Festival fall-off

On SATURDAY, I attended the final concert of the Edinburgh International Festival in the Usher Hall, which was lacking in atmosphere as it was little more than half full.

I have attended over 40 Festivals and can’t recall such a poor audience for the closing concert. This, unfortunately, was a pattern throughout the Festival with many sparse audiences at the Usher Hall and the Queens Hall and neither of the only two staged operas sold out.

I suspect this was much to do with director Jonathan Mills overarching theme of “orientalism”; it may have got him money from China and Korea but was it at the expense of audiences?

It was also notable that we had new works commissioned from across the world, but none from Scotland. Indeed, there were no Scottish works in the Festival.

When I asked Mr Mills where was the Scottish work, he thought for a minute and said: “Kenneth McMillan.” Unfortunately, the choreographer left Scotland when he was two and never returned.

We have superb composers, such as James Macmillan. However, his new works seem to be premiered everywhere but Scotland. We also have very fine playwrights, but they are to be found on the Fringe and not in the main Festival.

During discussions at Festival concerts, some people were speculating where Mr Mills’ themes will take us next. Some suggested Africa. However, no-one suggested Scotland.

HUGH KERR

Braehead Avenue

Edinburgh