LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL Caught in the Act
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT
BAG TO THE FUTURE Re: Bagpuss (685, ●●●●●) As the co-creator and maker of Bagpuss and his world (and still alive and working!) it is a strange feeling to read in the review that Emily is returning from her father’s funeral. I am the real Emily’s father.
Of course the films were made back in 1974 and she is a big girl now. I really enjoyed seeing our creation adapted for the stage in the first production in London but it was a shock to think that the audience were regretting my passing. I felt like leaping up and wailing like someone returning from the grave. That would have made the little ones jump. So I didn't.
The real intention of the play’s writers I am told was to follow the theme of loss, as the stories are all about finding lost things and it is true that my late colleague, Oliver Postgate, the writer, animator and producer of the films, died in 2008. I wish the play good fortune and many happy audiences on its future run. Peter Firmin, Canterbury
The List has come to suspect that there’s a cheeky mischief-maker going around putting additional stars on posters in our good name – which might go some way to explaining why, upon this poster for Rock the Ballet (pictured), a fifth star is stuck on upside down. What this doesn’t explain, though, is where they got the fourth, as it only garnered a (very respectable but not incendiary) three-star review from us in the first place. Cause for consternation, especially for the List reader who went on the basis of our non-existent rave review. An honest mistake though, it seems, and we are assured that it has been rectified. Also making us raise a sceptical eyebrow this issue is television’s Dr Phil
Hammond and his Rude Health show. It doesn’t necessarily sound like ‘essential Fringe viewing’ to us, even if we were the ones who said it. Of course, we were talking about another of Phil’s shows, back in 2002. That’s all for Caught in the Act 2011. If we spot any other dubious practices
we’ll be writing about them at list.co.uk/festival
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
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
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
{FRONT}
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
Alex Johnston, Tamara Le Vasan, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd,
Kirstyn Smith Editorial Assistant
Niki Boyle
Editorial Intern Natalya Wells
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
18–25 Aug 2011 THE LIST 9
F E S T I V A L