Fringe News - Thousands of performers from across the world are in Edinburgh for the start of the world's biggest arts festival. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will see more than 3,000 shows staged across almost 300 venues. Several new venues will feature in the August extravaganza, to accommodate the biggest line-up the festival has seen. Not surprisingly, show topics include Scottish independence, the 100th anniversary of World War One and the Commonwealth Games.
Back On Track - Secret Cinema opened its Back to the Future show a week after the opening night was cancelled at short notice. The screening of the 1980s Michael J Fox film went ahead at the Olympic Park in east London last Thursday. The organisers have created an immersive experience using actors and replicas of buildings from the film. Media reviews of the event have been positive, while it was also well-received by audience members.
Lion's Share - The West End production of The Lion King has now been seen by more than 12m people, producers have claimed. According to Disney Theatrical Productions, which produces the musical, its 12th million visitor saw the show last week. The musical will mark its 15th anniversary in London at the Lyceum Theatre in October and is currently booking until March next year. Meanwhile, Wicked! at the Apollo Victoria last week welcomed its six millionth visitor.
TV Interference - David Cameron and George Osborne have been accused of "meddling" in the search for a new head of the BBC Trust. Former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said "interference" from No 10 and the Treasury had made the job an "unappealing prospect" for many. Interviews to find a successor to Lord Patten, who quit in May, have begun amid uncertainty over the process. A number of top names, including Lord Coe and Dame Marjorie Scardino, have reportedly ruled themselves out.
Green Initiative - Martin Green, who was head of ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics in London, has been appointed chief executive of Hull: UK City of Culture. The appointment has been described as a "major coup" for the team behind the 2017 event. In his role, Green will be responsible for delivering the 2017 event's artistic programme. As head of ceremonies for London 2012, a position he had from 2007 to 2012, Green appointed Danny Boyle as the artistic director of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. He also selected many of the artists, production and back-of-house teams involved in both the opening and closing events.
Quo Cancel - Status Quo have been forced to cancel a series of concerts in Europe after guitarist Rick Parfitt was taken ill in hospital. Quo had been due to play in Croatia on Saturday. It was one of six shows on the current leg of their European tour which have now been shelved as doctors assess the musician in a hospital in Pula in northern Croatia. Quo manager Simon Porter said, "The band do not cancel shows lightly, as any of our fans will tell you, but in this instance we have no option but to follow medical advice." It is not known whether their UK tour, scheduled for December, will be affected.
(Jim Evans)
