Sorry Rupe, the ‘witch' Sturgeon and SNP did not ruin Scottish arts
Speaking to The Herald ahead of his appearance at the Boswell Book Festival where he was promoting his new(-ish) book of short stories, Everett zeroed in on his time in Glasgow in the late 1980s and in particular a spell at the Citizens Theatre, where the quality of the work bowled him over, the drive of the people running the place and the intellectual expansiveness of what was staged there.
My words, by the way, not his. What he said is this: 'It was a European theatre in the same vein as Peter Stein, Pina Bausch. It was a national European theatre. And unlike those theatres, it never ran at a loss. It presented an uncompromising array of work to people that it never patronised… It's how I imagine the relationship with the audience must have been in the Restoration, in a way. It was a collaborative thing between the audience. A very vocal audience. It was literally like going into Aladdin's cave, going into the Citizens.'
Then along came 'the witch' – this is a quarter of a century after he graced the Dear Green Place, remember – and suddenly 'everything changed in Scottish arts… everything had to be about being Scottish.'
Read more:
'Misogynistic and abhorrent': Forbes hits out at Everett over Sturgeon 'witch' slur
Now I used to go to the Citz as a schoolboy in the period Everett was acting there, and maybe even saw him in a production or two. And yes, he's right that the theatre presented innovative works by playwrights from across Europe and beyond, and from across the centuries too.
That said, there was always a strong Scottish focus. There had to be. Glance at the list of the productions at the Citz at the time and you can see it in black and white. James Bridie's Glasgow-set Dr Angelus opened there on June 10, 1988. A year later it staged Douglas, John Home's blank verse tragedy from 1756, which is set in the Grampian Mountains and inspired by the folk ballad Child Maurice, later popularized by Ewan McColl. I could go on.
Track backwards and forwards from those points and, if you know anything about Scottish theatre and how it fits into and converses with issues in Scottish culture and society, you'll know that the productions which have best defined it over the last 50 or so years are works which are, well, Scottish. Such as The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil, first staged by the mighty Scottish company 7:84 in 1973.
Productions such as The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil have best defined Scottish theatre over the last half-century (Image: National Theatre of Scotland) Here's three more: David Greig's Caledonia Dreaming from 1999, Stephen Greenhorn's 1997 play Passing Places, and Harry Gibson's seismic 1995 adaptation of Trainspotting. Or how about Gregory Burke's electrifying, quadruple Olivier Award-winning Black Watch, commissioned by the fledgling National Theatre of Scotland in 2006 and premiered at that year's Edinburgh Festival?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but not one of those productions was staged when the SNP was in power at Holyrood. So is Rupert Everett right – or is he, as I'm sure some readers are currently now thinking, talking nonsense? Afraid I'm in the second camp, Rupe.
PS: You were great in Inspector Gadget.
Read more: My wild days of sex and drugs and being mates with Madonna are over
It's only rock'n'roll, officer
The Herald's Russell Leadbetter writes as authoritatively as ever about rock music in his appreciation of the Sex Pistols, looking in particular at the furore they caused up and down the country in the mid-1970s. It all seems a little tame and old fashioned now. Nostalgic, almost. What was all the fuss about?
Given current events, however, one story stands out in Russell's piece: the cancelling by Glasgow City Council's licensing committee of a gig the band was due to play at the storied Apollo. Fast forward half a century and suddenly it doesn't seem so old-fashioned. Witness the current war of words between Oasis and City of Edinburgh Council, which has allegedly described Oasis fans as 'drunk', 'lairy', 'fat' and 'old' in privately-circulated briefing documents which were leaked to the press.
Read more Barry Didcock:
The band's frontman Liam Gallagher was quick to take to social media to offer his tuppence-worth. 'To the Edinburgh council I've heard what you said about Oasis fans and quite frankly your attitude f****** stinks,' he wrote. 'I'd leave town that day if I was any of you lot.'
Not quite Lydon-esque but not far from it, and doubtless delivered with an appropriate sneer.
And of course we've also had the Kneecap debacle. They were pulled from next month's TRNSMT line-up but have at least have been able to re-schedule a gig in Glasgow.
So, the Pistols in the 1970s, Oasis and Kneecap today. Bad boy bands still giving the authorities a headache. Plus ça change, as they probably don't say in Manchester or Belfast.
And finally
The Herald's theatre critic Neil Cooper is sharpening his pencils before the start of the Edinburgh Festival but headed for Glasgow this week to take in the latest show in Òran Mór's A Play, A Pie And A Pint season – this was JD Stewart's hymn to a group of Scottish Beyoncé fans – as well as to the Theatre Royal where he watched Picture You Dead, a touring production of Peter James's Detective Roy Grace novels.
