"...I Love INLNews.com.......INLnews.com is easy to find but hard to leave....".. Mr Wijat's friend Magic Rabbit http://www.easterlingentertainment.net
Women Who Wank-- a USA Weekly News 100 Star Award Winner "….. ‘Women Who Wank’ is not only entertaining but quite informative and reaches out into your inner soul..... one of the most unusual, provocative, outrageous ... could say scandalous... but most of all one of the most professional and entertaining Fringe Shows we have seen for a long time at any fringe festival form around the world .. ‘Woman Who Wank’ ... well earns its USA Weekly News 100 Star Award for being a fringe show which is way above the normal five star standard...."..USA Weekly News.
....Woman Who Wank is a Show not to be missed at 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival- Free to Enter... may be more difficult to get out...or maybe you will not want to get out... Each night a new Dis-Covery Play -Theatre on at Cowgatehead- Venue CG- 1st Floor 3rd to the 25th August 2013 - 10.30 pm
Women Who Wank…
Bidden For,,, Comically tragic and tragically discovery play in search of intimacy, please and connection..
Enjoy the ridiculousness of the best worst kept secret and of disconnected egos rubbing themselves up.
This is a Fool’s show by Joanne Tremarco and is suitable for all adults…
Another must see Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013 show..
The Tom Show- The Grand Tour.. USA Weekly News 100 Star Award Winner... "....the Tom Shows is just one fun packed show that will keep you guessing and laughing all the way through...with sword swallowing, comedy, underwater escpae and a stunt bunny..what more could one ask for an hour show"...USA WeeklyNews
Join Tom ( Blue Peter, midweek best male actor nominee- reading Fringe Festival and Stu The Stunt Bunny ( Crimewatch, Britain's most wanted) for an incrediable hour of entertainment every night form 6/30 to 7.30 pm Venue 77- Club Rouge www.thetomshow.co.uk
Blaggards
Laughing Horse@ The Free Sisters. Maggies Chambers
Venue 272… 1st to 25th August 2013 at 10.45am
Contains strong language and adult themes .... British Exist Theatre www.xist-theatre.couk
“The Dirtiest bar in Town … But we call it home…” Jess and Rob are running form home and running out of options.
They find themselves living and working in the dirtiest bar in town. They think they’ve got it all planned out, but soon they’ll find themselves out of their depth and searching for solutions..
“….One of the most progressive, entertaining and acted play written and acted by two young actors that we have seen for many year at the fringe… world class play and well worth a USA WeeklyNews100 Star Award for being way above the average five start standard …a real academy award performance…well done…..USA WeeklyNews
Recommended Show:
“ Don’t not miss Blaggards…. You will be sorry…. The next time you see it will be in New York at $200 a ticket…INLNews .com
“. A solid bit of younger theatre. Sit close to the front and give it the attention it deserves…” Fringe Review.co.uk
“The duo capture the voice of their young, streetwise characters in a way television often struggles to achieve..” The Scotsman
“Fast, Funny and Fiercely Entertaining..” Woking News
Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!! Receives a USA Weekly News 100 Star Award at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival ...
Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!!. has be name as one of the greatest shows at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival ....for professionalism, originality and entertainment.... Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!!. ..... received the coveted the USA Weekly News 100 Star Award... for being a Frimge Show way above the normal five star stardard.. the USA Weekly News 100 Star Awards have become to be known as the Academy Award for Fringe Festivals around the world...
Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!!. received the coveted the USA Weekly News 100 Star Award...
"...one of the most professional and entertaining shows we have seen for many years at any fringe festival around the world... Gordon Sixpence- He Is Music!!... is a Fringe Show of International standard and class.. a must see at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival..”…..USA Weekly News..
Gordon Sixpense- The Story
Legendary music publisher Stephen Squeak (born Arthur Sixpence) has died, leaving his multi-billion dollar fortune to his teenage seventh wife and not a penny to his struggling musician sons - Gordon, Dickie and Bernard. The Sixpence brothers, now bankrupted by their legal efforts to claim the estate, have been forced to make a bold shift in tactics.
They have hit the road and taken to theatres across the country to tell the world their story. That Gordon, the eldest and most eccentric of the trio, was responsible for writing every song that Stephen Squeak published. Almost every popular classic of the last fifty years was created by Gordon, secretly recorded by Stephen and then sold to the highest bidder.
They may be united in purpose but the brothers struggle to mask their dysfunction and squabble endlessly. Gordon is particularly troubled - easily confused and only able to communicate through his lyrics. And yet, he is the only one with the power to bring the family back together, to inspire them to perform at their best and to prove to the world, once and for all, that (to paraphrase a Gordon original made famous by Barry Manilow) "he is music and he writes the songs"!
Master of compilations Ashley Abram of "Now That's What I Call Music" fame uses his extensive knowledge of pop to create a new original comedy alongside his on-stage cohorts and 'brothers' the acclaimed New Zealand musicians John Gibson and Richard Adams.
"Gordon Sixpence - He Is Music" is a satire on the music business and all who sail in her that reveals some very strange family dynamics and extremely underhand dealings once The Sixpence Brothers take to the road and begin to reveal their story.
It turns out that their brother Gordon, the eldest and most eccentric of the trio, was actually the original writer of every song ever published by their father Arthur who, unbeknown to them, changed his name to Stephen Squeak and amassed one of the biggest fortunes ever in the music business.
They may be united in purpose theoretically, but the brothers struggle to mask their dysfunction and squabble endlessly. Gordon is particularly troubled and only able to converse in song. Yet he is the only one with the power to bring the family back together again and inspire them to perform at their best. Will he be able to prove to the world once and for all that (to paraphrase a Gordon original strangely attributed to the pen of The Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston and made famous by Barry Manilow) "he is music, and he writes the songs"?
Ashley is best known as the creator of over 100 UK No.1 Compilation Albums in the last 30 years. From "Raiders Of The Pop Charts" back in 1983 through to "Be My Baby" in 2012 via the multi-million selling "Now That's What I Call Music", "Smash Hits", "Moods", "Power Ballads" and "Best Album In The World...Ever!" Series. He was personally hired by Richard Branson to work on the NTWICM albums 30 years ago and has worked with numerous record companies over the years including Sony Music, Universal Music, EMI, Virgin, Chrysalis, Jive, Ronco, Fanfare and Southern Fried Records.
Now, the former club DJ, Holiday Camp Entertainer, Elvis Impersonator and acclaimed King Of Karaoke is returning to his performing roots with The Sixpence Brothers' “Rock'n'Roll Cabaret Show”. He plays the part of Gordon Sixpence, the greatest living unknown composer of all-time, who is only able to communicate through the vehicle of song!
Richard Adams - ‘Dickie Sixpence’
Richard started his career as an actor in the late 1970's, then secured a featured part in the 1982 movie "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and went on to work extensively in the film and television world in New Zealand throughout the 1980's and 1990's. Considered the country's No.1 Jazz Violinist, he was instrumental in setting up The Nairobi Trio 25 years ago and has since recorded a number of successful albums with them. Under this banner and his own name, he has toured the world and continues to play Jazz Festivals globally to this day.
Now, he is returning to his stage roots with The Sixpence Brothers' "Rock'n'Roll Cabaret Show" playing the part of Dickie Sixpence, the bad boy classical violinist who is forced to play pop music against his wishes. Guilty of attention-seeking behaviour at every turn, he will go to any length to get his name in lights!
John Gibson - ‘Bernard Sixpence’
John is an award-winning composer and has been writing original music for professional theatre film television and dance for over three decades. His work shows a passion for unique sound worlds. He is also an acclaimed pianist and singer in his own right and was briefly an actor and star of the New Zealand TV series ‘Heroes’. The Sixpence Brothers “Rock’n’Roll Cabaret Show” has seen him add the word ‘writer’ to his arsenal of accomplishments.
He is returning to his acting/pianist roots to play the part of Bernard Sixpence, the only sane one in the family and closet super sleuth. Will he be able to uncover the truth? How did his brother’s songs turn up on radio and television without him ever recording and what is the truth behind his father’s sudden transformation into billionaire music publisher Stephen Squeak?
Women Who Wank-- a USA Weekly News 100 Star Award Winner "….. ‘Women Who Wank’ is not only entertaining but quite informative and reaches out into your inner soul..... one of the most unusual, provocative, outrageous ... could say scandalous... but most of all one of the most professional and entertaining Fringe Shows we have seen for a long time at any fringe festival form around the world .. ‘Woman Who Wank’ ... well earns its USA Weekly News 100 Star Award for being a fringe show which is way above the normal five star standard...."..USA Weekly News.
....Woman Who Wank is a Show not to be missed at 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival- Free to Enter... may be more difficult to get out...or maybe you will not want to get out... Each night a new Dis-Covery Play -Theatre on at Cowgatehead- Venue CG- 1st Floor 3rd to the 25th August 2013 - 10.30 pm
Women Who Wank…
Bidden For,,, Comically tragic and tragically discovery play in search of intimacy, please and connection.. Enjoy the ridiculousness of the best worst kept secret and of disconnected egos rubbing themselves up. This is a Fool’s show by Joanne Tremarco and is suitable for all adults…
Alan Committie: Fully Committied
Alan Committie and Assembly - South African Season
Top South African comedian Alan Committie shares his comic madness bouncing between the surreal and cereal! Fully Committied shows why contemporary dance is the solution to every problem, how 50 Shades of Grey is a superb educational tool, the frustration of a perfect golf putt, movie love scenes you've always wanted to see and lots more. ‘One of the most talented and switched-on funny men around.’ (Sunday Times). ‘Committie gets huge laughs not only from his verbal and physical delivery but also his processing speed - amongst the best of any comedian in South Africa’ (Citizen).
Perhaps the best recommendation for the show is that you’ll emerge from the theatre with sore cheeks, having overused muscles that you aren’t used to engaging. The Citizen, South Africa
The man is comedy on two legs. Cape Times, South Africa
If anyone has their finger on South Africa’s funnybone, it is this man. He has the audience practically crying with laughter. Top rated entertainment. The Star Tonight, South Africa
Alan is one of the most talented and switched-on funnymen around. Sunday Times, South Africa
It's late, the bar's open and the scene is set for the Fringe's finest comedy, burlesque and cabaret to collide. Hosted by Fringe favourite and cabaret star Ali McGregor with her smokin' hot trio this is variety at its best. The night is littered with the unique interpretations of songs that Ali is renowned for at festivals around the world, between some of the best acts at the Fringe. With comedians, cabaret renegades, the finest burlesque dancers and circus acts, each night is unique and filled to the brim with unexpected goodness.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013
Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!! Receives a
USA Weekly News 100 Star Award
at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival ...
Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!!. has be name as one of the greatest shows at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival ....for professionalism, originality and entertainment.... Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!!. ..... received the coveted the USA Weekly News 100 Star Award... for being a Frimge Show way above the normal five star stardard.. the USA Weekly News 100 Star Awards have become to be known as the Academy Award for Fringe Festivals around the world...
Gordon Sixpense- He Is Music!!. received the coveted the USA Weekly News 100 Star Award...
