O P I N I O N The comedian, actor and activist, whose show Cuckooed reveals how a friend spied on him, considers the personal trauma caused by surveillance
MARK THOMAS
I t seems to me that one of the key issues of the moment is privacy and data protection. For instance, I won’t have a loyalty card – I don’t want some supermarket knowing whether I bought porridge on a Friday or not.
Also, I’m not loyal to them – I shop around. I see other shops.
Britain is the country with the most CCTV cameras per capita, and it’s incredible that you have the situation where you walk down somewhere like Oxford Street in London, and God knows how many times you’re i lmed and how many databases you’re on. And we just accept it.
It’s very shocking when you i nd out that you’ve been spied upon, and especially when it’s a friend who has done it – when someone has deliberately got close to you in order to get information, and you don’t know who they took it to or what it’s being used for. The notion that this is some kind of victimless crime is totally wrong. People I know who have been spied upon by corporate spies have huge psychological issues as a result. And there’s a real shame that goes along with it – it’s very damaging. Has it affected the way I live? If I’m honest, it probably has.
According to the police, I’m a domestic extremist – that’s my category. There are over 9000 people on the domestic extremist database, which means you can be put under surveillance and that they can collect data on you. I joked with mates that thank God the police actually sent me the i le they had on me when I demanded it – imagine if they had nothing. It would have been so embarrassing. But we have to stick together. The bottom line, I believe, is that all progressive political activity, all activism is based on cooperation and fellowship. We have to celebrate our community, and mutually work together – and that’s a fantastic thing. It’s the strength of the movement, and also its weakness.
Cuckooed, Traverse, 228 1404, until 24 Aug (not 18), times vary, £19 (£8–£14).
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UNSUNG HERO We salute the tireless fi gures who devote their Augusts to . . . well, making it all happen
LESLEY DOBSON W What’s your job title? jo During the D festival I am f box ofi ce b manager at Summerhall. S
team is to sell tickets and to represent our companies and our venue to the best of our abilities. My job is fast-paced, busy, stressful, fun, exciting, challenging, exhausting and, in my opinion, dei nitely one of the most rewarding jobs in the festival.
So what do you actually do? I set up over 120 shows (up to 2000 performances in three weeks) and hire and train a full-time box ofi ce team of eight. Our job as a Where are people likely to see you? During the festival, I work in the Summerhall box ofi ce, or what we called the ‘fox ofi ce’ last year – it
used to be the servitor’s ofi ce of the university and I’ve had to cover all windows with festival posters for privacy, so it’s a bit claustrophobic. But my door is always open. What’s your most memorable Fringe experience? Last year I had many good times – it is actually quite hard to think of any one experience, as the customers and company members can provide so
much entertainment. What’s the worst thing about your job? I look forward to this part of my job for 11 months of the year as I really love it, but the festival still means long hours and not just working – there’s always something to go and see after work, and people to have a drink with. But I always try and get as much rest as possible – chocolate and coffee also help!
MY EDINBURGH
GREG SINCLAIR My i rst Edinburgh festival experience was . . . Desperately collecting as many l iers as possible on the Royal Mile when I was a wee boy.
Edinburgh’s unique selling point is . . . Its beauty: architecture, landscape, people, culture. I am likely to be found . . . In and around Summerhall.
My favourite place to eat is . . . The Mosque Kitchen for great curry, Palmyra for the best falafel wrap in Edinburgh, or Saigon Saigon – go for the dim sum menu.
My favourite place to drink is . . . Boda on Leith Walk. Best spot to get away from the festival madness . . . Jupiter Artland.
Edinburgh’s little-known gem is . . . The Innocent Railway. It’s pretty cool that there’s an extinct volcano in the middle of Edinburgh, and it’s way cooler when you learn that there’s a secret tunnel under it!
Make sure you see . . . At least one great show and at least one terrible show.
The best thing about the Edinburgh festival is . . . This massive international festival is all about art and culture – that side of government policies around the world that often gets cut . . . The worst thing about the Edinburgh festival is . . . It’s pretty pricey these days, eh?
One day I will . . . Be super organised and buy tickets for shows before they sell out. ■ Greg Sinclair’s I Do, Do I is at Summerhall, 560 1581, until 24 Aug (not 19), 11.05am, £10 (£6).
14–25 Aug 2014 THE LIST FESTIVAL 11