Æ News – Amos to host Assembly’s Talk Show
Full line-up announced as Stephen K Amos takes over thespian chats in Princes Street Gardens
By Thom Dibdin
Stephen K Amos is to take over hosting duties on Assembly Theatre’s daily Talk Show, following Frank Skinner’s withdrawal from the Spiegeltent show in Princes Street Gardens
Running through to Sunday 29 August, the hour long show features intimate conversations with such Edinburgh fringe luminaries as Steven Berkoff, most performed living playwright on the Fringe, who opens the series today, Wednesday 11 August with Linda Marlowe. Jason Byrne, takes over as a sub for Amos on 26 and 27 August.
A spokesperson for Assembly emphasised the Talk Show’s strong role in the venue’s 30th anniversary celebrations and its links with the various guests over those years: “Assembly’s aim has always been to support a programme of excellence and the remarkable talent of countless performers.
“The stories of people that have gone on to notoriety fame and fortune are legend. Lee Evans leapt from the stage of the Supper Room to become a film star. Graham Norton was spotted in the Wildman Room and went on to be a celebrated television personality. Craig Ferguson met an agent at the festival, moved to LA, and is now the top Talk Show host in America.
Performances will take place at 12.30pm each day starting on the 11th August and running through to the 29th, apart from Mondays. Ticket details are here.
Steven Berkoff with Linda Marlowe – Wednesday 11 August 2010
An actor of international repute who has consistently acted and directed in the theatre, television and cinema for over 30 years. His plays and adaptations have been performed in many countries and at the Edinburgh Fringe he is now the most performed playwright after Shakespeare. Linda Marlowe worked with Steven Berkoff over a twenty-five year span as his leading lady in most of his plays, touring internationally and in the West End.
Jennifer Coolidge with Caroline Rhea – Thursday 12 August 2010
A hugely familiar face, thanks to her roles in hit movies Legally Blonde, Best In Show and American Pie; together with scene-stealing cameos in just about every modern TV classic from Friends to Sex And The City. Her Edinburgh fringe debut is at the Assembly this year. Caroline Rhea is also making her Fringe debut. She is probably best known for her TV role as Aunt Hilda in the early 90s US kids’ sitcom Sabrina The Teenage Witch.
Alan Cumming – Friday 13 August 2010 (at 12 pm)
Perthshire born, Alan has had close connections with Edinburgh and the Fringe since his early days. The farewell performance in Scotland of the deeply loved Victor and Barry, with Forbes Masson, was at the Assembly Rooms. Since then his career has gone from strength to strength in both theatre and film.
Simon Callow with Barry Cryer – Saturday 14 August 2010
Celebrated stage and screen actor and an author acclaimed for his biographies of Orson Welles and Charles Laughton, Simon is appearing this year in the Assembly anniversary programme with his hit show Shakespeare: The Man from Stratford. Barry Cryer is a much-loved British writer, comedian and stalwart of the Fringe.
Omid Dhalili with Lee Mack – Sunday 15 August
Enjoyed considerable success at the Fringe since 1993 when he came with a one-man theatre piece. Since then he has become a firm festival favourite with a string of sell-out comedy shows. One of the funniest, freshest and most original comedians in Britain today. Lee Mack is a BAFTA award winning English stand-up comic and actor – star of BBC One’s Not Going Out and Would I Lie To You?.
Jenny Éclair – Tuesday 17 August
With her trademark high-octane performances and earthy, eyebrow raising routines, Jenny is regarded as one of the country’s best loved stand-up comediennes and was the first woman to win the coveted Perrier Award. She also works as a writer and broadcaster.
Alistair McGowan – Wednesday 18 August
British impressionist, stand-up comic, actor and writer best known to British audiences for The Big Impression which was one of BBC1’s top-rating comedy programmes. He has also worked extensively in theatre and has been performing at the Fringe for the last twenty years.
Mel Smith – Thursday 19 August
Acclaimed actor, director and writer who began his career at the Edinburgh Fringe with the Oxford Revue. He went on to become one of Britain’s most celebrated comics and also carved an illustrious career directing television and films.
Ardal Ohanlon – Friday 20 August
Perhaps best known on TV for his much loved role Father Dougal Maguire in Channel 4’s BAFTA winning series Father Ted, Ardal’s acclaimed roles also include George Sunday/ Thermoman in My Hero (BBC 1) and Eamon in Big Bad World (ITV); with guest leads in Dr Who (BBC1) and Channel 4’s Skins.
Clive Anderson – Sunday 22 August
A former barrister, Clive Anderson is best known for being a comedy writer as well as a radio and television presenter. Winner of a British Comedy Award in 1991. Anderson began his success during his law career with stand-up comedy and writing, before starring in Whose Line Is It Anyway? on Channel 4. He was also successful with a number of radio programmes, television appearances on Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, QI and The Bubble.
Robert Llewellyn – Tuesday 24 August
Actor, presenter, and writer who is best known as the android Kryten in the hit sitcom Red Dwarf and for his role as presenter of Scrapheap Challenge.
Sean Lock – Wednesday 25 August
English writer, comedian and actor who began his career as a stand-up. He won the British Comedy Award in 2000 in the category of Best Live Comic and was nominated for the Perrier. He is also well known for his appearances on television and radio. He was also voted 19th on Channel 4’s 2010 Greatest Stand Up Comedians.
Tommy Tiernan – Thursday 26 August
Observational Irish comic who has enjoyed a long relationship with the Edinburgh Fringe and won the Perrier Award in 1998. Tommy has the highest selling DVD sales in Ireland – in terms of live ticket sales he’s only second to U2.
Julian Clary – Friday 27 August
Julian Clary is one of England’s most recognisable entertainers and during his 25 years in show business has turned his hand to comedy, acting, presenting, writing and even performing as a novice dancer on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. He was a regular on the Edinburgh Fringe in the 80s, most notably with his Joan Collins Fan Club shows.
Jo Brand – Saturday 28 August
Long established as one of the best female comics in Britain, Brand’s wealth of television work includes her own shows – Jo Brand’s Hot Potatoes (BBC1) and the award-winning Through the Cakehole (Channel 4). Some of her most fruitful comedy gigs have been at the Fringe, where she was nominated for the Perrier award in 1992.
Luke Cresswell – Sunday 29 August
Luke Cresswell is a co-creator of the dance percussion act Stomp. He is a self-taught percussionist and one-time member of British busking/cabaret musical group Pookiesnackenburger.