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The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Burns Project review – Scotland's national poet in all his glory and contradictions
We are sitting around a table in the sedate surroundings of the Georgian House, the Robert Adam-designed townhouse run by the National Trust for Scotland. James Clements, playing the part of Robert Burns, says something about the weather, and suddenly a streak of lightning cuts down the length of the table top. It has a gash down the middle for that very purpose. It is a sign of the attention to detail in Cora Bissett's excellent production. What could have been a by-the-numbers tribute to Scotland's national poet is altogether more subtle, imaginative and contentious. The long, undulating table, designed by Jenny Booth and cleverly lit by Elle Taylor, continues to play an unexpected part: Clements appears from beneath a domed plate cover in a scene of hungover contrition, while a cutlery boat sets sail under its own steam towards the West Indies. Oh yes, the West Indies. One of the inconvenient truths about this people's poet, the man who wrote the egalitarian A Man's a Man for a' That, is that it was only his newfound career as a published writer that stopped him heading to Jamaica to work in the slave trade. Clements's script, drawing on private letters and recently digitised historical archival material, plus the voices of modern commentators, does not gloss over this, nor the poet's womanising. Rather, it presents a rounded picture of a contradictory man who could write tender verse one minute and abandon a pregnant woman the next. Burns is embodied with gusto and rounded Ayrshire vowels by Clements, accompanied by Lisa Rigby, singing sweet renditions of favourites such as Ae Fond Kiss on guitar and shruti box. It works as both a primer to the short life of this farmer turned celebrity and a knotty study of his politics, compromises, artistic enthusiasms and colourful love life. At the Georgian House, Edinburgh, until 16 August All our Edinburgh festival reviews
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Clemson president is bowled over by his daughter's big moment
Clemson University President James Clements was floored -- literally -- by his daughter's college graduation Thursday. In a now-viral video, Grace Clements excitedly runs and embraces her father, bringing him down as the two tumble on the stage, both smiling. The crowd roars with applause as Clements helps his daughter back up, kisses her on the head next to her graduation cap and hugs her once again. Clements' youngest daughter graduated alongside eight other students from the ClemsonLIFE program for people with intellectual disabilities. "ClemsonLIFE teaches independence, job skills… and apparently, how to sack a university president. #DadDown," the Clemson president wrote in an Instagram post. ClemsonLIFE is designed for students who want a college campus experience, with functional academics, independent living and employment and social skills. "Grace's hug (and tackle!) was full of heart—and a perfect reminder of what makes this place so special," the university wrote in a Facebook post. The program went viral in the fall of 2024 when a video of ClemsonLIFE junior Charlie McGee accepted a bid at his first-choice fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE). The PIKE members all rushed to surround Charlie, jumping and celebrating the newest addition to their brotherhood. Grace was also involved in Greek life at Clemson, a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority for three years. "What a privilege it has been having @skittles_mom as our sister for the past 3 years," the sorority posted for Grace's graduation. "We love you SO much and can't wait to see all you accomplish!" This article was originally published on
NBC News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Clemson president is bowled over by his daughter's big moment
Clemson University President James Clements was floored -- literally -- by his daughter's college graduation Thursday. In a now-viral video, Grace Clements excitedly runs and embraces her father, bringing him down as the two tumble on the stage, both smiling. The crowd roars with applause as Clements helps his daughter back up, kisses her on the head next to her graduation cap and hugs her once again. Clements' youngest daughter graduated alongside eight other students from the ClemsonLIFE program for people with intellectual disabilities. "ClemsonLIFE teaches independence, job skills… and apparently, how to sack a university president. #DadDown," the Clemson president wrote in an Instagram post. ClemsonLIFE is designed for students who want a college campus experience, with functional academics, independent living and employment and social skills. "Grace's hug (and tackle!) was full of heart—and a perfect reminder of what makes this place so special," the university wrote in a Facebook post. The program went viral in the fall of 2024 when a video of ClemsonLIFE junior Charlie McGee accepted a bid at his first-choice fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE). The PIKE members all rushed to surround Charlie, jumping and celebrating the newest addition to their brotherhood. Grace was also involved in Greek life at Clemson, a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority for three years. "What a privilege it has been having @skittles_mom as our sister for the past 3 years," the sorority posted for Grace's graduation. "We love you SO much and can't wait to see all you accomplish!"
