Two fundraisers to help bring stand-up collective to the Fringe

A raft of Scottish comics are holding fundraising gigs this month to raise money to bring four Palestinian comedians to the Fringe. 

Alaa Shehada from Jenin, Diana Sweity from Hebron, Hanna Shammas from Haifa and London-based Sami Abu-Warden will be performing three nights in Edinburgh, as well as other dates in Glasgow and Newcastle this August,

To help fund travel costs, Stand comedy clubs are hosting two benefit gigs: 

In Glasgow on June 16, host Billy Kirkwood introduces Stuart McPherson, Ray Bradshaw, Christopher Macarthur Boyd and Susie McCabe.

And in Edinburgh on June 24, Susan Morrison hosts Vladimir McTavish, Marc Jennings, Krystal Evans, Ryan Cullen and Jay Lafferty.

Tommy Shepherd, chair of The Stand, said: ‘All too often people have forgot the Palestinians have a thriving Mediterranean culture. This is what the Israeli government are trying to extinguish. We’re delighted to do our part in standing in solidarity with Palestinian artists and helping them reach an international audience.’

The members of Palestinian Comedy Club themselves are performing at the Stands  in Newcastle on August 16rh, Edinburgh on the 18th to 20th, and Glasgow on the 21st. 

Published: 9 Jun 2025