Picture courtesy of Under the Stars Facebook page

Free outdoor films return to St Andrew Square for 2012

Following last year’s hugely successful free films in St Andrew Square as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the ‘Under the Stars’ event is returning for 2012. The full programme has yet to be released, but last year’s included films suitable for all the family such as Babe, Shrek and Grease.

The dates to mark in your diary now are Thursday 14th June until Sunday 17th June 2012.

We will update this article with the full programme as soon as we can.

Seacliff beach lies four miles east of North Berwick. It is a private beach, but cars are allowed entry through the coin-operated barrier (£2). As soon as you drive down to the main car park, you are met with panoramic views of the Forth and over to the Bass Rock.

Wonderful views

Looking west

We took the mini-spotlight members down and let them run along the beach, play football, draw in the sand, examine rock pools and that was all before we headed to the ‘secret’ harbour.

Head west past the rock formations like this.

In search of the secret harbour

Tantallon Castle will come into view and as you head to the vantage point, you will see a harbour that has been blasted out of the red sandstone cliffs.

Harbour

Caution should be exercised here as the ground is very uneven and eager children may be very tempted to go onto the harbour wall, but there is a big drop the other side.

You get excellent views over to Tantallon Castle from here.

Views of Tantallon

Re-trace your steps carefully and head back to the beach.

The area is popular with dog walkers, surfers and horse riders.

On Seacliff beach

There are no bathroom facilities here, so time your visit wisely. It also makes sense to check out the tide times for the area before you visit as the beach is best viewed at low tide.

How to get there

Take the A198 out of North Berwick (or in from Tyninghame). At the junction of Auldhame, you will see a sign that indicates the beach. Follow the track down the road to the barrier.

The road is one way and you can not enter the beach road from the other end due to directional spikes.

This is the junction you're looking for

Suitable for disabled? No, there are steps down to the beach, but it is still worth the journey to park the car facing the sea and soak in the views.

The Royal Mile runs through the heart of the Old Town and is a must for any visitors to the city. As residents of Edinburgh, we have walked up and down the street hundreds of times over the years, but there is always some small detail that we notice every time we explore the area. The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace and consists of six different sections.

Edinburgh Castle

Starting from the top, there is Edinburgh Castle where you will find the Scottish Crown, Sword and Sceptre, and the legendary Stone of Destiny.  Free guided tours are included with the admission price, or you can take it at your own pace with an audio tour.  At peak tourist times, it makes sense to buy your tickets in advance as the ticket queues can take up valuable sightseeing time. If your budget doesn’t allow full entry to the Castle, make sure you still walk through the grand entrance so you can say you have been within the Castle walls.  This is now possible due to the relocation of the box office inside the grounds, leaving the esplanade clear for taking excellent photos.

There are panoramic views of Edinburgh to be had from the Castle esplanade.  Look out for the magnificent George Heriot’s School built in 1628 which looks like another castle, straight out of a fairytale/Harry Potter.

As you head down the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile, you will see the Scotch Whisky Experience which also houses Amber Restaurant. On your left, you will see Camera Obscura which is a 150 year old observatory and a fun place for children and adults alike.

Views down the Royal Mile from Camera Obscura

Moving down the Royal Mile, you will start to see many tourist shops which basically sell all the same souvenirs, but at a variety of prices, so it pays to shop around.

The Writer’s Museum is set in a charming courtyard which you can access through Lady Stair’s Close.  This is the place to learn about the three great Scots writers, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, through manuscripts, portraits and their personal possessions (free).

Moving down the Royal Mile, you will come to the High Kirk of St Giles (St Giles Cathedral) which has been an Edinburgh landmark since 1160.  Make sure you see the rib-vaulted ceiling of the Thistle Chapel.  The cathedral looks good at any time of the day or night and in all weather conditions (admission is free, but a donation is welcomed; there is also a small charge requested if you wish to take photos inside).

Every Wednesday there is a free lunchtime concert which comes highly recommended from us.

Opposite the cathedral, there is the spooky Mary King’s Close to explore which is a perfect all-weather activity for those aged 5 and up.  We have also visited the Close with a psychic medium.

High Kirk of St Giles

Further down the Royal Mile, you will cross North Bridge, and to the left, the road leads down to Princes Street.  Stay on the Royal Mile though, and on your left hand side you will come to the Scottish Storytelling Centre which is a theatre with a wide range of entertainment.  Those in the know enquire about the local storytellers who can often be found here.  This is also the place from which to access John Knox’s House, home to the fiery religious reformer in 1599.  The house is a beautiful building to admire from the outside as well.  Across the road is the Museum of Childhood, another council-run museum (free admission) which allows older generations re-live toys from their childhood. Young children also like this museum as they try to comprehend what amused the oldies in times gone by!