"...one of the most professional and entertaining shows we have seen for many years at any fringe festival around the world... Gordon Sixpence- He Is Music!!... is a Fringe Show of International standard and class.. a must see at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival..”…..USA Weekly News..
Gordon Sixpense- The Story
Legendary music publisher Stephen Squeak (born Arthur Sixpence) has died, leaving his multi-billion dollar fortune to his teenage seventh wife and not a penny to his struggling musician sons - Gordon, Dickie and Bernard. The Sixpence brothers, now bankrupted by their legal efforts to claim the estate, have been forced to make a bold shift in tactics.
They have hit the road and taken to theatres across the country to tell the world their story. That Gordon, the eldest and most eccentric of the trio, was responsible for writing every song that Stephen Squeak published. Almost every popular classic of the last fifty years was created by Gordon, secretly recorded by Stephen and then sold to the highest bidder.
They may be united in purpose but the brothers struggle to mask their dysfunction and squabble endlessly. Gordon is particularly troubled - easily confused and only able to communicate through his lyrics. And yet, he is the only one with the power to bring the family back together, to inspire them to perform at their best and to prove to the world, once and for all, that (to paraphrase a Gordon original made famous by Barry Manilow) "he is music and he writes the songs"!
Master of compilations Ashley Abram of "Now That's What I Call Music" fame uses his extensive knowledge of pop to create a new original comedy alongside his on-stage cohorts and 'brothers' the acclaimed New Zealand musicians John Gibson and Richard Adams.
"Gordon Sixpence - He Is Music" is a satire on the music business and all who sail in her that reveals some very strange family dynamics and extremely underhand dealings once The Sixpence Brothers take to the road and begin to reveal their story.
It turns out that their brother Gordon, the eldest and most eccentric of the trio, was actually the original writer of every song ever published by their father Arthur who, unbeknown to them, changed his name to Stephen Squeak and amassed one of the biggest fortunes ever in the music business.
They may be united in purpose theoretically, but the brothers struggle to mask their dysfunction and squabble endlessly. Gordon is particularly troubled and only able to converse in song. Yet he is the only one with the power to bring the family back together again and inspire them to perform at their best. Will he be able to prove to the world once and for all that (to paraphrase a Gordon original strangely attributed to the pen of The Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston and made famous by Barry Manilow) "he is music, and he writes the songs"?
Ashley is best known as the creator of over 100 UK No.1 Compilation Albums in the last 30 years. From "Raiders Of The Pop Charts" back in 1983 through to "Be My Baby" in 2012 via the multi-million selling "Now That's What I Call Music", "Smash Hits", "Moods", "Power Ballads" and "Best Album In The World...Ever!" Series. He was personally hired by Richard Branson to work on the NTWICM albums 30 years ago and has worked with numerous record companies over the years including Sony Music, Universal Music, EMI, Virgin, Chrysalis, Jive, Ronco, Fanfare and Southern Fried Records.
Now, the former club DJ, Holiday Camp Entertainer, Elvis Impersonator and acclaimed King Of Karaoke is returning to his performing roots with The Sixpence Brothers' “Rock'n'Roll Cabaret Show”. He plays the part of Gordon Sixpence, the greatest living unknown composer of all-time, who is only able to communicate through the vehicle of song!
Richard Adams - ‘Dickie Sixpence’
Richard started his career as an actor in the late 1970's, then secured a featured part in the 1982 movie "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and went on to work extensively in the film and television world in New Zealand throughout the 1980's and 1990's. Considered the country's No.1 Jazz Violinist, he was instrumental in setting up The Nairobi Trio 25 years ago and has since recorded a number of successful albums with them. Under this banner and his own name, he has toured the world and continues to play Jazz Festivals globally to this day.
Now, he is returning to his stage roots with The Sixpence Brothers' "Rock'n'Roll Cabaret Show" playing the part of Dickie Sixpence, the bad boy classical violinist who is forced to play pop music against his wishes. Guilty of attention-seeking behaviour at every turn, he will go to any length to get his name in lights!
John Gibson - ‘Bernard Sixpence’
John is an award-winning composer and has been writing original music for professional theatre film television and dance for over three decades. His work shows a passion for unique sound worlds. He is also an acclaimed pianist and singer in his own right and was briefly an actor and star of the New Zealand TV series ‘Heroes’. The Sixpence Brothers “Rock’n’Roll Cabaret Show” has seen him add the word ‘writer’ to his arsenal of accomplishments.
He is returning to his acting/pianist roots to play the part of Bernard Sixpence, the only sane one in the family and closet super sleuth. Will he be able to uncover the truth? How did his brother’s songs turn up on radio and television without him ever recording and what is the truth behind his father’s sudden transformation into billionaire music publisher Stephen Squeak?
For anyone eager to check out a broad selection of the Festival's top cabaret, vaudeville and stand-up acts, this late-night variety special is the best-value show in town. The Age, Melbourne
An evening of elegant decadence Chortle
While she has a cracking set of pipes, most of the songs make you laugh so hard it's difficult to know if it's her musical or comedy talents one should be concentrating on. The Herald Sun, Melbourne
McGregor’s voice is phenomenal Daily Telegraph, UK
McGregor’s voice is undeniably lovely and her comic asides spot on Time Out London
Don't Miss these shows at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Clare Harrisons 15 Inches of Fame
10.15 pm 1st to 16th and 20th to 25th August, 2013
In the Yurk Locker- Laughing Horse Free Festival
The Three Sisters 139 Cowgate Edinburgh EH1 1JS Venue 272 a Free Show
"..endearingly mad..." Clortle "Its like Ann Widdecome with a sex drive... I laughed my flaps off..."
Clare Harrison is the Female version of Russel Brand... but a lot Zanier and funnier...
Clare had been chosen to be a host on The International Fringe Fest TV Show..
more commonly known as "The IF Fest TV Show"
Clare is simply the best.... a girl you will love or hate... or love to hate.. or.. hate to love.... come and see Clare Harrison and see which category you are in after watching the this wacky zanny performer ....at the Free Fringe before you have to start paying £200 a ticket to see Clare Live...
Don't Miss these shows at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe festival
News At Kate -Kate Smuthwaite presents a new hour of left wing satirical comedy about the news, being in the news, being on the news..
omn at Cia Roma - Venue 148- 64 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh - 3rd to 24th August at 8.20pm
The News At Kate 20130 World Inaction
3.40 pm at Cannon’s Gate ( Venue 78) 3rd to 25th August 2013 ( not 13th)
Trouble With Comedy- Ian Cognito10.30 pm each night at the City Cafe, 19 Blair Street, Edinburgh -Picking the scabs off the comedy business, Ian Gognito returns to the fray with a drop of the hard stuff..
“…A rough house comic moralist of rare distinction…”- The Independent.... "Just Stunning.." The Guardian..
Simon South and Fluer
Uneasy Alliance- Really? Really? 9pm at the Dram House 37 Guthrie Strteet Edinburgh
Cat Flap of Opportunity at the Street, Venure 158 2B Picadilly Place, Edinburgh at 5.15 pm
Simon in Wonderland- Magic- Cafe Camio Venue 65- 64 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh
Chris Cross- Seeing Is Not Believing- Cabaret-11pm The Dram House, 37 Guthrie Street Edinburgh, A late night cabaret show with a twist from the Fringe's favourite showman! Expect off-the wall magic, contortion and escapology stunts! It fee but not shit!.. A Must See Show (The Stage) 100 Star USA Weekly News Award in 2007...
Jennifer Wong : Laughable- Comedy - 10 pm - The Dram House Upstairs ( Venue 299) 37 Guthrei Street, Edinburgh, Fantoosh 3rd to 22nd August 2013 Ride a carousal of pun trick ponies and sparking one-liners with one of Sydney Morning Herald's Top 10 New Comics to Watch...
Comic On Duty - Benjamin Crellin 6.45 pm 1st to 25th August, 2013- City Cafe- 19 Blair Street, Edinburgh Free Festival-Laughing Horse.. Crellin's solo show is a shotgun blast through a world full of ignorance.."Three Weeks.."
David Mills: 5.30 PM - The Hive- Niddry Street, Edinburgh. David had Been selected to perform in the IF Fest Road Show _International Fringe Fest Road Show.... more commonly known as the IF Fest.. David is going straight to to top of the international comedy world..
Uneasy Allaince- Really? Really?
9pm at the Dram House 37 Guthrie Strteet Edinburgh
Cat Flap of Opportunity at the Street, Venure 158 2B Picadilly Place, Edinburgh at 5.15 pm
Simon in Wonderland- Magic- Cafe Camio Venue 65- 64 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh
The 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme is available in a variety of formats. Whether you'd prefer to view the programme online, download it in .PDF format, pick up a paper copy from a local distribution outlet or order a copy for delivery, you'll find details below.
View the 2013 Programme Online
The 2013 programme can be viewed online with our interactive reader. Click the image below to expand the reader to a full-screen view.
Download the 2013 Programme (.pdf)
The 2013 programme is available for download in .PDF format. Due to the large size of the file (133 MB) it is recommended to save the file by right-clicking this link and selecting 'Save Target As...' (Internet Explorer) or 'Save Link As' (Chrome / Firefox)..
Pick up a Paper Copy of the 2013 Programme
The 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme will be available in the Fringe Shop, 180 High Street, Edinburgh from 12:00 noon Thursday 30 May onwards, but can also be picked up from a large number of outlets across the UK and Northern Ireland. For a complete list of distribution outlets and programme availability dates, visit our Programme Outlets page.
Order the 2013 Programme for Delivery
Alternatively, you may prefer to order a copy of the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme for postal delivery. Simply complete our online Programme Order form . The programme is free of charge, but postage and packing fees apply
Steven Berkoff stars with Jay Benedict and Andree Bernard in this glimpse backstage, lifting the curtain on the bizarre and often hilarious world of theatre. From precious playwrights and dictator directors to the good will (or otherwise) of the critics - a maze of thickets the actor must negotiate before they ever reach the stage. A comedy about the bizarre lives of actors and the many fights, frustrations... and madnesses they are prone to.
Multi award-winning guitarist Antonio Forcione returns with his dynamic quartet, taking a journey into his biggest hits. Be amazed by blistering virtuosity and soulfulness, a tumultuous mix of Latin, African and jazz sounds in a unique breathtaking, powerful and passionate performance.
One of Europe’s best kept secrets. Unmissable! Scotsman
A performer of world class status. Forcione boldly goes where no guitarist has gone before and the results are quite spectacular. Miss him at your peril. The Stage
They're back! Thirteen of Jane Austen’s heroines come to life in this bold revisiting of some of literature’s most celebrated works. This much-loved Edinburgh 2009 sell-out hit returns for a special limited run as Rebecca Vaughan becomes Emma Woodhouse, Lizzy Bennet, Mrs Norris, Miss Bates and nine other beautifully observed women in critical moments from Austen’s major novels (including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma) and lesser known or unfinished works. Prepare to fall in love all over again. Director: Guy Masterson (Morecambe). From Dyad Productions (Female Gothic, I, Elizabeth, The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe).
