| Holy row |
| Words: Miss Blue | |
| Sunday, 29 July 2007 | |
 Holy row Edinburgh-based Understairs Arts announced on the 24th July that it had gone into voluntary liquidation - just a week-and-a-half before the arts extravaganza begins. Understairs, through it's liquidator state the reason is ‘due to financial difficulties caused by the withdrawal of one of the venues’. This has left 29 shows without a theatre to perform in. The venue at the centre of the row is the Apostolic Church, West Richmond Street. The church had demanded Understairs agrees all their shows’ scripts be vetted by church leaders. This was to ensure that productions would be suitable to be performed on the holy building’s premises. Understairs refused the church requests to enter into a legal agreement over the church’s demand. This led to the church quitting the Festival after it deemed four shows “unacceptable.” These shows included an orgy sex scene and one depicting the execution of a hooded Iraqi boy. Church pastor Adrian Galley said: “Our decision to withdraw from the Fringe was a very difficult one. We were very much looking forward to being a part of it. However, we had reached a point where Understairs were not honouring their legal commitment to us.” Twenty-nine of Understairs’ 58 shows are themselves now forced to find new theatres. Chaos currently ensues as they seek new venues either by themselves or with the help of the Fringe Office. Thousands of pounds must now to be spent on re-housing shows and getting new promotional material made up. The church cancelled their agreement with Understairs on July 5, leaving over half their shows homeless. At the time, Understairs had shows in two remaining venues, Euroscot and the Royal Scot Club. However, these are also now in doubt. The two venues are still willing to go ahead with this year’s festival, according to the Fringe office, who have already succeeded in finding venues for most of the Apostolic shows. Understairs was unavailable for comment. Church pastor Adrian Galley added: "We are particularly sorry for the impact on the other production companies. As a Christian church it is essential we act with integrity and stand by our beliefs, even when that may lead us to be criticised." |