Contesting the Spirit of Unity
  • Edinburgh International Festival

Conductor Bruno Walter said that the first Edinburgh International Festival was a magnificent experience, which renewed human relations after the war. But not everyone felt included. For some years Glasgow Unity Theatre " led by a former factory shop steward " had been discovering working-class talent and presenting popular, professional theatre. But International Festival director Rudolf Bing thought Scottish work unlikely to meet his standards; and making the International Festival accessible to a wide social range of local visitors was not a consideration. Glasgow Unity came anyway but had to perform, selffunded, on what later became the Fringe.

This event " in the form of readings and a panel discussion " examines the origin of the culture wars, an underappreciated part of the development of Edinburgh as a Festival City.

Supported by Edinburgh Trades Union Council and Scottish Trade Unions

Part of the International Festival and British Council season Spirit of '47

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