Why not stop at Clarinda’s Tearoom in the Canongate for tea and cake? Make sure you adhere to the rules in this cute old fashioned eatery.

Further down is Dunbar’s Close Garden, not often found by tourists. This is a perfect little green area to enjoy a break from the main street. You will often find locals having their lunch here in the warmer months.

Right at the bottom of the Royal Mile you will find the Scottish Parliament. It was designed by Spanish architect Enric Mirrales and despite being a controversial design, he won the contract.

Directly opposite is the Palace of Holyroodhouse which is the royal residence best known for tales of romance and intrigue during the time of Mary Queen of Scots.  The state rooms are still used by the present-day Queen, who stays here when she is in town.  There is an admission charge, but you can still take a good picture of the palace through the gates to the left.

Although, not strictly on the Royal Mile, you will see Arthur’s Seat which is a fabulous place to get sensational views across the city.  It forms part of Holyrood Park and it is worthwhile walking one of the several circular routes around the extinct volcano.  You will look down on the Palace and see the spires of the places at the top of the Royal Mile and a fantastic view of the Castle. We reviewed this walk when the area was covered in snow but also walked up to the top in better weather.

The Castle from Arthur's Seat

Bear in mind that it’s still light in the evening till around 10pm in the summer, so this free activity can be enjoyed when other tourist attractions are closed.

This guide is by no means a definitive list of what there is to do on the Royal Mile, but gives you a selection to choose from.  The whole area buzzes with charm and surprises and despite having trod the pavement for thirty five years, I still enjoy exploring the hub of activity that is The Royal Mile.

Many of these attractions are available on the Edinburgh Pass that we reviewed.

View from Camera Obscura

Get busy when the schools are off by exploring Edinburgh. Many are FREE.

Got kids in Edinburgh off school soon? Visiting Edinburgh with your children? Here’s some of our suggestions that come with our full recommendation and have all been individually reviewed.  You can also look at our things to do section for further ideas and our kids section.

1.Visit the excellent Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile.  Allow the kids to explore and learn on this very hands-on tourist attraction.

2. Take a trip to Edinburgh Zoo.  It’s a firm favourite of ours and we’ve taken the mini-Spotlight members many times. Read about our visit to see the Pandas.

3.  Explore underground Edinburgh at Mary King’s Close.  Perfect for any weather, the mini-Spotlight members enjoyed their time there.

4.  Pay a visit to Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston and pretend it’s a secret wonderland.   FREE

5.  Use up energy by climbing to the top of the Scott Monument and enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh.  Get children to count every one of the 287 steps.

6. Explore the National Museum on Chambers Street and be sure to visit the 7th floor for spectacular views of the Edinburgh skyline, including the castle. The new museum is open. FREE

7. Go squirrel hunting the Botanical Gardens.  Arm the family with some nuts and hunt out the squirrels and feed them.  FREE

8. Be a tourist in your own city and make good use of the Edinburgh Pass.  We saved a whopping £57.15 with a bit of careful planning.

View from Nelson Monument

9.  Admire the swans at St Margaret’s Loch and then walk around Arthur’s Seat.  Point out areas of Edinburgh to the children and get them to spot buildings such as Edinburgh Castle and Easter Road football stadium. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you could also walk to the top!   FREE

10.  Visit an ancient castle.  We love Craigmillar Castle as you can climb all over it and explore every nook and cranny.

11.  Pay a visit to Gorgie Zoo. The goats, pigs, horses and other animals will keep youngsters amused for hours.  FREE

12.  Take a stroll along the Water of Leith and see if you can spot one of the otters living there just now.  There’s an abundance of wildlife to be seen and if you do spot any, photograph it and submit it to the excellent Edinburgh Wildlife site.  FREE

13.  Take a trip to the Edinburgh Brass Rubbing Centre.  Admire the beautiful building and have some quiet ‘craft’ time with children.  A perfect wet weather activity. (currently closed for refurbishment),

14. Visit the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile and show the little ones toys from years ago. FREE

15. Ever seen a million pounds?  You can at the Museum on the Mound as well as seeing what used to be used as money.  The museum often run workshops for children in the summer holidays. FREE

View from the Scott Monument

16. Explore the Royal Mile and Holyrood Park. Start at the top and walk down one side exploring every close, nook and cranny.  Once you reach the Parliament, cross the road and explore the other side back up to the Castle. You’ll discover secret gardens and places you never knew existed. FREE

