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COMEDY PREVIEW
Dame Sybille Meets Her Maker
In her own refined, yet ever-so-slightly psychotic mind, Dame Sybille is the Fringe. Alter all, she’s been part ot it tor the past 80 years. llever mind that the rest at Edinburgh is only celebrating the event’s 50th year. Dame Sybille was already tightrope- walking across Princes Street, naked but for a smearing ot Smash across her bust and groin, before the parents of Club Swing - last year’s notorious lesbian trapeze artists - were born. The police got so led up with arresting her every year that they started up the Fringe to give a legitimate home to her unique talents.
Dame Sybille is the insane creation of Sean Cullen ol Corky and the Juice Pigs, inspired by one of his teachers, who managed to make a living lrom his stories about working with Albert Finney and Peter O’Toole.
Cullen himselt will be introducing and supporting his creation, giving
Dame Sybille Thorndyke: the lunatic Fringe
him the chance to ‘show other sides to my abilities’. These will include monologues, poetry and an alternative form of the Bible, followed presumably by a quick costume change in the wings. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem, though. The Dame lavours uncomplicated elegance. ‘lt’s easier to listtight in a simple gown,’ she observes. (Catherine Pound)
Dame Sybille Meets ller Maker (Fringe) Gilded Balloon ( Venue 38) 226
2151, 9—31 Aug, 6.15pm, £7 (£6).
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THEATRE PREVIEW
LADY BRACKNELL WAS A lESBIAN
What do Edwina Currie and Labour's Chris Smith have in Common"? Both express support for Gavin Armstrong's play. Lady Buick/tell Was A Lesbian. about the armed forces' ban on homosexuality. The play stemmed from Armstrong's unsuccessful attempt to prevent the forces recruiting potential officers from Bristol University. on the grounds that the armed forces were breaking the university‘s equal opportunities policy.
Belfast-born Armstrong. who directs and performs in the play. accentuates the theme of intolerance by choosing Northern Ireland as the setting. 'There are two tragedies running parallel with one another: the tragedy of Northern Ireland and the other tragedy of a soldier who's actually serving there.‘ he says.
The play features newsreader Peter Sissons on video. and there's a programme note by Duncan I.ustig-Praen —
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the first person to attempt to sue the MOD over the ban. Another coup is the attendance ofgay thesp Sir Ian Mc Kellen on opening night. How did Armstrong manage that?
August 8. .00pm
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Armed tarces: Lady Bracknoll Was A lesbian.
enough to ask.‘ he admits. (Alan Crawford)
I Lady Bracknell Was A Lesbian (Fringe) Broken [)ream Theatre Company. C Venue (Venue I9) 225 5 l()5. until 3| Aug. 7.45pm. £5 (£4).
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