n4
m
53:?!”
‘ .’ “Fia- .2.
Final curtain?
As one of Edinburgh's best-loved spaces faces demolition, The List asks you to make your voice heard. Words: Chris Cope
historic Iidinburgh cinema will
be lost ttnless campaigners can
persuade the authorities to rescue it from property developers. ()y'er 3500 people have signed an online petition to save the disused ()deon on ('lerk Street. which owner l)uddingston House I’ro'perties wants to conycrl into a boutique hotel. Many people hay'e been outraged at the plans to demolish the auditorium for the B-listed building. which closed in 2003.
The (‘ity ol~ Iidinburgh (‘ouncil has already approved the proposals but the final say lies with Historic Scotland. which is deliberating over new evidence.
There has been an oy'erwhelming response to the online petition. launched on 25 March. which is addressed not only to Historic Scotland but also to culture minister Mike Russell.
H the campaign against the property dcy'eltil1et"s plans is successliul. the organisers would like to restore the building to a l‘iy‘e-screen cinema
8 THE LIST ‘6—33 At" 333:}
integrated with a digital media centre.
With its l'ainotisly large proscenium arch. the cinema opened as the New Victoria in IURI). In 1904. it was renamed the ()deon and remained that way for the ne\t 3‘) years until its eyentual closure. In addition to lilms. the impressiy'e auditorium played host to a number of illustrious concerts by liezty')'\\'eiglits such as The Who. :\(‘/I)(‘ and The (‘Iash Apart l‘rom temporary stints as a \enue tor the Iidinburgh I'icstiy‘al I‘it‘ingc in 200-1 and 2005 it has remained untised.
l)uddingston House Properties claims it will ‘retain as much ol’ the building's character and historic importance‘ as possible. including the art-deco frontage and the basic shell of. the auditorium.
It you hay'e particularly fond memories ol' the ()deon cinema and want the building and its historic proscenium arch presery'ed in l'uII then add yottr name to the online petition at w w w.gopetition .co.uk/online/Zb—llllhtml.
PITCH PERFECT
I The SCO has launched its 2009/10 season. Highlights include Robin Ticciati‘s debut appearance as principal conductor, sharing the platform with Czech mezzo Magdalena Kozena. Scottish-born mezzo Karen Cargill (pictured) is featured artist of the season and takes on two Berlioz roles as well as Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder. New commissions are from Edward Harper.
Visit www.list.co.uk for daily arts & entertainment news
HARRY POTTER and Cracker star Robbie Coltrane is set to return to ITV in a thriller series. Murderland. The 59-year-old played the criminal psychologist Fritz in Cracker from 1993 to great critical acclaim. Filming for the three-parter begins in June.
THE SCOTTISH POETRY LIBRARY is launching a search for a poem that expresses the essence of coming together. Poems are invited from children, young people and adults from Scotland and around the world and will bear the title, The Gathering. Poems should be submitted by post to: The Gathering 2009 Poetry Competition, The Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 BDT and the closing date for entries is 1 May.
THE OFT is voting on a film from 1939 and one from 1974 to celebrate the GFT/COSMO birthdays in May. The chosen films will be screened free of charge on Sun 10 May at the film theatre’s Birthday Open Day. Get voting at http://tinyurl.com/ gftbirthday
GLASGOW ART FAIR UPDATE Art lovers can look forward to a series of talks as art of Talking t, an addition to this year’s Glasgow Art Fair programme. Taking
lace over four days
om Thu 23 to Sun 26 Apr, this year’s programme will
ring writers, collectors, lecturers and artists to the fair’s dedicated lecture space to discuss ap roaches to buying, se ling, interpreting, making and displaying artwork.
PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE
I Folk fans will be happy to hear that Glasgow's Fruitmarket Folk series will return this spring with a roster of Scottish and international folk acts. Setting its stall from Wed 6 May, the programme includes folk band Felpeyu, Finnish/Norwegian fiddle group Frigg and Visht‘en, who promise to showcase music and dance from their native Acadian regions of Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands.