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Dateline: 17th April, 2005 Wilkie House "Not Recommended" Edinburgh Fringe venue Wilkie House, also known as Cowgate Central, in Guthrie Street has had its accreditation withdrawn by Fringe director Paul Gudgin after resignation of the venue's co-ordinator and complaints about non-payment from "at least" ten companies which had performed there last year. "I am refusing to recommend him (venue owner Thomas McAleer) to performers this year and his venue has been removed from the list which goes out to performers to choose from," Paul Gudgin said. "It is what I would do to any venue which leaves performers unpaid." Paul Meadows, who ran the venue last year, said, "I no longer work for Tom McAleer, aka Artcomunity, aka Cowgate Central, aka Wilkie House, aka Left Bank... I'm sure there are a few others ... mainly because I believe in being fair, honest and accountable. It's a real pity as the place has a lot of potential and I had loads of ideas." He also has not been paid. "He would give me wee installments of my wages," he said, "and then eventually they also dried up." Wilkie House is one of the larger venues, holding up to 36 shows. Fringe performers can still use the venue - part of the ethos of the Edinburgh Fringe is that anyone can set up a venue and anyone can perform - but without the backing of the Fringe management, its publicity machine and box office, finding an audience would be very difficult. Paul Meadows wants to carry on. "I'd like to continue my ideas/plans at another venue in central Edinburgh," he tld the SCOTS-NITS email group, "and I have a place in mind (near the Playhouse), but I need backing because (and here's another reason why I no longer work at Wilkie Housee) I don't have any money. I have an idea to run-by anyone interested - I'm full of ideas, me! "Any group looking for rehearsal/workshop/performance space in the next few weeks/months, I can offer a choice of 2 rooms (9mx6m) and a large hall. The hall has a small raised stage (which I'll extend), good acoustics, a floor suitable for dance and removable seating for 110. I can also set up a cafe and run a box office and provide pianos for music rehearsal and performance. To make this happen I need those groups to book and pay deposits now so that I can hire light and sound equipment, pay an advance to the owner and a small amount for me as co-ordinator. I'll keep the charges to a minimum as I know production budgets are tight and will continue to do so once I have the place up and running." Anyone interested should contact him on 07762 894240. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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