Christmas

David Starkey’s Monarchy: The Windsors

13 Dec 2007

With a ‘measured voice of the historian’ and the occasional surreal hand gesture, Dr David Starkey gives us a potted dissection of 130 years of the British regal profession. Scantily digging over the landmarks, quarrels and scandals of UK monarchy from…

Alternative Christmas

13 Dec 2007

With both Edinburgh and Glasgow running dedicated Christmas festivals this year, tapping into the festive spirit has never been so easy. The city centres are hoaching with fake snow-capped German market stalls punting mulled wine, and suddenly there’s a…

Remote Control: Documentary Reviews

13 Dec 2007

Brian Donaldson uncovers some fine documentaries about daredevils, dancers and daggers There’s a special poignancy about Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel (BBC2, Sun 23 Dec, 9pm) now that we know the subject of the show has since died. The Top Gear…

Christmas Clubbing

13 Dec 2007

Various venues, Glasgow and Edinburgh ROUND-UP It’s a sad and oft-remarked fact that the original meaning of Christmas is often eschewed in favour of rampant consumerism and institutionalised gluttony. We at The List feel it’s time to redress…

Clubbing on Christmas and Boxing Day

13 Dec 2007

Recents discussions here at List Towers brought forth the interesting fact that there isn’t enough hangar space to ground every commercial flight in the world at once, so a certain amount of planes have to keep flying around the clock, even over the…

Ice-skating at Ikea

13 Dec 2007

It’s not just city centres that get a little bit New York City at Christmas time: Swedish storage specialists are getting in on the outdoor ice rink action too. IKEA has turned half of its car park into a wintry wonderland, complete with ice rink…

Remote Control: Drama & Comedy Reviews

13 Dec 2007

There’s a moment in the Extras finale when Andy Millman shows his disgust that George Michael is appearing in a certain other Christmas comedy. It initially sounds like a joke for its own sake, but you’ll discover it’s based on hard fact when you tune…

Christmas secrets of the master chefs

15 Nov 2007

MARY CONTINI Our family traditions are tied up with the religious traditions that my grandparents brought across with them from Italy, and are to do with fasting and abstinence in the days leading up to a feast. So on Christmas Eve, we always have…

Cinderella’s fella

15 Nov 2007

Matthew Lenton, artistic director of Vanishing Point, explains why he moonlights as a children’s entertainer every December ‘I’m writing and directing Cinderella at Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline this year. I’ve directed their annual panto for the past…

Twelve days of Christmas - daily entertainment

15 Nov 2007

1 Norweigan Carol Concert Struggling to tap into the festive spirit? Awaken your seasonal senses at this sonorous evening of family carol singing with a Scandinavian slant. St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, Thu 22 Nov. 2 The Wizard of Oz The…

Winterfest Glasgow

15 Nov 2007

Glasgow is set to sparkle in suitably gallus style this year, as, for the first time, the various massed events and celebrations are being collected under the non-denominational and kinda cuddly umbrella Winterfest – a programme of ceilidhs, clubs…

The Great Scottish Santa Run

13 Nov 2007

On your marks, get set, ho ho ho! A 1.5km sprint around Princes Street Gardens while dressed from head to toe in fake fur and wool might not sound the ideal cure for the festive hangover sweats. Yet, the sight of a massed army of Santas in trainers…

To The Manor Born back for Christmas special

1 Nov 2007

Retro comedy To The Manor Born is set to return to the nation’s screens for a one-off Christmas special. Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles will return as aristocratic Audrey and nouveau riche supermarket owner Richard, after more than 25 years. Last…

Where to eat at Christmas

Festive feasting

11 Dec 2006

GLASGOW L’Ariosto 92-94 Mitchell Street, City Centre 0141 221 0971 www.lariosto.com From the tall doorway to the knowingly efficient and dapper waiters, there is a sense of grandeur at L’Ariosto. The menu focuses on strong combinations of…

Comedy books for Christmas

Brian Donaldson nominates some top titles

23 Nov 2006

Norma Farnes Box 18: The Unpublished Spike Milligan (HarperCollins) Named after the file into which the Goon would stick his ideas, this loving biog comes from his long-suffering agent.