Elsewhere music critic Keith Bruce was at Kelvingrove Art Gallery for the Scottish Ensemble's Concerts For A Summer's Night programme, currently touring visual arts venues. He was wowed by guest solo soprano Heloise Werner performing a programme which included work by Italian baroque composer Barbara Strozzi and 18th century Frenchwoman Julie Pinel among others.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Oasis fans set to break all-time booze records during sold-out Scots gigs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OASIS fans could be set to break booze records at Scotland's largest stadium, industry experts claim. Up to 210,000 supporters are expected to descend on Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh for three sell-out shows at the beginning of August. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Oasis fans could smash alcohol sales records at Murrayfield Stadium Credit: Alamy 3 The Gallagher brothers are returning to Edinburgh as part of their box office UK tour Credit: Getty 3 Oasis announced their shock reunion last August Credit: PA And organisers expect 'medium to high intoxication' among a 'substantial amount of older fans', according to secret planning documents. The 70,000 fans at each show would need to neck three pints each to eclipse previous sales. And DF Concerts expect a 'spirited audience' with 'medium to high intoxication' at the Oasis gig. Figures suggest fans could guzzle more than 120,000 drinks each night, based to historic sales figures from other mega concerts at the venue. A breakdown shows beer has been particularly popular with rock fans while pop-loving punters prefer cider and wine. Entertainment guru Donald MacLeod, who helped plan Oasis' last Scottish gigs 16 years ago, said: 'Given the hospitality sector has been so brutalised by councils and government in the past few years, this is going to be a boom for many bars, pubs and restaurants in the Edinburgh area. 'I think it's going to be supersonic when they play in Edinburgh. And I hope they set a new record for alcohol sales. 'Alcohol gets the better of a few people. But I think we have to 'roll with it' and enjoy it. It's not going to be a 'champagne supernova' as such, fans are more likely to drink beer. 'Cigarettes And Alcohol is one of their greatest songs. Whilst the fans may have ditched the cigarettes, there's still plenty of alcohol there to be drunk - as long as they do it safely.' Mr MacLeod, who has an MBE for services in music and charity, promoted Oasis gigs in 2000 and 2009 together with Regular Music. Noel Gallagher looks stony-faced as he makes lonely Tube journey to Oasis rehearsals – but Liam's entrance is chaotic He added: 'I think almost everybody there will have a beer for the occasion of Oasis getting back together. It's a cause of celebration. 'But there's no way that some of these fans will be able to drink as much as they did in 2009. Things have moved on.' Papers obtained by the Scottish Sun under FOI laws show an estimated 55,000 Robbie Williams fans were expected to down 120,000 drinks at the end of May. Punters at the gig coughed up between £6 to £8 for a pint and between £8 to £12 for a glass of wine. Almost a third were sales of lager, another third cider, with the rest made up of wine, gin and tonic, and soft drinks. The former Take That singer's previous gig in June 2017 saw 48,608 people attend with 108,728 drinks sold. The Rolling Stones' gig in June 2018 saw 52,583 fans down a whopping 107,005 drinks. Council blasted for fans 'insult' by Gordon Tait MURRAYFIELD locals have blasted council chiefs for branding Oasis fans as 'fat, old, drunk and lairy'. Residents said it was insulting to 210,000 revellers expected to flock to Edinburgh in August. We previously told how officials labelled them as rowdy "middle-aged men" who "take up more room" and drink to "medium to high intoxication". Maureen McSherry, 63, of fully-booked Murrayfield Hotel, said: "The number of people and atmosphere will be good for business. What they said is a very big generalisation." Elinor Cronin, 39, of nearby Roseburn Bar, said: "The council is insulting. A minority may be rowdy, most won't be." Beyonce's 52,568 fans enjoyed 105,396 drinks at her concert in May 2023, back in 2019, 51,589 Spice Girls bought 94,701 drinks. Documents said there had been few arrests at previous Gallagher brothers gigs, but fears were raised about clashes with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A paper noted 'concern about crowds of Oasis on weekends as they are already rowdy and the tone of the band.' It added: 'Concerned about the safety of the Fringe and its performers. Many performers are considering not attending for that weekend.' Emails show council chiefs have also been in contact with other major cities hosting Oasis gigs - including Cardiff, Manchester and Dublin - in a bid to 'share ideas' and 'best practice for the event.' The SRU and Murrayfield Experience were approached for comment.
