Farewell, Our Scottish Goddess

Pam Hogg has passed away. England had Dame Viv Westwood, Alexander McQueen was half Scots and half English, but Pamela was a true Scottish fashion goddess. It’s extremely sad news. Hogg was a true icon, a trailblazer of style. She has a lasting iconoclastic legacy and unique sensibility, v punk rock and sexy. She reinventedContinue reading “Farewell, Our Scottish Goddess”

Terence Was A First Class Stamp

Terence Stamp has passed away at the age of eighty seven and we must doff our caps to this versatile English actor. He could do theatre, he could do film. He was masterful in ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’, ‘Poor Cow’ and Passolini’s ‘Theorem’. He brought gravitas to Zod in ‘Superman’ and had a lateContinue reading “Terence Was A First Class Stamp”

Why Series 4 (2022) of Drag Race UK Is My Favourite

Not all drag queens are created alike. RuPaul’s Drag Race was in danger of becoming a little bit safe, until she (legendary queen RuPaul Charles) and the producers (World Of Wonder) sent it to the UK. No judgment, but to me, it felt like our American sisters on their shows were more about looks, glamourContinue reading “Why Series 4 (2022) of Drag Race UK Is My Favourite”

Fringe Fatigue

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a cruel mistress. It’s a special kind of hell if you’re tired or disabled, as I discovered working there the other day. I knew it would be insanely crowded, but take a wrong turn and it’s hard to navigate. Steps, students and tourists who, lost, stop dead in front ofContinue reading “Fringe Fatigue”

From The Skinny Archive: Frisky And Mannish

Frisky And Mannish: Extra Curricular Activities @ Assembly Hall ★★★ Review by Lorna Irvine | 31 Aug 2012       Since 2008, Frisky & Mannish have climbed the glitter trail to stadium pop via the Fringe – they have earned their stripes.This is their greatest hits package. They know the transformative power of a pop anthem andContinue reading “From The Skinny Archive: Frisky And Mannish”

The Arts Are Not A Luxury

I grew up in a small working- class rural town in Perthshire, Scotland. Nothing much happened there; we didn’t have much money and TV was our only dose of culture. In my house, books were shoved into cupboards, hidden away like skeletons, and theatre, with the exception of am- dram panto, wasn’t “for the likesContinue reading “The Arts Are Not A Luxury”

Dear Billy Is Back!

Gary McNair returns with his big hearted show celebrating the inimitable Billy Connolly, Dear Billy: A Love Letter to The Big Yin. Following on from its successful run last year, the show, which is a patchwork of stories McNair has collected from people all over Scotland, is back for another tour, including the Edinburgh Festival.Continue reading “Dear Billy Is Back!”

From The Skinny Archive: My Shrinking Life

My Shrinking Life @ Tron | Theatre Review | The Skinny ★★★★ Review by Lorna Irvine | 14 Nov 2012 Twelve years ago, celebrated Scottish actor Alison Peebles was diagnosed with the degenerative condition multiple sclerosis. This unsparing show for the National Theatre of Scotland deals through semi-autobiographical monologue, dance and physical theatre with Alison’s experiencesContinue reading “From The Skinny Archive: My Shrinking Life”

Tron Theatre Autumn Season

Since 2008, Andy Arnold has been the Artistic Director of Glasgow ‘s legendary Tron Theatre. But this autumn winter season marks what will be his last. He confessed to having “very mixed emotions” upon leaving his tenure. His 40th show as director is receiving a world premiere on Thursr, 19th October. It’s from the ever-Continue reading “Tron Theatre Autumn Season”

Her Master’s Voice: Nina Conti Says Goodbye

The brilliant, gifted ventriloquist Nina Conti may be better known these days for the ritual humiliation of audience members, as she gets people up onstage, slaps weird masks on them and makes them say ridiculous or filthy things, but back in the day, her act was much, much darker: a kind of psychological cleansing thatContinue reading “Her Master’s Voice: Nina Conti Says Goodbye”