Theatre HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
list.co.uk/theatre
Mayfesto The Tron’s festival of political theatre continues with a new production of Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco and other original and enduring plays from the Celtic nations. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, until Sat 28 May.
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Bard in the Botanics The popular outdoor Shakespeare festival returns for its 10th anniversary season, with an ambitious programme that includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream, updated to a 1920s cabaret scene, and a new imagining of Hamlet. See feature, page 127. Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Wed 22 Jun–Sat 30 Jul. Dunsinane David Greig’s audacious sequel to the Scotch play featuring a stunning lead performance from Siobhan Redmond. See review, page 128. Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, until Sat 4 Jun; Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 7–Sat 11 Jun.
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Entity The latest piece from choreographer Wayne McGregor and Random Dance is set to an uptempo soundtrack by Massive Attack collaborator Jon Hopkins. See preview, page 130. Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 27 & Sat 28 May.
Dead Man’s Cell Phone UK premier of this play by Pulitzer finalist Sarah Ruhl, in which a woman is drawn into a dead man’s life after discovering his lost phone. See preview, page 128. Arches, Glasgow, Wed 8–Fri 10 Jun. Lark, Clark and the Puppet Handy Romantic comedy about a former husband and wife singing duo who are thrown together for one last concert. Barbara Rafferty stars. See Stage Whispers, right. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 14–Sat 18 Jun.
Anna Karenina Jo Clifford’s highly regarded adaptation of Tolstoy’s ‘flawless’, highly influential classic of thwarted love in Imperial Russia is revived by the Dundee Rep ensemble. Dundee Rep, until Sat 11 Jun.
Spring Awakening Selladoor theatre company take the rock musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s controversional play on its first ever UK tour. See preview, page 132. Macrobert, Stirling, Thu 26-Sat 28 May.
Knives in Hens National Theatre of Scotland revives David Harrower’s pre- industrial tale of a woman’s journey to literacy. See preview, page 128. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 3–Sun 12 Jun, then touring.
Entre Nous Original work by students from the Diploma in Physical Theatre at Adam Smith College, including a performance by well-kent tutor Al Seed. See preview, page 128. Arches, Glasgow, Wed 15–Fri 17 Jun.
126 THE LIST 26 May–23 Jun 2011
Stage WHISPERS BARABARA RAFFERTY ACTOR/DIRECTOR
The veteran performer talks about her role in Lark, Clark and the Puppet Handy, the tale of a former husband and wife singing duo thrown together for one last gig. The show also stars Sean Scanlan and Frank Gallagher and is directed by Stuart Davids What made you want to be an actor? My mother was a cinema usherette so I went to the movies and was hooked. It was another world I wanted to be a part of. First and foremost I am an actor but when I was asked to direct a show, My Name is Margaret Morris, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year I rather enjoyed it.
Give us three reasons why we should see Lark, Clark and the Puppet Handy? Sean, Frank and Barbara! Fun, tears and laughter!
Are there particular challenges to performing in a three-hander? There are always challenges when putting on a new play. Unchartered waters! The challenges are always the same for an actor no matter how large or small the cast.
What do you look for in the people you collaborate with? It is a shared experience. It has to be fun. There has to be empathy, imagination, creativity and a good laugh. ■ Lark, Clark and the Puppet Handy, Tron Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 14–Sat 18 Jun.