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Good times for all: James

Bulletins

News and views in bite-sized bits

THE NOMINEES FOR the second annual Stakis Prize for Scottish Writer Of The Year represent a broad cross section of the country's literary talent. Former List editor Alice Thompson is in contention for her novel Pandora '5 Box, as are Agnes Owens (For The Love Of Willie) and Booker Prize-winner James Kelman (story collection The Good Times). Poet Edwin Morgan’s work Virtual And Other Realities is also recognised, and Stephen Greenhorn's play Passing Places completes the short list. The cliche that being nominated is enough of an achievement in itself holds true in this case, with each candidate picking up £1000. The winner will be awarded an additional £9000 at a gala dinner in the Stakis Strathclyde on 30 November.

MORE PRIZES: THE 1998 Richard Hough Bursary has gone to Alan Currall. The 34-year—old artist who has exhibited at the Tramway, Glasgow and the Museum of Modern Art, New York - will receive £17,000. A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Curall intends to use the money to produce a CD-ROM encyclopaedia. His previous work, such as ‘Golden Moments’ and 'Sulky’, is characterised by accessibility (in a good way) and humour.

BBC TV IS looking for volunteer couples to take part in a new health show. If you fancy having a medical expert improve your diet, fitness, resistance to nicotine, or general well-being call 0171 462 9537. Speaking from the London offices of production company Bazal, Helen Page told The List, ‘If you’re unhealthy, outgoing and Scottish, we need you.’ Don’t be put off by the term ‘couple’: flatmates, siblings and business partners are also eligible.

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Kelman is shortlisted for the Stakis Prize

FOUR YEARS AGO Glasgow’s King's Theatre panto was facing extinction, as audiences snubbed tired shows with, at best, B—list celebs. Since then, the venue has re- invented its festive offering to startlingly successful effect. The shows are now characterised by lavish production values, witty scripts (courtesy of TV writer Bob Black) and, most importantly, a defiantly Scottish sensibility generated by local stars. This year's production of Sleeping Beauty continues the upward trend, having shifted more than 60,000 tickets by the end of October for a run beginning 4 December. This is boom-time for Christmas shows, with the Citizens' committed to thirteen performances a week for peak periods of Merlin The Magnificent.

EDINBURGH FILM COMPANY Three Rivers/Holdings Ecosse have received lottery funding to the tune of £500,000 for their version of Edith Wharton's The House Of Mirth. X-Files star Gillian Anderson will swap conspiracy theories for social intrigue to play the lead.

THINK OF BOYZONE, and you think of fresh talent, obviously. So it’s no wonder that flaxen—haired, golden- voiced front man Ronan Keating is lined up to present an eight-part TV showcase for new performers entitled Get Your Act Together. The criteria for entrants is that they must be unsigned, and perform their own music. The series will be produced by the Glasgow office of Initial Productions, and recorded in front of a live audience at BBC Scotland.

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED . . . for a decision by BBC Scotland on relocating to Pacific Quay, Glasgow. The move may be in jeopardy now that Edinburgh, not Glasgow, is the favoured site for a new film studio.

AGENDA

publiciiy distriboiioo for or" compo-lion oioco 1981 Telephone (0131) 555 1897

Winner of

“Best Cafe in Edinburgh’” The List, 1997/98

t e t elle an 811 S e The gourmet tea and coflee house

in the heart oft/9e Old Town

21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh 0131 220 5355

5—19 Nov 1998 THE U372?