Cleverly written and superbly performed. One4Review
Nothing short of breathtaking. You won't see too many one woman shows as good as this. Adelaide Theatre Guide
A startling feat of performance, portrayal, writing & direction...each character has been carefully created and each is a piece in itself. A strongly recommended show! Fringe Review
Passes the Austen fan test with flying colours! Hairline
It's witty and fast-paced, but sprinkled with pathos and reflection, and will resonate with modern audience whether they are fans of the novels or not. Adelaide Advertiser
Clever and beautifully performed Adelaide City Messenger
Austen’s Women could give a few tips to comedy shows. Enjoy!’ Edinburgh Evening News
Superb… Vaughan’s performance was unfaultable Edinburgh Guide
A coming of age story like no other, join us in Avenue Q with a cast of fluffy, filthy and unforgettable characters who've found themselves living on the wrong side of Sesame Street... Featuring an enlightening repertoire of Tony Award winning songs such as It Sucks to Be Me and What do you do with a BA in English? Don't miss out on this celebration of a decade of mischief, bad behaviour and political incorrectness. Broadway's funniest show is making its Edinburgh Fringe debut! ***** (Scotsman) 'Deserves more stars than I can hand out' (Broadwaybaby.com for RCS).
Moderate strip tease, no nudity. Suitable for 16+ audience
International Impresario Chaz Royal (London Burlesque Festival, Sexy Circus Sideshow) presents an all-star roundup of the best burlesque at the Fringe. Sultry strip tease, cutting edge cabaret and vaudeville variety collide like no other show around! The grand finale of the anticipated Edinburgh Burlesque Festival 2013 series is here! Chaz Royal's affair is from the darker side of the tracks, however, somewhere between cabaret-era Berlin, Freaks and The Rocky Horror Show. ‘Thoroughly entertaining onstage mayhem’ **** (Fest). ‘An extraordinaire show’ (Ben Elton). ‘Producer Chaz really knows how to put on great shows’ (DistractTV.com).
A STAGE adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption featuring well-known comedians in the key roles heads the line-up at one of the longest-running venues on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year.
Veteran comic Owen O’Neill is to take the helm of the production, which will feature stand-ups Omid Djalili and Phil Nichol in an all-star cast at the Assembly Rooms. O’Neill was also behind hit Fringe adaptations Twelve Angry Men and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
The 1994 film of The Shawshank Redemption, an adaptation of a Stephen King story, starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and has been voted one of the best films of all-time.
The Assembly Rooms’ programme, which is being put together by veteran comedy promoter Tommy Sheppard for a second year, is hopeful that the production will be “one of the hottest tickets in town”.
High-profile politicians will rub shoulders with some of Scotland’s best-known writers and musicians in other events at the Assembly Rooms, which has been a fixture on the Fringe for more than three decades.
Motown star Martha Reeves will be appearing at the George Street venue, while its line-up also features Moscow’s blackSKYwhite – former Scotsman Fringe First winners – who will be back with a spectacular new physical theatre show, Omega.
Outspoken Respect MP George Galloway will make his Fringe debut, in a series of lunchtime political talks which will also feature Labour icon Tony Benn and Tom Watson, one of the key instigators in exposing the phone-hacking scandal.
Scotland’s national poet, Liz Lochhead, will be performing a series of intimate “poems, rhymes, songs without tunes and character monologues”.
Other spoken-word events will feature Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, TV presenter Monty Don, and former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway.
Djalili will also be appearing in his own stand-up show, as will Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, and outspoken comic-cum-magician Jerry Sadowitz.
Musical highlights unveiled for the venue include appearances from 1980s Scottish pop bands Love & Money and Hue & Cry, singer-songwriter Horse, and folk favourites Donnie Munro and Dougie MacLean.
New theatre work from Scotland includes comedy hostage drama Hindsight, written by Only an Excuse creator Phil Differ, starring comic and actor Raymond Mearns, and Alison Peebles’s play Bite the Bullet, about a reunited one-hit wonder band from Glasgow.
More than 800 different performances will be on the programme at the Assembly Rooms and the Famous Spiegeltent, which will again be located outside the Georgian venue.
Mr Sheppard said: “We are offering the best theatre, comedy and music on the Fringe bar none. We have also been working with local businesses to improve the outdoor area of the Famous Spiegelterrace and are confident George Street will be the place to be this summer.”
Don't Miss these shows at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe festival
News At Kate -Kate Smuthwaite presents a new hour of left wing satirical comedy about the news, being in the news, being on the news..
omn at Cia Roma - Venue 148- 64 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh - 3rd to 24th August at 8.20pm Simon South and Fluer
Uneasy Alliance- Really? Really? 9pm at the Dram House 37 Guthrie Strteet Edinburgh
Cat Flap of Opportunity at the Street, Venure 158 2B Picadilly Place, Edinburgh at 5.15 pm
Simon in Wonderland- Magic- Cafe Camio Venue 65- 64 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh
Chris Cross- Seeing Is Not Believing- Cabaret-11pm The Dram House, 37 Guthrie Street Edinburgh, A late night cabaret show with a twist from the Fringe's favourite showman! Expect off-the wall magic, contortion and escapology stunts! It fee but not shit!.. A Must See Show (The Stage) 100 Star USA Weekly News Award in 2007...
Jennifer Wong : Laughable- Comedy - 10 pm - The Dram House Upstairs ( Venue 299) 37 Guthrei Street, Edinburgh, Fantoosh 3rd to 22nd August 2013 Ride a carousal of pun trick ponies and sparking one-liners with one of Sydney Morning Herald's Top 10 New Comics to Watch...
Comic On Duty - Benjamin Crellin 6.45 pm 1st to 25th August, 2013- City Cafe- 19 Blair Street, Edinburgh Free Festival-Laughing Horse.. Crellin's solo show is a shotgun blast through a world full of ignorance.."Three Weeks.."
David Mills: 5.30 PM - The Hive- Niddry Street, Edinburgh. David had Been selected to perform in the IF Fest Road Show _International Fringe Fest Road Show.... more commonly known as the IF Fest.. David is going straight to to top of the international comedy world..
Uneasy Allaince- Really? Really?
9pm at the Dram House 37 Guthrie Strteet Edinburgh
Cat Flap of Opportunity at the Street, Venure 158 2B Picadilly Place, Edinburgh at 5.15 pm
Simon in Wonderland- Magic- Cafe Camio Venue 65- 64 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh
For a goof I started researching some of the science behind sex and relationships. Then I stumbled across the fields of evolutionary psychology and biology and it blew my mind. It's now taken over my life.
What’s your festival mantra?
Stay awake!!!
What’s your favourite Scottish word?
Whatever blootered bampot came up with that question had a few too many bevvies. By the way, how many words do you galoots have for guttered numpties?
Which show would be your tip of the Fringe?
I'm not sure what that means. Can you rephrase it?
Have you sat on Arthur’s Seat?
Sorry, but that's kind of a person question.
What’s the one thing you need to survive the festival?
If I only get one thing, I'll take the atmosphere.
What chat up line do you think guarantees success?
Excuse me, are you an angel, because it smells like somebody died. (I only pick up girls outside the toilet.) P.S. Just because I study mating, doesn't mean I'm good at it.
When I’m not on stage you’ll find me….
Honestly, if you don't stop stalking me, I'm going to call the police.
My dream audience member would be…
A dragon.
If you like… all of your dreams coming true (sans dragons)...you’ll like my show.
And finally… How much is a can of Irn Bru?
Is this a game show? If it is, I have a pretty good idea of who it's sponsored by.
Full line-up announced as Stephen K Amos takes over thespian chats in Princes Street Gardens
By Thom Dibdin
Stephen K Amos is to take over hosting duties on Assembly Theatre’s daily Talk Show, following Frank Skinner’s withdrawal from the Spiegeltent show in Princes Street Gardens
Running through to Sunday 29 August, the hour long show
Edinburgh Festival Theatre gets funding for film upgrade but Assembly Rooms project KB’d by Heritage Lottery Fund
By Thom Dibdin
The Festival Theatre is set to become the venue for the opening night gala premiere of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival after being given a £245,000 grant to install digital and 35mm projection equipment.
Rory McGrath and Philip Pope perform A collection of songs that are a sophisticated mix of wit, elegance and clever musical pastiche (but don't worry, there's also silliness and filth) BOOK NOW
Australian Hannah Gadsby has written a new show about the lowest point in her life (thus far) and how she eventually found happiness in a piece of furniture. ‘Humour with heart, hips and brains’ Adelaide Advertiser BOOK NOW 6 - 25 August, Assembly Roxy- Downstairs, 16:30
Funny, angry and brutally honest about the troubling nature of the Creator God, these stories surprise and enchant, leaving you with unexpected answers and maybe more questions than you thought you had. BOOK NOW
Full Frontal Nerdity. Sci-curious comedy for the fearlessly inquisitive.Joyous, anarchic and exponentially entertaining – Nerd is the word! It’s time to get your geek on. 'Charm and perky curiosity is in its DNA.' Guardian BOOK NOW
2-25 August, Assembly George Square – Two, 18:10
Fresh from glitter-bombing the globe, the award winning trouble makers are back with a brand spankin' new show. The all male, all vaudeville, all trash brat-pack are in lock-down ready to unleash The Second Coming. Read more
1-26 August, Assembly George Sq - Spiegeltent Palazzo, 19:50
Winner of Best Show at the 2012 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, Australasia's cult comedy sensation finally hits the UK. 'A joyous hour of unashamed awkwardness’ Age, Melbourne BOOK NOW
1-25 August, Assembly George Square
George Square Box, 16:40
Take a peek at ALL of our shows in our online Assembly Festival Guide. It includes directions to, and information about, all of our venues, bars and street food stalls. HAVE A FLICK
On the night of 16th December 2012, a 23-year-old woman and her male friend boarded a bus at Munirka for Dwarka. What followed changed lives forever. Internationally acclaimed playwright and director Yael Farber creates a searing new work that cracks open the cone of silence on the staggering depth and breadth of violence perpetrated against women in India. This scorching new work will enrage, move, devastate and inspire you with the sheer capacity of the human spirit to rise, bear witness, survive and turn the tide.
Strobe Lighting
This show may contain strong language and nudity
Fresh from glitter-bombing the globe, the award winning trouble makers are back with a brand spankin' new show. The all male, all vaudeville, all trash brat-pack are in lock-down ready to unleash The Second Coming: a disorderly, circus infused Briefs-boys feast of new tricks, new wigs, new boys, new feathers and a new addictive sound track. 'Amazing physical talent' ***** (Irish Times). ‘Solid gold' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Highly entertaining' **** (Time Out, London). Winners Best Circus, Perth Fringe 2012 / 2013. Nominees Best Show, Dublin Fringe 2012. Nominees Best Production, London Cabaret Awards 2012.
