Jon Richardson in Conversation: The Teenage Diaries of a Stand-Up Comedian
Join Jon Richardson along with a special guest as he takes you through his new book and much more. What possible value could there be in revisiting the awkward, unfiltered thoughts of a 14-year-old boy, especially now, in his forties and a successful comedian, actor and father? As it turns out, quite a lot. In this candid memoir, Jon reconnects with his younger self – a boy growing up in an era when Oasis dominated the charts and Baywatch dominated his imagination. From embarrassing teenage misadventures, including a mortifying PE lesson involving a climbing rope, to small but significant triumphs like earning a pack of Chewits for the ‘cleanest tent’ at scout camp, Jon revisits the moments that shaped him and, ultimately, set him on the path to comedy.
Assembly Roxy](https://assemblyroxy.com/whats-on/jon-richardson-in-conversation-the-teenage-diaries-of-a-stand-up-comedian?ref=edinburghminute.com) --- ## **🎭 What's on Edinburgh's stages this week?** Here's Thom Dibdin of [All Edinburgh Theatre](https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/?ref=edinburghminute.com): **It's a week of big musicals with the arrival of *Annie* and *SIX The Musical*, together with a wee tour of *Private Peaceful* and a whole clutch of locally produced scratch theatre.** Biggies first. That ***Annie*** at the Playhouse with Claire Sweeney as Miss Hannigan (ends Sun: [**tickets**](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1101l7N7x/pubref:Min%20Annie/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atgtickets.com%2Fshows%2Fannie%2Fedinburgh-playhouse%2F?ref=edinburghminute.com)) is a musical goes without saying, although our reviewer also praised its storytelling, while noting it is something of a "[**★★★★☆ Belter**](https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/annie-edinburgh-playhouse-uk-tour-september-2026-review/?ref=edinburghminute.com)" thanks to rather muddy sound design. Equally strong support for ***Six, The Musical*** at the Festival Theatre (ends Sat 26 Sept: [**tickets**](https://www.capitaltheatres.com/shows/six/?ref=edinburghminute.com)) which Hugh said is "[**★★★★☆ Energetic**](https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/six-the-musical-festival-theatre-uk-tour-september-2026-review/?ref=edinburghminute.com)", while noting that, despite the title, it is more like a concert than a musical. But in a good way. And thoroughly crowd-pleasing to boot. Theatre-wise, Simon Reade adapts Michael Morpurgo in the tour of ***Private Peaceful*** at the Lyceum (Thur-Sat: [**tickets**](https://lyceum.org.uk/events/private-peaceful?ref=edinburghminute.com)). This is the WW1-set one-person tour de force, as Tommo looks back over the events which shaped his life and carried him through the horrors of trench warfare. The rest is a full-on frenzy of local scratch theatre. Its returns only for ***Page2Stage*** in Traverse 2 (tonight: [**tickets**](https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/page2stage-1?ref=edinburghminute.com)), with extracts from four plays, which will be critiqued by an industry panel. ***P2S*** returns to Trav 1 in two months (Wed 25 Nov: [**tickets**](https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/page2stage-2?ref=edinburghminute.com)). The Tandem Collective celebrate a decade of scratch nights with ***Tandem at 10***, also at the Traverse. This Sat (1pm: [**tickets**](https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/tandem-at-ten-from-page-to-performance-how-to-start-a-scratch-theatre-company?ref=edinburghminute.com)) the Tandem producers have a free workshop for emerging writers. While next week (Sat 26: [**tickets**](https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/tandem-at-ten-a-festival-of-words?ref=edinburghminute.com)) is an actual scratch night. And finally down at Leith Depot (Mon 21: [**tickets**](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/penpal-productions-present-dramathedepot-tickets-1999387796722?aff=erelpanelorg&ref=edinburghminute.com)) PenPal Production have their latest **Drama @ The Depot** night of six instant short plays by local writers, with this month's theme the ***Seven Deadly Sins***. Get there early for the home baking! And that is your lot. Full details of these and all future productions (big shout for ***Rocky Horror*** at the Bedlam next week) are on Æ's listings pages, [**all linked here**](https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/edinburgh-theatre-listings/?ref=edinburghminute.com). --- ## 📌 **Edinburgh Culture Minute Community Noticeboard** [Got something to share? Get in touch here 💌](https://www.townspot.co/submit/edinburgh-minute?ref=edinburghminute.com) **📖 Scottish International Storytelling Festival (21-31 Oct) launches this year's programme** \- *'Scotland’s finest storytellers join storytellers from Türkiye, Italy, Ireland, Canada and England, to explore the rich relationship between storytelling and the natural world through this year’s theme Bird and Beast.'