Liam Rudden - Fringed Out: November 2008

Published on Thursday 6 November 2008 08:42

The quirky real-time on-line diary of the Entertainment Editor of the Edinburgh Evening News

Friday November 28: 1.45pm

PANTASTIC GUIDE

Out today, and free with your Evening News, The Guide this week has a Christmas show round-up; introduces indie outfit Flamboyant Bella; chats up New York band The Virgins; and reveals the finalists for the Evening News Battle of the Bands.

Also meet Aladdin star Johnny Mac, dance DJ Fergie, Sheffield's finest John Shuttleworth, Hollywood star Ben Stiller and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker.

And there's a chance to win Kylie's new DVD - don't miss it.

Friday November 28: 1.32pm

SNAP CRACKLE AND POP THE QUESTION

I've had an early start every morning this week. On Monday I was asked to take part in Snap, Crackle and Pop the Question on Forth 2's breakfast show, Bob in the Morning, with Bob Malcolm.

"Answer three general knowledge questions as quickly as possible" he advised me.

I managed two out of three in 18 seconds. Well, would you have known that it was The Crowd who topped the charts in 1985 with a cover of Gerry and The Pacemakers' You'll Never Walk Alone.

Luckily, everyone else who took part this week scored less... it's the first time I've won a radio phone-in since Mark Goodier was at what was then Radio Forth, back in the days of 7' vinyl.

Just waiting to discover what my prize is... oh the anticipation.

Catch Bob every morning between 6am and 10am on 1548 Forth 2

Tuesday November 25: 3.42pm

HEAD-BANGERS BE WARNED

Just in from Geoff Ellis of DF Concerts, promoter of T in the Park:

"I can confirm that AC/DC will NOT be playing at T in the Park 2009. We do not want AC/DC fans to buy a ticket for T in the Park under false pretences as this would not only disappoint them, but also the many people desperate to get their hands on a T in the Park ticket regardless of the headliner."

Which puts a who new slant on the old adage, 'You'll have had your tea' for Edinburgh metal-heads... You'll have had your AC/DC.

Ah, Morningside rhyming slang.

Tuesday November 25: 13.20pm

IT COULD BE YOU

Well, after two weeks locked away in panto-land directing Musselburgh's Brunton Theatre's production of Sleeping Beauty I'm back in the hot seat.

It's been a great fortnight, working with some of the most talented actors in the country. Even the three young choruses are fantastic. Check them out.

Panto provides a brilliant opportunity for youngsters to experience being on stage as does this offer from the producers of Waiting For Godot, starring Star Trek's Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen, which tours to The King's next year.

Theatre Royal Haymarket and Duncan C Weldon are looking for two boys to share a featured role alongside the McKellen and Stewart in Beckett's masterpiece, which runs from April 13-18, 2009.

Details are as follows:

The Company is looking for two boys to play alternate performances and will be auditioning for the parts in open auditions on the 11 and 12 December 2008. They will be playing the age of 10 years but the auditions will be open to boys up to 15 years of any ethnicity.

Day One of auditions will be Open Auditions and Day Two will be recalls for successful applicants from the first round. Every boy who is auditioning needs to be available for both of the audition days, the dates of the performance in April and be on call for up to two weeks before opening night.

For the successful boys rehearsals will take place the week before the production's arrival at the venue. They will be conducted by Paul Warwick-Griffin, the assistant director for the production. Ian and Patrick will then rehearse with the boys on the Sunday afternoon before opening night on the Monday.

All boys that are interested in auditioning need to get an audition pack by downloading the pack off the Waiting for Godot website www.waitingforgodottheplay.com

In this pack there is a registration form which they need to fill in and bring to the audition, information about the audition and two pieces of dialogue from the play which they need to prepare and bring along to the audition. It is also advisable to read the script before the audition. A copy can be found on the internet.

The open auditions are on the 11 December and will commence at 3pm with the last auditions being held at 8pm. Each boy will audition in a group of up to 20 and it will last for half an hour. All boys and their parents or guardians are warned that there could be long waiting times due to the numbers auditioning. Boys are allowed to turn up on the day if they haven't registered though waiting times could be longer.

The auditions will be held in the Founders Room at the Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT. For any queries please e-mail Caroline Brophy, Theatre Manager at [e-mail].

So there you have it. You know what to... good luck.

Thursday November 6: 13.20pm

TOMORROW'S ISSUE OF THE GUIDE

In The Guide, your free full-colour entertainment round-up for the forthcoming week in the Capital, you will find:

Robin of Sherwood Michael Praed, The Wombats, Todd Rundgren, Ida Maria, Stephen Fretwell, Bullet For My Valentine, Alanna Knight, Richard Alston Dance, Josh Brolin and cover-story The Guillemots.

Also win Michael McIntyre on DVD and discover what sprinbok tastes like in Martin Lennon's restaurant review.

Free with the Evening News, tomorrow. Ad over.

Thursday November 6: 13.05pm

MORE TV HEAVEN

Just in. More star names are heading to the King's Theatre as part of its new year season.

Yes, hot on the heels of the news that Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are to star in a new production of Waiting For Godot at the Leven Street venue, comes the casting details for the latest touring production of Alan Ayckbourn's Tons of Money, which will run from February 2-7, 2009.

First, in case you are not familiar with the piece, the story goes something like this:

Inventor Aubrey Allington has inherited a fortune which, on his death, will revert to his cousin George Maitland. As George is believed to have died abroad, Aubrey has the brilliant idea of staging his own death so he can resurrect himself as his cousin – thus avoiding his own enormous debts. Complications soon arise in the form of George's wife, another Maitland imposter and even the real George himself.

Lined up to appear in the new production are Eric Richard, alias The Bill's Sgt Cryer, Carry On and Dad's Army star Liz Fraser, ex-Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry and Judge John Deed star Caroline Langrishe.

Joining them will be sit-com favourite Lysette Anthony, Dame Judi Dench's daughter Finty Williams, Keith Clifford, best known as Billy Hardcastle in Last of the Summer Wine and finally, everyone's favourite vet, Christopher Timothy from All Creatures Great And Small.

Later the same month, Edward Fox and Claire Bloom will star in Loyd George Knew My Father, William Douglas Home's hilarious drawing-room comedy which depicts the British aristocracy at their most charmingly eccentric as they make a stand against the destruction of the English countryside.

Book you tickets for both now.