Theatre Motherwell College: Blood Wedding Sat 28 May, 7.30pm. £7.50. Ted Hughes’ translation of Lorca’s rural tragedy, whose morbid content pits the wishes of the individual against the compulsions of society. The Physicists Fri 3 Jun, 7.30pm. £8 (£6). A rehearsed reading of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s satirical drama about three physicists locked up in a lunatic asylum. Part of Glasgow Science Festival. The Cinderella Boys Wed 15–Sat 18 Jun, 7.30pm. £9 (£6). Strathclyde Theatre Group presents a new play by Tom Brogan and Fraser Campbell, developed by the Ramshorn New Playwrights Initiative and dealing with football-inspired tribalism among
Glasgow social circles. No Time Has Passed in Hippo Land Wed 22–Sat 25 Jun, 7.30pm. £9 (£6). New play by Kenny Boyle and Clare Sheppard dealing with euthanasia and mercy killings.
■ THE RIO CAFÉ 27 Hyndland Street, 334 9909. FREE Spangled Cabaret Mon 6 Jun, 7.30pm. Alternative cabaret with Scunner, Glasgow Glam Bangers and more. ■ RSAMD 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057. A Midsummer Night’s Dream Until Sat 28 May, 7pm. £8.50 (£6.50). Peter
PREVIEW MUSICAL SPRING AWAKENING Macrobert, Stirling, Thu 26–Sat 28 May
Frank Wedekind’s original German language play caused a stir throughout the early 1900s due to its hard-hitting themes and liberal attitudes towards the problems teenagers face growing up. The 2006 rock musical adaptation doesn’t stray far from this controversial reputation, having gained a cult following among those who love the darker side of musical theatre. Now Selladoor theatre company are taking Spring Awakening on its first ever UK tour and musical director David Hutchinson believes it’s a piece for our times. ‘Spring Awakening is special because it still resonates with younger audiences today. I think the following the musical has picked up in its relatively short life is the best indication of the success it has had in defining new musical theatre and generating new audiences.’
The show deals with a number of intense themes, abortion, homosexuality and child abuse among them. Permeating the show is a recurring sense of teenagers against the world, radicalised by a disturbed relationship with their prudish guardians. Hutchinson hopes this too will draw a new audience.
‘The musical demonstrates what happens when people stop listening to teens. We all grew up, we all went through certain challenges. I don’t think there will ever be a time when theatre stops exploring this stage; it will always be relevant and current.’ While the show veers throughout between comedy and pathos it is not for
the faint of heart.
‘Expect some surprises. If you were to read the lyrics out of context you’d be shocked at what the cast can get away with!’ (Kirstyn Smith)
132 THE LIST 26 May–23 Jun 2011
Collins directs as the RSAMD heralds the arrival of summer with Shakespeare’s trippy woodland love story. Piano and Dance Fri 3 Jun, 7.30pm. £10.50 (£7.50). Virtuoso performers join forces with students from the Modern Ballet programme to premiere new choreography by Scottish Ballet’s Nicolas Blanc, Diana Loosmore and Maite Delafin. Dramaworks: Extension Class Performance Sat 18 Jun, 2–5pm. £7 (£5). A varied programme of devised and text-based work, musical theatre and film.
■ RUDI’S 16 Cresswell Lane, 334 6776. Deckchairs Thu 23–Sat 25 Jun, 7pm. £16 (includes supper and corkage). The second offering from Stark Theatre this festival comprises two short plays by Jean McConnell, performed in their popular ‘café theatre’ style with food on offer and BYOB. West End Festival.
■ SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street. Booking for The Wars of the Roses via RSAMD: 332 5057. The Wars of the Roses Until Sat 28 May, times vary. £11 (£8.50) each or £25 (£20) for all three parts. Your last two chances to catch parts two (Thu 26 May, 7.30pm) and three (Fri 27 May, 7.30pm) or tackle a Shakespearean history marathon on Sat 28 May as all three are performed consecutively (11am, 3pm & 7.30pm). ■ SECC Finnieston Quay, 0844 395 4000. Britain’s Got Talent Tue 14 Jun, 7.30pm. £35. Acts from the exceedingly popular ITV talent show perform live.
