Jonathan Mills has been renewed as director of the Edinburgh Festival until 2014.
Mills has been in charge since 2006 without giving much impression that he was. In charge.
A festival that was once central to the arts calendar has become peripheral, outshouted by its own fringe and off limits for world leaders in high performance.
Not all of this is Mills’ fault. Budgets have been miserly and political interest low.
Still, a younger, sharper contender might have kicked some life into the old girl of the north. The prospect of having Mills in command until mid-decade will thrill no-one outside his immediate family.











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