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
King Charles knew Queen had died after hearing two devastating words
It was a bittersweet moment for Charles as he stepped into the role he'd been waiting for his whole life for. The Royal Family has been through a few twists and turns but it was the end of a long stable chapter for the UK when Queen Elizabeth died in 2022. The monarch served an incredible 70 years on the throne, making her Britain's longest-reigning, and she was one of the most popular public figures across the globe. With the end of an era marked by the Queen's death, it also heralded a new beginning as King Charles stepped into the role he'd been waiting to do his whole life. At the age of 73, Charles became King, a bittersweet move as he was forced to navigate his new position whilst also grieving for his mum, as writes the Mirror. The Queen was at Balmoral and had been at the Scottish estate for the weeks leading up to her death at the age of 96. On the morning she passed, September 8, 2022, the then Prince Charles was called and told that it would not be long before his mother died. He was joined by his sister Anne, and the pair spent the final few hour's of the monarch's life taking turns to sit beside her, it's revealed in a new documentary. Channel 5's Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary, sees experts discuss the moment Charles became the new King as they delve into the fact that he was 'summoned to Balmoral" from his own home on the Aberdeenshire estate, Birkhall, which is described as one of his favourite residences. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said in the documentary: 'He was told that it would probably be a few hours before she passed away." Royal expert and journalist Emily Andrews added: "Charles and Anne had been taking it in turns to sit with the Queen and then, I think, as she slipped into a coma, Charles needed a bit of fresh air and some nature. "So he went to the grounds of Birkhall, and it was there that he took the call." Viewers will discover that ahead of Charles being given the official news of the Queen's death, he already knew thanks to two words that were said to him upon answering the call. Jennie said: "He knew what had happened. "Because he was addressed by the person who rang him, the courtier, as 'Your Majesty' and then he knew, 'Well, my mother has died' and obviously he raced back to Balmoral to be at her side." It's also claimed in the documentary that members of the family felt relief after their huge loss because the Queen had been able to spend her last days at her beloved Balmoral, where she'd spent some of her happiest times. Emily Andrews added: "I think everybody in the Royal Family, actually, was really glad it happened in Scotland and for Charles as well to be at Birkhall, where it's such a kind of safe space for him, he feels very calm and relaxed, I think was very important'. After the news circulated within the wider family, Prince William, Edward and Andrew soon travelled to Balmoral, followed a short time later by Prince Harry. Harry has since revealed that he found out about his grandmother's death from a breaking news alert on his phone after his flight to Scotland was delayed. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Following the monarch's passing, her coffin was taken to Edinburgh where it laid in rest and Scots were able to say goodbye and pay their respects. The coffin was then flown to RAF Northolt and taken back to London to lie in state at Westminster Hall. Princess Anne accompanied her mother on every leg of the journey, calling it an 'honour and a privilege'. Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary , airs Saturday 21 June at 7.30pm on Channel 5.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip
The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands GYPSY KING ON TOUR Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TYSON Fury has been spotted drinking with locals in a bar and visited a historic castle during his Scottish road trip. The boxing icon, 36, visited north of the border for Netflix's At Home With The Furys. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tyson Fury has been enjoying travelling around Scotland with his family Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram 5 The former world heavyweight champ visited the Claymore Bar in Grantown-on-Spey Credit: Claymore Bar/Facebook 5 He posed with delighted locals as he downed pints in the Moray boozer Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram 5 The boxing hero also visited John o' Groats, the northernmost point of mainland Britain Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands. He was shown around the grounds of the 118-year-old country pile and told of the work that had gone into transforming it into a luxury home. But owner Samantha Kane was unable to welcome the Gypsy King as she attending Royal Ascot in Berkshire. She said: "World-famous heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury made an unexpected visit to Carbisdale Castle while I was at Ascot yesterday and was greeted by Sarah and Michael, who showed him around the Castle and what was achieved in bringing Carbisdale to its former glory. 'He was very impressed indeed. Thank you Tyson for your visit.' Earlier this week, Fury was spotted strutting topless around Grantown-on-Spey in Moray wearing a red tartan kilt and matching tie. The 9ft 9ins star got fitted out at a kiltmaker in the small town and chatted with locals. He also enjoyed a drink in the Claymore Bar where he downed Guinness and posed for photos with staff. The ex-boxer has also visited Wick and John O'Groats in the Caithness region. He is visiting with his wife, Paris, children and film crew as he makes the second season of At Home With The Fury's. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals He happily posed for photos with fans, including Cromdale FC manager Stuart Dunbar, who jokingly tried to sign him up. Ms Kane is the only person in Britain to have changed gender three times. Born in Iraq as a man, named Sam Hashimi, she had surgery in 1997 to become Samantha, before a second operation in 2004 when she changed her name to Charles Kane and then a third surgery to become Samantha again in 2018. The barrister and business tycoon spearheaded a Saudi bid to buy Sheffield United Football Club in 2000. She called herself Lady Carbisdale after buying the dilapidated 19-bedroom clifftop castle, near Ardgay, in 2022. Fury retired in January, eight months after suffering the only defeat of his career at the time when he lost to Oleksandr Usyk by split decision. During a rematch last December, the Ukrainian won by unanimous decision. 5 The Gypsy King donned a kilt and matching tartan tie in Grantown-on-Spey Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