17. Walk up Calton Hill and soak in the views of Edinburgh. Look southwards and try to spot Holyrood Palace. You also get a perfect view of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags.  Sit on the Portugese Cannon and climb the Athenian acropolis. FREE

18. Visit Nelson Monument and climb to the top for unrivaled 360 degree views of Edinburgh.

19. Walk up and down the newly opened Scotsman Steps that connect North Bridge to Market Street.  There’s 104 different coloured steps to count and get the wee ones to point out their favourite colour. FREE

20. Have a game of pitch n’ putt on Brunstfield Links. FREE

Heron, Water of Leith

Celebrate Midsummer

Edinburgh’s Botanical Gardens open until 10.30pm on Thursday 21st June 2012 for Midsummer celebrations

We absolutely love the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh and visit on a weekly basis. In celebration of the longest day of the year, the gardens will remain open until 10.30pm on Thursday 21st June 2012.

Make sure you make the most of this opportunity to see the gardens in a different light.

The John Hope Gateway will be closed, so entrance will be via the East Gate only and there will be a guided walk with the RSPB and other activities.

There are further details to come but mark the date in your diary now. We will update this article as soon as we get more information.

Unfortunately the weather in the evening of last year’s midsummer event was rather wet, let’s hope it will be beautifully sunny this year!

You can read more about the gardens on their website, like them on Facebook and follow them on twitter @TheBotanics.

Glasshouses

The Rah's EP launch - 26 May

Drawing influences from modern-day heroes like Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys, their music is also coloured by the lads’ love of era-defining sounds from Hendrix & The Stones: combining together to make The Rah’s distinctive and appealing sound.

In a couple of weeks’ time, the band will be launching their Give Me Life EP at Cabaret Voltaire, supported by two big names in the Edinburgh music scene, Greg Pearson and The 10:04s.

Promoted by This Is Sound, The Rah’s EP launch on 26 May is all set to let the good times – and, of course, the good music – roll.

Tickets for The Rah’s EP launch can be bought online at Tickets Scotland and are also available from Ripping Records.

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‘Inside out chef’ Wendy Paterson offers some unique food choices in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s ‘secret’ dining scene shows no signs of slowing down. Pop-up, secret suppers, guerrilla dining, whatever you want to call it, comes in all shapes and forms in the capital city.

Last night saw Edinburgh’s first ‘pudding club’ hosted by Wendy Paterson who runs Inside Out Chef and offers ‘bespoke cuisine with bite’.  The services offered by Wendy vary from private dining events and picnics in the park to catering for events and the very clever ‘freezer fills’ for those too busy to cook for themselves. The latter is very popular with new mums and and busy professionals who want good quality home-cooked food but don’t have a spare minute in their day.

Edinburgh’s first pudding club

We were intrigued by the idea of a ‘pudding club’ and managed to grab a ticket to the sweetest table in town. Wendy recently appearance on BBC Radio Scotland’s Kitchen cafe, where she had listeners salivating as she reeled off her pudding club menu.

Last night, we found ourselves amongst several Edinburgh Cake Ladies at a ‘secret’ location on the south side of Edinburgh.

Beautifully set table

A welcome drink of pink lemonade was served in vintage babycham glasses and cleansed the palate before the inevitable sugar-high.

The table was set beautifully for the 13 lucky diners, with a copy of the menu on each place to remind everyone what was coming their way.

The starter was a trio of shooters of pomegranate and sparkling wine jelly, chocolate mousse and a strawberry topped buttermilk panna cotta.

The room came to a silence as the dishes were savoured and enjoyed.

After a suitable break, the ‘main course’ was to be served in a few portions. Individual sticky toffee puddings were served with the most delicious toffee sauce and lashings of fresh custard. The room became silent once again as every mouthful was devoured.

Next up on the menu was pavlova, which was served family style. A huge pavlova per 4/5 people was placed on the tables, with one of them being a pillow-sized beauty of meringue and fruit.

Trio of starters

Some diners demolished their pavlovas and declared it the highlight so far, whilst others sampled a piece, but saved themselves for the two cheesecakes coming next.

10 different puddings to try

Slices of baked rum and raisin cheesecake were placed on the table alongside slices of a no-bake blackberry one. Diners were beginning to struggle a little with the sugar highs at this stage.

Knowing that a dessert course of three ice-creams were still to come, a couple bowed out in defeat to the cheesecakes.

Wendy had planned for such an eventuality and informed everyone that she would package up their cheesecakes so they could take them home to enjoy.

