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STAGE HAND Re: Woyzeck Woyzeck is one of those pieces that exemplifies so much of 19th century German literature: an underlying darker gothic tale covered over by slapstick humour and impressive physicality, and it’s exactly this style of performance which carries off an otherwise scatty and fragmented piece.
The evening is held together particularly well by a live band led by Iain Orr, and under the direction of Steven Kirschbaum, the QMU Drama Society handle the challenges of the text well. The humour is sustained reasonably well and is admirably counterbalanced by Austin and Kornitzer, who leave your sympathies in limbo. Between the Captain’s lectures on morality, the doctor’s constant experiments and the pressures of his responsibilities to himself and his family life, Woyzeck becomes a play toy for faith, science, nature and consumerism, and it is the fact of being caught between these often conflicting discourses that drives Woyzeck to insanity. Though the text lacks any kind of clear depth in its development, there are some interesting questions at the heart of it, and this production is a commendable example of the kind of raw, experimental work that Edinburgh is lacking. Fiona Urquhart, Edinburgh CONCRETE EVIDENCE Re: Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen Would you believe it? A rich and famous Aberdonian wants to fill in these beautiful gardens
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT TITANIC PROPORTIONS Re: Up, Up and Away, Noticeboard (649)
Dear editor,
It says a lot about the moral compass of many of The List's readers that James Cameron was voted Best Director in The List's readers' poll. This is the same notorious James Cameron who had no
compunction in portraying someone I consider a real-life hero as a coward in his previous epic Titanic. I believe he showed a disregard for the feelings of the family of a real person whose character was completely changed on a whim, irrespective of the hurt potentially caused, as well as the individual portrayed in the film who, now dead, cannot complain about the damage to his name and reputation. None of this stopped the film and Cameron being nominated
for and gaining Oscars.
Irrespective of the merits of his latest movie, and no matter how well he directed it, given how he directed Titanic this man doesn't deserve to even make any more films, let alone win any awards.
This speaks volumes about what is wrong with the film industry in Hollywood and so many of those who work in it. James Cameron and all those actors who support him should just go away!
Yours faithfully Sandra Busell, Edinburgh
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE ONE BOTTLE OF THE BLACK GROUSE WHISKY Smoky and Smooth – a marriage of fine peated Scotch malt whiskies and The Famous Grouse
with concrete to make it ground level when the city was already in line to get a new city square less than a mile away. Even Annie Lennox is disgusted with the idea. So come on folks, help us protect and save Union Terrace Gardens please.
Save Our Gardens, Aberdeen Comment posted at List.co.uk ON THE UP Re: Up in the Air I saw this film recently. In it, George Clooney delivers a career-best performance in my
opinion. Travelling perfectly and neatly, flitting between meetings, sealed safe and selfish in business class, his character, Ryan Bingham, skips from city to city laying off employees that their bosses are too gutless to can themselves. He's a mobile corporate downsizer (a ‘career transition counsellor’, which is a bit like labelling somebody who cleans up shite for a living a ‘fecal matter specialist’), thriving off the recession.
It’s worth noting at this point that Walter Kim’s novel on which this film is based was actually written back in 2001, and there’s no denying that the current economic climate gives this film a cruel relevance that it didn’t have back then.
It‘s hard to fault the film
really, but I suspect that, as always, it won’t please all. Some will find it difficult to sympathise with a character who takes a pride in such a morally bankrupt profession, and die-hard rom-commers may be left unsatisfied at its rather bleak, unformulaic conclusion. But all in all I found Up in the Air to be brisk and smart romantic entertainment that at times bordered on comic brilliance. An emphatic statement that Hollywood can still churn out great movies; a celebration that stardom can still be as thrilling a concept as 3D, CGI, superheroes or buffed-up teen vampires and werewolves. Clooney’ll be Oscar-nominated for this – and I wouldn't be surprised if he bags the award. The Movie Fan, Perthshire Comment posted at List.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain EDITORIAL Editor Jonny Ensall Assistant Editor Kirstin Innes, Henry Northmore, Allan Radcliffe, Claire Sawers Subeditor Hamish Brown Research Manager Suzanne Black Research Siân Bevan, Tasmin Campbell, Rosalie Doubal, Laura Ennor, Henry Northmore, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd Editorial Assistant Niki Boyle SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Brigid Kennedy Senior Media Sales Executive Juliet Tweedie Media Sales Executive Aimi Gold, Claire Innes Business Development Executive Adam Coulson Business Development Manager Brendan Miles Sponsorship & Promotions Manager Sheri Friers Promotions Executive Amy Russell Circulation Executive Murray Robertson PRODUCTION Senior Designer Lucy Munro Production Manager Simon Armin Production Assistant Miriam Sturdee DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe Software Developer Iain McCusker ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick Accounts Assistant Tasmin Campbell Office & HR Manager Jo Morgan Glasgow Office Manager Sharon Stephen SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore Comedy Brian Donaldson Dance Kelly Apter Eat & Drink Donald Reid Film Paul Dale Kids Kelly Apter LGBT Allan Radcliffe Music Claire Sawers News Anna Millar Shopping Kirstin Innes Theatre Allan Radcliffe Travel Kirstin Innes Visual Art Allan Radcliffe
Next issue out Wednesday 3 March
Glasgow Comedy Festival Glasgow wheels out the big guns as stars including Frankie Boyle, Jimmy Carr, Stewart Lee and Jerry Sadowitz get nice and controversial for sell out audiences. We give you the inside story from the world of funny, and talk you through the must-see American acts, including heavyweight Stateside comic Bill Burr (pictured). Style Issue Our assembled style council, picked from the great and good of the Scottish fashion scene, are ready to dispense their worldly wisdom in our stylish special issue, featuring our ultimate Glasgow and Edinburgh style directory.
YOU’VE GOT 15 DAYS TO LIVE 96 THE LIST 18 Feb–4 Mar 2010