5 of the best spoken word events at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Rachel McCrum
1 August 2013

This article is from 2013.

Stephanie Chan / Photo: Tim Kavanagh

Featuring Ross Sutherland, Liz Lochhead and Norwegian troupe Ljodahått

Foreigner Go Home (With Me!)
Described by critics as an 'awkward teenager' with 'wisdom beyond her years', UK Poetry Slam champion Stephanie Chan tells of moving to London from a small island in the Far East in a quest for knowledge, power, revolution – and a damn good time.
Fiddlers Elbow (downstairs), 556 9933, Wed 7–Sun 11 Aug, 1.30pm, free.

LJODAHÅTT
One word, folks: ‘TROLLSONG’. Which is the rough translation of the Norwegian word ljodahått*. This Norwegian troupe are a musical collective who aim to give new life to a huge range of Norwegian poetry with an original live music score. Rich, dark cabaret.
UNBOUND at The Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square, 0845 373 5888, Mon 12 Aug, 9pm, free.

Tongue Fu
A regular spoken-word show in London combining live literature, music and improvisation. They have a reputation for sharp, slick, energetic shows, and have featured Scroobius Pip, Kate Tempest, Salena Godden, Sabrina Mahfouz, Inua Ellam … it’s a big sexy list of talent. It will be jazzy and warm, perfect for late-night poetry.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, Fri 2–Sun 25 Aug, midnight, £11.50.

Around The World In 8 Mistakes
Illegal emigration, illegal immigration, one demonic possession, an accidental trip to a warzone, and moving for love. To Newcastle. Sophie Walker gives us every reason never to move, from the girl who did it all, wrong.
The Royal Oak, Infirmary Street, 557 2976, Mon 5–Fri 23 Aug (no weekend shows), 2pm, free.

BBC Edinburgh Fringe Festival Slam Heats
The BBC Slam has grown in profile and prestige over the last few years, mainly down to its indefatigable compere, Young Dawkins. Last year’s final filled the Big Tent at the BBC, with crowds watching with bated breath on the big screens outside. The heats feature, among others: Tim Turnbull, Paula Varjack, Martin Daws, Ross Sutherland, Graeme Hawley, Scottish makar Liz Lochhead and defending 2012 champion Jenny Lindsay. Absolutely a must-see. (Rachel McCrum)
BBC Festival Village, Potterrow, Mon 12–Thu 15 Aug (Final Sat 18 Aug), 8pm, free.