We managed ours but had difficulty deciding on a favourite. Both were creamy and extremely moorish with the most perfect biscuit base. Having never experienced a rum and raisin cheesecake before, we declared that version the winner.

Another suitable gap with lashings of tea passed before it was time for ‘dessert’. A trio of ice creams were presented as the finale and since these couldn’t be taken home, everyone just had to eat them.

The coconut and ginger combination worked well and the keylime pie was perfectly zingy.  Even we were struggling over the last piece of home-made shortbread and our limit of sweet food in one sitting had been reached.

We soldiered on and tried the red ripple ice cream, which was in the shape of a heart and summed up our feelings about the evening – we loved it.

A pillow-sized pavlova

This sweet dining experience is not for the faint hearted, but if you pace yourself, you can do it justice.

Deposits for the evening were £5 and a further ‘donation’ was required on the night. As ever with secret suppers, the event was BYOB, but most opted just to drink the water and lashings of tea on offer.

Wendy plans to do another pudding club this summer as well as other secret supper events.

Information

For further details on all the service Wendy offers, have a look at her website.

You can contact her via email, or phone her to discuss your requirements.

You can follow Wendy on twitter @Insideoutchef and find her on Facebook.

You can subscribe to her news and updates by entering your email on the top right hand side of her website.

New and improved, Old Chain Pier

Old Chain Pier reopens with new decor, friendly service and impressive food

Whatever image and thoughts you had of the Old Chain Pier before May 2012, leave them behind.

Their doors were reopened yesterday after a much needed face lift and we were impressed as soon as we walked through the door. After a warm welcome from the staff in the middle of the afternoon, we found out that they serve the full food menu all day (food served until 9pm, bar snacks served till 10pm).

We took a window seat and read the menu, trying to decide what to have. There are a handful of choices for each course, but all seemed appealing. Starters of soup of the day (two choices, £3.75) and Old Chain chowder, £5.45 grabbed our attention. My dining partner opted for the latter whilst I plumped straight for the steak from the choices of mains. Faced with the option of sirloin or rib eye, I chose the latter, medium-rare. Both steaks are served with portobello mushrooms, onion rings, chips and a choice of sauces from pepper, mushroom & brandy and creamy blue cheese (£10.95).

Other meals on the menu that appealed were: beer battered haddock and chips (£8.95), steak pie (£7.95),  lamb and apricot burger (£7.45) and a falafel and halloumi burger (£6.95).

The only vegetarian choices we could see was a lasagna and nachos, so perhaps lacking a little for the non-meat eaters out there.

Watching the rain come in over the Forth

Even on a rainy day like today, we loved the views over the Firth of Forth from the large windows. They must be stunning on a sunny day, or you could time your visit perfectly on a summer evening when the sun sets over Fife.

Our food arrived together (as requested) and my partner’s chowder was packed full of smoked haddock and prawns. The starter dish also came with bread and butter and was practically a meal in itself.

Packed chowder

My steak was cooked perfectly and the meat very tender, but the sauce was a little on the runny side for my liking. Not wanting to waste anything, I asked for some bread to soak up the sauce and my plate was handed back to the kitchen completely clean.

Rib eye steak with blue cheese sauce

We had certainly been impressed so far and although we weren’t left hungry, we did manage to find room for one of their desserts. It was a toss up between the brioche bread and butter pudding (£4.95) and the banana and hazelnut pancakes with toffee sauce (£4.75). The pancakes won and the portion was on the large side.

The bananas had been baked/fried and the hazelnuts and toffee sauce combination was to die for. It turns out the pancake was actually a crepe and was a tiny bit burnt on the edges, but it didn’t detract from the taste at all. Another clean plate heading back to the kitchen from us.

Banana crepes, hazelnut and toffee sauce

Considering it was only their second food service since opening, we were had been pleasantly surprised with what had been dished up.

We had some more drinks after our meal and left as the pub was getting busy with inquisitive locals checking out the new place for themselves.

Children are welcome in the bar (children’s menu available) and there are highchairs for little ones.

The conservatory area through the back was warm and cosy despite the cold weather. There’s a mixture of tables, chairs and sofas, all with views of the water.

Once the Old Chain Pier find their feet, we think they will provide serious competition to the neighbouring Starbank Inn. With the demise of the Peacock Inn, the newcomers on the Newhaven block have brought good quality pub food at reasonable prices to the area.

Update 22nd May - Now that the sun has come out, we passed the Old Chain Pier again and they have a seating area for about 18-20 outside now. The seats catch the sun from lunchtime and well into the afternoon.

Information

Old Chain Pier, 32 Trinity Crescent, Edinburgh, EH5 3ED. Telephone 0131 552 4960.

