'Heartbroken' Fringe performer cancels show after theft of rare trumpet gifted by her dad

Sachie Mikawa had her trumpet stolen from the Rotunda Theatre overnight on Monday | Roct Photography

placeholder image — Sachie Mikawa had her trumpet stolen from the Rotunda Theatre overnight on Monday | Roct Photography

Edinburgh Fringe performer ‘heartbroken’ after family heirloom trumpet is stolen from venue

An Edinburgh Festival performer has been forced to cancel her show after a rare trumpet - given to her by her father 30 years ago - was stolen from a city venue.

Sachie Mikawa, who grew up in Japan before moving to the US, said she has been left “heartbroken” after finding the Bach Stradivarius trumpet missing from Rotunda Theatre at George Heriot’s School.

Her father sadly passed away last year and Sachie said it was the only thing she had that that had any connection to him.

She said the loss has been compounded because it it was one of the only heirlooms she owned after most of her families possessions were destroyed in the devastating tsunami which hit Japan in 2011.

She said: “I have nothing from my childhood.”

More than 19,700 people were killed and 2,553 reported missing in Great Tohoku earthquake and tsunami which struck on March 11, 2011 with waves of up to 130 feet.

Sachie has been performing her Egg: The Biggest Unborn Artist but with the instrument a key part of her act she has been forced to pause her run as she appeals for help to track down the trumpet.

The Bach Stradivarius Bb trumpet S180ML37 was stolen along with its distinctive case overnight between Monday and Tuesday, along with a vintage Hohner melodica that is no longer produced.

“The venue contacted the police but they said that it's not an ongoing incident, so it’s not a priority,” Sachie said, with officers set to meet with her on Friday.

She added: “My dad bought the instrument when I was 16 - so that’s 32 years ago.

“I grew up in Japan and I moved to the US and then a bunch of different places including New Zealand, Australia and we moved to London six months ago.

“The trumpet travelled with me for 30 years. It has a really sentimental value. I made my first act with it 20 years ago.”

The trumpet's distinctive case could be a link to the theft | Supplied

“It was the only thing that I have as a connection to my dad. Everything else washed away in the tsunami.

“I have nothing from my childhood and that was the only thing I had that had anything to do with my dad. He died exactly a year ago,” Sachie said.

“I just want them to return it to the Fringe office, no questions asked.

“I just want it back because I’m just heartbroken.”

Sachie’s show was cancelled yesterday and today, with the expectation that cancellations will continue until the trumpet is returned.

She said that while it will have a financial impact, her state of mind is “just horrible” as she processes the theft.

Sachie added: “Our show is about joy, but I can’t really make people laugh just now.

“We cancelled Wednesday and Thursday’s performances but I am hoping to somehow locate the trumpet, or at least know that I've done everything else to locate it.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We have received a report of theft from the Lauriston Place area of Edinburgh which is believed to have taken place overnight from Monday, 10 August into Tuesday, 11 August, 2026.

"Enquiries are at an early stage."