City of Angels as Bissett and Benedetti lead acts receiving Herald awards

THE Angels have descended again upon Edinburgh’s festival season.

The prestigious awards, given by The Herald to festivals acts, artists, producers, companies and anyone else involved in the August festivals, returned this weekend.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti, actress, writer and director Cora Bissett, the National Youth Choir of Scotland, Druid’s production of Beckett’s Waiting For Godot, and the comedian Sarah Keyworth were all given Angels for their superlative performances, in the eyes of the judges.

A special Archangel, for long-term contributions to the festival, was given to the Polish theatre company Teatr Biuro Podrozy.

In an unusual touch, the awards were given to recipients at the Festival Theatre, the key supporter and venue for the awards, by ventriloquist comedian Nina Conti, in her role as Monkey.

Ms Benedetti received the award for her concert at the Queen’s Hall with the Academy of Ancient Music, directed by Richard Egarr.

She sent a message that said: “I am so delighted to receive a Herald Angel Award for my recent performance with the Academy of Ancient Music.

“It’s such a wonderful experience collaborating with Richard and the orchestra, so I would like to share this award with them.

“I always cherish performing in Scotland, and greatly look forward to the forthcoming performances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, later in the month.”

The National Youth Choir of Scotland were “sensational” in the opening concert of the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), according to Keith Bruce, Herald arts writer and organiser of the Angels, when they were performing Haydn’s The Creation.

All the Angels are judged by

Herald arts reviewers and critics, and have been awarded since 1995.

Galway’s Druid and their staging of Waiting For Godot, directed by Garry Hynes, at the EIF was described as the “opening weekend’s sensation”.

The cast included twins Finlay and Angus Alderson, who were 14 on Saturday, playing the role of The

Boy.

Mr Bruce said: “If Godot was the show that everyone was talking about at the International Festival right from the start, the show that everyone was talking about at the Fringe was at the Traverse Theatre, and it was Cora Bissett’s superb musical memoir, What Girls Are Made Of.”

More Angels awards will be given to artists of all kinds next weekend.