Currently no website, therefore we are unsure of exact opening hours.

The business card only says “Peter Ross – Billy Ross”.

Wi-fi is coming soon.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, the main bar area and conservatory are on the ground floor but the bathrooms are down a set of three steps.

“Take your time at the old chain pier, but haste ye back”

Note: We normally visit a place twice before we review it, but felt that this one should be shared immediately. We will return in due course and amend our score/update if necessary.

Camille O'Sullivan - Feel

Although the light reflecting off a mirrored fascinator half-obscuring her face dances across the walls and ceiling during the number, the singer’s presence flits and soars throughout the venue during the whole of this powerful and immensely enjoyable performance.

Like a bumper version of her much-loved and acclaimed Fringe shows, tonight’s show – part of her UK ‘Feel’ tour – lasts over two hours. This allows Camille to air tracks from her new LP Changeling; as well as a host of past favourites from previous shows: an opportunity she seems to relish as much as the audience.

We therefore get the raw unaccompanied power of Amsterdam and the glittering glamour of In These Shoes; sharing Camille’s songbook with the pounding bitterness of Hurt and the fatalistic romanticism of Brompton Oratory.

Camille makes the cover versions very much her own, wringing the emotion from each song: whether lust and passion; or – more usually – heartbreaking sorrow. Yet, even though the songs edge towards the dark edge of the spectrum, her stage presence and between-song interaction with the crowd avoid the risk of things getting oppressive.

It’s testament to the talent of Camille and her trio of musicians that the show contains no filler; nor does it lag for a moment, with a well-balanced and varied set holding attention throughout. Musically, her band demonstrate a range and versatility to equal the singer’s own: able to drop things down to a barely-audible beat, then ramp things up to a more raucous rhythm with ease.

As the place where she first began to taste her deserved success, Edinburgh holds a special place in Camille’s heart. On the basis of the standing ovation she receives after tonight’s extended encore, that love – like the light from the mirrors during True Love Waits – is reflected straight back at her.

Originally seen at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2011, Howard Brenton’s Anne Boleyn gives Henry VIII’s second wife a radical reinvention. Gone is the ambitious schemer using sex to snare the king, and in her place is a well-intentioned religious fanatic. With better casting and a less clunky production it might have worked, but there’s not enough connection or energy on stage to maintain the pace during the frequent theological digressions.

The Festival Theatre is an unfortunate choice of venue. This is a play designed to acknowledge the audience, but when they are kept at a safe distance by the proscenium arch the actors struggle to make a real connection with them. A more intimate space, preferably with a thrust stage, would have created a greater sense of involvement and resolved some of the issues with use of the stage, which was sadly unimaginative. Too often the cast appeared to be spreading out to make it look full, forcing them to bellow at each other from a distance. It’s difficult to believe that characters are exchanging heretical secrets that could cost them their lives when they seem to do nothing but shout about them.

Perhaps there would have been less shouting and more emotional range had the casting been less odd. There’s very little chemistry between David Sturzaker’s Henry VIII, who would look more at home in a George Street bar than a Tudor court, and Jo Herbert’s gangly, jolly Anne. Their seven-year courtship seems unlikely enough, but the idea that such a lukewarm love affair could play a key role in the Reformation is downright implausible.

Anne’s ladies in waiting boost the number of roles for women but are used for pretty set-dressing rather than fleshed out into real characters. In sharp contrast, Julius D’Silva delivers a sleek, nuanced performance as Thomas Cromwell, ably matched by Colin Hurley’s Cardinal Wolsey. Tim Frances also stands out as down to earth heretic William Tyndale, but it is unfortunate that his meetings are attended by so many stock yokels that they seem less like a hotbed of subversion and more like a Tudor edition of The Archers.

James Garnon teeters dangerously on the brink of parody as James VI, sporting uncontrollable hair and an accent borrowed from Billy Connolly. By far the most interesting character, King James flits between dazzling displays of political acumen and twitching idiocy. It’s a strong performance but slightly undermined by the accent lapsing into comedy Scot and a tendency to play the moments of twitching and stammering for laughs.

The relationship between the worlds of James VI and Anne Boleyn are interesting if a little unclear, but the script is witty enough to be forgiven much. In the early scenes much is made of Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe of 2000 gowns – a shame, then, that Anne is only ever seen in two. The simple set makes sense for a production of a play clearly influenced by Shakespeare, but less austere costuming might have helped to create the world of the Tudors and give a sense of the passage of time. It is a pity that English Touring Theatre’s revival of The Globe’s production looks and feels makeshift rather than the sumptuous treat it could have been.

