Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourites to bring live shows to the homes of fans

Their last gig in Edinburgh saw them grace the stage of the Usher Hall.

Worbey & Farrell are one of the most popular musical comedy acts on the Fringe. Picture: Scott Barron

But now one of the leading musical comedy acts on the Fringe are set to swap the bright lights of the 2200-capacity venue for the homes of their fans.

The Edinburgh-based classically-trained piano wizards Steven Worbey and Kevin Farrell are planning to stage intimate concerts behind closed doors this month to keep the spirit of the festival alive.

They have created an intimate new show, The PopUp Pianists, which they say can be staged in any home in Edinburgh as long as it has a piano and the home-owners stump up £499 for a booking.

An official announcement on their website states: “During these times where we have no or little live performances we thought we could do something about it.

“Many times we’ve given private concerts and entertained at private parties all over the UK.

"Whilst staying within the government guidelines we can come to your house and perform for you and your guests, all with social-distancing rules being adhered to.

“We can offer a 40-minute bespoke, fun, and exciting concert in your own living room. It could be an afternoon soiree or an evening concert.

“We can work around any catering that you might organise. We’ll play on your piano. Even though we’re Steinway artists, you don’t need to have a Steinway or even a grand piano. As long as the piano sounds good we can make it sound better.”

Launching the planned new show, Worbey and Farrell said: “We’ve performed at the Fringe for so many years and more recently at the Usher Hall.

“One of the greatest things about being part of the Fringe is that we would see other shows, meet other performers and as anyone who lives in Edinburgh knows this is just the best place to be in August.

“We’ve done private parties all over the UK but rarely in our home-town in Edinburgh.

“Obviously numbers will depend on the size of the room we are playing and how many households are present.

“I suppose in a way we are taking the Fringe to the people because we miss performing as much as we are sure people are missing live music and fun.

Their last gig in Edinburgh saw them grace the stage of the Usher Hall.

“It’s a bit like going back 150 years when pianists like Franz Liszt would give concerts in people’s parlours.”

Meanwhile Fringe favourite Arthur Smith has abandoned plans to stage a comedy walking tour in Edinburgh this month because of the difficulties in ensuring social distancing would be enforced.

He said: “I am heartbroken to say that my Edinburgh walking tour has been postponed till 2021 as we could not be certain to comply with Scottish health guidelines.”