LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL Caught in the Act

LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT

BAG TO THE FUTURE Re: Bagpuss (685, ●●●●●) As the co-creator and maker of Bagpuss and his world (and still alive and working!) it is a strange feeling to read in the review that Emily is returning from her father’s funeral. I am the real Emily’s father.

Of course the films were made back in 1974 and she is a big girl now. I really enjoyed seeing our creation adapted for the stage in the first production in London but it was a shock to think that the audience were regretting my passing. I felt like leaping up and wailing like someone returning from the grave. That would have made the little ones jump. So I didn't.

The real intention of the play’s writers I am told was to follow the theme of loss, as the stories are all about finding lost things and it is true that my late colleague, Oliver Postgate, the writer, animator and producer of the films, died in 2008. I wish the play good fortune and many happy audiences on its future run. Peter Firmin, Canterbury

The List has come to suspect that there’s a cheeky mischief-maker going around putting additional stars on posters in our good name which might go some way to explaining why, upon this poster for Rock the Ballet (pictured), a fifth star is stuck on upside down. What this doesn’t explain, though, is where they got the fourth, as it only garnered a (very respectable but not incendiary) three-star review from us in the first place. Cause for consternation, especially for the List reader who went on the basis of our non-existent rave review. An honest mistake though, it seems, and we are assured that it has been rectified. Also making us raise a sceptical eyebrow this issue is television’s Dr Phil

Hammond and his Rude Health show. It doesn’t necessarily sound like ‘essential Fringe viewing’ to us, even if we were the ones who said it. Of course, we were talking about another of Phil’s shows, back in 2002. That’s all for Caught in the Act 2011. If we spot any other dubious practices

we’ll be writing about them at list.co.uk/festival

FESTIVAL BOOKING INFORMATION

EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL Dates: 4 Aug–4 Sep 2011 Online: edinburghartfestival.com Telephone booking: Please call individual venues. Most events are free, though some are paying exhibitions

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

BOOK FESTIVAL Dates: 13–29 Aug 2011 Online booking: edbookfest.co.uk Telephone booking: 0845 373 5888 In person: The Hub, Castlehill, and the box office in Charlotte Square Gardens FRINGE Dates: 5–29 Aug 2011 Online booking: edfringe.com Telephone booking: 0131 226 0000 In person: Fringe Box Office, 180 High Street

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Dates: 12 Aug–4 Sep 2011 Online booking: eif.co.uk Telephone booking: 0131 473 2000 In person: Edinburgh International Festival, The Hub, Castlehill

FESTIVAL OF POLITICS Dates: 20–27 Aug 2011 Online booking: festivalofpolitics.org.uk Telephone booking: 0131 473 2000 (RNID Typetalk: 18001 0131 473 2000) In person: The Hub, Castlehill

{FRONT}

CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor

Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain

EDITORIAL

Editor Jonny Ensall Deputy Editor Claire Sawers

Assistant Editor Henry Northmore,

Allan Radcliffe Research Manager

Laura Ennor Research

Alex Johnston, Tamara Le Vasan, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd,

Kirstyn Smith Editorial Assistant

Niki Boyle

Editorial Intern Natalya Wells

SALES & MARKETING

Media Sales Manager Juliet Tweedie

Media Sales Executive Jude Moir, Nicky Carter,

Lindsay Paul Digital Sales Executive

Freya Cowan Digital Commercial

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

DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown

Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe

Software Developer Iain McCusker

Digital Design Assistant

Daniella Zelli

ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick

SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes

Books/Comedy Brian Donaldson Clubs/Play Henry Northmore

Dance/Kids Kelly Apter Food & Drink Donald Reid

Film Paul Dale LGBT Lauren Mayberry

Music/Shopping Claire Sawers

Noticeboard Anna Millar Theatre/Visual Art

Allan Radcliffe

18–25 Aug 2011 THE LIST 9

F E S T I V A L