Before The Fringe
I'm in Edinburgh today as we begin the planning for Radio Scotland's coverage of the Edinburgh Festival & We have to decide which venues we'll broadcast from, which dates and how we plan to promote the programmes.
I'm also keen that we involve media students from various colleges and universities because it's one of the best ways of spotting new talent and offering valuable work experience.
I travelled through on the train this morning with comedy producer Margaret-Anne Docherty and our business manager Kate Hook. We thought we'd impress Kate with our thrifty ways by walking from Waverley Station to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ studios at The Tun. Of course, this suits me as I'm on a fitness kick at the moment, but Margaret-Anne didn't realise there would be so many hills and steps to climb! She made a few jokes about mountain goats but punchlines don't work when you wheeze them.
Meanwhile we're also hoping to stage a special comedy event for children at this year's Fringe. As a parent I know how difficult it can be to find something that's suitable for a younger audience. As it happens, our programme plans overlap with the end of the Scottish school holidays and that doesn't always happen with the Festival.
I love the odd combinations which are thrown up by the Fringe. Last year I watched Fred MacAulay and co-host Sue Perkins interview Richard E. Grant and former presenter Jim Bowen on the same programme. Now that's something you don't hear (or see) very often.
