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CREDIT CHECK
Re: Porgy and Bess takes centre stage at Edinburgh International Festival (Edinburgh Festival Guide 2010) I enjoyed your article, but in referring to ‘George and Ira Gershwin’s’ folk opera you are following a current and unfortunate trend to overlook the contribution of DuBose Heyward, who wrote all of the opera’s libretto and the lyrics to most of its songs, including ‘Summertime’.
Ira Gershwin contributed some fine lyrics (‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ for one) but wrote none of the libretto, and never asked to receive equal billing with George. Walter Rimler, Walnut Creek, California Comment posted at List.co.uk
LEADER LOSS Re: American mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato returns to Edinburgh Festival (Edinburgh Festival Guide 2010) It’s very sad indeed that Sir Charles Mackerras has died – and for Ms DiDonato and the EIF most immediately. It will be hard for the Festival to find as fine a musician as Sir Charles to take his place on the platform for the Idomeneo performances. Good luck to all. Charlotte Webb, New York City Comment posted at List.co.uk
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT CLOSING THOUGHTS
Place: Studio 24 After hearing that Edinburgh venue Studio 24 was going to close its doors I made a point of going down there last weekend to say goodbye. During the night I asked Studio 24 staff why it was being closed and learned of the story about one neighbour living close to the venue being on a quest to get the place closed down. I think this is shocking, if true, and feel terrible that such a
cool venue – and in my mind the only real place to go for alternative music in Edinburgh – was having to close its doors because the council would listen to one guy over the hundreds that go there every week, and have done for years. Then, yesterday I heard from a friend that Studio 24 had
won its case and was going to stay open! Finally, a success story in Edinburgh for clubbing! I love going down to this club. There’s a real family feel, the staff are great and the tunes rawk. It really is Edinburgh’s only alternative nightclub. Halford, Edinburgh
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
NOT SO HOT ROD alone Mr Stewart.
Place: Tulloch Caledonian Stadium I was at the Rod Stewart concert at the weekend, which was fantastic, despite some poor organisation. As soon as the concert began
the people behind us in the cheaper seats were allowed to move in front of us, resulting in the people in section A being unable to see the stage, let
To add to the total chaos alcohol was sold throughout the concert, causing a constant stream of people in varying degrees of drunkeness to pass between us and the stage, adding further to the distress of people who went to see the show. I am told that other venues stop the sale of drink during the show, and this surely is only fair to enable people who
want to see the show to do so. This was not a happy
experience, and one I will not be repeating. I would rather pay extra and go to Glasgow or Edinburgh rather than Inverness, which is a shame, as this could be a lovely venue. Gebo, Highland Comment posted at List.co.uk
ANGER ISSUES Re: Mailbox (661) Years ago I subscribed to a similar magazine to yours called Time Out, which covered the London area. Everyone who wrote to the letters page seemed to be terminally angry and abusive. Your last issue reminded me of it with its letters from people in a permanent strop. It is not a good sign for the rest of us. Gordon Crandles, Edinburgh
Editor’s Note: Well said Mr Crandles. If only there were some contented Scots willing to write us positive mail we could improve everyone’s moods. Come on Scotland – glass half full etc.
CORRECTION Re: Outside Inns – the best al fresco eating and drinking in Glasgow and Edinburgh (661) Apologies to the Hidden Lane Tearoom in Glasgow, which is of course a tearoom, and not, as we said, a café.
Board Meeting VLADIMIR MCTAVISH
In the first of a regular festival series we’ve asked a comedian to draw the essence of his or her festival show on our List festival wipeboard. This summer Vladimir McTavish is teaching the world about whisky. Well, kinda’. In a show originally called Whisky: An Eejit’s Guide (but changed to Idiot’s for the bloody tourists), the stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene takes a trip through the nation’s favourite export, via a beautiful ‘tribute’ to Ian Rankin. McTavish might down a fair bit of malt during the performance but he promises to leave a drop for an optional tasting after the laughs die down. Whisky: An Idiot’s Guide is at the Stand 4, York Place. 6.50pm. 4–29 Aug (not 16, 23). £9/£8.
6 THE LIST 5–12 Aug 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 Laura Ennor Research Siân Bevan, Tasmin Campbell, Siân Hickson, Henry Northmore, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd, Kirstyn Smith Editorial Assistant Niki Boyle
SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Brigid Kennedy Senior Media Sales Executive Juliet Tweedie Media Sales Executive Aimi Gold, Jude Moir Media Project Sales Manager Suzanne Robertson 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
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes 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