Fame: we’re obsessed with it, but who will talk honestly about what it’s really like? David Baddiel, in his first full Edinburgh show for 15 years, does. From accidentally stealing the spotlight at Russell Brand’s wedding, to realising Andrew Lloyd Webber thinks he's Ben Elton, David Baddiel examines his strange relationship with the New Lad / Token Jew / comedy rock’n’roller / football singer/songwriter persona he’s co-existed with for 20 years. A ‘very funny and thought-provoking’ (Veronica Lee, Daily Telegraph) meditation on being (and not being) famous. ‘Hilarious and weirdly moving’ (Peter Bradshaw, Guardian).
With over 50 million album sales worldwide, Rick has endeared himself to all genres and all ages. Join him and his piano for these intimate performances of songs and stories from a remarkable musician. If this show were in a cookery book, the instructions would simply read: Take a large concert grand piano and seat Rick Wakeman in front of the keys. After the first piece, sprinkle in a ludicrous and funny anecdote. Repeat for approximately one hour.
Julius the clown is a clumsy character who lives on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa. He dreams of performing his first ever one-man circus show. The world he creates is full of imagination and excitement. On the other hand fear and doubt of an unknown world ready to destroy him. Using what's around him he entertains passer-bys, hoping one day he'll meet the person who'll hire his one-man circus show.
Steve Richards presents Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics 2. After his hit show last year the award-winning columnist and BBC presenter, Steve Richards, presents a new, unique behind-the-scenes guide to the great political dramas and characters. Laugh and cry as Cameron, Clegg, Miliband, Salmond and many more struggle to make sense of a political and media world that is all shook up. ‘Excellent’ (Spectator). ‘Hot ticket’ (New Statesman).
Hot from the oven comes the tastiest breakfast in town. Featuring only the best comedians and acts at the Fringe, this is a morning variety show for the early risers. Mums and Dads, sit back with a coffee and croissant. Kids, get ready to laugh until lunchtime. You just bought a ticket for a show for something to do in that gap between breakfast and lunch. But this isn't just another kid’s show...
Javier Jarquin: Joke Ninja-avier Jarquin-Comedy 6-25 August-Performance time 18:30- Baillie Room - Assembly Hall
How many jokes are out there and you've just never noticed them? Humour that blends seamlessly into its surroundings? Comedy that waits silently in the shadows? Having dedicated years of his life to learning the deadly comedic arts, award-winning New Zealand comedian Javier Jarquin sets out to find, expose and present these rogue jokes to his audience in all their hilarious glory. Armed with slick observations and killer punchlines, Jarquin fights his way through an hour of stand-up. Expect blood.
Ad-Lib: Spontaneous Genius- sembly- Skoken Word 21-25 August- Performance time 22:30
Main Hall - Assembly Hall The ultimate once in a lifetime show. Never to be repeated! No reviews. No stars. No idea what's going to happen. No idea who's going to be on our stage. No idea what they're going to say. Welcome to the dangerous and unpredictable world of ad lib! You have been warned.
Adam Hills: Happyism
Off the Kerb Productions by arrangement with Lisa Richards Agency Comedy 15-25 August Performance time 19:30
Main Hall - Assembly Hall- May contain strong language
Host of Channel 4's The Last Leg, Edinburgh's favourite adopted Aussie son comes home with a brand spanking new show. Sundays with BSL sign interpreter Catherine King. 'Hills is astonishingly good at what he does' (Chortle.co.uk). 'If you cannot enjoy Adam Hills you cannot have a pulse' ***** (Scotsman).
Adventures of a Life Insurance Salesman Peter Rosengard- 20 August Performance time 18:45
Have you got chutzpah? You will after you've seen this show. From the man "who can sell ice to a snowman", there is only one Peter Rosengard, rock star life insurance salesman, champion breakfaster and founder of the Comedy Store. Don't bring your wallet! Website: www.talkingtostrangers.me.uk
Afterhours Comedy
Hils Jago for Amused Moose ComedyComedy -10-24 AugustPerformance time 23:45
Laughter-packed, legendary, unmissable, and with a splendid new roost and shiny image, Afterhours will delight you by showcasing the Fringe's highest flying stand-ups (sometimes so famous we can't name them in advance). Afterhours also hand-picks the very best emerging fledgling talent, who soar from obscurity during the Fringe. Past stars included Jimmy Carr, Noel Fielding, Flight of the Conchords, Tim Minchin, Michael McIntyre, Dara O'Briain, John Bishop, Sarah Millican, Boy With Tape On His Face and so many more. ‘The Fringe's best late night show’ (Jason Byrne). ‘Awesome late night hilarity’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Stellar!’ (Scotsman).
Akmal-AssemblyComedy -6-26 August-Performance time 20:50
Movies, sketch, stand-up, TV appearances, radio DJ and talk-show host, improviser and published author, Akmal is one of Australia's most respected, successful and accomplished comics. He displays an incredible ability to deal with hot topics in a hilarious and slightly offensive way. ‘People were rocking back and forth, holding their stomachs and shouting out with laughter’ (Adelaide Advertiser). ‘[Akmal] is an explosion of laughter and entertainment’ (Telegraph Mirror).
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Gyles Brandreth and Mark Greeneway. Picture: Joey Kelly
TV’S GYLES Brandreth joined Edinburgh chef Mark Greenaway to launch the capital’s upcoming Foodies Festival today.
Greenaway, who appeared on the BBC series The Great British Menu, helped the former Conservative MP bake a cake to mark the launch of the sixth edition of the food festival.
Foodies Festival plays host to food and drinks from all over the world, as well as appearances from top chefs and comedians in its theatre areas.
Foodies Festival runs from Friday 9 - Sunday 11 August at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh.
Fraudsters near £105k bill on Creative Scotland card
by TRISTAN STEWART-ROBERTSON
The fraudsters' spending went as far as the Caribbean. Picture: PA
FRAUDSTERS spent nearly £105,000 on a credit card belonging to arts quango Creative Scotland before anyone noticed the money was missing.
Criminals bought luxury holidays and flights around the globe on the account, but staff said they were too busy to check monthly statements.
The fraud only came to light when the card hit its spending limit, after eight months and 132 transactions. The amount was just under the £137,404 that has been spent legitimately on credit cards since Creative Scotland’s formation in 2010.
It was only four months after an auditor’s analysis of the fraud that it was reported to police, with £70,400 eventually reimbursed from credit card provider JP Morgan. Creative Scotland, which has budget of around £83 million a year, acknowledged “weaknesses” in its system at the time and said a further review was taking place.
According to reports, the £104,600 in spending took place between December 2010 and July 2011. Auditor Deloitte was called in after the fraud was discovered and found a “serious control lapse”.
Eight credit cards belonging to the organisation were found to regularly be passed around staff, and some workers kept photocopies of them to make purchases easier. However, Deloitte said criminals obtained details when staff faxed copies of both sides of the cards to hotels when booking rooms.
The finance department did not check the credit card statements every month, blaming “increased workload” and a broken link to a website with online statements.
A spokesman for Creative Scotland said: “This fraud occurred when Creative Scotland was first formed and in the process of bringing together two sets of finance systems from the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
“We fully acknowledge weaknesses in our system at that time which led to the fraud going undetected. Robust systems are now in place to prevent such a fraud happening again. We have regular auditing and continue to improve the quality of our financial monitoring. Our new chief executive, Janet Archer, has actioned a further review of our internal expenses policy, which is under way.”
Some of the legitimate credit card expenses included £716 to stay in a five-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro, stays in Glasgow’s Blythswood Square and Edinburgh’s Glasshouse, and thousands of pounds on music downloads, concert tickets, flowers and drinks orders.
Creative Scotland said senior staff sometimes needed to be part of international delegations, host receptions, dinners and meetings. Spending was closely monitored, said the quango.
In June, The Scotsman revealed that Creative Scotland was spending up to £45,000 to ask people what they thought of the body and its work, and was bringing in consultants to “better understand our customers”.
The arts body had decided to go back to the drawing board over the coming year, with Ms Archer taking over last month and being responsible for a new blueprint. In the past year, the quango faced a rebellion by artists, the resignation of its chief executive, and damning reviews.
Creative Scotland also spent thousands of pounds on a roadshow of “open sessions” around the country to seek the views of artists and arts organisations.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “This organisation has often been criticised for being wasteful with money. Now it seems it’s even allowing other people to be wasteful on its behalf.”
Is your head a little fuzzy after the opening weekend of the Fringe? Need a little inspiration for the week ahead? Here’s a snapshot of what’s on Edinburgh Festivalstoday.
LATEST REVIEWS
Theatre review: Blam!
You’re unlikely to find a better way of starting your festival than this. It’s a blast, a pistol at the start of a race. And yet it begins in near silence, in the yellowing white of a torrid office. No women work here, just three men and their manager, with his greasy hair and try-hard ways. Read more »
Comedy review: Laura Levites
She looks like a cross between a young Ruby Wax and a young Judy Garland, rocking reams of unruly pre-Raphaelite tresses and a serious caffeine high. She is an extraordinary stage presence, even in front of ten people at her “completely reworked this morning … so … hey !” show. Read more »
Comedy review: Michael Che
From the projects of New York’s Lower East Side, Michael Che shows future star potential with this entertaining Fringe debut. Relaxed, reflective and endearingly frank, the 30-year-old African-American shares his intermittently insightful and dubious wisdom with a nonchalant, take-me-as-I-am attitude. Read more »
It’s not all about plush theatres and pub basements – for some Fringe shows the venue is as important as the performance itself. Lindsey Johnstone runs through 10 weird and wonderful Fringe venues in this year’s programme. Read more »
Clubbing highlights during the Edinburgh Festival
While the focus of the Fringe is undoubtedly skewed towards its staple dishes, principally comedy and theatre, the boost to the city’s nightlife is a welcome side effect. Ray Philp looks ahead to some of the most exciting club nights this August. Read more »
LATEST FEATURES
Peter Doig on his No Foreign Lands exhibition
Everywhere is home to Peter Doig, which is why his pictures take you to a strange place, he tells Susan Mansfield. Read more »
The Fringe and Scottish Independence
With a year to spare, the Fringe embraces the Scottish independence referendum debate in earnest – and in fun, finds Brian Ferguson. Read more »
FROM THE BLOG
Jo Caulfield’s Fringe Diary
Edinburgh-based comedian Jo Caulfield shares her experiences of the Fringe along with her pick of the shows and events. Read more »
Video: Flamenco flashmob opens festival season
Scotland’s biggest flamenco flashmob surprised passers-by in Edinburgh to mark the opening of the capital’s festival season. More than 50 dancers, aged between 18 and 75, took part in the spontaneous performance at the bottom of the Mound. Read more »
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Win tickets for the Famous Spiegeltent with Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz have 10 pairs of tickets to The Five-Thirty Cabaret at the Famous Spiegeltent up for grabs, plus 1 Aperol Spritz kit containing everything you need to create the perfect Aperol Spritz at home, and 1 Gold Card Pass to the Famous Club Spiegel.
Members of a flash mob in Edinburgh show that dancing is meant to be fun. Picture: Phil Wilkinson
Humiliation on the dance floor began at school and took a long time to overcome, writes Pete Martin. So isn’t it time we started embracing the life-enhancing benefits of dancing?
