{FRONT} Caught in the Act
LETTERS OF THE FORTNIGHT
SITES FOR SORE EYES Re: The 30 best Scottish websites (683) Are you having a laugh? Who compiled this list? Most of the websites are run-of-the-mill blog sites – unimaginative, dull etc. To say they are the best Scottish websites is an insult. Gordon Brown, Prestwick
Gordon, how thoroughly unsupportive of your fellow countrymen and women who invest their time and effort in building a fantastic online presence celebrating and contributing to the culture of the country.
Yes, some of these are blogs, but the technical details of how they’re published isn’t relevant here – it’s based on content and engagement. Since you’re such a keen critic,
perhaps you should start your own blog reviewing Scottish websites? You never know, you might be good at it and appear in this list next year! Belinda, Edinburgh Comments via list.co.uk
THE LETTERS 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
Every year, upon opening the Fringe programme, the staff at List HQ ask themselves, ‘Eh? Did we really give that show five stars?’ With so many quotes and suspicious-looking star ratings cropping up, we’ve decided to investigate and expose some of the most spurious List endorsements.
First up, 2011’s comedy double-header, Harmon Leon/Bush Monologues: Comedy Double Feature at Just the Tonic, which proudly boasts of a ••••• review from The List. A little bit of digging reveals that the review in question was, in fact, from 1999 (back when The List was printed in black and white – can you imagine?) for Harmon Leon’s solo show, Yank Me! when we did indeed say he was ‘a comedy force to be reckoned with.’
However in our most recent review of Mr Leon’s work, from 2007, The List awarded him only a single star, saying, ‘how he managed to work his way into the comedy section of the Fringe programme is his greatest hoax.’ Oh dear.
Will he be emulating the five-star glory of the old days, or the, damp disappointment of his more recent appearance? Now you know what you’re letting yourself in for, we don’t discourage you from going to find out for yourself.
Look out for another exposé next issue!
FESTIVAL BOOKING INFORMATION
EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL Dates: 4 Aug–4 Sep 2011 Online: edinburghartfestival.com Telephone booking: Please call individual venues. Most events are free, though some are paying exhibitions
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
BOOK FESTIVAL Dates: 13–29 Aug 2011 Online booking: edbookfest.co.uk Telephone booking: 0845 373 5888 In person: The Hub, Castlehill, and the box office in Charlotte Square Gardens FRINGE Dates: 5–29 Aug 2011 Online booking: edfringe.com Telephone booking: 0131 226 0000 In person: Fringe Box Office, 180 High Street
L A V I T S E F
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Dates: 12 Aug–4 Sep 2011 Online booking: eif.co.uk Telephone booking: 0131 473 2000 In person: Edinburgh International Festival, The Hub, Castlehill
8 THE LIST 4–11 Aug 2011
FESTIVAL OF POLITICS Dates: 20–27 Aug 2011 Online booking: festivalofpolitics.org.uk Telephone booking: 0131 473 2000 (RNID Typetalk: 18001 0131 473 2000) In person: The Hub, Castlehill
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor
Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain
EDITORIAL
Editor Jonny Ensall Deputy Editor Claire Sawers
Assistant Editor Henry Northmore, Allan Radcliffe
Research Manager
Laura Ennor Research Siân Bevan,
Alex Johnston, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd, Kirstyn Smith Editorial Assistant
Niki Boyle Editorial Intern Pamela Morris
SALES & MARKETING
Media Sales Manager Juliet Tweedie
Media Sales Executive Jude Moir, Nicky Carter,
Lindsay Paul
Digital Sales Executive
Freya Cowan Digital Commercial
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
DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown
Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe
Software Developer Iain McCusker
Digital Design Assistant
Daniella Zelli
ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes
Books/Comedy Brian Donaldson Clubs/Play Henry Northmore
Dance/Kids Kelly Apter Food & Drink Donald Reid
Film Paul Dale LGBT Lauren Mayberry
Music/Shopping Claire Sawers Noticeboard Anna Millar
Theatre/Visual Art Allan Radcliffe