Theatre HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
list.co.uk/theatre
Avenue Q It may feature Sesame Street-style puppets but this Broadway and West End smash is adult content all the way. Take a trip down the down-at-heel New York street that’s filled with colourful characters such as the internet porn fan Trekkie Monster and Rod the Republican banker. See preview, page 106. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tue 28 June–Sat 2 Jul.
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Knives in Hens Audacious, stylised revival of David Harrower’s lyrical play about a woman’s sexual and linguistic awakening. See review, page 106. Tramway, Glasgow, Tue 5–Sat 9 Jul.
Casablanca: The Gin Joint Cut Morag Fullerton’s playful take on the Bogart/Bergman classic gets a longer run after its successful debut at Oran Mor. See preview, page 106. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 7–Sat 23 Jul. Siobhan Davies Dance: ROTOR Installations and live works created by the legendary Davies and nine commissioned artists See preview, page 106. Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, Tue 12–Sat 16 Jul.
Whatever Happened to Benny Hill? Grant Smeaton turns to vintage TV once again as he explores the rise and fall of one of the UK’s most popular entertainers. See preview, page 110. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 20–Sat 23 Jul. The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart Another chance to see this impressive lively pub-set ghost- story-cum-ceilidh written by David Greig with award- winning music by Aly Macrae. Oran Mor, Glasgow, Thu 21–Sat 30 Jul.
After the End Offsite revival of Dennis Kelly’s post- nuclear psychological thriller directed by James Brining, which will play to 40 people at a suitably claustrophobic location near the Rep. Dundee Rep, until Sat 25 Jun.
Midnight Tango Arlene Phillips choreographs this steamy show featuring Strictly Come Dancing regulars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace. See Stage Whispers, right. Playhouse, Edinburgh, Tue 28 Jun–Fri 1 Jul.
Cryptic Nights: Inhabitants Fusion of dance and film choreographed by Abby Warrilow depicting a wild landscape where humans have become feral creatures. See picture caption, page 111. CCA, Glasgow, Thu 7 Jul.
Surge A host of strange and wonderful works in this six-day citywide festival run by Conflux, which develops physical theatre, street arts and circus. See preview, page 108. Various venues, Glasgow, Mon 18–Sun 24 Jul.
Stage WHISPERS ARLENE PHILLIPS CHOREOGRAPHER
The producer of Midnight Tango, which stars Strictly Come Dancing’s Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, talks about her life in dance
What made you want to be a choreographer? I became a choreographer by chance. Dancing was always my first love, and it was when I was babysitting for [filmmaker] Ridley Scott and he needed someone to choreograph a TV commercial he was directing. He said: ‘Oh you dance don’t you? Fancy choreographing a commercial for Lyons Maid Ice Cream?’ And I thought why not? As they say, the rest is history. What inspires you when you choreograph? I take inspiration from so much around me. Music I’ve heard, art that I’ve seen, stories I’m told – it can be any number of things that can just start an idea and it grows from there.
What are you looking for in a dancer who works with you? Someone who is a strong technician, fearless and feisty. I Iove a dancer who is willing to take risks with their body and go that extra mile to move the audience. What do you hope audiences will take away from your work? I want the audience to feel as moved as I do when I create something, and for them to go away feeling they have really enjoyed the work that I’ve done. If they go away dancing the steps, then I know I’ve succeeded. ■ Midnight Tango, Edinburgh Playhouse, Tue 28 Jun–Sat 2 Jul; King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 26–Sat 30 Jul.
23 Jun–21 Jul 2011 THE LIST 105