Simon Fanshawe returns to Edinburgh Fringe to dare us to think — and laugh — about diversity, disagreement and the power of difference

Perrier award-winning comedy legend, Simon Fanshawe, is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in decades in August 2022 with a new live show based on his book ‘The Power of Difference’.

“Inclusion Royalty”

– The Sunday Times

Since winning Best Comedy Show at the Fringe back in 1989, Simon has established a successful career as a broadcaster, writer and diversity expert for some of the UK’s largest organisations. He has been described by The Sunday Times as ‘inclusion Royalty’ and awarded an OBE for his work on diversity and human rights.

As a pioneer of the UK comedy scene and co-founder of Stonewall, there is nobody more qualified to perform comedy on the topic of difference. This hilarious and thought-provoking show explores all aspects of diversity and its impact on society.

In this broadly biographical performance, Simon looks back at his career and childhood using razor-sharp wit and personal stories to explore, hand in hand with his audience, why valuing difference and finding common ground with people you disagree with matters.

Bringing to life the Oscar Wilde quote he uses at the end of his book as his inspiration, Simon aims to ‘play gracefully with ideas’ through his unique interaction with audiences as he takes this message on the road — a UK-wide tour is being planned for after the show’s debut in Edinburgh.

Simon explains: “I want to hear what audiences think and show them the sense of fun and relief they can experience discussing issues like race, gender and sexual orientation without walking on eggshells. While having a really good laugh, we can realise together that even though we can’t do this easily — we all fall down sometimes, we argue, we offend, we behave badly and make mistakes — our common strength is that we continue to try.”

The Power of Difference will be running as part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe at the Bijou Assembly in George Street, 19-23 August.

Simon talking about cancel culture and ‘The Power of Difference’ on GB News – the book that has inspired the show and his return to the Edinburgh Fringe.
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