“ARE ye dancing?” “Are ye asking?” When I was a schoolboy, I saw Francie and Josie deliver this routine at Perth Theatre.
Dressed in vivid Teddy-boy suits, the Scots comedy duo – aka Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy – lampooned the Scottish dancehall mating ritual.
Fresh from the searing humiliation of Scottish country dancing classes at school, my own answer to both questions would have been, “Naw” and categorically “Naw”.
In the run-up to the festive season, our gym teacher Mrs Loudon had tried to make our primary school Christmas party more magical by teaching us all The Dashing White Sergeant and The Gay Gordons.
It happened every year but still caught us by surprise. Like Mrs Loudon whacking a hockey ball, and it cracking off your shins, the sudden shock reminded you that PE could also stand for Painful Experience.
A big part of the problem was picking a partner. By primary seven, the wise guys were trying to shuffle towards the pretty girls and away from the socially undesirable females. You suspect that the girls were doing exactly the same. The result was an undignified rammy only producing random pairings.
Statistically, you were more likely to find yourself being birled round by an unkempt, burly girl as holding hands with a beauty queen.
Mrs Loudon was a fine teacher and famously graced any curling rink. On dry land though, she wasn’t exactly Isadora Duncan. Under her track-suited tutelage, we thundered round the gym hall in varying degrees of disorder like chaos theory in action. Somewhere in a jungle far away, a butterfly fluttered its wings, and then an elephant stood on it.
And so we arrived at secondary school – and our first proper school Christmas disco – having no idea how to dance.
Your mum and dad had the foxtrot. At any “do”, you saw them glide elegantly, effortlessly round the floor to the Big Band sound. Older cousins could lindy hop a little, jiving and rocking around the clock to the likes of Bill Haley. Even those who grew up in the early 60s had the twist and the watusi and the sort of go-go dancing you see Ringo doing at a night club in The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night movie.
Then came flower power, pot and LSD. Hippies didn’t dance, man. Maybe it was just too hot in a kaftan, under all that hair. In films from music festivals in the late sixties, you just see the odd girl waving her arms around floppily, like she’s trying to cast a spell after taking too many muscle relaxants.
What was left for my generation? Both of our feet. Simply watch any episode of Top Of The Pops from the early seventies to get a sense of how rhythmically challenged we’d become. You’ll see the kids in the audience more or less immobile, swaying a bit or doing tiny hops from foot to foot like they need the loo, out of time to the music.
Of course, we knew some people could dance. Pan’s People could dance, but they were girls, and wore hot pants. That little kid – the one with the big afro, yes, Michael Jackson, that was his name – he could dance. But I’m fairly sure he wasn’t Scottish.
Meanwhile, down the disco in the local Scottish church hall, our dance moves were as muted as the oil wheel lighting. As the evening ended and a hit by Slade bellowed across the dance floor, even a lad in Levis, braces and cherry red Doc Martens might finally feel impelled to dance.
His favoured step (singular) might involve tapping one foot, then the other, while rotating the torso to move the arms, stiffly. Repeat as required.
Luckily, across most of Scotland, Northern soul then spun into town. For our younger readers, this was a strange dance (and record collecting) cult which started in Manchester’s mid-sixties mod scene.
With religious zeal and the slogan, “Keep the faith”, it entered the mainstream briefly in the mid-seventies.
The dancing echoed the high-energy style of James Brown with spins and backdrops. Wearing Oxford bags – trousers like big flares only parallel – and leather-soled shoes, the faithful would shake talcum on the dance floor to help them shimmy and spin.
The music itself was like Mowtown with a thumping beat. As befits a cult mentality, the tunes were often wilfully obscure. There were hidden gems – Little Anthony and The Imperials’ Better Use Your Head being my own favourite – but a lot of dross too.
And so, at the Soul Club at least, it became almost socially acceptable for the working class Scottish male to dance. My mate Danny was a great mover and we discovered that girls liked guys who danced – even if other guys didn’t.
Dan was cool and handsome, and just happened to be hard as nails, so the pair of us could ponce about with impunity.
Forty years later, “the faith” has ossified into a bit of a pastiche of itself. Today, at any shindig with a decent age range, you’ll still see two or three middle-aged men in Fred Perrys doing a pale imitation.
Still, life goes on, and the beat doesn’t. One minute you were burning up the dance floor. Next your kids are burning up with embarrassment. The question is: what is a dad to do, if not dad dancing?
Inevitably, one of the challenges life throws your way is trying to learn to dance properly. A while back, my better half and I subscribed to salsa lessons. The syncopated snake-hipped Latino teachers looked like sex on a stick. We just looked like sticks.
Undaunted, the other weekend, we attended a vintage festival in Glasgow. Early on Saturday, the Charleston beckoned.
Taught by a lovely flapper, we joined a class mostly made up of women – from grannies to young girls – with just a smattering of menfolk. It was a right laugh. Wild and immoral in the Prohibition era, the 1920s dance craze now seems like a simple, unsexy, slightly comedic way to work up a sweat. If your aim is to look cool and pull, the Charleston may not be for you.
On Sunday, we flung ourselves into the foxtrot and I want to tell you that we have found our perfect dance form. But that would be untrue. I picture my mum and dad twirling round the dance floor, and see myself moving with all the grace of a shopping trolley with a sticky wheel.
Like many simple things, these dances seem easy to do badly, and hard to master. What I do learn, is that there’s more to dancing than mating. The human urge to cut a rug appears to be more multi-functional.
Unlike night clubs, which foster the idea that dancing is only for the young and the drunk, these dance parties attracted all ages and felt like community. There’s a real feel-good vibe.
There are older couples putting us to shame with their style. There are young women enjoying dancing together, maybe because there aren’t many young men present. It’s about shaking your booty as a shared experience – letting go rather than bottling up.
I’m struck by the idea that we can avoid getting down by getting down. You can change your mind by moving your body. In a country which struggles with health and well-being, any activity which both burns calories and lifts low mood can’t be bad.
So, can the average uptight Scottish man lose his fear of shaking his tail feathers? Or will we remain content to prowl the sidelines of life until we, literally, shuffle off the planet? That is the question. “Are ye dancing?” I’m only asking.
Peter Jones: Boris can be Scots’ fiscal champion
Alex Salmond and Boris Johnson may be of similar mind when it comes to devolved tax powers. Picture:PA
As Holyrood seeks more tax powers, Salmond may have an ally in the shape of the Mayor of London, writes Peter Jones
Boris Johnson is perhaps as far removed, geographically and politically, as it is possible to be from Scottish politics. But could the mayor of London turn out to be an important ally for Scotland and the quest for Holyrood to have more tax powers?
Let’s assume that Scots vote No to independence next September, a bit of a stretch for some readers, I know, but bear with me. The nationalist argument is that should that happen, Westminster will turn its back on Scotland.
This flies in the face of history which says that all recent constitutional change, from the creation of the Scottish parliament to the new tax powers in the Scotland Act, has been delivered by unionist parties at Westminster.
The SNP can certainly be credited with creating the pressure that has goaded unionists into constitutional change, especially the devolution of the latest fiscal powers. But if Scotland votes No in 2014, the nationalist bluff will have been called. So why would Westminster politicians want to do anything?
First, the three unionist parties at Holyrood are all committed to working up proposals to devolve more power to the Scottish parliament. Alex Salmond, should he lose the vote, won’t stop demanding more powers either.
It is possible the various players will be log-jammed in disagreement. But the UK leaders at Westminster are unlikely to tolerate that. They face elections in 2015 and their Scottish parties also go to the polls in 2016 and UK leaders will want their parties to be winners in both.
Polls show that Scottish voters want Holyrood to have more powers, including fiscal devolution. Though they give that a lower priority than dealing with unemployment and public services, it also appears that voters use parties’ interest in more devolution as a kind of barometer to judge how concerned they are about Scotland. So there is an electoral interest in moving further down the devolution road.
Second, there is constitutional agitation in the rest of Britain. A consensus has developed across the four main Welsh political parties that the Welsh Assembly ought to have more law-making and tax-raising powers. A Welsh commission will make recommendations in the next year.
In Northern Ireland, and from across the republican-unionist spectrum, there is also a demand for more fiscal devolution. David Cameron’s government has said it will announce a decision on the key demand – devolution of corporation tax – by autumn 2014.
So it is a mistake to think that Scotland is an isolated, lonely, voice. Strong and probably irresistible pressures are building in the other devolved nations for more devolution.
Third, there is England. Regional devolution is off the agenda, but that doesn’t mean that change isn’t happening. In fact, Mr Cameron has been delivering some rather interesting fiscal change.
The main move, pretty much unnoticed in Scotland, concerns business rates. Taxes levied by local authorities on businesses are collected by councils, but then sent directly to the Treasury which sets the tax rates for all of England and recycles the tax yield back to local authorities according to a formula.
This system, which is mirrored in Scotland, is designed to even the tax yield playing field so that councils which happen to have a lot of businesses in their area do not get a huge amount of business rates, allowing them to cut the residential council tax to minimal levels. The formula also gives councils with few businesses more money.
The problem with this is that it gives councils little incentive to encourage business growth. So from this year, English councils will keep half of all new business rates which are generated above a baseline. The government calculates that this incentive will stimulate extra business growth of between £2 billion and £20 bn over the next seven years.
Councils in the Greater Manchester area have gone a step further and agreed with the government a “City Deal”. The Treasury will give them more money if investments they make boost economic development above an agreed level of economic output in their area.
And then fourthly, there is Mr Johnson. He set up a London Finance Commission and in May it recommended that power over all property taxes – council tax, business rates, stamp duties on land and buildings sales, capital gains property development tax – should be devolved along with a corresponding cut in the Treasury grant to London.
Drawing heavily on Scotland’s Calman Commission, it also suggested that the London Assembly have the power to levy new taxes, such as a tourist bed tax. Mr Johnson wasn’t keen but he was enthusiastic about property tax devolution. He declared that London was “an economic giant, a political giant, but a fiscal infant”. Its elected authorities raise only 7 per cent of all taxes paid by its residents and businesses.
The Commission argued that London’s growth demands heavy investment in infrastructure, such as the £14.8 bn Crossrail scheme now being built, which has to be mostly financed by central government.
But the mayor, the assembly, and the borough councils, the commission said, would be better able to prioritise the necessary projects. Indeed, if they were more dependent on the taxes they raised for the money they spend, they would be more likely to pursue investment which promotes economic growth.
Sounds very familiar, doesn’t it? It adds up to pressure across the political spectrum and in all parts of the UK for more tax devolution in the cause of promoting economic growth and at a time when the UK government really needs to do something about growth.
The weakness in the argument is that political certainty about the beneficial growth effects of devolving taxes is not backed by evidence. The London Finance Commission acknowledged that “existing academic evidence was inconclusive about the impact of devolving fiscal powers”.
Nevertheless, the coalition government in its partial business rate devolution and Manchester City Deal has sold the pass on that. Generating growth to bring a swifter end to austerity will be a high priority for all parties at the 2015 general election.
