Theatre HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
list.co.uk/theatre
For Once/Write Here New Writing Festival The Scottish premiere of Tim Price’s dark comedy For Once is followed by a reading of the playwright’s 50-character opus Demos as part of the theatre’s new writing showcase. See previews, pages 111 and 116. Both Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; For Once, Wed 4–Sat 14 Apr; Write Here, Mon 16–Tue 24 Apr.
Behaviour The Arches’ envelope- pushing theatre festival continues, with new work from Kieran Hurley and Stef Smith, writer of Roadkill. See Stage Whispers, right. Various venues, Glasgow, until Sat 28 Apr. Cirque du Soleil: Alegría Prepare to be amazed by Cirque du Soleil’s mix of acrobatics, dance and music when they bring their long-running show north. See preview, page 111. SECC, Glasgow, Wed 11–Sat 15 Apr.
A Streetcar Named Desire Scottish Ballet adapts Tennessee Williams’ classic. See feature, page 110. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 11–Sat 14 April; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 18–Sat 21 April.
Kith/Kin Double bill of contemporary dance exploring male identity, from Company Chameleon and featuring one- time members of Scottish Dance Theatre. See preview, page 111. Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Thu 19 Apr. King Lear Veteran Scottish thespian David Hayman returns to the Citz after a 33-year absence to take on the role of Shakespeare’s hubristic king. See preview, page 112. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 20 Apr–Sat 12 May.
Tightrope An inclusive dance piece by Glasgow’s Indepen-dance, featuring disabled and able-bodied performers in the role of an ageing circus troupe. See preview, page 111. Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 30 & Sat 31 Mar.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore Absurdist comedy from Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, writer of last year’s Lyceum hit The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Reviewed next issue. Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, Fri 20 Apr–Sat 12 May.
Dear Glasgow The political situation in the Arab world is explored through letters by some of the Middle East and North Africa’s best-known writers. See preview, page 114. Òran Mór, Glasgow, Mon 23–Sat 28 Apr.
Enquirer Site specific theatre piece based on interviews with newspaper industry insiders about the crisis in journalism. See Noticeboard, page 11. The Hub, Pacific Quay, Glasgow, Thu 26 Apr–Sat 12 May.
Stage WHISPERS KIERAN HURLEY
What was the inspiration for Beats? Unlike my previous monologue piece, Hitch, which was autobiographical, Beats is all made up. It’s a story set against the backdrop of the free party movement in the early 90s, shortly after the Criminal Justice Act of 1994 was passed, which clamped down on the rave subculture. All that was a little before my time, but I returned to it because I wanted to make a piece about the feelings of possibility that can occur in crowds, essentially about the power of gathered youth. There are issues here that feel really relevant now in terms of restrictions on civil liberties, and sometimes looking back can be useful in trying to make sense of the present. I think for that reason it’ll make a very fitting double-bill with Gary Gardiner’s Thatcher’s Children. How did you come to collaborate with DJ Johnny Whoop? When I was making Hitch I worked with the wonderful two- piece pop band Over The Wall, who performed their music live, and this dynamic was something I wanted to continue to pursue. When I thought of Johnny I knew straight away he was the right guy. He’s a resident DJ at the Arches but he also knows his way round a studio theatre setting. He’s sound designer, lighting designer, and co-performer and he’s got knowledge of the whole scene that’s beyond mine really, so he has been crucial in ensuring the piece is authentic. How crucial was the Arches to your development of the piece? The show is transferring to the Traverse, and is made with that in mind, so it doesn’t respond directly to the architecture of the Arches, however, the Arches’ dual identity as theatre and nightclub make it a great place to make this show. My hope is that this might draw in an audience from some of the crowd who consistently show up for Pressure, not just from the regular theatre audience. That’s quite an exciting prospect for me. ■ Beats, Arches, Glasgow, Wed 18–Sun 22 Apr; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (double bill with Gary Gardiner’s Thatcher’s Children), Wed 25–Sat 28 Apr.
29 Mar–26 Apr 2012 THE LIST 109