8 – 12 May, 19.30 Festival Theatre

Now open

New cake and bakery opens its doors in West Port

The ladies behind Lovecrumbs opened their shop door at West Port today. Some Edinburgh people may already be familiar with the baked goods from Lovecrumbs as they’ve been popping up at various markets around town in recent months.

Rachel and Hollie have dubbed themselves as the ‘newest ladies on Edinburgh’s cake and pastry block’ and we popped along today and fell in love with the new premises.

Lovecrumbs is a sit-in cafe that sells cakes. And lots of them. Perhaps the most unique display of cakes in Edinburgh, the ‘wardrobe’ is full of tarts, cakes , brownies and other sweet treats. Scones are presented in silver buckets and a 4-tier chocolate cake takes pride and place on the counter.

A wardrobe full of cakes

Using Artisan Roast coffee and Anteaques tea, the menu is simple at the moment but will more than satisfy any sweet-toothed customer.

We tried out the carrot cake which was deliciously moist, accompanied by a cup of lemongrass and marigold tea. The crockery is a mixture of vintage and modern and extra hot water for our tea was delivered in a thermos flask.

Carrot cake

The interior is beautiful with lots of quirky furniture items such as the drum and piano tables (a full sized one). Inexplicably, there’s a wooden donkey’s head on the counter, but this just adds to the charm of the place.

Prices are reasonable and service is friendly and relaxed.

Lovecrumbs bake to order and also do wholesale.

Wi-fi is also available.

The shop is situated on the ground floor, so suitable for buggies, but the bathroom is located down a set of steps.

It wouldn’t be fair to review the ladies in full on their opening day, but it’s safe to say we’ll be back.

Information

Lovecrumbs is at 155 West port, Edinburgh, EH3 9DP. Telephone 0131 629 0626

Website – www.lovecrumbs.co.uk

Contact page

You can find Love Crumbs on Facebook and on twitter @hellolovecrumbs

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm and closed Sundays. Hours may be extended into the evening soon.

Have some tea and cake on the piano

Caught amidst the conflicts of the 1980s Cold War and his own personal relationships, dreamer Craig (Matt Robertson) has a vision: to build a monument of modern-day megaliths to rival Stonehenge on a patch of disused land near Dundee.

Used to his schemes and deals, long-suffering fiancee Kim (LaVerne Hawthorne) is at first sceptical. Then, as Craig’s plan looks set to turn from dreams into reality, she too is caught up in his excitement: until the things he has to do to convince the politicians, bureaucrats and landowners to endorse his plan begin to threaten their relationship.

Standing Stanes is the latest production from Leith-based theatre company Siege Perilous, and the first to be staged in their new home at Malmaison. Director Andy Corelli takes Robert Ballantine’s never-performed absurdist romp and has a great deal of fun with it, using a sparse set and an intimate venue to recreate all the booms and busts of the 80s, to a cleverly woven scene-specific soundtrack.

Thus we see Derek Banner’s deranged government boffin arranging the set to the sounds of Thomas Dolby’s She Blinded Me With Science; and Robertson, Banner and fourth cast member Mark Kydd dancing a perfectly-choreographed punchup to the strains of Cameo’s Word Up.

The cast appear to be having an equal amount of fun with the piece: Kydd and Banner in particular as they slip on a variety of metaphorical masks in a number of comic supporting roles. Robertson is a likable lead, and portrays Craig’s impossible-to-dampen enthusiasm with aplomb. Hawthorne is excellent in both of her main roles: as Kim, a surprisingly well-rounded character amidst the rest of Standing Stanes’ caricatures; and as the hippy femme fatale Penelope, who slinkily makes Craig a fateful offer he can’t refuse.

As the piece gathers an increasingly absurd momentum, revolving around the plot device of an anti-Communist sterilising ray, Corelli’s direction (aided by technical assistance from Kirstin Rodger, Dave Moffat and Caitlin McBride) comes into its own. Somehow, he manages to pull off scenes which flit from the dark corridors of Whitehall power to open-air rock concerts without causing confusion; and instead of lagging, the piece romps along at a satisfying pace throughout its 75-minute length.

Though it may not have the permanence of the monument of its title, Standing Stones is an effortlessly enjoyable and playful piece that consistently entertains. And, despite being set in unemployment-ridden Britain in the 80s, it has little in the way of political message or heavy-handed satire. Instead, its central themes are more the stuff of fairytales: how a hero’s determination will always succeed; and, of course, how love can conquer all.

