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SWALLOWS &
AMAZONS COMES TO EDINBURGH
PREVIEW MUSICAL SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue 31 Jan–Sat 4 Feb
‘I don’t think of myself as much of a collaborator . . .’ muses Neil Hannon. A chuckle follows, the irony of his statement kicking in. When he’s not being frontman to The Divine Comedy, the Northern Irish pop star has written music for Father Ted and Doctor Who, and collaborated with the likes of Ulster Orchestra and French electronic duo Air. This month his collaborative work will be on show at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, in the form of musical family play, Swallows and Amazons.
What attracted him to the project? ‘I write funny, poignant lyrics with good tunes, and I like surprising people,’ he says, ‘and I loved the idea of doing a good, ripping family musical that everyone could enjoy.’
Based on the popular 1930s book by Arthur Ransome and directed here by Tom War Horse Morris, Swallows and Amazons follows the children of two families in the sun-kissed Lake District of 1929. After reading the novel to his young daughter, Hannon was sold.
Taking his inspiration from such evergreen musicals as My Fair
Lady, High Society and Sound of Music, as well as a variety of his own abiding influences, Hannon admits the ‘album-worth’ of songs in the show each have their own unique verve. ‘It was a learning curve,’ he laughs. ‘I can be quite cerebral, so it was fun to find chirpy and adventurous elements to play with. It’s a great story with a good heart; I think people will respond to that.’ (Anna Millar)
Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by venue. Submit listings at least 16 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. Jack Webb and Rosalind Masson: Quartet Fri 13 Jan, 7.30pm. £6 (£4). The first results of a new creative partnership between two young dancers, made under the guidance of mentor Daniel Squire.
✽✽ Loic Lalande and Tom Pritchard Double Bill Sat 28
Jan, 7.30pm. £6 (£4). Pritchard presents an improvised solo piece about the here and the now, while Lalande debuts the multidisciplinary Alterraxis: A Thousand Dreams. See preview, page 102.
■ CITIZENS THEATRE 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. Little Ulla Until Sat 7 Jan. See Kids listings. Hansel and Gretel ●●●●● Until Sat 7 Jan, 2pm & 7pm. £10.50–£18.50 (£9.50–£15.50; children £6.50–£11). Last chance to catch this inventive take
Subscribe And get a £10 Wagamama voucher. See inside back cover
on the classic Grimm fairy tale. Divided City Thu 2–Sat 4 Feb, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £10 (£8). A musical adaptation of Theresa Breslin’s award- winning children’s book about a troubled friendship between a Celtic fan and a Rangers fan, returning to the Citz after an acclaimed short run in May 2011. A co-production between the Citz and Glasgow City Council, featuring children cast from secondary schools across Glasgow. ■ COTTIERS THEATRE 93–95 Hyndland Street, 357 4000. Once a Catholic Wed 1–Sat 4 Feb, 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Mary O’Malley’s comic play follows three girls in form 5A at a North London convent as they struggle with O-levels, sex, religion and rock’n’roll in the 1950s.
STARTER FOR 6
Discover how Starter for 6 supports innovative start ups in the creative industries. Turn to page 103
Pirates! Mysterious islands! Campfires! Arthur Ransome’s classic ode to independence, adventure and the joy of childhood imagination Swallows & Amazons sails in to Festival Theatre Edinburgh from 31 Jan – 4 February, direct from a sell-out run on London’s West End. Directed by Tom Morris (of multi-multi-award winning War Horse fame) and with ridiculously charming new music courtesy of Divine Comedy front man Neil Hannon, Swallows & Amazons is guaranteed to delight everyone, young and old.
Are you a brave Swallow or a fierce Amazon? Pledge your allegiance at twitter.com/swallowsforever or twitter.com/amazonsforever
Swallows and Amazons Festival Theatre Edinburgh 13-29, Nicolson St, Edinburgh 31 January to 4 February 7pm (2pm matinees Wed & Sat) £17 - £24. All children go half price. Box Office: 0131 529 6000
www.festivaltheatre.org.uk (booking fees apply. Prices include a contribution to Theatres Development Fund). Win tickets to the Scottish premiere
We have two family passes to win for the Scottish premiere of the critically acclaimed stage version of Swallows & Amazons on 31 January at Festival Theatre Edinburgh. To enter, just log on to list.co.uk/offers and tell us: Who has written the music for Swallows & Amazons?
Competition closes 26 Jan 2012. A family ticket is 4 tickets, max 2 adults. There is no cash alternative. Usual List rules apply.
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5 Jan–2 Feb 2012 THE LIST 101