David Niven: legendary English actor and wartime officer whose charm and wit made him a Hollywood icon, crowned by an Oscar win.
Contenders for the next James Bond are narrowing as auditions near a decision. Bookmakers rate Callum Turner as a leading favourite, with Louis Partridge and Tom Francis among others in the frame. Denis Villeneuve is directing the next film for Amazon MGM Studios.
A trio of reviews from Edinburgh and Scotland’s jazz scene showcase a weekend of avant-garde performances. From Fergus McCreadie and Xhosa Cole’s fearless improvisations to Maciej Obara’s Northern Spaces and Matt Carmichael’s Celtic-tinged set, audiences have been treated to a spectrum of modern jazz styles.
The James Bond casting search has intensified, with frontrunners narrowing and new bets shifting as producers pace the process amid a flurry of interviews and public speculation.
Two August Fringe launches showcase a vibrant, chaotic restart of Scotland’s festival scene. Underbelly marks its 20th birthday with a spoof on Violet, the upside-down cow, while Assembly greets a crowd hungry for new acts and big personalities after a two-year refurbishment.
Irish actress Saoirse Ronan has expressed interest in playing the next Bond villain, as odds narrow on the star of Slow Horses, Letitia Wright’s successor, to take the 007 mantle. Ronan says she is “dead serious” about a villain part, while Emilia Lowden continues to be mentioned as a frontrunner for Bond. The pair would become the first married couple to work opposite each other in a Bond film if cast.