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GLASGOW GROUND UNDER
It's great that you're writing abOut the city of Glasgow during August. at a time when the rest of the media focus is relentlessly on Edinburgh. But there's a downside to rooting out the most interesting underground happenings here: y0u might simply drive the organisers of these events into new locations away from the media glare.
Many of them are. as you say. operating outside the normal legal system. and the last thing they want is official attention. In the end. getting publicity in Scotland's higgest cultural magazine might first make it a little bit harder for people to track down the city's most interesting events.
Ally McDonald By email
MOBY DICK
One of the best things about the Fringe is the amount of new people that you can meet. From potential girlfriends to folk who can advance your career. there is always an excuse to make a new connection and chance your arm on a simple hello.
This hive of networking potential is all well and good in theOry but when yOu misplace yOur mobile it all goes out the window. espeCialIy in these days when any organisation is ad hoc at best and only a reality once you've made that confirmation cail five minutes before the meeting. So guess what I did yesterday? Yup. I left my phone on a bus.
I wouldn't he so bad if it had been nicked. as I could have vented my spleen on the criminal underclass. but it was srrnply my stupidity that left me in isolation. So instead of meeting the prominent film producer I was going to pitch my idea to. I spent last night sulking in Brooke's Bar hoping that my mates had remembered the arrangement we made at lunchtime. No such luck.
Fortunately. my dear little moby is safe and well (the girl who picked it up when I rang handed it to the hus driver) hut
2 THE LIST is 25> Am; 2on5;
The List,
trying to locate a small amsung handset amidst LRT's network is about as easy as finding an Fdinhurgher who doesn't loathe the Festival -- wrsh me luck. I could be out of social circulation for a while. Richard Biggs www.list.co.uk hehintIthefi'inge
PUFF GRANDADDY :Just reading the letter you printed fi‘on‘ clohn ElOll‘lltg puffing tip John [ aar/e. ira/e/ and / in this issue. l l't)‘.’|(}‘.'.'(l‘(l that show for you last year. or the year hefore. think I gave if two stars :(llltl that '.‘.'as we l)(}lllt]tlll(2lItif£t(21(3l'lf3l.(l£til', generous. Theresa reason it received 'littie l“(}(ll£t attention. It was (lltféttlltli. \JLIS’. thought I'd let you «noun;
Gareth Davies
Edinlhirgh
UNRESPONSIVE EMOTION
Re: (Letters 528)
Check out Natalie l laynesf A surreal performance of ra/or sharp. guick fire comedy which leaves you drained of any sort of responsixe emotion. while schooling you in the real way of the world. A natural performer who inspires thought not only out of the hox hut a hreed of con‘edy that is informed and superior in every way to those who she mocks. Sophie Cameron w\.v\.'~.r.list.cotik hehinclthelringe
HAND ACTION
Re: (Letters 528)
Talking of great things at the Fringe. I saw [)a/ton Tit/Inho's Reluctant (Iaharer in ()rewe last month and they were super‘l). It seemed most of the audience hadn't heard of them. hut they went down very well and we all had fun ioining in. lots of hand action!
Sarah C
\.‘/\.’J\."J.l|8l.(l().llk. l)ehintIthefringe
MUMBO TRUMBO Re: (Letters 528)
Saw Dalton Iii/Inho's He/uctanf (l’rfmret at Southside at the weekend ahsolutely AMA/INCH They are like a mad collection of country house characters that
14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE
or The List at the CCA
350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD or email editor@list.co.uk
perform a series of original comedy songs that everyone joined in wrth especially the aardvark! Laughed so much my sides hurt.
