Karen Koren: Where are the kids’ shows?

UP to my eyes in applications for the Festival. So many people want to come here in August, we get swamped with applications, mostly for comedy, theatre and the odd show that is hard to take seriously.

Already 2013 looks like it is going to be a good year for music and comedy but what there is always a scarcity of is children’s shows.

I love having good kids’ shows at the Festival and we have booked two already, but I need at least another two or three. So, if there are any good shows out there that are interested, please get in touch with the Gilded Balloon.

We would normally put our kids’ shows on in the mornings and we have at least eight venues at Teviot they could be staged in. It is essential that we look to do more for families and children, as they need to be able to enjoy the Festival experience as much as adults.

Evenings at the Gilded Balloon however, will still be very much about stand up and comedy. I absolutely love comedy and will continue to put on as much as I can. I’d love to get more homegrown talent coming to the Festival. There is loads of fresh talent out there, I just need to find them.

Which brings me to the meeting I had earlier in the week, with panto stars Grant Stott and Andy Gray - now there is some wonderful, home-grown talent. However, I have to say, there is only so much panto talk a girl can take - “Oh no there isn’t!” - I hear them cry.