First word

ABOUT seven years ago I went to see a play in Birmingham. It was a one-man piece by and starring an actor called George Costigan whom you may recall as the irrepressible Bob in Rita, Sue And Bob Too. (An hilarious menage a trois romp around the scuzzy parts of Leeds it had many memorable moments, my favourite being their rendition of We're Havin' A Gangbang, accompanied by Black Lace.) George's play, Trust Byron, was a two-hour monologue on Byron's life. Sounds dull? Not a bit of it. It was the most vibrant, affecting, funny and moving piece of theatre I had ever seen in my life. I couldn't get over it and it rekindled my shamefully dormant passion for theatre.

So when I heard the Cult of Byron exhibition was coming to Edinburgh, I could think of no better authority on the subject. Read George's romp through Byron's excess-all-areas life on page 14.

Our cover girl this week is Sporty Spice, the only one, I think, to emerge from the band with a bit of class and a proper singing voice. Still, Posh did get Becks, so who cares if she can sing?

JANE WRIGHT

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