Tempers flare at the festival

The offending banner has frayed nerves

By BBC News Online's Darren Waters

The Edinburgh festival would not be the same without a few rows to spice up proceedings.

Already there has been a row over a play inspired by the horrific Jamie Bulger killing in 1993 and a dispute over a play from Sierra Leone that was not allowed to be performed.

And now two of the city's most powerful cultural figures are going head-to-head over, of all things, a banner.

Bill Burdett-Couts, the chief of the Assembly Rooms venue, and Steve Cardownie, the city council's executive member for leisure and culture have clashed because the authorities refused the venue permission to display a banner which marked its 21st year.

Mr Cardownie has called the assembly chief a pain in the backside and compared him to Victor Meldrew.

He said: "I am fed up with it. He makes Victor Meldrew look like Bruce Forsyth."

Mr Burdett-Couts responded: "It is emblematic of the attitude to the Fringe from the people who be giving it support.

"Instead of support for the Fringe, you run into little barriers."

Unlike many of the shows at the festival this year, this one will run and run.

Ups and downs

On Tuesday I wrote about a giant inflatable structure which has caused waves in the city.

Arcazaar, a giant "chill out" tent is drawing the crowds but it is also creating a fair amount of hot air.

Bill posters: Subject to a code of conduct

The tent has been criticised by a five-star hotel for damaging business.

The Sheraton Hotel has said customers have been checking out because it blocks their view of the castle and the Usher Hall.

The hotel's general manager says it's a disgrace businesses around Festival Square were not consulted in advance but the council's licensing committee has said the inflatable does have permission to be there.

Given that the structure is not inflated until midday each days one wonders which particular hotel guests are sitting in their rooms admiring the non-view.

The Lady Boys of Bangkok - Thai men who take drag to a new level - have run into all sorts of problems since arriving in Scotland.

Last Friday, a thief made off with some essential props, namely underwear, leotards, two wigs and a pair of false breasts.

The items were taken from The Meadows venue and the police strongly suspect a fan has taken them.

If he or she is caught, the police line-up should be interesting!

Compounding the Lady Boys' woes, is news that the Scottish climate is not that compatible with the performers.

A journalist in Thailand told BBC Radio Scotland that the troupe have complained that the cold and wet weather has caused a certain amount of hardening of their silicon breast implants.

Honour

My last piece of festival news for Wednesday concerns a ferocious battle that has erupted onto the streets of Edinburgh.

The competition between street performers might be fierce, but it is not as cut throat as the world of bill posters.

Already, there are complaints circulating of bully boy tactics by London companies who have blatantly posted their promotion material over home-grown productions.

Apparently the Scottish promoters have a code of honour, an unwritten rule not to paste new bills over old bills.

But the problem seems to be that there are more posters than there is posting space in the entire city.

All pacts seemed to have been called off now that the London promoters have brought their dog-eat-dog tactics to bear.