting shows at Teviot Row House, the Museum, the Rose Theatre, Old Tolbooth Market, Adam House and Patter House. Gilded Balloon are always on the hunt for new and exciting locations to present work in the future.

Always with its finger on the comedy pulse, Gilded Balloon has consistently selected top notch acts to fill its comprehensive Fringe programme, bringing a veritable international Smörgåsbord of talent, capable of satisfying any palate. And every year we endeavour to grow and diversify in a way that captures punters, performers and the arts world alike.