■ SWG3 Studio Warehouse, 100 Eastvale Place, 357 7246. The Dumb Waiter Thu 16–Sat 18 Jun, 8pm. £6.50. A take on classic Pinter from minimalist Glasgow-based company Stark Theatre. West End Festival. ■ THEATRE ROYAL 282 Hope Street, 0844 871 7647. Richard Alston Dance Company Thu 26 May, 7.30pm. £8.50–£25. Three pieces danced to a diverse selection of musical scores by Prokofiev, Hoagy Carmichael and Steve Reich. Shaolin Warriors: Legends of Kung-Fu Fri 27 & Sat 28 May, 7.30pm. £17.50–£24.50. Hailing from China, this internationally acclaimed production mixes kung-fu with theatre and features qigong, animal imitation, boxing, drunken boxing, and promises displays of fighting with no less than 18 kinds of dangerous traditional weapons. We’d be sitting a few rows back, if we were you. Spelbound Sun 29 May, 7.30pm. £28.50 (£23.50). A chance to wonder at the bendiness of the 2010 Britain’s Got Talent winners first-hand. Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell Mon 30 May–Sat 4 Jun, 7.30pm (Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm). £12.50–£29.50. Keith Waterhouse’s monologue based on the life of the celebrated journalist and alcoholic. Winner of the Evening Standard Best Comedy Award 1990. Dance Republic Sun 12 Jun, 7pm. £15.50 (£13.50). Diverse show spanning every style from ballet to breaks. Dance School of Scotland Fri 17 & Sat 18 Jun, 1.30pm & 7.30pm. £8.50–£21.50. Woven around a theme of ‘carnival’ comes the annual showcase of dance disciplines from the Dance School of Scotland, which acts as a feeder for many professional institutions including Scottish Ballet. Yes, Prime Minister Mon 20–Sat 25 Jun, 7.30pm (Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm). £13.50–£29.50. Hacker and Appleby confront modern political issues and Blackberrys in this new piece from the original writers of the much loved TV series.
■ TRAMWAY 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501.
£15 (£12). See preview, page 130. ✽✽ Entity Fri 27 & Sat 28 May, 7.30pm. Generation Wed 15–Sat 18 Jun, 7.30pm. £10 (£8). See preview, page 131.
■ TRON THEATRE 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco Until Sat 28 May, 7.45pm. £11–£15 (£7–£11). Karaoke wannabes and old school bullies clash in a small Welsh town in this play by the Tron Theatre Company with director Leann O’Kasi. Part of Mayfesto. From a City Balcony Until Sat 28 May, 8pm. £6. A new work from Tron Young Company, inspired by the poems of Edwin Morgan. Mayfesto. What I Meant Was . . . Thu 2–Sat 4 Jun, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £11 (£7). An evening of short American works featuring Bash (Neil LaBute), Action (Sam Shepard) and a set of mini-plays and monologues by Craig Lucas. Part of Mayfesto. Touched Thu 2–Sat 4 Jun, 8pm (Sat mat 2.15pm). £9 (£7). The RSAMD produces Chris Thorpe’s 2009 play. Oak Tree Tales Sun 12 Jun, 7.30pm. £5. A new piece devised by NL Studio – The Tron’s adult mixed ability group.
✽✽ Lark, Clark and the Puppet Handy Tue 14–Sat 18 Jun, 7.45pm. £11–£15 (£7–£11). See Stage Whispers, page 126. Page to Stage Thu 16–Sat 18 Jun, 8pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £6. A first look at this new work, developed by adult community writing group Write Tron. Supper Club Cabaret Fri 17 & Sat 18 Jun, 8.30pm. £10. Cabaret from Upstage with food included in admission. Some Words for Home Tue 21 Jun, 7.45pm. £7 (£5). A rehearsed reading based on interviews with two Jewish refugees who settled in Scotland after World War II. Followed by a discussion. Part of Refugee Week Scotland. A Conversation with Carmel Wed 22 Jun, 7.45pm. £10 (£8). See review, page Choreographer Natasha Gilmore's fictional birthday bash for a 70-year-old, presented by Barrowland Ballet in association with Vox Motus theatre company. True Colours Thu 23 Jun, 2pm & 7.45pm. £5 (£3). Three characters – an African, an Asian and a Scot – are on the brink of adulthood and all face a struggle to live up to their families’ expectations in this new comedy from Ignite Theatre. Refugee Week Scotland. Backbone Thu 23 Jun, 7.30pm. £8 (£5). Six shorts explore notions of courage. Refugee Week Scotland.
EDINBURGH
■ ART’S COMPLEX St. Margaret’s House, 151 London Road, 661 1924. FREE Johnson’s Choice Sun 29 May, 7.30pm. The latest in a series of rehearsed readings from Tightlaced Theatre, this play by Rob David is set in a not-too-distant future where a new drug promises to ‘cure’ homosexuality and a shadowy doctor has designs on one gay couple. ■ BRUNTON THEATRE Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 665 2240. Alpha Dance Academy Thu 26–Sat 28 May, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2pm). £10–£12 (£8–£10). Annual showcase of ballet, tap and jazz. Morag Alexander School of Dance Annual Show Tue 7–Sat 18 Jun, 7pm (Sat mat 3pm). £15 (£10). Annual performance of singing and dancing, with styles ranging from traditional Scottish to hip hop. East Lothian Youth Theatre Showcase Mon 20 & Tue 21 Jun, 7pm. £6 (family ticket £22). Annual showcase with a ‘Discovery’ theme. Italia ‘n’ Caledonia Wed 22 Jun, 7.30pm. £11 (£9; under 18s £6). A warm- hearted look at the legacy of Scots Italians over the years.