Editorial Archive
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Kenny Mathieson - Commissioning Editor, Northings. |
| December 2007 Editorial |
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03 December 2007
Let’s Hear From You
HIGHLAND 2007 moves into its final phase, although it’s not quite over with the passing of the year. The last hurrah will come on the weekend of 11-12 January, culminating with Highland Lights ~ Solais na Gaidhealtachd, which they promise will provide a spectacular final flourish back where it began exactly a year earlier in Inverness.
Highland 2007 itself has had a mixed reception. In January, Northings will carry the thoughts of Fiona Hampton, the director of H2007, in an article we plan to post ahead of the final weekend festivities. Our new blogging facility will give you the chance to have your own say, and the post-mortem will doubtless continue well after the last firework has fizzled out on Kessock Bridge.
Mind you, you haven’t exactly flocked to use the aforesaid new blogging facility we introduced on last month’s Editorial. I can’t entirely believe that no one out there reading Northings has any views at all on the new Eden Court – perhaps you are all just a bit too shy to step up and be first?
In any case, and since it is the season to be generous, we’ll have another go – let us have your thoughts on the new Eden Court complex, or indeed on anything relevant to Highland arts using the facility below.
We hope to eventually extend this facility to many more articles and reviews. Blogs will be moderated, and we won't run them if they include foul or abusive language or personal attacks on individuals (and the process may lead to delays in your comments going on-line, so please be patient). Otherwise, the floor will be yours, so please have your say.
As a notably busy year starts to go a little quieter (but only a little) in the Highlands & Islands over the next couple of months, the annual extravaganza that is Celtic Connections hoves into view in Glasgow with another massive three-week programme. Sue Wilson caught up with artistic consultant (that’s director in all but name) Donald Shaw in our main interview this month.
Red Shoes Theatre in Elgin provide our final HITN Profile of the year, and also of the series, although, as with all the material on Northings, all of the profiles remain accessible via the Archive.
As is our habit at this time, we are treating the current Northings as a ‘double issue’, and there will be no formal changeover on 1 January. We will be posting new material until mid-December, and will resume normal service from around 8 January, although fans of Dave Smith’s excellent ArtToons – the subject of a fine exhibition at the Ironworks during Dràma Na h-Alba – should check in from 1 January for his latest contribution.
My thanks go to all of the reviewers and contributors who have helped to expand Northings even further this year, and to all of you who have visited the site, and continue to do so in gratifying numbers. We will be aiming to develop Northings further in the coming year, and look forward to a more interactive relationship with the readership – once you start using the blogs, that is.
Kenny Mathieson
Commissioning Editor, Northings
Kenny Mathieson lives and works in Boat of Garten, Strathspey. He studied American and English Literature at the University of East Anglia, graduating with a BA (First Class) in 1978, and a PhD in 1983. He has been a freelance writer on various arts-related subjects since 1982, and contributes to the Inverness Courier, The Scotsman, The Herald, The List, and other publications. He has contributed to numerous reference books, and has written books on jazz and Celtic music.
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2 Comments |
Well Jennie didn't want to leave you on your ownsome here..so highlights for 2007? Has to be theatre for me - Black Watch, Sunshine on Leith, Sundowe (all that was missing was Scooby-doo), Big Shop, Whisky Kisses next year hopefully. I decided in 2007 that I was going to be descerning and spend my money on new experiences, and regain my child's interest in theatre. (It got lost a couple of years ago when he decided drama was "totally boring and for old geezers in leather coats". You know who you are.) I suceeded in my mission, and now he would consider going to the theatre as a viable form of entertainment as well as taking part..yeeha!
Thankfully avoided all soggy festivals, except nearly went to Runrig, but I could hear them anyway. Eden Court looks lush, lovely studios and new theatre and a relaxing space for us freelancers to meet up in. Loos great, water pressure too high though, chair legs need felting, and the grounds are begging for a roller-skating extravaganza. Some folk have said that the front door's a bit hard to find - well that's art for you folks, work with it.
And after 2007, comes 2008 (music'll be big for me) and then 2009 which I'm really looking forward to cos we're gonna have a fantastic theatre festival which will blow everyone's minds. Am truly looking forward to top-quality entertainment that me and my family and friends can get out there and enjoy.
Onward...
Jelica Gavrilovic
16 December 2007
I love the new Eden Court complex (as mentioned in two reviews already!). At night it is now an exciting place to walk up to, which increases the anticipation of a good evening's entertainment. It has an assured but warmly welcoming modern cosmopolitan feel that links it to, say, Rocpool Reserve across the Ness.
However I have had a lot of feedback from friends who used to lunch regularly in the old Eden Court restaurant who are less happy with the ambience by day. My two penn'orth is that some large planters with, say ficus trees in, could create a virtual boundary between the restaurant seating and the traffic area.
The detailing of the work is fantastic. Corners have not been cut, and as a result we have a theatre complex which is beautiful at the same time as being solidly robust and entirely fit for purpose. It should not need tinkering with for decades, and the money will prove to have been wellspent.
There are teething problems from a lot of new staff getting to grips with new systems - which time will solve quickly. A list, updated daily, of where and when everything that is happening in the building that day, at Reception, would save a lot of dithering around (though it's a week or so since I was last there, so I hope this has been dealt with by now).
And finally - girls, have you seen the Ladies'Loos? (I know you haven't, Kenny. They're a palatial, cutting edge cert for the Good Loo Guide platinum awards. Thoughtful attention to the tiniest detail, the hallmark of good design. Congratulations, everyone.
Jennie Macfie
04 December 2007
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