The Herald

Now to Build On the Success of a Tasty Helping of Dramathe Popularity of Oran Mor's Lunchtime Theatre Is No Surprise, but Long May It Continue, Says Neil Cooper

FOR the past 14 weeks, Glasgow's Oran Mor venue has played host to the second season of A Play, A Pie And A Pint, a series of new dramas performed at lunchtime. Readers of this page's review section will, hopefully, recognise the season's format, whereby a world premiere, usually by a well-kent figure of Scottish letters, is given in the west end venue's speakeasy confines, with a beverage and a light lunch thrown in with the ticket price. Each play is introduced by producer David MacLennan, ...

Just Who Are You Calling a Wrinkly? Think Again

WERE I a marketing wizard or an entrepreneur, I would be spending serious energy trying to find a name for people who, in 10 years, will be finished in their conventional career. It's a tricky one, this rebranding of the Third Age of society. But crack it successfully now, harness that dratted zeitgeist, and the name could become one that defines our age, our mindset and our future happiness. So how about it, bright readers?

Briefing: The Tassie Tiger

THE hunt is on to track down the Loch Ness monster of the southern hemisphere. Q: What is the Tassie tiger?

France Was Right to Send Them Back to Think Again

"PERMIT me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws" - a quotation attributed to Mayer Anselm Rothschild, founder of the great European banking dynasty. The EU constitution devotes 16 pages to giving complete autonomy and control of monetary and fiscal policy to the European Central Bank.

The Diary

Nice'n'kneesy WE FEAR that football kit-maker Diadora is making a subtle reference to the IQ of footballers with the new Scotland strip launched yesterday. The socks, which have a white stripe down the right one, will have a little L and R on the heels so that they know which one to put on which leg.

A Crisis of the Best Kind French 'Non' Proves Politicians Must Heed Electorate

A BLOODY nose hurts. It is a shock to the system. For that reason alone the French electorate should be applauded. The debate over Europe has for too long had too great a regard for the ambitions and visions of politicians; not enough for the consequences for, and fears of, the people. Now that will change; and the European debate will probably be better for it, and the politicians certainly more humble.

Healthy Schools Initiativecouncil Idea Deserves International Approbation

WHAT do Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, NewZealand, Japan, England and France have in common? They have all taken an interest in an innovative scheme being implemented by Scotland's biggest local authority to encourage pupils to eat healthily. Since The Herald revealed earlier this month that Glasgow City Council had introduced a scheme to reward young people for choosing the healthiest school-meal options, all of these countries have contacted the local authority formore information...

The Final Frost

Accident and Emergency Consultants Will Not Be Consulted

FOR some time now The Herald has been reporting on the ills of NHS 24. Throughout, I have on many occasions been close to contributing to the debate but for professional reasons I have thus far kept my powder dry. Unfortunately, following the announcement by the health minister of his intention to commission an early review of NHS 24, I am now ready and willing to take aim and fire. Why so? Essentially, because for no other reason than the fact that my speciality/area of expertise (accident a...

Edward J von Kloberg Iii

EDWARD J von Kloberg III made his fortune representing pariahs and his reputation living with panache in a double penthouse in an elite Washington neighbourhood. He died with the same sort of grand gesture, throwing himself from an Italian landmarkwith a magazine in his pocket that had on its cover a picture of von Kloberg receiving an award from the former president George Bush. As a lobbyist, von Kloberg represented the likes of Saddam Hussein, Nicolae Ceausescu, Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko, S...

Eddie Albert Twice Oscar-Nominated Star of Film and Television

EDDIE Albert, who appeared in more than 200 TV series and films, including Roman Holiday, The Longest Day and The Mean Machine, has died in California at the age of 99. In the United States he was best known as the New York lawyer who quit the rat race to buy a farm in the hit sitcom Green Acres (1965- 71). The show was also shown in the UK, though Albert is better known on this side of the Atlantic for films, in which he was often cast as some big star's buddy.

Appeal for Malawi

MAY I clarify my views as reported (May 30) on the proposal for an executive-led public appeal for Malawi? The case for an enhanced Scottish contribution to the development of African countries will enjoy wide support. But the structure and aims of any Scottish fund- raising appeal for Malawi need to be considered carefully. The charitable sector has long held the view that the public support it enjoys and the effectiveness of the services it is able to deliver depend on the sector being seen...

The Greatest?

Sorry, the Epic of Gilgamesh Wasn't Written with Hollywood in Mindreview

How Art Made the World BBC2, 9.30pm New Tricks BBC1, 9.30pm

From the Herald Archives

25 YEARS AGO CHEERING troops lined the rails of their ship yesterday like a scene from the end of the Second World War. However, unlike their predecessors, they sailed up the Clyde not in a converted liner but in a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, the Sir Geraint, to dock at Glasgow's Merkland Quay. The 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots had left Belfast after a four-month tour of duty. The soldiers raised their caps as they were welcomed by their commanding officer and pipers. 50 YEARS AGO ALTHOUGH...

We're in the Big League Now the Revolting Residents of Royston Vasey Are On the Road to Hollywood Stardom, but They Haven't Forgotten Their Humble Beginnings in Edinburgh. By Miles Fielder

IT ALL started when four friends piled into a Mini, drove up to Edinburgh and put on a comedy show. That first, unsuspecting audience was a little taken aback, it has to be said, but they laughed. The following year, the four friends won the Perrier. And then the BBC called. Now Hollywood has signed the cheque for a movie. The League of Gentlemen have come a long way in 10 years.