LES DAWSON: FLYING HIGH Announces Edinburgh Festival Fringe Performances and National Tour

Les Dawson: 'Flying High' is an homage, and celebration of the beloved and much-missed comedy Legend, Les Dawson. Jon Culshaw actor, comedian and impersonator delivers a touching, funny and warm-hearted performance in this show that is set to premier at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August before touring the country.

Les Dawson: Flying High brilliantly channels all the emotions such a rich life would procure, gifting the audience with anecdotes, incidents, and insights into Les' journey, as he travels on Concorde at twice the speed of sound 68,000 feet above the Earth, in this new play from BAFTA and Olivier Award winning writer Tim Whitnall and director Bob Golding.

With the intent to go beyond and above a basic recount of Dawson's life, the piece explores contemporary themes such as mortality, identity, love, kindness, spiritual beliefs or even ambition, that paced Les' life. Whitnall analyses concepts we have all faced or inevitably will, as he magnificently narrates the happy moments, trials, and tribulations of Les' life. He presents a more philosophical version of the late popular comedian, as he dives into his indisputable literary talent and the origin of such a successful and brilliant life.

Les Dawson: 'Flying High's dramatic foundation is an advantage in building up the ambiguous tone and style of this 'hilarious-yet humbling; heightened yet grounded; poignant yet ultimately uplifting' tale.

Growing up, Les, the self-declared 'slum kid', yearned to be recognized for his writing prowess, and to transform his passion of literature into a full-time profession. Simultaneously, he discovered his ability to make people laugh and carried this ambition into adulthood, reflected in his acclaimed memoirs 'No Tears for the Clown'. Initially considered a tedious task by Les, this autobiography acted as an abundant pool of information for Tim Whitnall, offering glimpses and lessons to be extracted out of Dawson's spectacular flight through life.

From ambiance music to inventive lighting and ingenious sound design, the play uses a variety of audio-visual effects, all participating in creating an entertaining, lively, and beautiful atmosphere. It is a must-see show, for all the family.

Jon Culshaw is an award-winning comedian and character actor, often regarded as Britain's best impressionist. His catalogue includes over 350 characters, ranging from John Bishop to Barack Obama and from Professor Brian Cox to Michael 'Govey Gove'.

In 2018, Culshaw delivered a unique performance as music icon David Bowie in dramatic play 'The Final Take: Bowie in the Studio' (BBC Radio).

In March 2022 Jon played 'Hughie Green' in another Tim Whitnall composition, the poignant play with music 'Lena'. The moving story of Lena Zavaroni's life and career. In 2021 Jon played the legendary documentary maker Alan Whicker in audio drama 'The Other side of the World' with 2 best actor nominations in the New York Festivals and OneVoice awards. In 2020 Jon appeared in Original Theatre's 'Barnes' People' series, performing the Peter Barnes monologue 'Billy and Me'.

As a well-recognised entertainer, he has appeared in numerous comedy shows such as Dead Ringers (BBC Radio 4; BBC2) The Impressionable Jon Culshaw and Spitting Image (ITV). Alongside Debra Stephenson, he starred in 'The Impressions Show (BBC1). Jon regularly joins Big Finish productions for their Dr Who audio adventures, playing the Third Doctor, the Brigadier and The Master.

Jon is regularly sought after by Radio and TV for his popular and incisive impressions of politicians and commentators on programmes such as 'Newscast', 'Peston' and 'Politics Live'.

Tim's play, Morecambe, debuted at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009, winning a Fringe First Award. Transferring to the Duchess Theatre, London the show triumphed in the 2010 Laurence Olivier Awards, winning for Best Entertainment. Published by Concord, the play continues to tour in venues across the UK. Tim's first feature film, The Hide, was completed in 2008 by Poisson Rouge Pictures/ Solution Films for Film Four, receiving its TV premiere in 2009 and subsequent cinema release at the ICA. The film made The Times Top 100 List and was later released on DVD. Tim was nominated for his work in the 2010 Writer's Guild Awards in the Best First Feature Length Screenplay category. Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story, Tim's BBC Four drama about broadcasting legend 'Cuddly Ken', was nominated for several honours, Tim winning the Breakthrough Talent Award in the 2013 BAFTA TV Craft Awards. His feature-length adaptation of Greenshaw's Folly for Mammoth Screen/ ITV's Agatha Christie's Marple was broadcast in 2013. In 2021, Tim was commissioned by BBC/ Cosmopolitan Pictures to write an episode of their popular BBC One crime series The Mallorca Files. Tim's original comedy, Flying Ducks, opened at the Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom in September 2021. His most recent play Lena - the powerful true-life story of former child-star, Lena Zavaroni - enjoyed a successful premiere at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock in March 2022, ahead of a national tour in 2023. He is currently developing a slate of film and theatre projects including an adaptation of Bill Bryson's Notes From a Small Island for Simon Friend Productions.

Bob is an actor, a voice actor, and a director, he has directed a variety of pieces over his 33-year career including a previous 5-star Edinburgh fringe festival play, A Man Called Monkhouse, and The Scotsman. In 2013, he played in Mr Selfridge (ITV) as Horacio Spendrich, he was also a recurring guest in Watson & Oliver (BBC2). As an actor, he is a multi-award winning including two Laurence Olivier award nominations and one win with Tim Whitnall's one person play Morecambe, Best Actor nomination & Best Entertainment award in 2010.

Edinburgh Listings:

Show: Les Dawson: Flying High

Dates: 3 August 2022 to 28 August 2022 (except 16th)

Time: 4.30pm (60 mins)

Venue: Assembly George Square: Gordon Aikman Theatre

Address: 32 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH

Price: £9 (previews) - £17

Tour Listing Information dates:

22.09.22 Lancaster - Grand

23.09.22 Lincoln - Theatre Royal

24.09.22 Salford - Lowry (Quays Theatre)

25.09.22 Newbury - Corn Exchange

30.09.22 Milton Keynes - The Stables

01.10.22 Maidenhead - Norden Farm

02.10.22 Bridgewater - Mcmillian Theatre

08.10.10 Bristol - Redgrave Theatre

09.10.10 West Super Mare - Playhouse

16.10.22 Shrewsbury - Theatre Severn

22.10.22 Bridport - Electric Palace

23.10.22 Swindon - Wyvern Theatre

03.10.22 Southampton - Mayflower Studios

04.11.22 Wimborne - Tivoli Theatre

06.11.22 Bognor Regis - The Regis Theatre

13.11.22 Southend - Palace Theatre

19.11.22 Liverpool - Playhouse

10.12.22 Lytham St Annes - Lowther Pavilion

11.12.22 Lytham St Annes - Lowther Pavilion

For tickets visit www.socomedy.co.uk.

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