* \- [More details here, shared by Scottish International Storytelling Festival.](https://townspot.co/go/3698b7a6-f8d4-4c56-bdac-0126e35b41bf?type=news&partner=2&ref=edinburghminute.com) [](https://www.sisf.org.uk/?ref=edinburghminute.com) The Scottish International Storytelling Festival programme launch. [Photo by Neil Hanna](https://www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk/?ref=edinburghminute.com). **🌊 The Carrying Stream | Caroline Finlay & Frances Law** \- *'This exhibition explores people, place, landscape and myth. Inspired by Hamish Henderson’s ‘carrying stream’, it reveals how traditional culture flows and changes on the surface, while deeper currents of myth and lore persist across generations.'* \- [More details here, shared by Ian Farmer, Upright Gallery.](https://townspot.co/go/bec7552f-8454-460d-9a93-93385547abee?type=news&partner=2&ref=edinburghminute.com) **🎤 Phoenix For a Night aka "One & Done" session with the Phoenix Choir!** **Sun 20 September** \- *'Do something different this Sunday and join the Phoenix Choir for a One & Done session at La Belle Angele! Grab a drink, learn a whole song in one night, and discover how quickly a room full of strangers can sound AMAZING. No experience necessary!'* 7pm to 10pm | La Belle Angele · Old Town | £10 - [More details here, shared by The Phoenix Choir.](https://townspot.co/go/55f8f98b-1ed0-4040-b2d4-b588762e1a0f?partner=2&ref=edinburghminute.com) [Phoenix Choir - One & Done! SeptemberA fun one-off session with The Phoenix Choir - big energy, great tunes!Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/phoenix-choir-one-done-september-tickets-1999811538144?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&ref=edinburghminute.com) **🎨 Art Exhibition - Architecture, Learning, Imagining - sales proceeds to Edinburgh Direct Aid** \[Until 28 Oct\] **Mon 21 September** \- *'Selling exhibition of paintings, all proceeds to Edinburgh Direct Aid International.'* 10.30am to 2pm | Edinburgh New Town Church · New Town | FREE - [More details here, shared by a Minute reader.](https://townspot.co/go/d257bae6-fe24-4903-9d9e-735964d1ac01?partner=2&ref=edinburghminute.com) **🎻 Edinburgh Studio Orchestra** \[Every Monday\] **Mon 28 September** \- *'This orchestra is unique as we don't give public concerts. We rehearse pieces for a month then change. We particularly welcome strings, trumpet and trombone players. No auditions, please simply turn up and say hello. Please check our Facebook page.'* 7.30pm to 9.30pm | German Speaking Congregation · Marchmont & Meadows | First term free! - [More details here, shared by David Wilson, Edinburgh Studio Orchestra.](https://townspot.co/go/c63a18e9-b2a1-4fbc-aa65-723ece01f897?partner=2&ref=edinburghminute.com) **✉️ Edinburgh Handwriting Pen Pal** \- *'Are you new to The Edinburgh Minute or Edinburgh? Than you might not know that you can make friends old style...by writing a letter! Check the link below and have fun!'* \- [More details here, shared by Sara.](https://townspot.co/go/ce762871-f952-4ad3-a5eb-0a1e3b59b909?type=notice&partner=2&ref=edinburghminute.com) ### 🤝 This week’s local creative jobs and opportunities. Find your future here... 📚 **Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive**, based at St Margaret's House, is hiring a ***General Manager***. Salary: £38,000 pro-rata, part time (24 hours per week). Deadline: 22 September. - [Apply here](https://lavendermenace.org.uk/general-manager?ref=edinburghminute.com). 🎨 Applications are open for ***Makerteers***: a six-month venture-building programme designed specifically for ambitious makers, designers, inventors and entrepreneurs. It's supported by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund, with 20 fully funded places in Edinburgh, aiming to help folks turn creative ideas into sustainable businesses. It's fully funded and free. Deadline: 1 October. - [Apply here](https://makerteers.com/apply?ref=edinburghminute.com). - Co-Founder Ryder Meggitt [says on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/makerteers%5F40-places-two-cohorts-one-chance-to-be-activity-7503420460571873281-jdQE?utm%5Fsource=social%5Fshare%5Fsend&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop%5Fweb&rcm=ACoAAAMXvUoBqKEtj8VUjQCsiznhZMKePKAGyzY): "*We're looking for simply three things: passion, potential and ambition*." - There is a launch event on Thursday 24 September between 6pm - 9pm. - [More details here](https://luma.com/mx3fmde2?ref=edinburghminute.com). [Makerteers Edinburgh Launch Event | Scotland’s First Venture-Building Programme for Makers · LumaMakerteers Edinburgh Launch Event | Scotland’s first venture-building programme for makers starts here Makerteers is Scotland’s first six-month…Makerteers](https://luma.com/mx3fmde2?ref=edinburghminute.com) 📸 **Stills: Centre for Photography** on Cockburn Street is hiring a ***Visitor Assistant***. Pay: £13.45 per hour. Part time, fixed term to March 2028\. Deadline: 5 October. - [Apply