Loose Ends - 21/08/2010

Loose Ends comes from the Edinburgh Festival. Clive Anderson presents the usual mix of conversation, music and comedy in front of an audience at the Pleasance Grand. Clive talks to some of the finest on the Fringe: Simon Callow whose career has taken him from roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Amadeus and Shakespeare in Love to writing numerous books on Dickens, his craft and himself with his autobiography 'My Life in Pieces'. The Shakespearean actor takes on the role of the great bard himself for his one man comedy play 'Shakespeare: The Man from Stratford'. You may have seen her as 'Aunt Hilda' in "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch" or hosting her eponymous syndicated chat show but now actress and comedienne Caroline Rhea takes to the stage with her UK stand-up debut in Edinburgh. Former Labour MP Chris Mullin talks about the timely reissue of his book 'A Very British Coup'. His bestselling book 'A View from the Foothills' was described as Yes Minister meets Alan Clark. His anticipated follow-up 'Decline & Fall Diaries 2005-2010' will be published on 30th August and can be heard as Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4. From an Edinburgh veteran to a festival newcomer, Arthur Smith seeks advice from Financial Times undercover banker and ultimate working mother of Cost Centres 1, 2 and 3, Mrs Moneypenny. Stand-up comedy comes from Lee Nelson - the Sarf London council estate lad done good. So good, in fact, that he has his own TV show on BBC Three and brings 'Lee Nelson's Well Good Edinbra Show' to the good people of Scotland. There's musical comedy from Ireland's favourite dysfunctional rock band Dead Cat Bounce who are destined to be huge and sure to inspire air guitar solos a-go-go with their new show 'Too Fast for Love' at the Gilded Balloon. And there's even more music from pop-folk balladeers Aberfeldy. The Edinburgh locals perform 'Malcolm' from their new album, "Somewhere to Jump From". Producer: Cathie Mahoney.