Theatre
5 BEST
PRODUCTIONS OF 2010 Promises Promises Prolific Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell hit a creative high-point at the beginning of the year with this blistering monologue told by a middle-aged, alcoholic teacher (Joanna Tope) who is provoked into violence when she witnesses an exorcism by ‘community leaders’ in her own classroom. Random Accomplice, touring Feb. The Government Inspector Exuberant production of Gogol’s comedy of political corruption directed by Gerry Mulgrew for Communicado and featuring slick ensemble playing – including stand-out performances from John Bett and Andy Clark – and enjoyable musical interludes directed by Alastair Macrae and performed by the cast. Communicado, touring, Mar. Sweeney Todd James Brining’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s enduring musical focused on the psychological motivation behind the demon barber’s campaign of blood-letting, with strong performances from the 16-strong cast, a ten-piece band led by musical director Hilary Brooks and a marvellous modern-day set. Dundee Rep, Jun. My Romantic History DC Jackson, known for his sharp, sparkling Stewarton Trilogy, came of age as a writer with this inventive, provocative exploration of contemporary relationships, in which a pair of thirtysomethings reflect on their past loves as their own relationship drifts towards its anti-climax. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Aug. Roadkill Award-winning actress Cora Bissett directed this harrowing but extremely powerful site-specific drama about a young Nigerian teenager who is sold into prostitution and sex slavery. Topical but never hectoring, and distinguished by fine performances from the cast, this was one of the must-see productions of the Fringe. Arches, Glasgow & Traverse, Edinburgh, Jul/Aug.
102 THE LIST 16 Dec 2010 – 6 Jan 2011
N O S T R E B O R S A L G U O D
Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by venue. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to theatre@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry GLASGOW
■ THE ARCHES 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Pinocchio ●●●●● Until Sun 2 Jan (not 20, 25 & 27 Dec, 1 Jan). See Kids listings. ■ CITIZENS THEATRE 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. Beauty and the Beast ●●●●● Until Fri 31 Dec (not 19, 25 & 26 Dec). Thu 16, Fri 17, Mon 20 & Tue 21 Dec, 10.30am & 7pm; Sat 18 Dec, noon, 3.30pm & 7pm; Wed 22 Dec, 7pm; Thu 23 & Mon 27–Thu 30 Dec, 2pm & 7pm; Fri 24 & Fri 31 Dec, 1pm & 5pm. £11–£18 (£6–£10). A new family Christmas show from the Citizens, written by Alan McHugh and directed by Guy Hollands, with inventive storytelling, adventure, romance, humour and live music. Ages 6+. Wicked Christmas Thu 16 & Fri 17 Dec, 7.30pm; Sat 18 Dec 7.30pm & 9.30pm. SOLD OUT (returns only). Tuck into the Citizens Community Company’s selection box of festivity, satire and fun. Wonderland. Until Fri 31 Dec. See Kids listings.
■ CLASSIC GRAND 18 Jamaica Street, 847 0820. Cherry Loco’s Twisted Christmas Sat 18 Dec, 8pm. £8 in advance; £10 on the door. A Christmas review of seasonal sideshows and festive smut, with sexpot Leyla Rose, Frayed Knot Circus, Cat Aclysmic, Daiquiri Dusk, Miss Hell’s Belle, Buck Fast, Lucille Burn and host Cherry Loco.
Sleeping Beauty
■ EASTWOOD PARK THEATRE Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. Jack & the Beanstalk Thu 16 & Fri 17 Dec, 7.30pm; Sat 18 Dec, 11am, 3pm & 7.30pm. £6–£13. Runway Theatre Company presents the classic panto about the gullible boy with an unruly beanstalk. A night of music, puppetry and laughter for all ages. ■ IVORY BLACKS 56 Oswald Street, 248 4114. Scarlett Fever Christmas Hullaburloo Fri 17 Dec, 8pm. £8 in advance; £10 on the door. Burlesque ladies Dolly Tartan, Daiquiri Dusk, Hell’s Belle and Favourite Sin present festive friskiness par excellence.
■ KING’S THEATRE 297 Bath Street, 0844 871 7648. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ●●●●● Thu 16–Sat 18 Dec & Tue 21–Thu 23 Dec 1pm & 7pm; Sun 19, Fri 24, Sun 26 & Fri 31 Dec, Mon 3, Tue 4 & Sun 9 Jan 1pm & 5pm; Mon 27–Thu 30 Dec, Sun 2, Thu 6, Fri 7 & Sat 8 Jan, 2pm & 7pm. £6–£27.50. Festive theatrical extravaganza starring Darius Campbell as the handsome Prince.
■ MUGDOCK COUNTRY PARK Craigallian Road, Milngavie, 956 6100. Jack and the Beanstalk Thu 16, Fri 17, Tue 21 & Wed 22 Dec, 6.30pm; Sat 18 & Sun 19 Dec, 2pm & 4pm; Thu 23 & Fri 24 Dec, 2pm, 4pm & 6.30pm. £9 (children £6). Beans mean magic at Mugdock this Christmas. ■ ÒRAN MÓR 731–735 Great Western Road, 357 6200. A Play, a Pie & a Pint: Sleeping Beauty ●●●●● Thu 16–Sat 18 Dec, 1pm. £8–£12.50. The usual lunchtime theatre slot at Oran Mor gets a festive twist. Ticket price includes a pie and drink.
■ PAISLEY ARTS CENTRE New Street, Paisley, 887 1010. Aladdin Until Fri 31 Dec (not 19 & 25–27 Dec). Thu 16 & Fri 17 Dec, 7pm; Sat 18 Dec, 11am & 3pm; Mon 20 Dec, 1pm & 7pm; Tue 21 Dec, 2pm & 7pm; Wed 22, Thu 23, Tue 28 & Thu 30 Dec, 3pm & 7pm; Fri 24 Dec, 11am; Wed 29 Dec, 11am, 3pm & 7pm; Fri 31 Dec, 11am. £8–£15. Traditional family fun with original music, audience participation and a lamp full of surprises in the enchanting rags to riches tale.
■ PAVILION THEATRE 121 Renfield Street, 332 1846. The Magical Adventures of Robin Hood Until Sat 22 Jan (not 25 Dec, 1 Jan). Thu 16, Mon 20–Fri 24 Dec, Mon 27–Thu 30 Dec, Mon 3–Wed 5 Jan, 1.30pm & 7.30pm; Fri 17 Dec, 11am & 7.30pm; Sat 18 Dec, 2pm & 7.30pm; Sun 19 & Sun 26 Dec, Sun 2 Jan, 2pm & 6.30pm; Fri 31 Dec 1.30pm & 6.30pm; Thu 6 Jan 7.30pm. £15.50–£19.50. Thigh-slapping fun with Jim Davidson as Robin Hood (which means you can’t boo him) and everyone’s favourite decorators, Colin and Justin. ■ PLATFORM The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. The Selfish Giant Until Wed 22 Dec. See Kids listings.
■ GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Raymond Gubbay presents: The Mikado with Alistair McGowan Tue 28 Dec, 7.30pm. £21–£30. Semi-staged concert production of the most popular of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, starring impressionist Alistair McGowan as The Mikado, supported by a cast of Savoyards, the Scottish Concert
Hiss the baddies and cheer on the goodies in Dundee Rep’s take on the classic tale of the young woman doomed to sleep for a hundred years after pricking her finger on a spindle. ■ Dundee Rep, until Sat 8 Jan.