Talk of the Town

STOMP might be playing the Festival Theatre this week but it is the Edinburgh Playhouse that will be alive with the sound of jack boots next week, when The Sound of Music marches into Greenside Place.

However, volunteer Nazis no longer appear to be producers' favourite things after an e-mail appeal to local amateur companies came to the attention of the Evening News.

The appeal offered males over the age 18 and clean shaven "a couple of comps" in return for playing Nazi guards during the show's run.

Faced with a news story, the show publicists appear to have got cold feet, apparently willing to just about climb every mountain to avoid the headlines a Nazi hunt might offer.

War of words as Foulkes questions bomber's release

KENNY MacAskill's decision last August to release Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds because he was dying of cancer caused massive controversy at the time and the critics seem determined to keep up the pressure on the justice secretary.

Lothians MSP George Foulkes asked in parliament yesterday for an update on Mr Megrahi's health – the point being that medical advice suggested he had three months left to live and it is now five months since his release.

Mr MacAskill pointed out he had always explained the length of time left to Mr Megrahi may be longer or shorter than estimated. But he said: "It is not in doubt that this is a dying man – and I have to say, Lord Foulkes, I think it ill befits us in the name of humanity to circle like vultures."

Free and independent press?

EYEBROWS have been raised at a new publication doing the rounds called the Edinburgh North and Leith Times: Your Local Free Paper.

The publication seems curiously concerned with the activities and opinions of Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Kevin Lang.

On closer inspection in small print at the bottom of the back page there is "Published and promoted by Louise Young on behalf of Kevin Lang".

That would be Leith Walk councillor Louise Young (nee Lang), Kevin Lang's sister and Liberal Democrat stablemate.

One editorial outlines "Mark's Record of Shame", highlighting the alleged failings of current MP Mark Lazarowicz.

He is not impressed, complaining: "It's clearly an attempt to dress up a Lib Dem pamphlet as a local newspaper. It's underhand."

Grab a slice of the prize

THEY say there's no such thing as a free lunch. Probably not. But free pizza will be on offer at Papa John's on South Clerk Street from 11am till midday tomorrow to celebrate the firm's victory in the Pizza Delivery Chain of The Year award.