Alopecia Meet-Up Marks Fringe Opening
One of Scotland's biggest meet-up’s of its alopecia community hit Edinburgh last weekend, celebrating the opening of Fringe show BASIC BALD B*TCH.
Written and performed by Emily Glaze, this new solo show draws on her own journey with alopecia - diagnosed at 21 in the aftermath of a sexual assault. On stage, we follow make-up shop assistant Amy as she learns to live with the condition, reclaiming the very words once used to hurt her and forging a fierce new sense of who she is.
The idea grew from conversations between Emily and Edinburgh-based Jen Davies, who also lives with alopecia. Together they recognised the opportunity to turn the performance into something more, creating a welcoming community meet-up where people from Edinburgh and across Scotland affected by alopecia could connect before sharing the experience of the show together.
Jen said: “From the moment Emily and I connected, it was clear we shared the same vision. This was never just about bringing people together to watch an incredible show, it was about creating a space where people living with alopecia could meet others who genuinely understand what they're going through. Community has always been at the heart of why I do what I do. Hair loss can be incredibly isolating, and sometimes all it takes is meeting one person who truly understands to completely change how you feel. I hope this event gives people the chance to laugh, share stories, build genuine friendships and remind each other that none of us has to navigate alopecia alone. If people leave feeling a little more confident, a little less alone, and one step closer to finding themselves again through hair loss, then we've achieved exactly what we set out to do.”
Emily said ‘’For me, this event was all about connection, community and creating a space to feel comfortable to be exactly as you are. When I first lost my hair, I had never even heard of alopecia. I didn’t have the amazing network of people I have now. I wanted to organise this meet-up to allow others to feel confident in a group, empowered in their own skin and surrounded by people who just get it, with no explanation needed.’’
The day kicked off with drinks and mingling before the group headed in together for Saturday's performance, where they were invited to ditch their wigs and headscarves if they felt comfortable. 18 people joined the meet-up, with 22 attending the show.
Emily said:It was an incredible day. To not only have a packed sold out audience but to be able to see people that look just like me and have gone through similar experiences smiling back, it was such a fun and emotional day! Lots of happy tears.
Jen said: “The day honestly exceeded everything I hoped it would. We had 18 people join us for the meet-up and 22 come along to the show, with people travelling in from all over Scotland and some as far as Newcastle.
What really stood out to me was watching people who had never been to one of our meet-ups before arrive feeling understandably nervous, and seeing that change throughout the afternoon. One person wasn't comfortable having their photo taken at the start, but by the end they had taken their wig off in front of the group and were enjoying our photo booth. Another attendee brought a friend for support, but within half an hour felt so welcomed and secure that they sent their friend off for a coffee.
The whole day felt warm, relaxed and welcoming. We laughed, shared experiences, played games and, most importantly, felt seen. Then we headed into Emily's show together wearing our matching crowns, and laughed and cried our way through a performance that resonated so deeply with so many of us. There were so many moments where you could tell people were thinking, ‘I've been there, I've done that too,’ and there were plenty of laughs throughout the show.
For me, that was exactly what I wanted this event to achieve, to bring our Scottish alopecia community together and remind people that, whatever life throws at us, we don't have to navigate it alone.”
Catie, an attendee, said: I decided to go along to the Alopecia meet-up after seeing Jen and Emily share the event on the Facebook group. I love shows at the Fringe and to have one about alopecia, a year after I shaved my head just seemed like perfect timing. I had never met anybody before and was very nervous about going along and so brought my husband as support. Within a few minutes of being in the room, I felt so comfortable and welcomed. It felt amazing to be able to relate to others and know that I’m not going through it alone. Emily’s show is one of the best I have ever seen. I found it emotional, hilarious and incredibly powerful and highly recommend it to everyone. I shall definitely be back before the end of the month.
BASIC BALD B*TCH is at Underbelly Cowgate, Jelly Belly, 5 – 30 Aug (not 12,17 & 24), 15.55
For more on any further local events, contact [email protected]