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Around Town
Jobson’s worth As Fife prepares to celebrate one of its finest talents, Anna Millar finds Richard Jobson in fine fettle
H ere in Scotland, we love a tale of the local boy done good, and musician-turned-writer and filmmaker Richard Jobson has done just that. A former member of punk band, The Skids, Jobson often sets his scene – whether it be in his music, photography, film or music – against the backdrop of his native Scotland.
So with Fife celebrating its cultural identity this year with a series of special events, Jobson seemed an obvious choice with which to kick off proceedings. Dunfermline’s illustrious son has curated a special programme of events, complete with special guests; and audiences can enjoy plenty of firsts, with Jobson presenting new exhibitions of his photographs, as well as workshops and discussions.
‘It’s that funny thing, that Fife has always been sort of overlooked as a cultural hub, which is strange considering the extraordinary things that have come out if it,’ says Jobson. Largely set at Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre, Jobson and Fife Council will start proceedings with Inspiration Day (Tue 2 Mar), an incentive designed to provide workshops to kids from deprived areas, who
are interested in writing, film, production and editing. Later in the week, fellow Fifer Ian Rankin will put him through his paces with a Q&A before a screening of his new short film The Journey, a project with Emma Thompson about the brutal realities of sex trafficking.
Never one for a quiet life, Jobson will also be planning the follow up to his Edinburgh-based New Town Killers while he’s there; Into the Valley, named after the Skids’ song, tells the story of a soldier’s return from Afghanistan to Fife and stars some of the cast from Killers. He’s also planning, he admits with relish, on taking a couple of cameramen with him, and shooting what he refers to as a ‘meditation on Fife’ for a couple of days. ‘At heart I still feel 16,’ the 49-year old says with a smile. ‘I love what I do, and I’m delighted to celebrate in the place I came from. You can’t ask for more than that.’ The ode to Jobson comes to a close with a live performance from The Skids (6 Mar) at the Alhambra.
See www.fifedirect.org.uk/2010 for more.
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown Hitlist JOURNEYS, JOBSON AND GOOD JUJU*
✽✽ The Fair Trade Experience 2010 Eat, drink and be merry while doing your bit for the Fair Trade cause. No genre is left uncatered for here with fashion, theatre, live music and food and drink stalls. See picture, page 33. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 27 Feb. ✽✽ Charley Boorman Ewan McGregor’s biker buddy allows the audience to get up close and personal with this Q&A session about his life, loves and career to date. See picture, page 32. Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 24 Feb. ✽✽ Fifer Festival featuring Richard Jobson Fife City Council celebrate the area’s finest assets, beginning with musician, artist and filmmaker Richard Jobson. See preview, left. Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, Tue 2–6 Sat March. ✽✽ Lantern Festival It’s grrrreeeat! OK, we know it’s no Frosties ad but it is the Chinese Year of the Tiger, so go celebrate with dance performances, lantern making, calligraphy workshops and more. Edinburgh Zoo, Sat 27 & Sun 28 Feb. ✽✽ Tollcross Green Fair Local, green-minded businesses get together to offer you the chance for some ethical shopping of a weekend. Barclay Church, Edinburgh, Sat 27 Feb. 18 Feb–4 Mar 2010 THE LIST 31