T Rex frontman is still a hero
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NEWS GOSSIP OPINION
Anthony Neilson directed Death of Klinghoffer at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival. For 2006 he’s giving a dose of Realism
Rattle shakes sticks at EIF
Outgoing Festival director Brian McMaster promises high octane line-up. Words: Allan Radcliffe
he covers have been whisked oil the programme
for the ()()th lidinburgh International Festival. The
2006 jamboree will be the last for director Brian
McMaster. who is standing down after 15 years in the
job. llis swansong will l'eature a mix of world renowned artists. with the odd controversial selection thrown in.
This year‘s undoubted headline grabber is an adaptation
ol‘ Michel llouellebecq's novel Platform. about sex
tourism in Thailand. to be directed by iconoclastic
(‘atalan director (‘alixto Bieito. Following the success of previous Festival commission The Wonder/id World of
l)i.s‘.vm‘la. playwright Anthony Neilson returns with a hotly anticipated new work. Realism. And the New Riga theatre company stages an extraordinary play without words in the List-sponsored production. Long Life.
Dance lovers can look forward to new productions from Scottish Ballet. ranging from Sll‘tl\'lllsl\'_\"s xlgUll to Bach‘s in Light and Shadow. as well as the British premiere of choreographer Bruno Beltrao‘s Brazilian street dance spectacular HZ.
Among the more interesting musical moments are composer Stuart MacRae‘s lirst opera The Assassin Tree. which features a libretto by poet Sitnon Armitage. and a dottble ol‘ bill ol~ Bertolt Brecht and Kurt \\'eill's 'I‘lie Lindbergh Flight/[he Flight Over the Ocean and The Seven Deadly Sins. as well as ~~ the hottest intisical ticket of the Festival —- Simon Rattle conducting one ol' the world‘s great orchestras. the Berlin Philharmonic.
During his tenure as director. McMaster has been constantly challenged tojustil'y the existence ol‘ the lill" in the lace of a ceaselessly expanding Fringe. His legacy will be a noble attempt to widen out the programme. making it more accessible to those not traditionally encouraged to participate in the arts. His time at the top has also seen the organisation take risks on co-productions. Though he hands on a liairly healthy operation. his successor will inevitably be called upon to reinvent and reinvigorate the Festival format in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Booking from Sat 8 Apr, 0131 473 2000, eif.co.uk
NEW ROLES FOR KEY PLAYERS AT THE LIST
I In a restructuring of the magazine’s editorial team, music editor Mark Robertson is to become The List‘s deputy editor. Robertson, who joined The List in 2000, won a PPA Scotland Writer of the Year award in 2003 and took responsibility for editing last year’s Edinburgh Festival Guide. His appointment comes as Brian Donaldson, the magazine’s deputy editor since 2000, has decided to spread his freelance wings. However, Donaldson will retain his role as editor of the Books and Comedy sections, and he will be the magazine’s critic in a newly-organised TV section. Meanwhile, The List bids farewell to sub-editor Ashley Davies, but welcomes the arrival of
Allan Radcliffe, winner of the Allen Wright Award in 2005 and already the magazine's news editor, in his new role as part time sub-editor. (NB)
iii/111T
I The Pleasance has won the Scottish Comedy Venue of the Year category in this year's Chortle Comedy Awards, which is hosted by the UK’s major comedy news and listings website. Daniel Kitson (above), sometime sparring partner of The List’s comedy editor, was the biggest winner, garnering four awards.
I Live + LOud. the testival that brought Blue. Busted. Sugababes and Rachel Stevens to Harnpden Park, IS to take a break this summer after five years. Organiser Emap Radio Events has taken the ClGClSIOH to rest the pop festival due to the current flatness of the mainstream pop market.
I The Scottish Executive must be doing something right: some of Scotland’s most successful bands are lining up to play a benefit gig to raise funds for the repair of the broken roof beam in l-lolyrood. While the line- up is being kept under wraps until Saturday 1 April, organisers have said that tickets for the gig — to take place in hard hat conditions in the Holyrood debating chamber on 13 May - will cost around £75. Details will be posted on list.co.uk on 3 April.
I A lower grain store in East Lothian IS to hoose a new $26 million cultural centre. including Roman. Bronze and Stone Age treaSUres and a family history archive allowing interested parties to research their ancestry. The part lottery- funded centre will be located in Haddington.
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