Our Patrons
Kirkcudbright Fringe is delighted to have the following Patrons
Gavin Esler
Gavin Esler is an author of fiction and non-fiction - most recently of Britain Is Better Than This - journalist, magazine and newspaper writer, former presenter of BBC’s Newsnight and currently podcaster with This Is Not A Drill. Born in Clydebank, Gavin has lived on two continents and visited all of them except Antarctica.
In times of conflict and uncertainty, the best thing about our world is our cultural power. Festivals, books, music, being together.
I’m so proud that Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival is part of that - an eye-opener, a gathering, a discussion where people want to solve problems not create them - oh, and to have fun in a lovely part of our sometime difficult world.
Gary Lewis
Gary Lewis has worked in radio, theatre, film and television for over 30 years; recently collaborating with Scottish playwright Joanne Gallagher and local writer Eilidh Nurse. He has appeared in numerous award-winning films and TV series and lives in Kirkcudbright with his family.
Kirkcudbright Fringe has given the local arts scene a fresh, vibrant charge. Folk who attended past events will no doubt be back for more. I certainly will. Check out the programme and try something new!
Liz Kettle
The most powerful delivery system ever invented for an idea, is a story. *
Actor Liz Kettle has been onstage with the RSC, at the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and many other theatres at home and abroad. Most recently she played Count Dracula in the National Theatre of Scotland’s touring production of ‘Dracula-Mina’s Reckoning,’ the Royal Lyceum’s ‘Macbeth An Undoing’ in Edinburgh and New York, and ‘Poor Clare’ at The Orange Tree in Richmond. Liz lives in Kirkcudbright.
Kirkcudbright has always been a town full of stories, no more so than during the Fringe Festival. It’s what makes our town a very special place, and I can’t wait to hear even more this September - onstage, in the open air, in the pub, on the quayside…Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment and see you there!
*Aaron Sorkin, screenwriter, producer, and creator of the West Wing.
Bernard Ponsonby
Bernard Ponsonby is a semi-retired journalist and broadcaster from Glasgow. After a spell with BBC Radio Scotland he was employed for 34 years by STV - nineteen years as Political Editor and five years as Special Correspondent. He is a regular commentator for both BBC and STV and co-presents The Ponsonby and Massie (Alex) podcast as well as fronting the Go Radio Politics Show. Bernard has been honoured three times by the Royal Television Society (Scotland) for his work.
Kirkcudbright Fringe has it all. A gorgeous setting; an artists’ town; history and present-day vibrancy. It provides intimate discussions and stellar performances. Get along to it before too many folk find out. And watch out that other Fringe!
Ricky Ross
Ricky Ross formed Deacon Blue in Glasgow in 1985. From their much-loved debut album Raintown Deacon Blue have released ten studio albums and continue to tour across the globe. Ricky is also a solo artist and songwriter releasing eight albums, as well as writing for and with artists including James Blunt, Ronan Keating, Jamie Cullum and Nanci Griffith. He has composed music for theatrical productions at Edinburgh Lyceum, Dundee Rep and Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. Ricky has a parallel broadcasting career - Another Country, his BBC Radio Scotland show has won two Sony awards and Ricky has twice won the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, most recently in 2024.
Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival is a great new addition to Scotland’s arts world. I wish it every success for 2025 and the future.
Elaine C. Smith
Elaine C. Smith is an actor, comedian, and campaigner. She has starred in the BBC Scotland sitcoms City Lights (1984–89), Rab C. Nesbitt (1988–2014) and Two Doors Down (2016–), for which she won a BAFTA Scotland award. Her stage credits include the original productions of The Steamie (1987) and I Dreamed a Dream (2012). Her autobiography Nothing Like a Dame was published in 2009, and in 2025 she was awarded the Freedom of Glasgow to mark the city’s 850th anniversary.
Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival is a new and exciting festival. It mixes laughter and irreverence with addressing some of the big issues of the day. More power to it, and I wish it a long and healthy life.