Why football fans love to hate summer sports

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Fringe rlsout big uns

Bombers, Bullseye and Basement Jaxx head up this year’s programme. Words: Allan Radcliffe

play by a former IRA member. a l’ran/ l‘erdinand

gig and performances from Rolf Harris and Jim

Bowen are among the treats ill store for l't‘sllull- goers this summer. (iuy Masterson. who was responsible for bringing Christian Slater to lidinburgh last year. is directing Bill Bailey and Alan llayies ill Hm ()(/(I ('utl/l/t' at the Assembly‘s new \enue on the Mound.

'Hu' ll'mng Man. by ex-Sinn l-'ein publicist and one lime IRA office holder Danny Morrison. arrives at the Pleasance following a three-week London run. while acclaimed actor 'l'imothy West stars ill the world premiere of National llt'I'U about a former bomb disposal expert. The Assembly Rooms presents it? Lure .‘ll'l/llll' .S’i'm'gi/l about two women who fall for the miners’ leader. while the acclaimed Riot (irotlp umeil their .S'n'm'll 'li‘ipri'r/l.

()n the comedy front. Rain l’ryor. daughter of legendary US comedian Richard. makes her l’ringe debut at the Underbelly this year. making her eligible for the award bearing her father‘s name. ()ther funny folk on board include Paul Merton. Sue ‘Mel and Sue’ Perkins and ()mid l)_jalili (will the Britisb~lranian comic linally scoop the Perrier this year?) while \entriloquist l)a\id Strassman. (‘hannel 4‘s King of ('o/m'rly Andrew Maxwell.

I’o/iii'ur/(l's Simon Amstell and the t'mbilical Brothers also make the trek back north.

And where else would you find venerable Australian nltlsician. artist and presenter Rolf Harris rubbing shoulders with former Bill/sew host Jim Bowen than in the l’leasance (‘ourtyard of an August evening? Both veterans llil\ e confirmed they are to grace the liringe. Bowen in his one‘lnan show. lilll ('un'l Beat (1 Bi! o/‘Bul/y at Jongleurs. while Roll and his band rock the Pleasance in a rare gig before 2le fans on 26 August.

2005 also marks the rise of the site specific theatre gimmick. with the return of A Mobile 'l'lm'llt'r set in a car. and ('llu/l'rl‘ Begins n! Home. performed in Barnardo’s.

()\ er at the musical end of lidinburgh. the 'l‘ on the liringe juggernaut rolls on. l’ollowing the announcement of mouth watering live performances by Teenage l-‘anclub. ldlewild. Basement Jaxx (pictured) and the Pixies. chart- troublels l‘ran/ lierdinand have confirmed they are to close the lestii ities lll Princes Street (iardens with performances on 30 and 3| AugUst.

Sun 7-Mon 29 Aug. Tickets on sale from Mon 13 Jun. www.edfringe.com

NOBEL PEACE SEASON FOR SCOTS CINEMAS

I The Nobel Peace season, which graces Edinburgh and Glasgow’s cinema screens this June, showcases four remarkable features on the theme. The films, selected by international curators, include Peter Davis’ Oscar-winning Hearts and Minds, which deals with America‘s role in Vietnam, and is introduced by AL Kennedy on 8 June at the GFI' and 21 June at Edinburgh’s Filmhouse. Slovakian classic Power of Good, introduced by Rabbi Nancy Morris at the GFT on 14 June, Peace One Day, about one man’s quest to establish an international peace day, and Al-Jazeera insight Control Room complete the quartet. Herald foreign correspondent David Pratt introduces the Glasgow screening of Control Room on 9 June at the GFT. www.docspace.org (AR)

I Scotland-based artists Jim Lambie and Simon Starling have been shortlisted for this year’s Turner Prize. Glasgow- born Lambie, best known for his glittering, multicoloured installations, and Starling, who was recently also shortlisted for the 2004 Hugo Boss prize in New York, will create new work for an exhibition to open at Tate Britain on 18 October.

I The Edinburgh International Film Festival lives to screen another programme of world cinema. The festival is to benefit from a £265,000 package following the loss of major sponsors such as Nokia. These extra funds. channelled through Scottish Screen. include donations from the Scottish Executive and Edinburgh City Council.

I Edinburgh Festival Fringe has launched a ‘friends’ scheme. Fringe lovers are being asked to support the Festival to the tune of £10, £30 or £95. Perks include a mention in the official programme and tickets to VIP events and the opening party.

I August marks the inauguration of the Festival of Politics. whose line-up features names from the worlds of politics. television. film and the arts. The programme will be available from 20 June.

I Yes rocker Chris Squires and Stephen Nardelli, Squires' bandmate from the Syn, have joined forces to set up THAT-TV, Scotland‘s first independent television channel. The MTV-style channel is launched on Sky Satellite on 25 June.

El 3’3 .lt.". HtTt‘rfi THE LIST 7