John Gibson: Gabbing to the off-duty Hamiltons
Dome director Brian Crawford and his good mate Lorraine Chase were hosting an intimate supper party for the Hamiltons. Husband Neil was there, too, in a rugby shirt Christine bought for him.
They’re Fringeing on Bristo Square with a chat show they’ve dubbed “organised chaos”. Couple of years since they’d last done it and Edinburgh has changed perceptibly for them.
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Hide Ad“Taxis are cheap compared with London. From Bristo to George Street here £5.50,” Neil noted. While the Hamiltons reckon the Fringe has “so enriched our lives”, by their reckoning the average loss absorbed by the participants is £12,000 to do the Fringe.
Quipped Neil, ages with Christine who was wearing trainers and matching red polka-dot top: “I might audition for the Ladyboys next time.”
Last words to Christine: “I’m told Rula Lenska will be sitting at Brian’s table next week. We’ve worked with Rula in panto. She’s got great legs.”
Benny thrill
Couple of gigs I contrived not to miss and failed. Curtis Stigers in the Jazzfest and Benny Gallagher at St Bride’s, Dalry.
But a colleague who was in the full house for Gallagher raved about it and tells me he and song-writing partner Graham Lyle will be back on March 29 for a reunion at the Queen’s Hall. Want to be there, heart on my sleeve.
Afterwords . .
. . . so Heston Blumenthal after 20 years married to Zanna has dumped her for Suzanne Pirret, America’s Nigella Lawson. For Blumenthal, read Blownitall?