Here I am, enjoying a little summer frivolity up at the Edinburgh Fringe, and it seems to me there isn’t a stand-up standing who hasn’t made some play with swine flu or obesity or the crack-down on binge drinking. From Rhod Gilbert to Rich Hall, from Jason Byrne to Stewart Lee, they’ve all had a go at public health one way or another.
Meanwhile quite a few of the musical cabarets are getting in on the act too. The Oompah Band are sending up the credit crunch with lots of brassy references to redundancy, repossessed homes and the horrors of being down-and-out. Fascinating Aida do a hilarious song about health and safety on children’s outings and a wonderful calypso about the impact of climate change in the Shetlands. And yes, the comedy group I’m singing in, Instant Sunshine, can’t resist joining in with a number about the perils of the demon drink.
But what a strange time I’m having. One minute I’m talking seriously on the radio, down the line from the BBC’s Edinburgh studio, about ham sandwiches, candle wax and the risk of cancer, and the next I’m up on stage singing a silly song about a showjumper who’s lost his horse. One minute I’m on Sky News debating the joys of the NHS versus the inequities of the US healthcare system, and the next I’m impersonating the Queen opening a desperately unfinished Olympic site in 2012.
But hey, that’s showbiz for you. Instant Sunshine’s stuff is gently humorous, utterly inoffensive and, let’s face it, a little dated. We first came here in 1975 and have been back every other year since, thanks to a small but faithful following. There have been thousands of acts on the Fringe, but we are probably the longest-serving. Certainly our queue has by far the most zimmer frames.
It’s all great fun and utterly frivolous. And I suppose, if it makes people happy for a while, it’s public health – kind of – isn’t it?
Better Health For All 
Hi Alan,
Couldn’t agree with you more!. Whilst the Fringe and main festival(s)types gently poke (hopefully) good natured fun at swine flu, I wonder how many are aware of the massive effort that has been going on to provide additional health care cover for them all (which includes creating an additional, temporary GP Practice)whilst also planning to manage a possible second wave of swine flu? I am sure few – if any – were aware of the additional NHS24 capacity, the designated antiviral collection points, the logistics planning to deliver over 1,000,000 doses of swine flu vaccine (in addition to all the existing vaccine programmes) to every Edinburgh resident, the incredibly long hours people have been putting in across the NHS, Edinburgh Council, the emergency services etc., etc. to get ready. I guess if all that will keep them happy, that is all to the good too.
That said, did miss the show this year. Sorry, will really try harder for 2011. Hope you understand: its just been a bit pandemonic lately…
Alan, what’s this stuff about Instant Sunshine?
I’m intrigued.
From a regular Fringe fester…
Sudeep
Well Sudeep, it’s quite a long story really – over 40 years of pure escapism and many dozens of original and rather whimsical comic songs. But it’s taken me and my two fellow sunshiners all round the world and we’ve loved every moment. If you’re still intrigued you can check out our website at http://www.instantsunshine.co.uk .
Best wishes
Alan