THEATRE Christmas shows preview
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Jessica Richards
Veteran stage manager turned actress, who debuted with a non- speaking part in Communicados touring show The Suicide, and appears as Tiny Tim in the company's version of A Christmas Carol at the lion Theatre, Glasgow. THE BEST: ’Being part of a whole theatre celebrating Christmas, from the office parties, families and schools that fill the place with noise, to the anticipation of the company's "Secret Santa" grab- bag fights backstage on Christmas Eve.’
THE WORST: ’Commuting on the M8 between home in Edinburgh and the venue in Glasgow and becoming Bah Humbug-ish about last-minute shopping between matinees and evening shows. Also, waiting for the missing busload of children coming from a school, who have disappeared en route whilst the
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Douglas lrvme Actor; director and founder member of children's theatre company Visible Fictions. Plays the title role in The B.F.G. at the Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow.
THE WORST: ‘Being a lifelong fan of Aberdeen F.C., I'm too busy to follow how they're doing in the Scottish Premier League.’
THE BEST: 'I don’t have to watch them getting thrashed every game.’
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Stuart seriousness and Paterson nonsense in Scotland's leading equal writer of measure. Christmas Writing for a shows genuinely (as opposed comprehensive to pantos), family audience. with at least But absolutely the two staged best thing is sitting every backstage, watching a year. His dour Scottish actor latest, climb inside a furry suit.’ Hansel And .‘ THE WORST: 'Fear, of Gretel (below), is at the course; or perhaps hope,
which — as goblins know - "cuts the deepest wounds. ”
And production weeks can be terrifying. A writer can feel as useful as John Le Mesurier at a marine training exercise.’
Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh; while Merlin The Magnificent (above) is revived at the MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling.
Elaine C. Smith Actress, comedian and singer, who hotfoots it from Much Ado About Nothing at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh to the Kings Theatre, Glasgow, where she stars as Widow Mankee in Aladdin. THE BEST: 'My best memory of appearing in panto must be Christmas Eve at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, with 2000 people singing "Jingle Bells” and nearly taking the roof of the theatre off.’ THE WORST: ’The worst bit must be leaving the theatre at midnight after two shows and knowing you have to be back on top form by 11 o'clock the next day. That and trying to fit my own Christmas shopping round the matinees.’
THE BEST: ’Having your work done, because one day it will fallout of favour. The mischief and surreal craziness of working with actors, directors, designers and musicians who understand that good storytelling for children involves a respect for
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List of shows
These are the professionally produced Christmas shows in the Central Belt this season. For details of times and ticket prices, see under individual venues in Drama 8t dance listings.
Aladdin Glasgow: King's Theatre. Fri 5 Dec-Sat 17 Jan. Traditional. cod-Oriental panto starring Elaine C. Smith. Gerard Kell and other well kent faces.
Ala din - The True Story Central: Cumbernauld Theatre. Thu 27 Nov—Sat 27 Dec. Artistic director Simon Sharkey’s fairytale approach to the traditional tale. Bari Kahani Edinburgh: Theatre Workshop. Mon l—Wed 24 Dec. Company- devised tale based on Indian folklore. and featuring two guest performers from India. The B.F.G. Glasgow: Citizens‘ Theatre. Tue 25 Nov—Sat 20 Dec. Director of design Kenny Miller, directs Roald Dahl's colourful tale of the Big Friendly Giant.
A Christmas Carol Glasgow: Tron Theatre. Wed 10 Dec—Sat lOlan. A Tron/Communicado co-production which is bound to be full of thrills and spills. Cinderella Glasgow: Paisley Arts Centre. Wed 3—Wed 31 Dec. Small-scale trad panto supremo David Wallace leads the resident company.
Hansel And Gretel Edinburgh: Royal Lyceum. Fri 5—Sat l0 Jan. The latest play for children by Scotland’s leading writer in the field. Stuart Paterson.
The Happy Gang's Happy Fun House Edinburgh: Traverse Theatre. Tue 9—Sun 14 Dec. Yuletide shenanigans from the ever-popular children's entertainers.
The Hungry Giant Glasgow: Arches Theatre. Fri l2—Fri 19 Dec. Mr Bones's Christmas puppet show for 3—8-year-olds. about a giant with a love of toffee.
Jack And The Beanstalk Edinburgh: King's Theatre. Thu ll Dec—Sat 24 Jan. Welsh singer and comedian Max Boyce stars with former EastEnder Ross Davidson in the traditional tale about a cow. :1 ma ic bean and a hungry iant. Magic Boii's Christmas For Ki 5 Edinburgh: St Bride‘s Centre. Mon 8—Fri 12 Dec. An hour-long show for the younger punter. with magic tricks and much silliness.
Merlin The Magnificent Central: MacRobert Arts Centre. Fri 28 Nov—Sat 27 Dec. Scottish writer Stuart Paterson weaves the spells in another magical show. Mother Goose Edinburgh: anton Theatre. Musselburgh. Tue 2 Dec —Sat 3 Jan. Lawrie McNicol stars as the eponymous Mrs Goose in a trad panto that is uaranteed to include no sordid 'okes. Rogbin Hood And The Babes In T e Wood Glasgow: Pavilion. Wed 3 Dec—Sat 24 Jan. Much loved Scottish comedian Andy Cameron stars in another full—scale trad panto.
The Singing Kettle's Jingle Bells Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Mon 1— Sat 13 Dec; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Sun l4—Wed 31 Dec.
Treasure Island Glasgow: East Kilbride Arts Centre. Wed l7—Tue 23 Dec. Local company KYBO get their hooks into the R.l.. Stevenson classic.
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1/1/0er Premiere by Stuart Paterson
5 December 4 10 January Child Tickets from £4 - £8.50
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