Day: November 12, 2017

Wipers Times cast launch centenary 1918 Poppy Pledge

Actors Sam Ducane and Jake Morgan from the Somme-inspired West End production The Wipers Times joined current serving soldiers to get down and dirty in a recreated First World War trench to help launch Poppyscotland’s most ambitious fundraising challenge ever outside of the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal. They were joined by soldiers from 2nd Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who were the first to commit to this centenary challenge.

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising for Poppyscotland, said: “While the Scottish Poppy Appeal remains the lifeblood of the charity, we have today launched The 1918 Poppy Pledge; a year-long fundraising quest that we hope will inspire groups, schools, businesses, clubs and organisations around the country to take on the challenge of raising £1,918 – or more – in the next year.

“As we enter this important centenary year, The Poppy Pledge will be a lasting tribute to those who fell in the First World War. Importantly, it will also allow us to make a step change in the scale of support Poppyscotland is able to provide those in the Armed Forces community who rely on our support today.”

The actors were joined by serving soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal and Mechanical Engineers (REME), based at Leuchars Station, who were the first to sign The 1918 Poppy Pledge. Earlier this year, the soldiers went the extra mile for the Scottish Poppy Appeal when they cycled the distance from John o’Groats to Land’s End on exercise bikes.

Corporal Craig Wood, from the REME, said: “The coming year will mark an important milestone in our nation’s history as we reflect on the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War, and the sacrifices made by so many. The work of Poppyscotland is as vital today as it was back then and that’s why we were the first to sign The 1918 Poppy Pledge. We hope that other military units, and the public as a whole, will join us in supporting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The trenches, at Digging In which is located in Glasgow’s Pollok Park, are a re-creation of a section of Allied and opposing German trenches. They give visitors an understanding of how soldiers learned to survive not just the violence of war, but also the mundane challenges of daily life, thrown up by a world cut into the world.

The Wipers Times tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme, interspersed with comic sketches and spoofs from the vivid imagination of those on the front line. The stage adaptation was developed following an award-winning BBC film by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman.

Private Eye Editor and star of legendary BBC panel show Have I Got News For You Ian Hislop, whose paternal grandfather, Murdoch David Hislop, served with the 9th Highland Light Infantry at the Third Battle of Ypres, said: “Following amazing audience and critical reaction in the West End, The Wipers Times is on manoeuvres again around Britain. We look forward to sharing the remarkable trench humour of The Wipers Times with new theatre-goers around the country, including at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow this weekend.”

James Haworth, Theatre Director at Theatre Royal, said: “It’s an honour to have The Wipers Times with us at Theatre Royal Glasgow for its only Scottish run this week. It really is a fitting way to mark Armistice Day commemorations and we’re proud to be supporting Poppyscotland with a charity collection at each performance.

“The Wipers Times cast were thrilled to take part in today’s event. The 1918 Poppy Pledge is a fantastic way to honour those who fought in both World Wars and help provide continued support for the Armed Forces community.”

New plans to make Scotland a Living Wage nation

Plans to increase the number of people benefitting from the real Living Wage have been outlined by Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Keith Brown. Over the next three years the Scottish Government will work with the Poverty Alliance to build a ‘Living Wage Nation’, boosting the wages of those on low pay and supporting inclusive growth.

Measures being announced include:

  • At least 25,000 more people over the next three years to benefit from their employer becoming Living Wage accredited
  • Launch a regionally-focussed accreditation scheme to create the UK’s first Living Wage towns, cities and regions
  • Increase the proportion of accredited organisations in low-paid sectors, such as hospitality and tourism

Mr Brown said: “We are serious about supporting fair work and putting equality at the heart of our labour market. That is why Scotland punches well above its weight in terms of the proportion of people paid at least the Living Wage.

“However we cannot become complacent. We now need to build on this success to ensure even more organisations and individuals benefit in the future.

“Our commitment to create a Living Wage Nation is challenging, but achievable, and it will help those in low-paid sectors who need it most.

“By using the Living Wage to make pay fairer and jobs more sustainable, we will support our commitments to build a more resilient economy, a more equal labour market, and foster inclusive growth.”

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, added: “It is now just over three years since the Poverty Alliance launched the drive to increase the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland. Working in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation and thanks to support from the Scottish Government we have seen real change.

“We have seen employers from all sectors, in companies large and small, adopt the Living Wage and do their bit to help make the economy fairer. However, despite the progress that has been made, we know there is still much to be done.

