A truly historic reunion took place today at Henderson's Restaurant, of many
of those involved in setting up the Traverse Theatre back in 1963.
John Martin was there, as were artist and theatrical impresario Richard Demarco and cultural polymath Sheila Colvin. Sixties counter-culture hero Jim Haynes was over from Paris for the occasion, and also in attendance was John Calder,
legendary publisher and friend of Samuel Beckett and the man who introduced
William Burroughs and Alain Robbe-Grillet to the reading public in this country.
The event was hosted by John Cairney, recently returned to this country from New
Zealand, whose 'There Was a Man' premiered at the Traverse in 1965 and began an
association with Robert Burns that has lasted until today. His sell-out
'Breakfast with Burns' show at Henderson's this year has revealed an actor of
undiminished power and Richard Demarco was heard to muse that it was maybe time
that John, who has in the past performed both Hamlet and Macbeth to great
acclaim, tackled the role of King Lear. Watch this space.
This group of people were responsible for not only for founding the original Traverse Theatre on the Lawnmarket, but they also gave us the first real all the year round Fringe Theatre for which Edinburgh should always be grateful. They all went on to have dazzling careers in the Arts.
Sheila Colvin, was the power behind the throne in the Official Festival for many years before going on to Glynbourne.
Richard Demarco became the European King of avant garde theatre.
John Calder went on to be a very successful publisher and was responsible for publishing most of the twentieth centuries greatest avant garde writers.
John Martin, who did all the original graphics for the theatre, is now part of the Demarco Foundation.
Then there's Jim Haynes. Fortune smiled on Edinburgh the day Jim Haynes decided to settle for a while here. Jim opened the first paperback book shop, encouraged free expression by the choice of material available in the shop. He also started book, poetry readings and small theatre productions in the shop which established the idea of setting up the Traverse Theatre.
He now resides in Paris where he taught at the Sorbonne. Jim is also world famous for his sunday network dinners. He travels constantly and has always been a great supporter of the Edinburgh Festivals, and to my knowledge has never missed coming to the Festival over the last thirty years.
Indeed a team that have made countless artistic dreams come true.