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SPENCE TO BE EDINBURGH’S WRITER-lN-RESIDENCE

Come mid-January Edinburgh can boast two writers-in-residence. Already ensconced in her not-so-ivory tower at the University is Liz Lochhead and on the 20th we can reveal that Alan Spence (38). the Govan-born author of

the highly-acclaimed lt's Colours they

are line, will take up his appointment

= with Edinburgh District Council. The new one-year contract costing £8000 is

underwritten jointly by the Scottish Arts :

j Council and EDC. whose spokesman . told The List that Alan Spence could

expect to be immediately supplied with

‘a room, a desk and a typewriter.‘ Eat

your heart out Virginia Woolf. lt‘s changed days for a writer who once regarded writing as ‘a complete waste oftime, a total sell-indulgence'. But

that was a longtime ago. Since then Alan Spence has become a Sri Chimnoy adherent, has written plays for stage and television, contributed regularly to radio- including the ill-fated health ‘soap‘ Kilbreck, and published two books of poetry. Ah! and Glasgow Zen. His pedigree as writer-in-residence is similarly distinguished having done stints at Glasgow University, Deans Community School and the Traverse where he admits it was a case ‘very much of me learning the art and craft oi playwriting’.

His Sailmaker later published by Salamander Press was first performed at The Traverse.He hopes in this new job to get out and about and is enthusiastic about the Spring Fling, readings and workshops. His stories relate directly to his own experiences and he uses this to his advantage. ‘In workshops I usually start by reading my own work and showing how I’ve shaped experience. The shaping is very important.‘

As writer-in-residence, Spence will participate in the literary life of the city making himself available for readings, writer workshops and activities organised by the Department of Recreation possibly including the

3 second Edinburgh Spring Fling in 1986.

TRAINING STORY

At a press launch in Glasgow last Friday the Scottish film community received news of its very own Christmas present in the form of a grant of £15,000 to the Scottish Film Training

Trust by Thom EMI Screen

Entertainment. A further award of £5,000 underthe Government’s Arts' Business Sponsorship Incentive

Scheme means that the Trust can : continue to play a vital role in fostering newtalentinthefilmworld.

Established in 1982 as an equal partnership between Goldcrest , the

' Scottish Film Council , and the Scottish : Arts Council, the Scottish Film Training Trust is a registered charity devoted to

the training of professional filmmakers

in Scotland. lts limited resources are

used to encourage and support Scots

and Scottish-based individuals with a

7 genuine desire to seek a careerwithin the business. This is achieved by

underwriting opportunities for

. technicalfilmtraininginthiscountry, such as the National Film and

Television School, and to help ease any financial restraints preventing someone from pursuing further training

, elsewhere. It also assists by producing . student porttolio films and videos and

running invaluable information

i courses. Among those to have

i benetltted from the trust are lain Brown

who is currently developing Alasdair Gray’s Lanarlr torthe screen and editor Cary Parker, whose first feature as a director, The Girl in the Picture, opens shortly.

RESURRECTION OF THE MARTYRS

Ambitious plans for one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh‘s earliest works are reaching a critical stage. The Forum Arts Society Trust of Glasgow still need £80,000 before they can go ahead with the first stage oi the

Once completed, the Martyr‘s School will accommodate several schemes. These include the provision of high

: standard rehearsal facilities,

restoration of the Martyr‘s School in the

city's Townhead area. The school, built in 1895, was partly designed by Mackintosh while apprenticed to architects Honeyman and Kepple. His influence is clearly seen in the main staircases and circulation lightwell; with these he tested some ideas which were laterto be incorporated in his more famous buildings such as the School of Art and Scotland Street

School

The trust need to raise one million

pounds to turn the ‘A' listed building

into a centre for arts and leisure and

i have so far raised £303,000 towards the first phase of the operation. This involves making the building water and

The work of the Trust has played a key '

part in the transformation of film in Scotland into a vibrant and expanding Industry. It is hoped that EMI will malntlan its financial commitment to the Trust and encourage others by its example.

weathertight and, as the Trust administrator, Lawson Purdie told me: ‘lt's imperative we get the money. We need to get all the money before we can do a thing.‘

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classrooms, conference/lecture rooms. recording studio, storage rooms, showers and changing facilities as well as a small theatre. Mr Purdie said that there will also be a bar and tea

INSIDE

Why is Glasgow ‘The Holy City“? Bill Bryden discusses matters of faith with Lucy Ash.

4 - Impeccable timing— Stanley Baxter, l the on stage perfectionist. 6 The ones we love to hate Sally Kinnes asks panto baddies what it‘s like being hissed off stage. 11 Mab investigates the majestic success of Paul King. 13 Review ol‘ the Year. 15 Listings: Theatre 16. Music 20, Film 2‘). Art 36. Open 41. Kids 42. Books 45. Dance 47. Media 48. Sport 50 54 Style: Packaging with panache Averting the turkey trauma. 56 The Bumper Christmas Quiz.

CONTRIBUTORS

Publisher Robin Hodge. Editors Nigel Billen. Sarah Hemming, Glasgow Editors Graham Caldwell. Lucy Ash. Design Simon Esterson. Advertising Manager (Edinburgh) Joanna Watson.

? Advertising Assistants Fiona Murray.

room for participants and guests and he ; - hopes that the centre will become a

meeting place where performers of all types will be able to unwind and discuss ideas in a relaxed atmosphere

; without being restricted by inflexible rules.

So far, the trust have received help from a numberof sources including Glasgow District Council, Strathclyde Region and the Historic Buildings

Trust. They would, however, like more i’ members ofthe public to become ' aware of and involved in the project. To

this end, the trust have begun a membership scheme whereby the public can either pay a modest fee or regular payments through a deed of covenant, which will allowthem to use the centre'sfacilities.

Suzie Paterson, Advertising (Glasgow) Chris Banks. Typesetting Jo Kennedy and Hewer Text. Publications Manager Sally Kinnes. Circulation Mark Ellis. Jane Ellis. Circulation (Glasgow) Eleanor Harris, Office Administration Fiona Murray Production EditorJohn R. MacWilliam. Production Assistants

, Toby Porter. Jane Kennedy. Paul

Keir. Trevor Johnston. Art Alice Bain. Lucy Ash. Books Alan Taylor.

Classical Music Carol Main. Film

Allan Hunter. Trevor Johnston. Folk/Jazz Norman Chalmers. Kids Sally Kinnes. Media Allan Hunter. Sally Kinnes. Open Richard Norris. Bock (Edinburgh) Alastair Mabbott. Rock (Glasgow) Andrea Miller. Sport Mark Ellis. Janet MacLean. Style Jane Ellis. Theatre Sarah Hemming. Photos (‘lare Stephen. Hilary Paton. Marius Alexander. Graphics Paul Gray. John MacWilliam.

Thanks to Lorraine Brown. John

Ilewer. Darien Printing Company.

7 Cover: Anne Myatt as Widow

Frankel. Glasgow (.‘itizens' Panto, Cover Photo Tim Richmond. Cover Design Simon Esterson.

Published by The List Ltd, 14 High Street. Edinburgh. 5581191 and

13 Bath Street. Glasgow 332 3393. Subscriptions; £15 per year. £8 for 6 months. payable to The List Ltd.

Printed by Dunfermline Press Ltd

DOUBLE ISSUE

'1 his issue is a double issue containing listings for Christmas and the New Year through to 9January.

J i Issue 7 will be on sale on 9 January

and will cover the fortnight until 23 January.

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The List 13 Dec—9Jan1