Spotlight on . . .

YOU wouldn’t believe the random items and emails that arrive on the desk of an entertainment editor. In Spotlight on... I’ll highlight the ones that might otherwise slip under the radar, have some cult value or simply just be worth mentioning again. This week ...

EVENT

ADVENTURISTS AFTERNOON TEA PARTY

THE ADVENTURISTS. They may sound like a 1960s ITC drama series, but are far from it.

Modern day intrepid explorers, The Adventurists are a UK-based organisation not just hell bent on fighting to make the world less boring but also on raising cash for charities.

Stand-up comedian Tim FitzHigham is an Adventurist, and on Saturday he will be in town to share his exploits at The Adventurists Afternoon Tea.

The event, sponsored by Hendrick’s Gin, is the fourth in a series of global events that have already been staged in London, Madrid and Philadelphia.

The Edinburgh edition will find FitzHigham regaling his audience with tales of daring-do.

FitzHigham’s life has been described as reading like “a Flashman plotline rolled into an episode of the Muppets with the narrative of something made up by a five-year-old on a damp weekend.”

In 2003 he broke a 383-year-old world record by paddling a paper boat 160 miles down the River Thames to raise money for Comic Relief.

Two years later be became the first person to successfully row the English Channel in a Bath and in 2007 he ran up Mount Vesuvius in record time.

FitzHigham will relive these, and other adventures on Saturday, at The Royal College of Physicians, Queen Street, over afternoon tea.

Doors open at 4pm when tea will be served, followed by a welcome and explanation of what The Adventurists do, before FitzHigham enters the spotlight.

The funny man will take to the stage at 4.45pm for an hour long talk and question and answer session, after which high tea will be served. Expect butlers serving cakes, sponges and sandwiches, all accompanied by a gin or two courtesy of Hendrick’s who will be running a free bar from the end of the talk to the close of affairs at 9pm.

Hendrick’s Gin present The Adventurist Afternoon Tea, Royal College of Physicians, Queen Street, Saturday, 4pm-9pm, £12, www.eventbrite.com/event/2058321495

LAUNCH

NOEL FIELDING - THE SCRIBBLINGS OF A MADCAP SHAMBLETON

HE’S best known as one half of The Mighty Boosh, but on Saturday there’s a chance to meet Noel Fielding, author and artist, when he launches his new book, The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton, at Urban Outfitters on Princes Street.

Released by Edinburgh publisher Canongate, Fielding will mark the launch of his book by painting the window of Urban Outfitters in his trademark off-beat style.

The fun kicks off at 12 noon and will be followed by a signing session and a chance for fans to meet the comedian and actor.

Fielding’s offbeat humour and surreal outlook on life is reflected in everything he does and The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton has been described as channelling “the creative influences of Henri Rousseau and Salvador Dali, through the comedian’s strange and singular mind.”

One things for sure, the signing won’t be easy to miss. Urban Outfitters are expecting “hoards” of screaming teenagers dressed in strange and wonderful outfits.

Noel Fielding Book Launch, Urban Outfitters, Princes Street, Saturday, from noon, free

The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton is published by Canongate, £19.99

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