Standing Stanes runs until 8 May at Malmaison, Leith at 8pm (with a 4pm performance on 5 May). Tickets are available online here, or can be purchased at the venue.

Camille O'Sullivan - Feel

Camille will of course be back in August, where she’ll be appearing in the Fringe once again; and also for the first time as part of the Edinburgh International Festival in The Rape of Lucrece.

She’ll also be dropping by Edinburgh next week at the Queen’s Hall as part of her UK Feel Tour, where on Tuesday 8 May she’ll reprise last year’s Fringe success in the acoustically-blessed venue in Clerk Street.

Expect songs to tug at your heart, to set shivers racing up and down your spine; and more than a few to get your feet stomping too, in a show which will see Camille open her storybook full of classics and tell them in her own unique and mesmerising style.

Ticket information is available on The Queen’s Hall website.

Kevin McMahon of the Magic Festival

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 2012 launched

A sensory feast awaits this summer as The Edinburgh International Magic Festival casts its spell across the Capital and promises to take you to the extreme end of visual theatre. Attracting over 30 performers from eight countries including: France, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Ukraine and the UK, this year classic meets close-up, mindreading defies illusion, cabaret clashes with comedy and levitation renders the impossible possible.

Once again The Royal Lyceum theatre hosts the Magic and Variety Gala Opening night. A breath-taking spectacle of the finest acts in the Magic World, the addition of a Gala afternoon preview show opens up the world of unreality for just £10. Both performances are suitable for children 5+.

Jav Jarquin, aka Card Ninja, is one of the most skilful card handlers in the UK, his Street Magic Master Class, sponsored by ideas.co.uk, for 11-14 year olds promises to teach the coolest street magic effects that will blow your friend’s minds.

Levitating forks, cards turning to glass and disappearing wine! Adventure seekers should head to The Royal Scots Club for Magic Dinner, an evening of delicious food, magical cabaret, mindreading and show stopping close-up magic that promises to mess with your head.

Have a glance at the Magic Festival calendar and get planning.

Information:

You can follow the Magic Festival on facebook and on twitter.  You can also join the mailing list.

Tickets are on sale now via the Magic Festival website and via the telephone: 0131 473 2000.  There are ticket offers available. You can also buy tickets in person at: Hub Tickets (The Hub, Castlehill EH1 2NE) Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 1st July 2012 10am to 5pm

You can also volunteer to help at the Magic Festival.

Solid Air by Marc Marnie

However big the star however, Marnie captures not only their onstage energy but a little of their personality too. The late Amy Winehouse is depicted swept away by her muse; whilst a promo shot of singer Camille O’Sullivan shows her looking pensive whilst sporting a pair of angel’s wings.

Solid Air by Marc Marnie

Devotees of photography will appreciate Marnie’s eye for composition and ability to capture the atmosphere of a live gig; whilst music fans will relish the opportunity to see some original shots of their favourite stars.

Solid Air is on show at The Village in S Forth St until 28 April. Entry is free.

A stronger stomach than is usually called for at The Lyceum may be required if you go to see The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Martin McDonagh’s black – and blood-spattered – comedy, directed by The Lyceum’s Mark Thomson.

Mad Padraic (Peter Campion) tortures drug dealers in warehouses, dreams of setting up a more extreme splinter group from the INLA, and only loves one other living thing: his cat, being looked after back home in Galway by his drunken father, Donny (Christopher Fairbank).

When Wee Thomas is found in the road after having exhausted all nine of his lives, Donny and childish Davey (Rory Murphy) panic, fearing what form of retribution Padraic will visit on them when he returns home to find his beloved moggy buried in the potato patch.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore is typical McDonagh fare: colloquial dialogue that zips past your ear like airgun pellets; and set pieces which veer from the ridiculous to the violent. Some may find a few of the scenes a little extreme; others may find the subject matter – which mostly ridicules the Irish revolutionaries, but at times flirts with romanticising them – not to their taste. It levels any such criticisms itself however, thanks to its comedic power and sheer absurdity.

Lyceum regulars Liam Brennan, Mark Prendergast and Jamie Quinn play a trio of INLA hitmen, and although their accents flit back and forth across the Irish Sea, they relish their gun-toting roles as they attempt to bring the rogue Padraic to heel.