Irrespective of the outcome, but especially if there is a Conservative victory, Boris Johnson, because he is a new player in the fiscal devolution debate and carries big weight in Tory ranks, especially with less progressive elements, could well be the key player in making things happen. Anyone for the Boris and Alex show?
Police have confirmed the identity of the two people found dead a the Scotsman Hotel. Picture: Ian Rutherford
Police have confirmed the identities of the two people found dead following a chemical incident at the Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh.
They were 27-year-old Igor Pavlov and 35-year-old Daria Kuchuk from Russia.
The pair were discovered by hotel staff at around 12.15pm last Thursday.
A multi-agency investigation determined that Mr Pavlov and Miss Kuchuk’s deaths were chemical-related and a number of items seized from the room continue to undergo forensic analysis.
Police have said the unexplained deaths were linked to a chemical incident and reports suggest the pair, took their own lives using home-made cyanide.
There were also unconfirmed reports that a lengthy suicide note was found in the suite near to where the bodies were discovered at 12:15pm on Thursday.
Forensic teams were last Friday searching her property, which is around the corner from The Scotsman Hotel where the bodies were found in a sixth-floor suite on Thursday afternoon.
No further traces of chemicals were detected within this property.
Neighbours told The Scotsman that an Eastern European woman had lived in the rented property for several years and her partner was there often.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he had not seen the woman for several days.
“We first noticed officers around the close on Thursday but didn’t think too much of it until Friday, when about seven or eight people in white scene of crime suits arrived,” he said.
“Another of my neighbours spoke to police and said they have opened all of the windows because they thought there was a gas inside the property. Police removed the mail as well.
“We realised that something serious had obviously happened and we thought it was an odd coincidence after what happened at the hotel. Now we know it’s linked we’re obviously fairly shocked. I don’t know the woman well but she is in her forties and has a partner.
“They were very quiet and kept to themselves. It’s a very strange story really and immensely sad. Booking into an expensive hotel just up the road and then doing what they did.”
Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances surrounding both of these deaths, which continue to be treated as unexplained at this time.
A STAGE adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption featuring well-known comedians in the key roles heads the line-up at one of the longest-running venues on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year.
Veteran comic Owen O’Neill is to take the helm of the production, which will feature stand-ups Omid Djalili and Phil Nichol in an all-star cast at the Assembly Rooms. O’Neill was also behind hit Fringe adaptations Twelve Angry Men and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
The 1994 film of The Shawshank Redemption, an adaptation of a Stephen King story, starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and has been voted one of the best films of all-time.
The Assembly Rooms’ programme, which is being put together by veteran comedy promoter Tommy Sheppard for a second year, is hopeful that the production will be “one of the hottest tickets in town”.
High-profile politicians will rub shoulders with some of Scotland’s best-known writers and musicians in other events at the Assembly Rooms, which has been a fixture on the Fringe for more than three decades.
Motown star Martha Reeves will be appearing at the George Street venue, while its line-up also features Moscow’s blackSKYwhite – former Scotsman Fringe First winners – who will be back with a spectacular new physical theatre show, Omega.
Outspoken Respect MP George Galloway will make his Fringe debut, in a series of lunchtime political talks which will also feature Labour icon Tony Benn and Tom Watson, one of the key instigators in exposing the phone-hacking scandal.
Scotland’s national poet, Liz Lochhead, will be performing a series of intimate “poems, rhymes, songs without tunes and character monologues”.
Other spoken-word events will feature Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, TV presenter Monty Don, and former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway.
Djalili will also be appearing in his own stand-up show, as will Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, and outspoken comic-cum-magician Jerry Sadowitz.
Musical highlights unveiled for the venue include appearances from 1980s Scottish pop bands Love & Money and Hue & Cry, singer-songwriter Horse, and folk favourites Donnie Munro and Dougie MacLean.
New theatre work from Scotland includes comedy hostage drama Hindsight, written by Only an Excuse creator Phil Differ, starring comic and actor Raymond Mearns, and Alison Peebles’s play Bite the Bullet, about a reunited one-hit wonder band from Glasgow.
More than 800 different performances will be on the programme at the Assembly Rooms and the Famous Spiegeltent, which will again be located outside the Georgian venue.
Mr Sheppard said: “We are offering the best theatre, comedy and music on the Fringe bar none. We have also been working with local businesses to improve the outdoor area of the Famous Spiegelterrace and are confident George Street will be the place to be this summer.”
For a goof I started researching some of the science behind sex and relationships. Then I stumbled across the fields of evolutionary psychology and biology and it blew my mind. It's now taken over my life.
What’s your festival mantra?
Stay awake!!!
What’s your favourite Scottish word?
Whatever blootered bampot came up with that question had a few too many bevvies. By the way, how many words do you galoots have for guttered numpties?
Which show would be your tip of the Fringe?
I'm not sure what that means. Can you rephrase it?
Have you sat on Arthur’s Seat?
Sorry, but that's kind of a person question.
What’s the one thing you need to survive the festival?
If I only get one thing, I'll take the atmosphere.
What chat up line do you think guarantees success?
Excuse me, are you an angel, because it smells like somebody died. (I only pick up girls outside the toilet.) P.S. Just because I study mating, doesn't mean I'm good at it.
When I’m not on stage you’ll find me….
Honestly, if you don't stop stalking me, I'm going to call the police.
My dream audience member would be…
A dragon.
If you like… all of your dreams coming true (sans dragons)...you’ll like my show.
And finally… How much is a can of Irn Bru?
Is this a game show? If it is, I have a pretty good idea of who it's sponsored by.
Full line-up announced as Stephen K Amos takes over thespian chats in Princes Street Gardens
By Thom Dibdin
Stephen K Amos is to take over hosting duties on Assembly Theatre’s daily Talk Show, following Frank Skinner’s withdrawal from the Spiegeltent show in Princes Street Gardens
Running through to Sunday 29 August, the hour long show
Edinburgh Festival Theatre gets funding for film upgrade but Assembly Rooms project KB’d by Heritage Lottery Fund
By Thom Dibdin
The Festival Theatre is set to become the venue for the opening night gala premiere of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival after being given a £245,000 grant to install digital and 35mm projection equipment.
Rory McGrath and Philip Pope perform A collection of songs that are a sophisticated mix of wit, elegance and clever musical pastiche (but don't worry, there's also silliness and filth) BOOK NOW
Australian Hannah Gadsby has written a new show about the lowest point in her life (thus far) and how she eventually found happiness in a piece of furniture. ‘Humour with heart, hips and brains’ Adelaide Advertiser BOOK NOW 6 - 25 August, Assembly Roxy- Downstairs, 16:30
Funny, angry and brutally honest about the troubling nature of the Creator God, these stories surprise and enchant, leaving you with unexpected answers and maybe more questions than you thought you had. BOOK NOW
Full Frontal Nerdity. Sci-curious comedy for the fearlessly inquisitive.Joyous, anarchic and exponentially entertaining – Nerd is the word! It’s time to get your geek on. 'Charm and perky curiosity is in its DNA.' Guardian BOOK NOW
2-25 August, Assembly George Square – Two, 18:10
Fresh from glitter-bombing the globe, the award winning trouble makers are back with a brand spankin' new show. The all male, all vaudeville, all trash brat-pack are in lock-down ready to unleash The Second Coming. Read more
1-26 August, Assembly George Sq - Spiegeltent Palazzo, 19:50
Winner of Best Show at the 2012 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, Australasia's cult comedy sensation finally hits the UK. 'A joyous hour of unashamed awkwardness’ Age, Melbourne BOOK NOW
1-25 August, Assembly George Square
George Square Box, 16:40
Take a peek at ALL of our shows in our online Assembly Festival Guide. It includes directions to, and information about, all of our venues, bars and street food stalls. HAVE A FLICK
On the night of 16th December 2012, a 23-year-old woman and her male friend boarded a bus at Munirka for Dwarka. What followed changed lives forever. Internationally acclaimed playwright and director Yael Farber creates a searing new work that cracks open the cone of silence on the staggering depth and breadth of violence perpetrated against women in India. This scorching new work will enrage, move, devastate and inspire you with the sheer capacity of the human spirit to rise, bear witness, survive and turn the tide.
Strobe Lighting
This show may contain strong language and nudity
Fresh from glitter-bombing the globe, the award winning trouble makers are back with a brand spankin' new show. The all male, all vaudeville, all trash brat-pack are in lock-down ready to unleash The Second Coming: a disorderly, circus infused Briefs-boys feast of new tricks, new wigs, new boys, new feathers and a new addictive sound track. 'Amazing physical talent' ***** (Irish Times). ‘Solid gold' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Highly entertaining' **** (Time Out, London). Winners Best Circus, Perth Fringe 2012 / 2013. Nominees Best Show, Dublin Fringe 2012. Nominees Best Production, London Cabaret Awards 2012.
Fame: we’re obsessed with it, but who will talk honestly about what it’s really like? David Baddiel, in his first full Edinburgh show for 15 years, does. From accidentally stealing the spotlight at Russell Brand’s wedding, to realising Andrew Lloyd Webber thinks he's Ben Elton, David Baddiel examines his strange relationship with the New Lad / Token Jew / comedy rock’n’roller / football singer/songwriter persona he’s co-existed with for 20 years. A ‘very funny and thought-provoking’ (Veronica Lee, Daily Telegraph) meditation on being (and not being) famous. ‘Hilarious and weirdly moving’ (Peter Bradshaw, Guardian).
With over 50 million album sales worldwide, Rick has endeared himself to all genres and all ages. Join him and his piano for these intimate performances of songs and stories from a remarkable musician. If this show were in a cookery book, the instructions would simply read: Take a large concert grand piano and seat Rick Wakeman in front of the keys. After the first piece, sprinkle in a ludicrous and funny anecdote. Repeat for approximately one hour.
Julius the clown is a clumsy character who lives on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa. He dreams of performing his first ever one-man circus show. The world he creates is full of imagination and excitement. On the other hand fear and doubt of an unknown world ready to destroy him. Using what's around him he entertains passer-bys, hoping one day he'll meet the person who'll hire his one-man circus show.
Steve Richards presents Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics 2. After his hit show last year the award-winning columnist and BBC presenter, Steve Richards, presents a new, unique behind-the-scenes guide to the great political dramas and characters. Laugh and cry as Cameron, Clegg, Miliband, Salmond and many more struggle to make sense of a political and media world that is all shook up. ‘Excellent’ (Spectator). ‘Hot ticket’ (New Statesman).
Hot from the oven comes the tastiest breakfast in town. Featuring only the best comedians and acts at the Fringe, this is a morning variety show for the early risers. Mums and Dads, sit back with a coffee and croissant. Kids, get ready to laugh until lunchtime. You just bought a ticket for a show for something to do in that gap between breakfast and lunch. But this isn't just another kid’s show...
Javier Jarquin: Joke Ninja-avier Jarquin-Comedy 6-25 August-Performance time 18:30- Baillie Room - Assembly Hall
How many jokes are out there and you've just never noticed them? Humour that blends seamlessly into its surroundings? Comedy that waits silently in the shadows? Having dedicated years of his life to learning the deadly comedic arts, award-winning New Zealand comedian Javier Jarquin sets out to find, expose and present these rogue jokes to his audience in all their hilarious glory. Armed with slick observations and killer punchlines, Jarquin fights his way through an hour of stand-up. Expect blood.
