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SAME DIFFERENCE Re: Glasgow Boy; Edinburgh Girl (653) Although I, on the whole, enjoyed your Glasgow Vs Edinburgh issue (albeit with some hesitations about how responsible it was to rekindle old rivalries), I have to say, I wasn’t convinced that your Edinburgh girl might not be just as at home in Glasgow, or vice versa with the Glasgow boy in Edinburgh. Both caricatures rang true – I recognised a few people I know in both of them – but it just served to show that the cities are probably more alike than they are different. It was heartening to see, though, that The List hadn’t stooped to the level of stereotyping Glaswegians as ‘Neds’ and Edinburghers as stuffy professors and yummy mummies. Well done at least on that count. Simon K, Glasgow via email
FINAL CURTAIN? Article: Final curtain for Glasgow’s Ramshorn Theatre? It is outrageous that the University should consider selling off this beautiful building. The Ramshorn Theatre is a
crucial part of both the Merchant City and the Glasgow theatre scene. Their programme
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT
SITE FOR SORE EYES Article: Edinburgh’s Royal High School to be transformed into arts hotel How was Edinburgh council persuaded to hand over this unique landmark to a bunch of cowboy speculators masquerading as ‘enlightened developers’? ‘Boutique art hotel’? No chance. Anyone who has seen how
they’ve ‘decorated’ the interior of Duddingston House knows it’s full of the hi-gloss, trashy ‘interior design’ tackiness that’d make a footballer’s wife blush. Who is safeguarding the World Heritage Site that is Edinburgh? And do they understand what is at stake? Apparently the elected councillors do not. Nor does the Planning Authority. And Scottish ‘Starchitects’ are happy enough to dance to the developers’/ financiers’ tune – maximising returns for their clients whilst bull- dozing the historic city fabric, with their noses shoved in the trough. As examples I offer Gareth Hoskins at the former Royal High School, Malcolm Fraser at Canongate and Richard Murphy at Haymarket.
The ongoing market-driven and philistine exploitation of sites by
such schemes within and surrounding the World Heritage Site, leads only to its progressive dilution and degradation, Edinburgh becoming less like itself and more like everywhere else. Cockney Geezer Comment posted at List.co.uk
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE ONE BOTTLE OF THE BLACK GROUSE WHISKY Smoky and Smooth – a marriage of fine peated Scotch malt whiskies and The Famous Grouse
isn’t full of the usual suspects we would expect to see on stage. Some of their productions are truly innovative and really push the boundaries.
A university like Strathclyde should be proud of a drama department housed in such a great location, and one that receives such a great response
from the public. I’m sure that the Strathclyde Theatre Group would recover from a move, but would the Glasgow theatre scene recover the loss of such a great theatre and music venue? I think not. TonyMc, Glasgow Comment posted at List.co.uk
FAME AND MISFORTUNE Article: True Stories – Starsuckers an example of celebrity-obsessed culture eating itself (653) Celebrities are nearly all parasites who deserve nothing but our contempt. More power to bands like The Residents, who hide their true identities, and keep themselves entirely separate from the art they present to us. Heftman, Glasgow Comment posted at List.co.uk
JUST GIVING Article: The most amazing thing I did last week (652) I went to give blood for the seventh time last night. It’s a great thing to do and the staff there are so helpful and happy.
The music playing at the Lauriston Place clinic last night left a lot to be desired though. Rod Stewart’ ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’? Jo2010 Comment posted at List.co.uk
Next issue out Wednesday 28 April
Eating & Drinking Guide The List’s indispensable guide to restaurants, bars and cafés in Glasgow and Edinburgh will be packaged with our next issue. With over 800 reviews it’s the one-stop shop for good ideas, from arts bistros to high-end restaurants. Yum. Affordable Art It’s the time to invest in your art collection and pick up some recession bargains with our buyer’s guide. We’ll be getting insider information from some top collectors and profiling our favourite young artists to buy now.
YOU’VE GOT 15 DAYS TO LIVE 96 THE LIST 15–29 Apr 2010
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain EDITORIAL Editor Jonny Ensall Assistant Editor Henry Northmore, Allan Radcliffe, Claire Sawers Subeditor Hamish Brown Research Manager Suzanne Black Research Siân Bevan, Tasmin Campbell, Rosalie Doubal, Laura Ennor, Henry Northmore, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd Editorial Assistant Niki Boyle Editorial Intern John-Paul Holden
SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Brigid Kennedy Senior Media Sales Executive Juliet Tweedie Media Sales Executive Aimi Gold, Claire Innes Business Development Executive Adam Coulson Business Development Manager Brendan Miles Sponsorship & Promotions Manager Sheri Friers Promotions Executive Amy Russell Circulation Executive Murray Robertson
PRODUCTION Senior Designer Lucy Munro Production Manager Simon Armin Production Assistant Miriam Sturdee
DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe Software Developer Iain McCusker Online Editorial Assistant Alice White ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick Accounts Assistant Tasmin Campbell Office & HR Manager Jo Morgan Glasgow Office Manager Sharon Stephen
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Anna Millar Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore Comedy Brian Donaldson Dance Kelly Apter Eat & Drink Donald Reid Film Paul Dale Kids Kelly Apter LGBT Allan Radcliffe Music Claire Sawers News Anna Millar Shopping Claire Sawers Theatre Allan Radcliffe Visual Art Allan Radcliffe