Putting it up sacred cows

I'm battling with a new Linux system on an old pedal power box at the moment. So just a couple of asides for now. I'm still fascinated with the premature Thatcher funeral plans.

Tony Blair was accused last night of appeasing Left-wing Labour MPs after Downing Street confirmed that it did not intend to recommend a state funeral for Lady Thatcher, the country's first woman prime minister.

Senior Conservative MPs expressed anger over a letter from one of Mr Blair's aides to a Labour backbencher setting out No 10's position.

They accused Mr Blair of provoking an "unseemly" political row by entering into a discussion about Lady Thatcher's funeral arrangements at a time when she was in good health.

Despite its frivolous side, The Fringe has always reflected society's concerns.

The Edinburgh Comedy Fringe Festival is a big affair in some parts of the English speaking world, and if you believe journalists: Despite its frivolous side, The Fringe has always reflected society's concerns.

Despite it's frivolous side? A frivolous comedy festival?

So what is so serious at this years Fringe? Religion, a serious piss-taking look at all sorts of religions. It never fails to amaze me that religion has such a powerful grip in relatively secular societies. I would have thought there was some great material from real life, like trying to bury Maggie Thatcher before she rusts.

"Petrol Jesus Nightmare", a dark play about two Israeli soldiers holed up under fire, is among the most prescient plays.

"The current situation certainly does make certain lines in the play shattering," said Philip Howard, artistic director of the Traverse Theatre.

"The playwright Henry Adam doesn't spare any of the world's faiths in his onslaught. All religions ask you to kill in God's name."

"Mary and The Stripper" stretches across two millennia, contrasting the tales of Mary Magdalene and a 21st-century stripper hooked on heroin.
South African playwright Michelle van Rensburg said: "People have always been searching. It has just come to the fore. But I must say there are an awful lot of Jesuses at this year's Fringe.