Ad-Lib: Spontaneous Genius- sembly- Skoken Word 21-25 August- Performance time 22:30
Main Hall - Assembly Hall The ultimate once in a lifetime show. Never to be repeated! No reviews. No stars. No idea what's going to happen. No idea who's going to be on our stage. No idea what they're going to say. Welcome to the dangerous and unpredictable world of ad lib! You have been warned.
Adam Hills: Happyism
Off the Kerb Productions by arrangement with Lisa Richards Agency Comedy 15-25 August Performance time 19:30
Main Hall - Assembly Hall- May contain strong language
Host of Channel 4's The Last Leg, Edinburgh's favourite adopted Aussie son comes home with a brand spanking new show. Sundays with BSL sign interpreter Catherine King. 'Hills is astonishingly good at what he does' (Chortle.co.uk). 'If you cannot enjoy Adam Hills you cannot have a pulse' ***** (Scotsman).
Adventures of a Life Insurance Salesman Peter Rosengard- 20 August Performance time 18:45
Have you got chutzpah? You will after you've seen this show. From the man "who can sell ice to a snowman", there is only one Peter Rosengard, rock star life insurance salesman, champion breakfaster and founder of the Comedy Store. Don't bring your wallet! Website: www.talkingtostrangers.me.uk
Afterhours Comedy
Hils Jago for Amused Moose ComedyComedy -10-24 AugustPerformance time 23:45
Laughter-packed, legendary, unmissable, and with a splendid new roost and shiny image, Afterhours will delight you by showcasing the Fringe's highest flying stand-ups (sometimes so famous we can't name them in advance). Afterhours also hand-picks the very best emerging fledgling talent, who soar from obscurity during the Fringe. Past stars included Jimmy Carr, Noel Fielding, Flight of the Conchords, Tim Minchin, Michael McIntyre, Dara O'Briain, John Bishop, Sarah Millican, Boy With Tape On His Face and so many more. ‘The Fringe's best late night show’ (Jason Byrne). ‘Awesome late night hilarity’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Stellar!’ (Scotsman).
Akmal-AssemblyComedy -6-26 August-Performance time 20:50
Movies, sketch, stand-up, TV appearances, radio DJ and talk-show host, improviser and published author, Akmal is one of Australia's most respected, successful and accomplished comics. He displays an incredible ability to deal with hot topics in a hilarious and slightly offensive way. ‘People were rocking back and forth, holding their stomachs and shouting out with laughter’ (Adelaide Advertiser). ‘[Akmal] is an explosion of laughter and entertainment’ (Telegraph Mirror).
festival latest
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Broadway Enchanté
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Enter the code ENCHANTE as you book tickets
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Gyles Brandreth and Mark Greeneway. Picture: Joey Kelly
TV’S GYLES Brandreth joined Edinburgh chef Mark Greenaway to launch the capital’s upcoming Foodies Festival today.
Greenaway, who appeared on the BBC series The Great British Menu, helped the former Conservative MP bake a cake to mark the launch of the sixth edition of the food festival.
Foodies Festival plays host to food and drinks from all over the world, as well as appearances from top chefs and comedians in its theatre areas.
Foodies Festival runs from Friday 9 - Sunday 11 August at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh.
Fraudsters near £105k bill on Creative Scotland card
by TRISTAN STEWART-ROBERTSON
The fraudsters' spending went as far as the Caribbean. Picture: PA
FRAUDSTERS spent nearly £105,000 on a credit card belonging to arts quango Creative Scotland before anyone noticed the money was missing.
Criminals bought luxury holidays and flights around the globe on the account, but staff said they were too busy to check monthly statements.
The fraud only came to light when the card hit its spending limit, after eight months and 132 transactions. The amount was just under the £137,404 that has been spent legitimately on credit cards since Creative Scotland’s formation in 2010.
It was only four months after an auditor’s analysis of the fraud that it was reported to police, with £70,400 eventually reimbursed from credit card provider JP Morgan. Creative Scotland, which has budget of around £83 million a year, acknowledged “weaknesses” in its system at the time and said a further review was taking place.
According to reports, the £104,600 in spending took place between December 2010 and July 2011. Auditor Deloitte was called in after the fraud was discovered and found a “serious control lapse”.
Eight credit cards belonging to the organisation were found to regularly be passed around staff, and some workers kept photocopies of them to make purchases easier. However, Deloitte said criminals obtained details when staff faxed copies of both sides of the cards to hotels when booking rooms.
The finance department did not check the credit card statements every month, blaming “increased workload” and a broken link to a website with online statements.
A spokesman for Creative Scotland said: “This fraud occurred when Creative Scotland was first formed and in the process of bringing together two sets of finance systems from the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
“We fully acknowledge weaknesses in our system at that time which led to the fraud going undetected. Robust systems are now in place to prevent such a fraud happening again. We have regular auditing and continue to improve the quality of our financial monitoring. Our new chief executive, Janet Archer, has actioned a further review of our internal expenses policy, which is under way.”
Some of the legitimate credit card expenses included £716 to stay in a five-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro, stays in Glasgow’s Blythswood Square and Edinburgh’s Glasshouse, and thousands of pounds on music downloads, concert tickets, flowers and drinks orders.
Creative Scotland said senior staff sometimes needed to be part of international delegations, host receptions, dinners and meetings. Spending was closely monitored, said the quango.
In June, The Scotsman revealed that Creative Scotland was spending up to £45,000 to ask people what they thought of the body and its work, and was bringing in consultants to “better understand our customers”.
The arts body had decided to go back to the drawing board over the coming year, with Ms Archer taking over last month and being responsible for a new blueprint. In the past year, the quango faced a rebellion by artists, the resignation of its chief executive, and damning reviews.
Creative Scotland also spent thousands of pounds on a roadshow of “open sessions” around the country to seek the views of artists and arts organisations.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “This organisation has often been criticised for being wasteful with money. Now it seems it’s even allowing other people to be wasteful on its behalf.”
Is your head a little fuzzy after the opening weekend of the Fringe? Need a little inspiration for the week ahead? Here’s a snapshot of what’s on Edinburgh Festivalstoday.
LATEST REVIEWS
Theatre review: Blam!
You’re unlikely to find a better way of starting your festival than this. It’s a blast, a pistol at the start of a race. And yet it begins in near silence, in the yellowing white of a torrid office. No women work here, just three men and their manager, with his greasy hair and try-hard ways. Read more »
Comedy review: Laura Levites
She looks like a cross between a young Ruby Wax and a young Judy Garland, rocking reams of unruly pre-Raphaelite tresses and a serious caffeine high. She is an extraordinary stage presence, even in front of ten people at her “completely reworked this morning … so … hey !” show. Read more »
Comedy review: Michael Che
From the projects of New York’s Lower East Side, Michael Che shows future star potential with this entertaining Fringe debut. Relaxed, reflective and endearingly frank, the 30-year-old African-American shares his intermittently insightful and dubious wisdom with a nonchalant, take-me-as-I-am attitude. Read more »
It’s not all about plush theatres and pub basements – for some Fringe shows the venue is as important as the performance itself. Lindsey Johnstone runs through 10 weird and wonderful Fringe venues in this year’s programme. Read more »
Clubbing highlights during the Edinburgh Festival
While the focus of the Fringe is undoubtedly skewed towards its staple dishes, principally comedy and theatre, the boost to the city’s nightlife is a welcome side effect. Ray Philp looks ahead to some of the most exciting club nights this August. Read more »
LATEST FEATURES
Peter Doig on his No Foreign Lands exhibition
Everywhere is home to Peter Doig, which is why his pictures take you to a strange place, he tells Susan Mansfield. Read more »
The Fringe and Scottish Independence
With a year to spare, the Fringe embraces the Scottish independence referendum debate in earnest – and in fun, finds Brian Ferguson. Read more »
FROM THE BLOG
Jo Caulfield’s Fringe Diary
Edinburgh-based comedian Jo Caulfield shares her experiences of the Fringe along with her pick of the shows and events. Read more »
Video: Flamenco flashmob opens festival season
Scotland’s biggest flamenco flashmob surprised passers-by in Edinburgh to mark the opening of the capital’s festival season. More than 50 dancers, aged between 18 and 75, took part in the spontaneous performance at the bottom of the Mound. Read more »
Competition
Win tickets for the Famous Spiegeltent with Aperol Spritz
Aperol Spritz have 10 pairs of tickets to The Five-Thirty Cabaret at the Famous Spiegeltent up for grabs, plus 1 Aperol Spritz kit containing everything you need to create the perfect Aperol Spritz at home, and 1 Gold Card Pass to the Famous Club Spiegel.
Members of a flash mob in Edinburgh show that dancing is meant to be fun. Picture: Phil Wilkinson
Humiliation on the dance floor began at school and took a long time to overcome, writes Pete Martin. So isn’t it time we started embracing the life-enhancing benefits of dancing?
“ARE ye dancing?” “Are ye asking?” When I was a schoolboy, I saw Francie and Josie deliver this routine at Perth Theatre.
Dressed in vivid Teddy-boy suits, the Scots comedy duo – aka Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy – lampooned the Scottish dancehall mating ritual.
Fresh from the searing humiliation of Scottish country dancing classes at school, my own answer to both questions would have been, “Naw” and categorically “Naw”.
In the run-up to the festive season, our gym teacher Mrs Loudon had tried to make our primary school Christmas party more magical by teaching us all The Dashing White Sergeant and The Gay Gordons.
It happened every year but still caught us by surprise. Like Mrs Loudon whacking a hockey ball, and it cracking off your shins, the sudden shock reminded you that PE could also stand for Painful Experience.
A big part of the problem was picking a partner. By primary seven, the wise guys were trying to shuffle towards the pretty girls and away from the socially undesirable females. You suspect that the girls were doing exactly the same. The result was an undignified rammy only producing random pairings.
Statistically, you were more likely to find yourself being birled round by an unkempt, burly girl as holding hands with a beauty queen.
Mrs Loudon was a fine teacher and famously graced any curling rink. On dry land though, she wasn’t exactly Isadora Duncan. Under her track-suited tutelage, we thundered round the gym hall in varying degrees of disorder like chaos theory in action. Somewhere in a jungle far away, a butterfly fluttered its wings, and then an elephant stood on it.
And so we arrived at secondary school – and our first proper school Christmas disco – having no idea how to dance.
Your mum and dad had the foxtrot. At any “do”, you saw them glide elegantly, effortlessly round the floor to the Big Band sound. Older cousins could lindy hop a little, jiving and rocking around the clock to the likes of Bill Haley. Even those who grew up in the early 60s had the twist and the watusi and the sort of go-go dancing you see Ringo doing at a night club in The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night movie.
Then came flower power, pot and LSD. Hippies didn’t dance, man. Maybe it was just too hot in a kaftan, under all that hair. In films from music festivals in the late sixties, you just see the odd girl waving her arms around floppily, like she’s trying to cast a spell after taking too many muscle relaxants.
