Operetta double bill revives Tumbling Lassie appeal

The first event in more than two years to support the Faculty of Advocates' "Tumbling Lassie" appeal will take place this April, featuring a double bill of short operettas by composer Tom Cunningham and writer Alexander McCall Smith.

Proceeds from appeal events support charities that help survivors of modern slavery and people trafficking. The appeal derives its name from a 17th century case which held that a travelling showman did not "own" a child gymnast that he made perform.

The performance, on Sunday 10 April at 7.30pm at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, will feature an operetta about the Tumbling Lassie herself, along with Dandie Dinmont, the story of the Borders farmer of that name in Sir Walter Scott’s Guy Mannering. Written for the Borders Book Festival, this will be its first performance in Edinburgh. It includes a chorus sung by local Edinburgh children entitled "Make us a pie, Mither!" 

Tumbling Lassie committee member Alan McLean QC commented: "As the two years’ "winter" caused by COVID-19 seems, at last, to be thawing, it is exciting to begin to be able to meet up again in numbers. We are delighted that this means this long-delayed performance of the Tumbling Lassie and Dandie Dinmont can now go ahead. It should be a charming and most enjoyable evening and, thanks to the generosity of all involved, every penny raised will go to our charities."

Tickets for the performance can be sourced at this link.