SEAN Hughes, Greg Proops, Vikki Stone, Joe Lycett, East End Cabaret and Lost Voice Guy are among the names announced for The Big C, a comedy gala in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support which will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on August 12 at 9.30pm.
Also on the bill is Curb Your Enthusiasm alumna Caroline Rhea. Following Ed Byrne and Roy Walker in 2011 and 2012 respectively, the choice of this year's host offers a rather unusual twist – silent comedian The Boy With Tape On His Face. Other acts and surprise guest performers have yet to be announced. Tickets, costing £20, are available now at www.edfringe.com and www.venue150.com, and by calling 0844 847 1639 or 0131 226 0000.
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RICHARD Holloway's book Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir Of Faith And Doubt has won this year's Pen/Ackerley Prize, the only UK literary prize dedicated to memoir and autobiography. Published by Canongate, the book by the former Bishop of Edinburgh, pictured, beat off competiton from Will Cohu, Rachel Cusk and Colin Grant to win a cheque for £2,500.
The Prize was established in memory of author and literary editor JR Ackerley. "JR Ackerley was never in the least drawn to Christianity," said Peter Parker, chair of the judges, "but I believe he would have admired Richard Holloway's Memoir Of Faith And Doubt for its searching self-analysis, its admissions of fallibility, its questioning of authority, its wide range of literary references, its essential humanity and – perhaps above all – the very high quality of its prose."
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BBC2 show Restoration Home heads to Scotland next week to chart recent work done on Pitkennedy Primary School in Forfar. The Victorian building was once a cornerstone of the community but had been decaying since the school bell rang for the last time seven years ago. As well as showcasing architectural work done to the building, the programme, presented by Caroline Quentin, digs into the archives to present a portrait of 19th-century life in Angus. Restoration Home: Pitkennedy School will be broadcast on July 24 at 8pm.
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DUNDEE Dance Day will get under way with a Mass Zumba Party in the City Square at 10am on Saturday, August 31. The day then continues as a celebration of dance including free workshops in the Marryat Hall and free performances in the Caird Hall. From tea dances to Bollywood routines, sword-dancing to hip-hop styles, a variety of moves will be bringing the city's streets to life as part of the Games for Scotland programme. For updates, join the event on Facebook at.facebook.com/events/556341544459113/.
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