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RONA MUNRO JAMES HUNTER
Although Rona Munro has been an established playwright since the 1980s – she wrote episodes of Doctor Who before it became fashionable – her James Plays at the Edinburgh International Festival represented a major statement of intent for the Scottish stage. Taking on the politics of nationhood in the referendum run-up, she was acclaimed for balancing historical detail with relevant commentary. Alongside the frequent revivals of her earlier work, Munro has a strong claim to be one of Scotland’s most popular playwrights. (GKV)
YOUNG FATHERS MERCURIAL TALENT
How the supposed curse of the Mercury Prize will affect Edinburgh’s Young Fathers remains to be seen, but right now the trio are still basking in a truly different and innovative debut album, DEAD. Amusingly refusing to wave their thumbs aloft for the camera in the immediate aftermath of their win, they also had a pop at their home city’s contentious music scene, and are off to record the album’s follow-up in Berlin. They’ll be back for Hogmanay, though. (DP)
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GLASGOW 2014 SPORTING CHANCE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH How could we avoid it? Why would we want to? Not just for the running and cycling and swimming, but for the general sense of positivity and good feeling that the Commonwealth Games brought to Glasgow for a July fortnight, opening up the city’s public spaces and bringing people onto the streets. From this magazine’s perspective, there was also the packed Culture 2014 programme of arts events that happened alongside the Games, and an opening ceremony that bore much to recommend it. And John Barrowman. (DP)
38 THE LIST 11 Dec 2014–5 Feb 2015
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