RUBY WAX 12 FUBKBEAIID FANTASY 14 UNIT" 60F 16 DAY BY DAY DIARY 24 COMMUNITY EVENTS 29 VENUES & TICKET INFO 30
and sees it starting to develop its
| Philip Parr looks at Mayfest Mark 9 i very own Fringe. '
‘Ooh he‘s grown so quickly hasn‘t he? I remember when he was just a sparkle in the eye ofthe councillors.‘ Mayfest is nine years old this week and looking like a sprightly and fit young chappie, in spite of a degree ofshrinkage since last year (well, they’re not as well off as they were, you know).
1990’s extravaganza was exceptional and provided a fine focal point for the entire Year of Culture celebrations. Dire predictions were made regarding 1991 but, operating on a vastly constricted budget, debut Mayfest director, Robert Robson has succeeded where many others feared to tread. Robson formerly held the slightly
less glamorous post of Artistic Director of Cumbernauld Theatre where he made his name
with a season of new Scottish writing. Mayfest is an "
altogether bigger proposition, though. and the programme reflects its growing national and international status.
The List, as usual, is offering Scotland‘s most comprehensive coverage of the three weeks. The List will feature everything from mega-events such as Brirh Gofat The Tramway to community tours organised by part-time theatre companies.
On pages 17—20, we preview the most exciting theatre, dance and cabaret shows that will grace Mayfest over the next two weeks. (In our next issue, out on 16 May, you can see whether they were as good as predicted). On pages 22 and 23, there is a round-up of Mayfest music which this year stretches from Downing to Donovan. Teenage Fan Club to Tommy Smith.
The List‘s Mayfest Diary is the easiest way to plan a day of basking in Glasgow culture. Details of how to buy your tickets and get from venue to venue can be found at the end of the Mayfest section.
Accusations of rivalry between Mayfest and its bigger cousin on the east coast. have, ofcourse,
development ofa nascent Glasgow Fringe. And, ' as was the case thirty years ago in Edinburgh, it’s
: can boast Ruby Wax. Jimmy Tingle and The Comedy Store Players. the ferry is certainly not in the shadows with Perrier winner Arnold Brown.
Don't look back: Transitions Dance (above) combines the talents of the brightest young movers with the hottestEuropean
choreographers (see preview on page 17); John Kelly at PS 122 (top right) goes on an experimental New York Field Trip atl’he Tron (Thurs 9—Sun 12 May); and the Barley Works (bottom right) support the Humpli Family (see preview on page22).
always been exaggerated. However, this year the two festivals become more homogenous with the
comedians, disenchanted with the official festival, who are in the vanguard. Ferryfest will run throughout the month on the Renfrew Ferry (an official festival venue last year). While Mayfest
Perrier winner Sean Hughes and . . . er. Perrier winnerleremy Hardy all on the bill. There‘s also music from Blues 'n' Trouble amongst others. As this isn‘t part of Mayfest. details are in the Cabaret i and Music Listings sections of the magazine. i
Also to be foundin the Cabaret Listings are ’ details of Workers City 1991. another unofficial l festival in May being staged at The Transmission ' Gallery and featuring James Kelman and Alasdair Gray.
And that is it. 80 read on and make your choices. ' because all that is certain is that you‘ll not manage
to get to everything.
The List 3— 16 May 1991 11