here](https://stills.org/about/job-vacancies/?ref=edinburghminute.com). [Vacancies - StillsVISITOR ASSISTANT Application deadline: Monday 5 October, 9am Type of contract: Part Time. Fixed Term to March 2028\. Rate of pay: Real Living Wage (currently £13.45 per hour) Hours of work: The Visitor Assistant role is part-time and shift-based (4 hour shifts) Tuesday-Saturday. Regular shifts will be 10.30am-2.30pm or 2.30pm-6.30pm with the requirement to work \[…\]Stills](https://stills.org/about/job-vacancies/?ref=edinburghminute.com) 💻 Commissions of £8,000–£12,000 are available to around seven people to create '***curious and unexpected work that challenges, complicates and reimagines responsible AI***'. Winning works are to be presented at the Edinburgh festivals next year. The commissions are funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and delivered by BRAID UK in partnership with Inspace Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Deadline: 2 November. - [More details here](https://braiduk.org/creative-commissions?ref=edinburghminute.com). [Creative CommissionsCreative CommissionsBRAID UK](https://braiduk.org/creative-commissions?ref=edinburghminute.com) **🖼️ Curator-Producer (Parental Leave Cover)** \- *'EAF is looking for a Curator-Producer (Parental Leave Cover) who will join EAF to deliver a confirmed programme of exhibitions, events, and performances for the EAF27 programme. Further information, including how to apply, available on EAF site! (Deadline: 04 Oct)'* \- [More details here, shared by Edinburgh Art Festival.](https://townspot.co/go/0faba868-90c8-443d-9a5e-fad6e170f2d7?type=notice&partner=1&ref=edinburghminute.com) 🟨 Five roles with the **Edinburgh International Festival** are newly advertised. - [*Community Connections Manager* (maternity cover)](https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs/community-connections-manager-maternity-cover-2026?ref=edinburghminute.com). Deadline: 25 September. - [*Philanthropy Manager*](https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs/philanthropy-manager-2026?ref=edinburghminute.com). Deadline: 28 September. - [*Digital Officer*](https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs/digital-officer-2026?ref=edinburghminute.com). Deadline: 5 October. - [*Social Media and Content Manager*](https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs/social-media-and-content-manager-2026?ref=edinburghminute.com). Deadline: 5 October. - [*Website and Email Manager*](https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs/website-and-email-manager-2026?ref=edinburghminute.com). Deadline: 5 October. **👍 STILL OPEN ↴** 🎨 **Independent Arts Projects** is hiring four ***Sensory Artists***. Salary: £32,000 (£19,200 pro rata) for three days per week (21 hours per week) for 15 months from November this year and January 2028\. It can be an employed fixed-term contract or freelance. Deadline: 21 September. - [Apply here](https://www.independentartsprojects.com/sensory-artist/?ref=edinburghminute.com). 🧪 **Edinburgh Science**, organisers of the annual Science Festival, are recruiting a ***Finance & HR Manager***. Salary: £36,000 – £40,000 per annum FTE (£21,600 – £24,000 for 0.6 FTE). Deadline: 20 September. - [Apply here](https://sciencefestival.teamdetails.com/opportunity/277?ref=edinburghminute.com). 📚 The **Open Book** charity based in Morningside is looking for a part time ***Resources Assistant*** 'to support the provision of reading materials for use in Open Book groups'. Pay: £15/ph. Deadline: 21 September. - [Apply here](https://openbookreading.com/2026/09/resources-assistant-role/?ref=edinburghminute.com). 🎭 The **Royal Lyceum Theatre** is hiring a new ***Director of Producing***. Salary: £55,000\. Deadline: 22 September. - [Apply here](https://lyceum.org.uk/jobs/director-of-producing?ref=edinburghminute.com). 🎭 The **Traverse Theatre** is looking for an 'experienced and proactive' ***Senior Communications Officer***. - Salary: £30k-£32k. Deadline: 28 September. - [Apply here](https://www.traverse.co.uk/jobs/senior-communications-officer?ref=edinburghminute.com). 📚 **Edinburgh International Book Festival** is looking for a new **Director of Programming**. From the description: "*They are responsible for translating the Festival’s overall creative vision and thematic framing into an ambitious, distinctive and coherent programme, and for leading the team, partnerships, resources and processes required to deliver it*." - Salary: £50k. Deadline: 24 September. - [Apply here](https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/jobs/director-of-programming?ref=edinburghminute.com). **👀 Find more local roles on the Creative Edinburgh** [**jobs & opps board**](https://creative-edinburgh.com/jobs?ref=edinburghminute.com)**.** --- 💌 Thanks to everyone who contributed to the 142nd edition of **The Edinburgh Culture Minute**. **Thank you for reading and subscribing**. Please share this email to help it reach more people who want to have a good time! [💌 Gift a subscription here](#/portal/gift)