Suzanne Watts wwwlist.co.iik l)ehindthefringe
TAKING A FLYER
Re: (Letters 528)
Pray for the Souls of Martha and Veronica a thorougth enieuane hour of theatre — funny. sci/l. dark. Iladn't even l)l£tl)t)(?{l to see a show; out ‘~.'.Ias enticed by a heautiful fryer. Definitely one to see. Sophie McGeevor ‘.'."'.'."‘.'.’.;lf3l.(Z().tlk. oehrntithefringe
CAMBRIDGE SPOTLIGHTS
ian‘ .‘xriting tc update you as tc the progress of Astra/(nan tilt/trek a poxrerful new play by tne \i').’e|sh playwright Dir:
I dv.'ards. currently premiering at the I ringe. Dealing with contentious issues of asylum. domestic violence and the war on terror. the show has already heen nominated for an Amnesty Award and a
list \’\’riters' Guild award. Audience reactions have testified to the capacity for this production to hoth shock and move people. as well as triggering tears. An audience
TOILET HUMOUR
member even fainted in one performance of the most intense scene.
A piece of total theatre wrth an original musical score and designs by the war artist Joe Sacco. Asfrakhan Winter is performed hy Camhridge University actors and musicians and has been produced by the Amateur Dran‘atic Clut). Zecora Ura I'heatre iBra/ili and Howard Barker and the \‘VTtl‘fSlllllg School.
It has provoked much excitement that Zamhridge students are grappling with such contentious issues — often otherwise neglected hy an increasineg politically complacent generation of students nationwide. This show is the culmination of six months' work and sees 30 of Cambridge's most talented musicians. designers and performm's involved. All involved will make a financial loss. despite very high ticket sales. and. as recent graduates. are out of employment for the duration of the run Everyone involved is here because they value the importance of the issues that Astrakhan Ill/IIIle raises.
Kay Drage By email
I am a 70—year—old grandmother who has been coming to the
Fringe Festival for almost 30 years now and have enjoyed
every minute of it. especially in the last 20 years when I've had
The /. isr to guide me. But I do need to complain about the
deterioration of accessihility to toilets in many of the venues in the last few years. Being a lady of my age I often need to use the ladies' quickly and each year this seems more and more
difficult to do wrth fewer toilets and more people vrsiting each
of the venues. Is there any chance you could include
information in your publication about the toilets at each venue. so I can choose what I see by that agenda? With the UK's agerng population this is maybe an extra you should consider for the long term. Only the other dav I saw a E)()~year old
woman wet herself in the Pleasance Courtyard.
Margo Verrin By email
Distinctiver Grahams. Definitiver 'Tfm Trrwrry'
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE TWO BOTTLES OF
E7
cusoow AND EDINBURGH EVENTS we
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher 8 General Editor Robin Hodge
EDITORIAL
Editor Nick Bariey
Deputy Editor Brian Donaldson Assistant Editors
Mark Robertson. Paul Dale Subeditor Ashley Davies Research Manager Julie Graham
Research Henry Northmore (Film. Rock 8 Jazz) Ruth Hedges iArt) Rachael Street (Theatre. Dance. Comedy 8 Sport). Morag Bruce (Around l0'rrn. ClaSSical. Folk 8 Kids)
SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Rachel Shields
Senior Media Sales Executives
Carol Ferguson
Brigid Kennedy
Media Sales Support Sharon Stephen
Media Sales
Ruth Kerr
Sarah Earney Promotions Manager Sheri Friers Promotions Assistant Gemma Beard Circulation Manager Nei’ Earnshay. Circulation Executive Keit.h Ben/re
Special Projects Amanda Mungall
PRODUCTION Art Director
Krista Robertson Production Manager Simon Armin Designer Lucy Reeves Production Assistant Russell Steedman
ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Reniyick Accounts Assistant Manager Donna Taylor
Reception
Claire Dewar
Edinburgh Office Manager Katie Scott
Glasgow Office Manager Katharine Haslett
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Morag Bruce Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore ‘.'.'llll Sandra Marion) Comedy Brian Donaldson Comics Paul Dale
Dance Kelly Apter
Eat & Drink Barry Shelby Film Paul Dale
Gay Nick Barley
Kids Kelly Apter
Music Mark Robertson (with Norman Chalmers. Carol Main, Kenny Mathieson. Fiona Shepherd)
News Allan Radcliffe
Play Henry Northmore (‘.'.'llh lain Davidson)
Shop Katy McAulay Television Brian Donaldson Theatre Steve Cramer Travel Rachael Street Visual Art Ruth Hedges