Edinburgh Fringe producer dies unexpectedly aged 40

AN EDINBURGH Fringe producer has died unexpectedly after a short illness.

Lydia Mason who was a producer at the Laughing Horse Free Festival at the annual event passed away aged 40 last weekend.

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Lydia had been working at the Fringe since the early 2000s and was working with the Free Festival since 2014.

The Free Festival website says they aim to "provide an alternative to increasing prices for performers and audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe."

Lydia was a key figure in helping Scottish comedian Vladimir McTavish into the Fringe leading to the company's The Early Late Show.

And the company announced a special edition paying tribute to Lydia will take place on Thursday August 17 from 2.45pm until 3.45pm.

The show will be hosted by McTavish and will also feature two other close friends of Lydias, Mike Shephard and Katheryn Henson.

All proceeds from the show will go to UK Sepsis trust.

Laughing Horse who run the Free Festival said: "Lydia Mason, a close friend to a huge number of performers in Edinburgh, as well as a comedy producer and huge part of the Laughing Horse's Free Festival sadly passed away unexpectedly, aged only 40 years old last weekend, following a short illness.

"A close friend of Free Festival organiser Alex Petty for 30 years, Lydia had been visiting the Fringe since the early 2000s, and has been working closely with the Free Festival since 2014 - with many roles helping to shape its direction, keeping the technical side of things running, and most importantly being the first person to be able to help performers, comfort those needing help, and become instant friends with everyone she met.

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"She was a champion of mental health support and passionate about inclusivity, and was instrumental, along with performer Dave Chawner, in securing funding for mental health for performers at the Free Festival and wider Fringe in 2022.

"Lydia was instrumental in getting Scottish comedian Vladimir McTavish to become a chat show host at the Fringe, which ultimately led to The Early Late Show being developed.

"All proceeds from this show will go to the UK Sepsis Trust, a condition that can so unexpectedly take a life; and all donations and ticket sales will be doubled by Laughing Horse."

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