“Scotland faces real challenges in some important sectors . If we are to deliver a fair economy for all then we must begin to address these head on. We are grateful for the Scottish Government support that will allow us to take the positive message for the Living Wage to employers in all parts of Scotland and into key sectors.”

Last week Stoats was confirmed as Scotland’s 1,000th Living Wage-accredited employer. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the company’s Edinburgh HQ where she met staff and congratulated the company on gaining accreditation.

Wicked: Flying back to the Playhouse next May

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, has released new production photography by Matt Crockett of Amy Ross as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda and Aaron Sidwell as Fiyero, who lead the cast of the spectacular, critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour when it returns to Edinburgh Playhouse for its only Scottish dates from 8 May to 9 June 2018.

Continue reading Wicked: Flying back to the Playhouse next May

Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary Spectacular Finale

Disneyland Paris’ 25th Anniversary festivities have been shining brightly over the past few months with a dazzling array of new experiences. They will draw to a close with a spectacular finale befitting a truly sparkling celebration. Experience two new, dazzling seasons with the Princesses & Pirates Festival at Disneyland Park in spring 2018, then the Marvel Super Heroes will make a spectacular arrival during the Marvel Summer of Super Heroes at Walt Disney Studios Park.
Continue reading Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary Spectacular Finale

Playfair and the City exhibition opens

Rarely seen drawings from the architect responsible for shaping Edinburgh’s celebrated cityscape have gone on display in a new exhibition at the City Art Centre.

Playfair

Around 50 drawings from William Henry Playfair’s practice, including plans for some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks complemented by images made by 19thCentury painters showing some of his most well-regarded buildings have been gathered from the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Architectural History and its Centre for Research Collections, Historic Environment Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council’s permanent collection to create this exhibition.

Playfair (1790 – 1857) is considered one of Scotland’s most prolific Georgian architects. His contribution to the architecture of early 19th century Edinburgh is found in many of the city’s most famous buildings, including Old College and New College, Donaldson’s School, George Heriots, the Scott Monument, Surgeon’s Hall, the Royal Scottish Academy and the City’s Observatory on Calton Hill.

Through his career Playfair addressed some of the key ideas around aesthetics, classics, society and politics, and their relationship with architecture and the urban realm.

His move from neo-Classical to neo-Gothic buildings demonstrates how Playfair and his architectural practice were engaged in shaping Edinburgh as a developing, working city as it entered the rapidly industrialised Victorian age, signifying his vision and ambition for Edinburgh as a place of significance within the British Isles.

The show is curated by Dr Kirsten Carter McKee and John Lowrey from the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Architectural History. It runs from 11 November to 25 February 2018 and entrance is free.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Almost anywhere you turn in Edinburgh, look up and you are likely to see Playfair’s magnificent monuments, domes, spires and structures scattering the skyline. “Drawing on his designs and the artwork in the Council and University archives, this free exhibition maps Playfair’s built and unbuilt ideas and the impact he had on Edinburgh.

“It is thanks to his vision that Edinburgh earned its ‘Athens of the North’ title, with his breath-taking City Observatory one of his earliest projects. See the architectural drawings at the City Art Centre, as we work with the Collective to return the building to Playfair’s original design.”

The exhibition coincides with the ongoing restoration of one of Playfair’s most iconic designs, the City Observatory on Calton Hill. This exciting project, undertaken by Collective Gallery in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, will see the building restored to Playfair’s original design, the creation of a new contemporary gallery space, and a restaurant overlooking the city.

Dr Kirsten Carter McKee, Curator of Playfair and the City and Research and Teaching Fellow in Architectural History at University of Edinburgh said: “It is through Playfair’s understanding of the broader context of the city landscape that the true mastery of his skill becomes apparent. 

“Playfair and the City explores this through the layout of Edinburgh’s Third New Town to the north of the city, which includes the urban parkland of Calton Hill. This vision and ambition in both Playfair’s architecture and his exploitation of the city landscape aimed to place Edinburgh as a city of style and significance within the British Isles.  Playfair’s role as an architect of significance in the 19th century therefore extends outside of Edinburgh, and places him within the realm of the British architectural greats of the late Georgian period.”

David Patterson, Curatorial and Conservation Manager with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh commented: “This is a unique opportunity to see the work of one of Scotland’s most influential architects. Without doubt William Playfair left his mark on the appearance of Edinburgh in a way which no other single architect had done previously or has done since.”