Friday 26 June 4.20pm
THE GUIDE IS OUTIn today's edition: Alan Cumming on Art, Cameron Diaz on motherhood and Scooby Doo... on... well... buy it and see.
PR(E)VIEWIN the run up to the Fringe, press releases
and over-anxious PRs are the bane of my life. The biggest arts festival in the world might be six weeks away but the phone calls and e-mails have started. Actually, the first press release for a 2009 Fringe show dropped into my e-mail box in November 2008. Talk about keen.
God love them, but the PRs are the worst. Without even the slightest concept of the size of the event they are about to attend they happily talk about the unknown 'star' (and often never likely to be known) they are promoting commanding a cover of The Guide, a weekly column, or even just a two page feature on how they once helped an aged parent overcome the pain of bunions. Okay, that's made up, but compared with some of the pitches I've heard, it's got legs.
Of course their show is always the best. When I reply, "That's what they all say," the reply is "No but this one really is different..." The irony is lost on them.
Occasionally however, a show does catch my eye. Like this one, which I'll flag up now as I reckon it could be one of this year's Hot Tickets.
The World Premiere of Peter Duncan's Daft And Dangerous finds the legendary Blue Peter presenter, embarking on an hour long romp through the best bits of his colourful public and performing life. With original songs from Edinburgh stalwarts Mark Stevens and Chris Larner, Duncan will tell stories from his humble theatrical upbringing, hold a Blue Peter audition and engage in a routine with a performing cow.
Only Duncan would dare. Catch his at the Pleasance Beyond (Courtyard) from 5 August.
IS YOUR WEAN THE CREME DE LA CREMELocal girls are to have the opportunity to be part of a new production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie on this year's Edinburgh Fringe. Presented by Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and Assembly at the Assembly Hall, the producers are looking for girls aged between 11 and 16 who are strong singers. Participants need to be available for rehearsal from 26 July and the performances which run from 6–31 August at the Assembly Hall at 12 noon daily (no performances 17 or 24 August).
Auditions are being held on 4 July for girls to form the school choir which takes a central role in the play.
First round auditions will take place in central Edinburgh from 10am, at which auditionees will be asked to sing a song of their choice unaccompanied, preferably a traditional folksong. Those shortlisted in the first round will be asked to return in the afternoon for a further selection process. Anyone interested in auditioning should e-mail choir@royalandderngate.co.uk for more information or to register for an audition slot.
Edinburgh-born Muriel Spark's classic story of seductive and manipulative power in the Capital of the 1930s follows the scandalously outspoken and charismatic teacher, Miss Brodie who demands utter devotion from her chosen set of girls. However, when her overt sensuality creates bitter rivalries and her passion for all things Italian embraces its fascist politics, she is in danger of destroying herself and those around her.
Friday 19 June 2009 SUBOASISIF ONLY the Britain's Got Talent roadshow had arrived at the Edinburgh Playhouse a day later.
Or if only Oasis had made the trip north 24 hours earlier. What a sight we could have seen: Liam Gallagher duetting with Susan Boyle on Wonderwall; or brother Noel underscoring I Dreamed A Dream with a throbbing bass line as the West Lothian karaoke star belted out the favourite from Les Miserables.
Can't help wondering who actually chose that song for her to sing – the title is just too appropriate. That said, I know I am not the only one wondering when, not if, that dream will crash down around her.
She may be earning more money than she could ever have imagined, but already the long shadows of nightmarish fortune are closing in. Just look at the tabloid frenzy that has accompanied the 47-year-old since she first shimmied awkwardly for Piers Morgan.
Yes, days after the Fringe programme was launched, this week has been proof that, in Edinburgh you don't have to wait until August to be entertained by anything from the ridiculous (father and son comedy dance act Stavros Flatley – although they are funny) to the sublime... not that sublime necessarily covers the Manc Brit-pop stars.
Needless to say, before the brothers Gallagher rolled with it into Murrayfield on Wednesday, the Top of the Walk was the only place to be on Tuesday for the Capital's BGT fans, and they turned out in their thousands to catch a glimpse of Boyle or indeed this year's winners, Diversity.
I suppose that's the thing about BGT. You have to see the acts while you can as most will never be heard of again after the annual post TV show tour.
Carnage is the only word to describe the sights on the approach to the home of Scottish rugby the following evening as tens of thousands of mad for it Oasis fans headed to Murrayfield.
And with Edinburgh's taxi service collapsing under the strain – a wait of between 40 and 50 minutes being advised by controllers at two of the city's largest black cab and private hire films – there was no avoiding the alcohol fuelled revellers.
Inside, thankfully, things were calmer, despite one nasty incident, and Liam and Noel did what they do best... sound like a beefed up version of The Beatles... although I'm still trying to work out how I ended up in the middle of the pitch for the band's closing encore, a thumping rendition of Champagne Supernova.
Having mentioned the Fringe programme launch earlier, and the ridiculous to the sublime, could The Inconsiderate Aberrations of Billy the Kid be the grossest show due to hit town this August.
Among the never-ending stream of press releases already winging their way to my inbox came this invitation: "Join a homicidal 10 year old, a singing abortion and a host of lesbian feminist angels on this taboo-busting joyride into the gaping orifices of heavy metal and shock comedy."
Described as a fierce side-swipe at the establishment the show revolves around Billy, who shoots his Mommy because he doesn't want to go to school. But soon he realises that dead parents are almost as much trouble as living ones – will he ever manage to clean up the mess?
Trust me, that's only the start of it.
Could this be the sickest show on this year's festival? Very possibly. It's on at The Caves on the Cowgate this August, hardly needs saying that it's "not suitable for children or the easily offended." I am however, intrigued to discover what "bouffant clowning" is – which the press release promises features in the production.