What was left for my generation? Both of our feet. Simply watch any episode of Top Of The Pops from the early seventies to get a sense of how rhythmically challenged we’d become. You’ll see the kids in the audience more or less immobile, swaying a bit or doing tiny hops from foot to foot like they need the loo, out of time to the music.
Of course, we knew some people could dance. Pan’s People could dance, but they were girls, and wore hot pants. That little kid – the one with the big afro, yes, Michael Jackson, that was his name – he could dance. But I’m fairly sure he wasn’t Scottish.
Meanwhile, down the disco in the local Scottish church hall, our dance moves were as muted as the oil wheel lighting. As the evening ended and a hit by Slade bellowed across the dance floor, even a lad in Levis, braces and cherry red Doc Martens might finally feel impelled to dance.
His favoured step (singular) might involve tapping one foot, then the other, while rotating the torso to move the arms, stiffly. Repeat as required.
Luckily, across most of Scotland, Northern soul then spun into town. For our younger readers, this was a strange dance (and record collecting) cult which started in Manchester’s mid-sixties mod scene.
With religious zeal and the slogan, “Keep the faith”, it entered the mainstream briefly in the mid-seventies.
The dancing echoed the high-energy style of James Brown with spins and backdrops. Wearing Oxford bags – trousers like big flares only parallel – and leather-soled shoes, the faithful would shake talcum on the dance floor to help them shimmy and spin.
The music itself was like Mowtown with a thumping beat. As befits a cult mentality, the tunes were often wilfully obscure. There were hidden gems – Little Anthony and The Imperials’ Better Use Your Head being my own favourite – but a lot of dross too.
And so, at the Soul Club at least, it became almost socially acceptable for the working class Scottish male to dance. My mate Danny was a great mover and we discovered that girls liked guys who danced – even if other guys didn’t.
Dan was cool and handsome, and just happened to be hard as nails, so the pair of us could ponce about with impunity.
Forty years later, “the faith” has ossified into a bit of a pastiche of itself. Today, at any shindig with a decent age range, you’ll still see two or three middle-aged men in Fred Perrys doing a pale imitation.
Still, life goes on, and the beat doesn’t. One minute you were burning up the dance floor. Next your kids are burning up with embarrassment. The question is: what is a dad to do, if not dad dancing?
Inevitably, one of the challenges life throws your way is trying to learn to dance properly. A while back, my better half and I subscribed to salsa lessons. The syncopated snake-hipped Latino teachers looked like sex on a stick. We just looked like sticks.
Undaunted, the other weekend, we attended a vintage festival in Glasgow. Early on Saturday, the Charleston beckoned.
Taught by a lovely flapper, we joined a class mostly made up of women – from grannies to young girls – with just a smattering of menfolk. It was a right laugh. Wild and immoral in the Prohibition era, the 1920s dance craze now seems like a simple, unsexy, slightly comedic way to work up a sweat. If your aim is to look cool and pull, the Charleston may not be for you.
On Sunday, we flung ourselves into the foxtrot and I want to tell you that we have found our perfect dance form. But that would be untrue. I picture my mum and dad twirling round the dance floor, and see myself moving with all the grace of a shopping trolley with a sticky wheel.
Like many simple things, these dances seem easy to do badly, and hard to master. What I do learn, is that there’s more to dancing than mating. The human urge to cut a rug appears to be more multi-functional.
Unlike night clubs, which foster the idea that dancing is only for the young and the drunk, these dance parties attracted all ages and felt like community. There’s a real feel-good vibe.
There are older couples putting us to shame with their style. There are young women enjoying dancing together, maybe because there aren’t many young men present. It’s about shaking your booty as a shared experience – letting go rather than bottling up.
I’m struck by the idea that we can avoid getting down by getting down. You can change your mind by moving your body. In a country which struggles with health and well-being, any activity which both burns calories and lifts low mood can’t be bad.
So, can the average uptight Scottish man lose his fear of shaking his tail feathers? Or will we remain content to prowl the sidelines of life until we, literally, shuffle off the planet? That is the question. “Are ye dancing?” I’m only asking.
Peter Jones: Boris can be Scots’ fiscal champion
Alex Salmond and Boris Johnson may be of similar mind when it comes to devolved tax powers. Picture:PA
As Holyrood seeks more tax powers, Salmond may have an ally in the shape of the Mayor of London, writes Peter Jones
Boris Johnson is perhaps as far removed, geographically and politically, as it is possible to be from Scottish politics. But could the mayor of London turn out to be an important ally for Scotland and the quest for Holyrood to have more tax powers?
Let’s assume that Scots vote No to independence next September, a bit of a stretch for some readers, I know, but bear with me. The nationalist argument is that should that happen, Westminster will turn its back on Scotland.
This flies in the face of history which says that all recent constitutional change, from the creation of the Scottish parliament to the new tax powers in the Scotland Act, has been delivered by unionist parties at Westminster.
The SNP can certainly be credited with creating the pressure that has goaded unionists into constitutional change, especially the devolution of the latest fiscal powers. But if Scotland votes No in 2014, the nationalist bluff will have been called. So why would Westminster politicians want to do anything?
First, the three unionist parties at Holyrood are all committed to working up proposals to devolve more power to the Scottish parliament. Alex Salmond, should he lose the vote, won’t stop demanding more powers either.
It is possible the various players will be log-jammed in disagreement. But the UK leaders at Westminster are unlikely to tolerate that. They face elections in 2015 and their Scottish parties also go to the polls in 2016 and UK leaders will want their parties to be winners in both.
Polls show that Scottish voters want Holyrood to have more powers, including fiscal devolution. Though they give that a lower priority than dealing with unemployment and public services, it also appears that voters use parties’ interest in more devolution as a kind of barometer to judge how concerned they are about Scotland. So there is an electoral interest in moving further down the devolution road.
Second, there is constitutional agitation in the rest of Britain. A consensus has developed across the four main Welsh political parties that the Welsh Assembly ought to have more law-making and tax-raising powers. A Welsh commission will make recommendations in the next year.
In Northern Ireland, and from across the republican-unionist spectrum, there is also a demand for more fiscal devolution. David Cameron’s government has said it will announce a decision on the key demand – devolution of corporation tax – by autumn 2014.
So it is a mistake to think that Scotland is an isolated, lonely, voice. Strong and probably irresistible pressures are building in the other devolved nations for more devolution.
Third, there is England. Regional devolution is off the agenda, but that doesn’t mean that change isn’t happening. In fact, Mr Cameron has been delivering some rather interesting fiscal change.
The main move, pretty much unnoticed in Scotland, concerns business rates. Taxes levied by local authorities on businesses are collected by councils, but then sent directly to the Treasury which sets the tax rates for all of England and recycles the tax yield back to local authorities according to a formula.
This system, which is mirrored in Scotland, is designed to even the tax yield playing field so that councils which happen to have a lot of businesses in their area do not get a huge amount of business rates, allowing them to cut the residential council tax to minimal levels. The formula also gives councils with few businesses more money.
The problem with this is that it gives councils little incentive to encourage business growth. So from this year, English councils will keep half of all new business rates which are generated above a baseline. The government calculates that this incentive will stimulate extra business growth of between £2 billion and £20 bn over the next seven years.
Councils in the Greater Manchester area have gone a step further and agreed with the government a “City Deal”. The Treasury will give them more money if investments they make boost economic development above an agreed level of economic output in their area.
And then fourthly, there is Mr Johnson. He set up a London Finance Commission and in May it recommended that power over all property taxes – council tax, business rates, stamp duties on land and buildings sales, capital gains property development tax – should be devolved along with a corresponding cut in the Treasury grant to London.
Drawing heavily on Scotland’s Calman Commission, it also suggested that the London Assembly have the power to levy new taxes, such as a tourist bed tax. Mr Johnson wasn’t keen but he was enthusiastic about property tax devolution. He declared that London was “an economic giant, a political giant, but a fiscal infant”. Its elected authorities raise only 7 per cent of all taxes paid by its residents and businesses.
The Commission argued that London’s growth demands heavy investment in infrastructure, such as the £14.8 bn Crossrail scheme now being built, which has to be mostly financed by central government.
But the mayor, the assembly, and the borough councils, the commission said, would be better able to prioritise the necessary projects. Indeed, if they were more dependent on the taxes they raised for the money they spend, they would be more likely to pursue investment which promotes economic growth.
Sounds very familiar, doesn’t it? It adds up to pressure across the political spectrum and in all parts of the UK for more tax devolution in the cause of promoting economic growth and at a time when the UK government really needs to do something about growth.
The weakness in the argument is that political certainty about the beneficial growth effects of devolving taxes is not backed by evidence. The London Finance Commission acknowledged that “existing academic evidence was inconclusive about the impact of devolving fiscal powers”.
Nevertheless, the coalition government in its partial business rate devolution and Manchester City Deal has sold the pass on that. Generating growth to bring a swifter end to austerity will be a high priority for all parties at the 2015 general election.
Irrespective of the outcome, but especially if there is a Conservative victory, Boris Johnson, because he is a new player in the fiscal devolution debate and carries big weight in Tory ranks, especially with less progressive elements, could well be the key player in making things happen. Anyone for the Boris and Alex show?
Police have confirmed the identity of the two people found dead a the Scotsman Hotel. Picture: Ian Rutherford
Police have confirmed the identities of the two people found dead following a chemical incident at the Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh.
They were 27-year-old Igor Pavlov and 35-year-old Daria Kuchuk from Russia.
The pair were discovered by hotel staff at around 12.15pm last Thursday.
A multi-agency investigation determined that Mr Pavlov and Miss Kuchuk’s deaths were chemical-related and a number of items seized from the room continue to undergo forensic analysis.
Police have said the unexplained deaths were linked to a chemical incident and reports suggest the pair, took their own lives using home-made cyanide.
There were also unconfirmed reports that a lengthy suicide note was found in the suite near to where the bodies were discovered at 12:15pm on Thursday.
Forensic teams were last Friday searching her property, which is around the corner from The Scotsman Hotel where the bodies were found in a sixth-floor suite on Thursday afternoon.
No further traces of chemicals were detected within this property.
Neighbours told The Scotsman that an Eastern European woman had lived in the rented property for several years and her partner was there often.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he had not seen the woman for several days.
“We first noticed officers around the close on Thursday but didn’t think too much of it until Friday, when about seven or eight people in white scene of crime suits arrived,” he said.
“Another of my neighbours spoke to police and said they have opened all of the windows because they thought there was a gas inside the property. Police removed the mail as well.
“We realised that something serious had obviously happened and we thought it was an odd coincidence after what happened at the hotel. Now we know it’s linked we’re obviously fairly shocked. I don’t know the woman well but she is in her forties and has a partner.
“They were very quiet and kept to themselves. It’s a very strange story really and immensely sad. Booking into an expensive hotel just up the road and then doing what they did.”
Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances surrounding both of these deaths, which continue to be treated as unexplained at this time.
Mr Wijat's friend Magic Rabbit 
Guardian
Fringe Review
