the burma play
edinburgh festival fringe 2008

We were invited to take part in the fringe by Murray Forgie, late of Edinburgh City Council, currently working with refugees on the Burma/Thai border on behalf of Burma Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST Scotland). Murray first got in touch with us to perform when Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was granted the freedom of the City of Edinburgh. He heard about the play through the Edinburgh branch of Amnesty International, which had previously invited us to perform at the Pleasance Theatre...

With financial support from The Co-operative and UNISON Scotland, and practical support from Amnesty International and the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, we performed for 7 days at St Johns Church, Princes Street West End.

Charlotte Baynes, sister of the burma play performer Cilla, exhibited paintings and other work in St Johns, inspired by Cyclone Nargis
(see www.emesmail.com/cb/)

On Friday we took part in an action at the City Chambers organised by Amnesty International in commemoration of in the twentieth anniversary of 08.08.88: the day the people of Burma took to the streets against the brutal military dictatorship. Together we created a huge saffron banner in solidarity with the Burmese monks and kept a minutes silence in honour of those who lost their lives, and of today's activists in Burma.

Then we performed the burma play in the Council Chamber...

...before rushing back to St Johns for our four o'clock show.

Many thanks to Donald Reid, Tamara, Katherine and Tom at St Johns, to John Watson and his team at Amnesty International, and to Sue Lanham at Edinburgh City Council.

Proceeds from these performances have been donated to the Burma Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST Scotland) and the Burma Campaign UK. For further details see Take Action

This play is supported by



There are many oppressive regimes across the world; however Burma presents a combination of circumstances that makes a compelling case for action. As such, and in line with the call from democratically-elected representatives of the Burmese people, The Co-operative does not trade with Burma, The Co-operative Travel has delisted the country as a tourist destination, and The Co-operative Bank will not finance any commercial organisation with a significant presence in Burma.