Seachd gets ovenooked
for award PAGE 8
Multi-talened
In Multiple
Popular Scottish actor and director wins coveted award for
appearance in short film. Words: Anna Millar
llt’ Us! is pleased to report that acclaimed Scottish actor and director Alison Peebles has won a much coveted award at the 2007 (‘hicago International Film Festival. l’eebles' piece itlii/ri'plr' was singled out for the accolade in a competition insiders believe to be one of the most important and prestigious events in the lilm calendar. Short documentary. .’l'lll/Ii[)/(’. commissioned by BBC Scotland and directed by media co-op Lucinda Broadbent. documents l’eebles coming out about her Multiple Sclerosis. l’eebles was diagnosed with the disease six years ago and chose to keep her diagnosis a secret. even from her own mother. The BB(“s t’ilm powerfully captures the actress as she comes to terms with talking about her condition publicly for the first time.
Pcebles. who perl‘ormed in TV series' such as ’Iirggurl and I’.\_\‘t'/I().\' as well as the tnovie Brui'i'lii'url. is perhaps best known for directing the feature lilin Alter/1']? and stage play Shining Sou/s. More recently. her directorial lilm roles have also been well-received. including Nun and 'Iimgi'rim'. tnade under the auspices of Scottish Sci'ccn’s
Newfoundland and Tartan Shorts initiative. A l'lurry ol
theatre work — including high prolile collaborations with the National Theatre oi Scotland —r have made her a popular lace both on and off stage.
The news ol~ Peebles' win comes as the actor-turned-
director takes the helm of Dundee Rep‘s production ol
Playhouse (‘rmrurm by April De Angelis. which will run from Saturday 27 October—Saturday ll) November.
NEW VENUE FOR OLD TOWN
I Edinburgh’s picturesque old town is set to open its doors to a new venue next month. New space, GRV, enjoyed a dry run this festival season when it played host - under the guise of The Green Room - to 42 Fringe shows. Setting its stall in the Cowgate, the venue is currently under wraps until its official opening on Friday 16 November.
The multi-purpose GRV will showcase exhibitions presented by Analogue, club nights, comedy and live music. The main venue space will have a 250- strong capacity with digital mixing desk, full audio and new media and visuals equipment. The upstairs area will boast a bar space and gallery space. Edinburgh film company, Blimey Productions, will also set up home there with two editing suites, sound booth and a film studio, alongside Ark PR. This latest venture unfolds as the city’s nearby Grassmarket area enjoys its own 25m facelift. (AR)
STOP THE DEMOLITIONS
. The battle to save Edinburgh's; ()lil l()\‘."l from the vast (Ltiltontiate development is gathering momentum. The ltl()l)(lf;£llf; to demolish listed buildings and tenements in order to build a live-tstar hotel, (:onlereni e and office complex just off the Royal Mile have been opposed by heritage and community groups for many months. But the developers, Mountgrange, have mounttxl a huge PR campaign in an attempt to drown out the many objections and push through their plans.
The multi million pound scheme sets out unashariiedly to '(ghange the entire dynamic of the city but tries to pretend that this If; in 'total haimony With the history of Scotland's; capital'. The (:Ontradiction of that claim is exposed by Edinburgh World Heritage and the (Xx1kburn ASSOClailUll who have objected to the scheme.
The damage that would be caused to the life of the c0mmunity has l’)eer'i highlighted by a growmg campaign to Save Our Old Town led by local residents involving of public meetings and petitions. But there is concern about whether the objectors Wlll get a fair hearing as the Edinburgh City planning leader Cllr Jim Lowrie was quoted in the Evening News as saying that ‘the problem in Edinburgh is the number of historic puddings and the need to address heritage concerns. We have to get big developments like Caltongate up and running as soon as we can'. Campaigners are obiecting that this shows bias. (Robin Hodge)
20",)" THE LIST 7
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