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The wheel deal One man proves that some folks’ll do anything to appear on the Fringe Words: Anna Millar

H ere at List Towers we love a man on a mission and circus strongman Mr Plonk could certainly be described as that. Or maybe just a crazy plonker; you decide. Having left London’s South Bank on 21 July, the Plonkster is cycling all the way, in costume, to Edinburgh to join his troupe in Circus Trick Tease at the Underbelly Cowbarn from Thu 5 Aug. Last we heard he was in Scarborough. Check out some highlights from his journey so far: LONDON KETTERING Cycled about 70 miles. This was my first day out and was a lot of fun. The English countryside really is very beautiful. KETTERING NOTTINGHAM Rockingham Castle was amazing. Finally rolled into Nottingham and stayed in a great little hostel called The Igloo.

NOTTINGHAM SCUNTHORPE Everybody told me that Scunthorpe should be renamed Scumthorpe and it wasn’t far from the truth. But if I hadn’t gone there then I wouldn’t have found a fantastic forest on The National Byway that Terry from the cycling shop in Gainsborough pointed out. SCUNTHORPE REIGHTON GAP Crossed the Humber Bridge it really is a marvel to look at. From Hull I shot over to the coast. I camped in a thicket next to a cliff. Lucky I don’t sleepwalk anymore. REIGHTON GAP SCARBOROUGH I hit mechanical difficulties. I bent a bit on my bike which pretty much kept me in top gear all the way to Scarborough. There’s no hope for my machine. So I’ve booked a hotel for two days and I await news from the last bicycle shop . . .

NORRINGTON TO STEP IN FOR EIF CONCERT Following the sad news last month that Sir Charles Mackerras had passed away, the Edinburgh International Festival has announced that Sir Roger Norrington will now conduct the performance of Idomeneo with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on Fri 20 Aug. Sir Norrington is no stranger to the EIF programme and is perhaps best known as a master interpreter of Mozart’s work. The performance will be dedicated to the memory of Mackerras. Keep an eye on the Noticeboard for further tributes to the great man in the coming weeks. For more on the performance, see www.eif.co.uk

Che Camille

BOOK The Book Festival continues to show its mettle with four of the six poets shortlisted for The Forward Prize for best collection all making this year’s programme. Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney has already sold out but tickets for Robin Robertson, Jo Shapcott and Sinéad Morrissey are still available. FRINGE It’s all getting a bit techie- tastic down Fringe way with the launch of a free iPhone application to help thousands of festival-goers to navigate their way through the Fringe during August. See www.edfringe.com for more. Elsewhere, we’re very excited about all things roller derby, as The Auld Reekie Roller Girls take on the London Rockin Rollers All Stars in a special festival roller derby bout at Meadowbank on Sat 7 Aug.

MUSIC Fringe performer Craig Ogden has just been signed to Classic FM after they were inundated with praise for his talents by listeners. Ogden has previously worked with his mentor and fellow Australian, John Williams. Catch him at this year’s Fringe on Tue 24 & Wed 25 Aug at St Andrew’s and St George’s Church. SHOP Those in search of a spot of retail therapy between shows should head to Che Camille on Sun 8 Aug at 8pm for a fashion show and DJ set from Discopia’s Ally, as well as a live performance from The Niallist. See www.checamille.com

LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL Visit us daily for arts & entertainment news 5–12 Aug 2010 THE LIST 7