Rose O’Loughlin is Mairead, a tomboyish revolutionary wannabe with a deadly aim, and she plays the borderline psychosis with more convincing menace than Padraic’s larger-than-life caricature killer. That said, Campion has a great deal of fun with his part, all manic stares and quick-draw fury. Fairbank as the poitín-sodden Donny and Murphy as the bicycle-loving Davey put in the best performances, however; an entertaining double act who get most of the best lines and the biggest laughs.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore is a bold and often hilarious production, pulling no punches as it amuses and entertains throughout. High drama and explorations of the human condition are not to be found here; but a gory black comedy with several standout scenes is lurking in the wings. It’s to Thomson’s credit that he has brought a play as dark and guiltily entertaining as this to the Lyceum’s stage, showing the Edinburgh institution isn’t afraid of putting on something to cater for every taste.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore runs at The Lyceum until 12 May. Ticket information is available on The Lyceum website.

Cuckoo’s continues to provide great savoury food and wonderful cupcakes

By Chiara Pannozzo

Some places just get it right. Cuckoo’s Bakery in Edinburgh’s New Town is one of those places. With a loyal following who go out of their way to get their daily cupcake fix, this bakery has become something of an institution for locals with a sweet tooth.

In addition to the pull of their innovative and creative cupcakes, Cuckoo’s food menu is homemade and varied. Their freshly made bread compliments the wide selection of suitably named ‘doorstep’ sandwiches with hearty fillings. But today we looked elsewhere on the menu, past the soups and sandwiches, and onto the salads and tarts.

Chicken Salad

I went for the aptly named ‘giant salad’ of roast chicken, oven roasted vegetables and sun blessed tomato (£6.95). The generous portion lived up to its name – served with bread, the chicken was moist, and had been delicately touched by a delicious dressing.

My dining partner simply couldn’t bypass the shortcrust pastry tart of red pepper, black olive, tomato and Mull of Kintyre Cheddar (£5.95). A large slice of tart was accompanied by a dressed side salad and homemade coleslaw. The pastry was perfect,  and the different components in the filling perfectly complimented each other.

Black bottom cupcake

Generous portions aside, we couldn’t leave without sampling one of those cupcakes that taunt you from their glass cabinet, taking pride of place at the front of the tea room. We settled on the ‘black bottom’, a dark Belgian chocolate chip sponge under baked vanilla cheesecake, topped with cream cheese frosting (£2.50). On good authority from someone who has ate a lot of cake in her time, this is in contention for one of the best cupcakes I have ever tasted. The combination of Belgian chocolate and cheesecake, all contained within a delicious cupcake is truly inspired.

Cuckoo’s Bakery is a local gem. A fantastic selection of food and cupcakes has led to a party of faithful followers, who frequent the bakery for its delicious food and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Information

Suitable for disabled? Yes, Cuckoo’s Bakery occupies a ground floor premises on Dundas Street

Just for fun, guess where in Edinburgh this is.  Do you where this is?  Answers below or in our twitter stream.

Guess where in Edinburgh

Our guess where #73 remains unanswered.

We’ve been big fans of Smoothiesforme since first hearing her music a few months ago.

The talented 17-year-old singer songwriter from Edinburgh has built up a huge and deserved following on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, and is now set to take things even further after being selected to appear at the influential goNORTH festival and event in Inverness in the summer.

Playing as part of the event’s music showcase, goNORTH will give Smoothiesforme the opportunity to rub shoulders with other bands and artists like Matt Norris & The Moon, The Stagger Rats and Stanley Odd; as well as the chance of being seen by a host of music industry & media professionals.

As she writes, records, produces and promotes all her own material, this is a great success for Smoothiesforme – and also shows just how much a talented artist can achieve through their own efforts.

So congratultions to Smoothiesforme for being chosen to go north in the summer!

You can follow Smoothiesforme and hear her music on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Her EP New Beginnings is available to download for free here.

There have been some additions to the walls of Edinburgh in the last couple of days. Edinburgh College of Art student Joe Caslin is behind the Our Nation’s Son’s art project which will see six pieces of work appear around the capital over the next week or so.

Caslin was involved in last year’s Inside out art project.

Update 17th April – 11pm We’ve just heard from the artist who was fresh back from installing the third piece of art this evening. He’s excited that there’s so much buzz around town for his project. Caslin also confirmed that they are due to stay up until the end of the Edinburgh Festival but it is all dependent on the weather. It’s hoped that they will last 4-6 months in the Edinburgh climate.

Update 29th April – The last piece went up overnight, completing the installation. If you walk from the start of the Cowgate towards Holyrood Road and keep your eyes peeled to the left, to the right and upwards, you’ll come across all six. Alternatively, look at the location of each photo in the captions below.

First piece - Cowgate (also visible from George IV Bridge)

Second piece - Guthrie Street

Third piece - Robertson's Close

Fourth piece - Holyrood Road

Fifth piece - under George IV Bridge

The sixth piece - opposite #4 in Holyrood Road