AGENDA
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‘Alan Ayckbourne’s killed off more theatre than any other writer. . .The very name itselfstands for static mediocrity. which is why he’s so popular at the National 'I'heatre.‘ Playwright and actor Steven Berko thinks the current state of British theatre is a h it o fa farce.
‘It is vulgar dressing tip as a man‘s penis and as a condom. To say that it is a serious message for AIDS -—l have never heard so much rubbish in my life.‘
Tory councillor Moira Knox attacks Birmingham-hased Women and Theatre 's well-intenti:med cabaret at Tic Toe.
‘I am a human being. which means that I‘m miserable half the time and other times it's all right.‘
Scottish novelist Alasdair (iray reveals his balanced approach to [i
‘You can say anything you want about the government but stating that McDonalds makes you throw up for instance is out because that is considered detrimental to a corporate sponsor.‘
Film director John Sayles knows when not to bite offmore than he can chew.
‘It is the visual spectacle — from the Escher figures that climb a sticky pole like automatons . . . to breakneck juggling and tumbling- that makes Circus ()7. what it is.‘
A Scotsman reviewer wit/1 an unfortunate choice of words following one performers serious accident early in the Festival.
or mourn
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Soviets say show
Soviet and Latvian performers on the Festival and Fringe have adopted a ‘wait and see‘ approach to the coup d‘e’tat in the USSR. The musicians and actors — members of the the Bolshoi Opera of Moscow. the Kirov Opera of Leningrad. and the Latvian Experimental Theatre of Riga — have expressed dismay at events in the Soviet Union. but most have emphasised their intention to return to their homeland when their shows finish. Performers interviewed were extremely worried about family and friends at home. who were impossible to contact by phone.
For the company members in Edinburgh. the only source of information since last Monday‘s coup has been news broadcasts. and bulletins were followed intently by groups of musicians rehearsing at
I ll l -+ l at 1F”,
IAN BROWN Artistic Director of the
Traverse Theatre picks five shows he
will be heading along to this week.
Today Is My Birthday Cricot 2. What
SEAN HUDSON
5 The List 23 — 2‘) August 1991
looks to be a fascinating tribute to Tadeusz Kantor whose Dead Class I saw on my first-ever trip to the Fringe.
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE
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Kirov Opera
Meadowbank stadium. Nina Rautio. a soloist with the Bolshoi company. told The Scotsman that ‘We are concerned with what we might see when we come back. about the fate ofour children.‘
Latvian performers at the Demarco gallery were also stunned by the news. particularly when it emerged that someone had already been killed in the Latvian capital Riga. They organised a march. not so much in protest as to draw attention to the situation. A spokesperson for the Demarco Gallery said that their mood was determined and they were intent on returning to Latvia. although the
decision might be reviewed in light of
developments in the Soviet Union. In the meantime all shows will go ahead as scheduled.
Carlucco And The Queen Of Hearts Presented by newly-formed. unfunded and talented Fifth Estate Theatre Company at the Netherbow.
Normal: The Dusseldorf Ripper by Anthony Neilson. who is one of the most original new writers from Scotland.
The Splitting 0f Latham Benchtours at Old St Paul‘s Church and The Arc (Venue 45). An original. multi-nationality ensemble working with physical and non-verbal skills.
5
A Watermelon Killed My Daughter at The Pleasance. The best fly-posting on the Fringe. and easily the best title.
Traverse move
On the day when the tanks rolled into MOSCOW. the chairperson ofThe 'I‘ravcrse Theatre Sheena McDonald admitted that it might seem trivial to be announcing the opening of a new theatre in Edinburgh. Nevertheless. with Artistic Director lan Brown. the plans for the new ('ambridge Street Traverse were unveiled with great enthusiasm.
The theatre will be infinitely more versatile than the present site. featuring completely adaptable seating. a proscenium and air conditioning -- which will come as a welcome relief to those who have sweltered in the Traverse's studio theatre in the past. it is hoped that the theatre will provide an attractive venue for touring companies such as the RSC and Renaissance which have by-passed Edinburgh in the past. (Philip Parr)
«‘ .- g. 4 - at?
‘Beautiful. contextual and poetic‘
and ‘the allied forces produced some
better work in lraq' are only two of the varied comments that have greeted the unveiling of London architects Benson and liot'syth's
winning design fora new museum. to
be built at the west end of ('hambers Street beside the building that now houses the National Museums of Scotland. An open competition brought i1137l anonymous entries. which were then whittled down to a shortlist of twelve. and finally six. The winning architects have stated that their design ‘draws extensively upon and makes continual reference to the traditional architecture of Scotland' while acting as ‘the hinge between the 20th and 31st centuries.‘ The new building. due to open to the public in 19%. will allow items that are rarely or have never been seen to be exhibited. An exhibition of the shortlisted entries is now on show at the Chambers Street museum: other entries are on show at Edinburgh University‘s Dept of Architecture. 20 Chambers Street and at 18 Victoria Terrace. For details see Festival Art listings.