Ashley Davies

Edinburgh International Festival programme unveiled

2 Apr 2008

This year’s Edinburgh International Festival will take the changes and challenges facing contemporary Europe as its theme, it was announced today. Highlights of the programme include the world premiere of Matthew Bourne’s new dance work ‘Dorian…

ITV axes Rebus

22 Feb 2008

ITV has reportedly pulled the plug on Edinburgh-set detective drama Rebus. It is believed that the broadcaster is not keen to continue the Ian Rankin drama without Ken Stott, who says he doesn't want to continue in the role. John Hannah played the…

The Singer

14 Feb 2008

ROMANCE (12) 110min (Artificial Eye DVD retail/rental) Forget all the ‘merde’ that Gérard Depardieu’s done in recent years — his performance in this exquisite film makes up for everything. He plays Alain Moreau, a middle-aged, overweight crooner who…

Played

14 Feb 2008

GANGSTER/THRILLER (15) 84min (High Fliers DVD rental) We love, love, love filmmakers who sod the restrictions imposed by low budgets by using every opportunity they can lay their hands on, including mates’ mates who happen to be famous actors. That’s…

Someone Else

4 Jan 2008

DRAMA (15) 72min (Soda DVD rental/retail) Watching dramas about women hunting for boyfriends is about as interesting as hearing your mum talk about her dreams – despite what those lurid celebrity magazines may claim. But when a British filmmaker…

Hamlet - preview

20 Sep 2007

If I had a Kroner for every time someone reinvented Hamlet, I could afford a cruise to Denmark. If it’s not being set in Nazi Germany or a mental institution, the lead is being performed by – Gosh o’blood – a woman, the whole thing’s being done in the…

Martha Kearny

23 Aug 2007

Earlier this year, a few weeks after starting her new job as presenter of Radio 4’s The World at One, Martha Kearney brought some home-made biscuits and honey into the studio and thought to herself: ‘This feels very Woman’s Hour.’ And while it’s true…

Maeve Higgins

16 Aug 2007

This ultra-lovely Irishwoman falls into the Josie Long school of comedy, with sweet stories, domestic references and endearingly crap Halloween-based recycling ideas. Thanks to enough well-told dark material – such as a surprise rape gag or descriptions…

Laurence Clark

Raising chuckles and awareness

9 Aug 2007

Thousands hit the Fringe every year with the aim of busting perceptions, but it’ll be hard to find someone who achieves this as thoroughly as the charming Laurence Clark, whose approach veers between being warmly funny and making us feel as…

Summer in the City

3 Jul 2007

It’s summer. Well, as close as it gets to summer in Scotland. Sunshine is carefully rationed so when it does make an appearance you’d better be prepared to make the most of those breaks in the cloud. Here we present some of the best ideas for enjoying…