Disabled artists return to the stage

OUR STORY

Everyone is trying to raise funds to cover the costs of doing the Edinburgh Fringe, but for us this ones a bit different. There are two of us involved in this company, both of us with some type of disability. Since Covid hit in 2020 we've struggled to return to our old way of working.

 

I'm Ash, a stage magician, who caught Covid in March 2020 and it has left me with physical health problems we are still, after a barrage of tests over the last two years, trying to identify. Physically I struggle to function as I once did, incapacitating fatigue and shortness of breath causing an impact on my day to day life- some days even walking around the flat can be a challenge, and two years later I still struggle to get a full lung full of air. This has meant I am struggling to return to the stage, a job I loved. I now need a walking aid to assist me. I’m not alone in this, of course, Covid has left many people with ongoing health problems.

 

This Edinburgh Fringe is my challenge, in my plan to try and return to normal but I'm aware of needing additional help to do so. My partner, also disabled with multiple chronic conditions which have been made worse following her own covid infection at the same time as my own, will be assisting with development and tech on the day of performances, but between us, we've realised we need additional help and support beyond just the usual Fringe costs.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Usually, I would fund the Fringe from monies raised from doing other shows throughout the year, but that hasn't been possible due to my health. In fact, I've only done one indoor public show in two years and that was a lecture. Beyond that, performances have been limited to just two or three outdoor events as one off shows in the past two years. The goal, to return to normal (as everyone insists we do!) is the Fringe- the biggest challenge of the year. We need to raise money to cover the running costs, but also to hire additional staff to support us during the run of the show, as well as assistance with flyering on the street, which again is something impacted by our health- on street flyering, set up, and performance every day will very much take a toll on us if we try to fly solo. Basically to get back to normal, we need to bring on board extra hands to help the transition and the struggle we will face in staging such a large scale event.

 

So your donation will help us to return to normal somewhat, to hire in additional help to make sure we can promote the shows, set up the shows, and deliver them. Helping to get us back into the normal world is going to be a slow, and long job, but the Fringe is a challenge we want to aim for and your help would be genuinely appreciated.

 

We put off so long setting up a GoFundMe. We know everyone is struggling. And we're not alone in how our health has been impacted. I want to return to normal work, but it's going to take time. And that, hopefully, is where you come in.

 

 

WHAT IS THE SHOW

The show is a spooky magic show. Entitled “Ghosts” it will feature a mix of ghostly story telling and paranormal illusions- think of the times Derren Brown did his spooky material, and it’s basically an hour of that! Before Covid I was a regular performer at venues across Edinburgh and Scotland, and would tour the UK every few years. The show is performed by me, and stage managed by my wife who will also be running tech. The Show will run at The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh from Wednesday August 17th to Saturday August 28th at 7:20pm this August. See the Fringe page here for full details: Ash Pryce Ghosts at Fringe 2022

 

WHAT WILL YOUR DONATION COVER

A daily assistant to help with setting up the shows, and supporting our team to stage the shows

On street flyering assistants to help hand out flyers and promote the shows.

The cost of distribution companies to hang and distribute posters

Costs of using taxis to get to and from the venue

We would like to hire a sign language interpreter for at least one show to open it up to hearing-impaired audiences

And the usual costs of staging a show- flyers, posters, props etc

 

REWARDS IF YOU WANT THEM! [OPTIONAL]

These are just some extras to say thank you. You would need to provide contact details so we can arrange to get them to you, and sadly we can only ship physical items within the UK. You don't have to opt for these but they're all we can really do to say thank you, other than thank you!

 

All donations: A thank you in the programme and online, a link to a digital recording of the performance

Donating over £10: We’ll send you an “I love Ghosts” badge

Donating over £20: An “I love ghosts” badge, signed micro poster

Donating over £30: Badge, signed micro poster, a personal thank you video

Donating over £40: Badge, signed poster, personal thank you, DVD of the show

 

Some rewards will not be available until September.

 

Thank you, so much if you're able to help. And if you're not able to, thanks for reading at least and good physical and mental health to you.