Dates and Times

Sun 04 May 2025 @ 5pm in Bubble

Sun 11 May 2025 @ 5pm in Bubble

Sun 18 May 2025 @ 5pm in Bubble

The hour of Intellectual History you didn’t know you needed!

Adam Smith and David Hume were perhaps the two greatest figures in the extraordinary flowering of talent and fresh insight which has since come to be known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Last summer, Hove resident and Fringe favourite Simon Evans took it upon himself to educate the Scots and their summer visitors on their own cultural heritage – and not only did he live to tell the tale, he escaped with an armful of plaudits from locals and tourists alike. See “reviews” for details!

Now Simon – stand-up comedian, writer and host of Radio 4’s Simon Evans Goes to Market, which made economics funny for six whole series - brings this humorous, even mischievous celebration of the friendship at the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment, to the Brighton Festival.

From the birth of political economy as a recognised discipline, through the navigations of a genial sceptic in a deeply pious world, to the single greatest unleashing of talent per capita in the history of the modern world -it has never been more important to remind ourselves that this country has more to offer than tea, declining public services and sympathy!

REVIEWS

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024 Audience Reviews:

Paddy Riordan

What an excellent hour, education wrapped within a show of wit and humour. I had had reservations that the subject matter might be dry but with the oft self deprecating style of Simon Evans, the show was engrossing...

Christopher Gallop

You will never have laughed so much during a lecture on the towering figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. If only actual academics could perform like this...

Ian Holmes

Splendid, entertaining and very well researched delivery of this fascinating subject matter...

Craig Sharp

I've seen Simon's shows at the fringe before and he always provides an entertaining hour; on this occasion planted firmly in history with a comic bent...

GM

Loved this show. Evans delivers fast witty pithy dry beautifully crafted information and observation... Came away well informed and having chuckled and laughed throughout.

Lucian Wischik

I knew nothing about Adam Smith before this comedic lecture. Simon Evans gave a great introduction to Smith's life and work... As a presenter, I think Evans resonated best with fellow 50yo+ members of the audience who enjoyed his pompous blow-hard cynicism.

CREATIVES

Presented by Simon Evans

Hosted by The Rotunda Theatre

Simon's website: thesimonevans.com