MINORITY REPORT (Edinburgh International Festival in general)

Member Name: Joe1976

Product:	Edinburgh International Festival in general
Date:	02/07/08 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: TOO MANY TOO LIST

Disadvantages: ABSOLUTELY NONE

----<Revamped>----

I have already done a review of the Festivals atmosphere, for those of you who are attending or would like too, I thought I'd put some useful info together.

----<famous Faces First>----

Britt Ekland - will be doing a spot at this years Festival about her life story, I imagine this will be a Question Time sort of deal, where you can interrogate her afterwards, God she was beautiful in her day, long live the Wicker Man.

Clive James - The satirist who famously ripped the Bee Gees up for sh*t roll on his evening BBC TV slot, Clive is a funny guy with a sharp tongue, so be warned, unless you are lightening quick, don't heckle this man, you'll go home broken and hurt.

Roy Walker - Will be doing something along the lines of another Catchphrase type show, the Irish funnyman well, sort of funnyman, will not have to worry about watersheds and kids for this show.

Rich Hall - My favourite comedian from the US of A will also be doing an act this year, he is something of an anarchist, often appearing on shows like Q.I, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and some work on Channel 4, you couldn't heckle this guy, his fans would hurt you.
You will catch Hall at the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh

- Info- 0131 623 3030
www.offthekerb.co.uk/artists/a_artists_home8cfd.h tml

I will definitely be going to see Rich Hall and Frankie Boyle (details below for Boyle) this year.

----<Edinburgh Castle Events>----

If you have never seen Edinburgh castle except on TV, wait till the huge frame is looking over the capital in all its splendour as the night draws in, the lights that illuminate the castle make this a postcard picture, I have never went into Edinburgh and NOT been asked to take a couples photo, it is that inspiring, but try and get a sensible looking patron or policeman to take one for you,(Edinburgh is thin on the ground with sensible policemen)

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 2008 - 25 July - 3 August 2008

Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival 2008 -10 August -12 August 2008

Edinburgh Fringe Festival - 7-29 August 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival - 3-25 August 2008

Edinburgh International Festival - 8 August to 31August 2008

Edinburgh International Film Festival - 18-29 June 2008

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2008 - 9-25 August 2008

(courtesy www.edinburghcastle.biz)

---->Tattoo<----

The 59th Edinburgh Tattoo will take place at Edinburgh Castle 1st-23rd August 2008, with 2 shows on Saturdays (the later 10:30pm show ending with a firework display, no Sundays)

----<The Tattoo Bands>----

This year's exciting line up includes The Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines,

His Majesty The King's Guards Band and Drill Team of Norway,

The Massed Pipes & Drums and The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and acts from Australia,

The United States, Canada and the Far East, along with Massed Highland Dancers

And the haunting sound of the Lone Piper playing the Lament.

---->Tattoo Prices<----

GBP3.00 Booking Fee

Depending on where you want to sit, and given it hasn't already sold out, the tickets range from GBP19.00 for a bottom priced ticket, to GBP44.00 to sit at the seats where the cream of the crop plank their ar*es.

If you are trying to get a ticket for the Tattoo, go at night, it is a night you will take to your grave, for those who can't get tickets, there is a spectacular fireworks display on the last night.

Ticket hotline - 0044 (0)131 225 1188

In Person - Tattoo Office, 33-34 Market Street, Edinburgh (Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm BST)

Online - www.edintattoo.co.uk

DO HURRY UP, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW REMAINING SEATS LEFT, TICKETS BOUGHT ON EBAY OR FROM TOUTS WILL NOT BE WORTH THE PAPER THEY ARE PRINTED ON, GET ONE FROM ANY OF THE ABOVE.

----<Side Shows>----

These are the shows that make up for the majority of things happening in Edinburgh for the month of August, costing anywhere from GBP6.00 to something more family orientated GBP25.00, they are worth going to see, remember, these are the stars of tomorrow.

---->The Stand Comedy Club<----

Contact For Details

5 York Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3EB
0131 558 7272

The Stand Comedy Club alone, will be showing 747 performances throughout the month, from the 1st - 25th Aug - these include

Frankie Boyle - Mock the Week, They Think It's All Over

Fred MacAuley - They Think It's All Over, Just A Minute, QI, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and The News Quiz and Have I Got News For You.

I won't go through them all, I'm sure you get the picture, these are some good stand up comedians/comediennes

Ed Byrne - Uncut! Best Unseen Ads, Just For Laughs, The Panel, HeadJam, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You

Jason Byrne
Owen O'Neill
Kevin Gildea
Susan Morrison
Kevin Bridges
Vladimir McTavish
Graeme Thomas
A.L.Kennedy
Susan Calman

----<If You Do Go>----

Remember and be vigilant follow a few simple rules and you will have a great time.

1. Keep ALL handbags, wallets, cameras in a bag that you are going to have in your sight at all times, consider getting a bum-bag, you might be mistaken for an American but so what.

2. If you have had a good night at a bar or club, get a taxi to your hotel, or if it's outside Edinburgh, get dropped off at the train/bus station.

3. Avoid flashing any money about, carry what you need for that night, not incase you're robbed, incase you loss it.

4. Edinburgh, like every other city, has parts that the city council has glossed over, you have no reason to go near these spots, there is never anything of interest going on.

5. Stick to drinking in bars up and around the Royal Mile, consider a trip to the Grassmarket, (no it isn't a marijuana place), it is a very friendly place with chairs set outside for necking a bottle in the sun

6. Pubs in Edinburgh close at 5am, keep track of time, and again, taxi it home, find out the last bus/redeye home, the one towards West Lothian is about 2 am, check this with First buses.

7. Don't give homeless people money, after a day in Edinburgh at the festival, they have been known to make hundreds.

8. Do Not buy ANYTHING that looks too good to be true, like dancing magnet men, this is a scam, and will cost GBP3.00 for a bit of cardboard a magnet and some cotton wool.

9. Remember Edinburgh is an old city, so while you're their, check out some of the history.

10. Have a good time, that's why this festival has survived for so long, the mixtures of people and the magic of having fun, enjoy.

Bibliography

www.thestand.co.uk
www.eif.co.uk/news.html
www.guardian.co.uk
www.edfringe.com
www.edinburgh.org/events/edinburgh_military_tatto o/
www.edintattoo.co.uk/
www.frontdesk.co.uk

Summary: EVERY YEAR THIS FESTIVAL GETS BETTER THAN THE LAST YEARS