lnaction in action
As Historic Scotland look set to enter the debate, the former Odeon's future still hangs in the balance inma- Anna Millar
'I' seems eyeryone has an opinion on
what should happen to the empty
()deon building on Iidinburgh's ('lerk Street. and now Historic Scotland look set to add their yoicc to the debate. liolloyy ing a lireedom of Information Act request put in by the Iiyening News. it has emerged that Historic Scotland may noyy order a public inquiry into plans to demolish part of the old cinema. folloyy ing recommendations by consultants that it slum/(l be sayed. .-\ccording to the H“. a report by commercial property consultancy l)riyers .Ionas stated: ”We do not belieye the demolition of the auditorium Isjllsllllcd.‘
'I‘hc ()deon closed in 3003 and. other than being used as an occasional I’estiyal yenue. the building has largely remained empty.
(‘ontroyersy \yas sparked last year when it emerged that Iidinburgh-based ouners I)uddingston House Properties (I)I|I’l wanted to demolish the main auditorium of the art-deco building \yhilst retaining
8 THE LIST 98 Mar " .m . '
the frontage of the If—Iisted building to transform the former cinema into a boutique hotel. Since then. thousands hayc petitioned against its demolition with some .\ISI’s also supporting the case to saye the I‘Blls cinema.
.-\ sptlkcsllltlll I'Ul‘ lllc Saw the ()tIL‘UII campaign said of the latest eyents: "I‘he report for Historic Scotland is positiye neys s. and reinforces our \ icyy that council planners treated their planning committee as a ‘rubber-stamp for their plans for the ()deon. \Ve noxs ayyait IIistoric Scotland’s
decision either to recommend approyal ol'
the planning application. or its referral for decision to a public inquiry.
'Iiither \yay. there is much potential controyersy still aheadf
.-\ Historic Scotland spokesyyoman said: '\\'e are currently considering our \ ie\\ on the application. \yhich does include consideration HI. [Ilc I)t‘i\cl‘s .Ionas report \yithin the \yider conte\t ol' the application. We hope to make a final decision in the near luture.‘
EIFF PREPARES FOR
GLAMOUR INJECTION
I The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced appearances from a roster of stars for this year’s event, including Alan Cumming, Andrea Arnold, Sam Mendes and Shane Meadows, as well as Festival patrons Sir Sean Connery and Seamus McGarvey. New faces to the festival include potential appearances from Gael Garcia Bernal and Guy Pearce.
Visit www.list.co.uk for daily arts 8. entertainment news
National Theatre New Connections festival will take place 9—13 Jun at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh. As part of the programme. the Lyceum Youth Theatre production of Success will be staged, following its successful premiere at the Traverse Theatre in March.
Ll I.
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY '
this July sees one of the most anticipated events of the Homecoming Scotland year with The Gathering in Edinburgh, which will play host to Scotland's largest Highland Games and the opportunity to find out about their ancestry. To celebrate, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh is offering a Genealogy Concierge service throughout 2009, with genealogy expert Sheila Duffy.
ON THE BOX Never a festival to disapgoint, this year’s Edin urgh International Television Festival is rounding up to be Rune a jolly affair.
nt and Dec will take a break from their television presenting duties to join Amanda Holden to check out who in the industry actually has
ot talent in the
estival o ening session, ’5 Got
Talent - Edinburgh 5 ecia]. Elsewhere, he Wire creator, David Simon and showbiz blogger Perez Hilton appear.
FASHION FORWARD
I As part of its annual degree show (13-23 Jun), Edinburgh College of Art will present the work of students graduating from the new School of Design. Formed in August 2008 under the newly appointed head of design Alan Murray, the school teaches fashion, visual communications, design and applied arts, and now offers the broadest portfolio of such courses available in the UK. The school will exhibit for the first time in the main building’s neo-classical sculpture court.