Performers at the Free Festival are organising a benefit in honour of comedy producer Lydia Mason, who died on August 11, aged just forty.
Mason had been involved with the Free Festival since 2019 and had been a close friend of organiser Alex Petty for thirty years.
Acts including Vladimir McTavish, Jay Sodagar and Katharyn Henson will be performing at a memorial gig on Thursday August 17 – with more events planned later in the festival.
Free Festival founder Alex Petty said: “I’ve been devastated for the past few days and so have many acts.
“Lydia had the ability to instantly connect with people, empathise and support everyone. She was brilliant, kind and supportive of everyone she met.”
Lydia Mason, along with Dave Chawner, was instrumental in securing funding for mental health support for performers at the Free Festival and the wider Fringe.
She helped develop the Free Festival and was involved with many aspects of its running – and was due to take part in this year’s Fringe when she was taken ill.
Alex Petty said: “I’ve had a number of acts in tears when they found out. Lydia has been such an important part of the Free Festival in Edinburgh and only a few months ago we were working together on the Brighton Fringe. I can hardly believe it.’
The gig – The Early Late Show – in honour of Lydia Mason will be at the Three Sisters in Cowgate on Thursday August 17 at 14:45. It will raise money for the UK Sepsis Trust, with all money raised being matched by a donation from Laughing Horse.
Further events are being planned, both in Edinburgh and London in honour of Lydia, for friends, performers and family.
Show information:
The Early Late Show
Thursday 17th August
2.45pm-3.45pm in Maggie’s Front Room @ The Three Sisters, Cowgate
Tickets – Pay what you can: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/early-late-show
