THEATRE
CLASSIC MUSICAL WEST SIDE STORY King’s Theatre, Glasgow Wed 15 Jan–Sat 25 Jan ●●●●●
West Side Story’s continued relevance relies heavily on the power of its inspiration, Romeo and Juliet. When the original creators, including a young Stephen Sondheim, choreographer Jerome Robbins and composer Leonard Bernstein, developed the production, it was immediately hailed as a contemporary classic. Sondheim’s lyrics, paired with Bernstein’s music at its most
lyrical and jazzy, capture the brutality of street life and the romantic aspirations of two marginalised cultures, and this production sensibly refers back to the original staging, even using Robbins’ balletic choreography. The vitality of the young cast lends the show a freshness and charm, while the slang locates the action in the 1950s without distracting from the story’s universal themes. By refusing to update the action, this production allows the plot’s
tragedy to shine, while revealing a complex characterisation: the
Puerto Rican Sharks are all fragile machismo, against the thuggish American swagger of their rivals, the Jets. Robbins’ routines match a sophisticated appropriation of ballet with the sharp moves of jazz dance, impressive in technique and illustrating the seething violence that drives the star-cross’d lovers to doom.
The first act cleverly covers the main plot points, allowing the
company time to explore the key themes – longing for a better life and the inevitable brutality caused by deprivation in the second. The surreal dream sequence of ‘Somewhere’ borders on the kitsch, but the impending tragedy, worked out with precision and logical inevitably, pulls the action back into gritty realism. Musicals have a reputation for being fluffy, but West Side Story retains a visceral, pessimistic force. The big numbers are brought to show-stopping life by the cast, and Robbins’ choregraphy matches Bernstein’s grandeur beat for beat: approaching 60, West Side Story still has the energy of a new kid on the block. (Gareth K Vile)
Michael Morpurgo’s novel about a farm horse called Joey caught up in the horrors of WWI. See feature, page 120. ■ KING’S THEATRE 2 Leven Street, 529 6000.
✽ Peter Pan Thu 12 Dec–Sun 19 Jan (not Tue 24 & Wed 25 Dec),
times vary. £10–£100. Once again, good old Grant Stott, Andy Gray and Allan Stewart take to the stage for a festive runaround. This year, Peter Pan gets their irreverent treatment.
■ NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS CENTRE 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. The Lickety Tale of Molly Whuppie Thu 12–Sat 21 Dec. See Kids listings. ■ ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE Grindlay Street, 248 4848. A Christmas Carol ●●●●● Thu 12 Dec–Sat 4 Jan (not Wed 25 Dec, Wed 1 & Thu 2 Jan), times vary. £14– £27.50 (previews £10). Adapted by Neil Duffield and directed by Andrew Panton, the classic Dickens Yuletide tale gets the Lyceum treatment. See review, page 121. Long Day’s Journey Into Night Fri 17 Jan–Sat 8 Feb (not Sun), 7.45pm (Wed & Sat 2.30pm also). £12–£27.50 (previews £10). Eugene O’Neill’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a semi-autobiographical
126 THE LIST 12 Dec 2013–23 Jan 2014
work about addiction and family dysfunction. ■ ST ANDREW SQUARE St Andrew Square
✽ LIMBO ●●●●● Thu 12 Dec–Sun 5 Jan (not Mondays, Wed 25 Dec
and Wed 1 Jan), times vary. £10– £17.50. An exciting mix of illusions, physical theatre, acrobatics and live music. See review, page 124. Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs ●●●●● Thu 12–Sun 15 Dec. See Kids listings. Little Red Riding Hood Tue 17 Dec–Sun 5 Jan (not Wednesdays). See Kids listings.
■ SUMMERHALL 1 Summerhall, 0845 874 3001. The Importance of Being Earnest Fri 13 & Sat 14 Dec, 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Oscar Wilde’s most famous play gets the treatment from the Edinburgh Acting School’s Performance Class. Paper Doll Militia Presents: RE-GRIP Sat 14 Dec, 7pm. £12 (£10). An evening of aerial performance based on audience feedback from Open Grip. Featuring a panel of six specialists giving feedback to each of the 12 presented pieces.
✽ Pianomime Mon 16–Sun 22 Dec, 8pm. £10 (£7). Cabaret,
music and comedy from pianist and performance artist Will Pickvance as
an animated cast attempt to put on a pantomime with musical interjections from Pickvance, who decribes the show as a ‘one-man pantomime alternative: part piano recital, part horseplay.’ See preview, page 122. ■ TRAVERSE THEATRE Cambridge Street, 228 1404. FREE Hidden Plays Thu 12–Sat 21 Dec, 2.30pm–6pm. New short plays are scattered around the theatre. See what you can find. Part of Write Here 2013. Ciara ●●●●● Thu 12–Sat 21 Dec (not Sun & Mon), 7.30pm (Sat 2.30pm also). £15.50–£17.50 (£8–£14). See Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. Polar Bears Go Wild Until Sat 21 Dec (not Sun & Mon), 10.30am & 2.30pm. £8–£10. Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. See Kids listings. FREE Traverse Sessions Mon 16 Dec, 8pm. Free music and spoken word nights featuring some of the best talent Edinburgh has to offer.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES ■ THE BRUNTON Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 665 2240. Sleeping Beauty Thu 12 Dec–Sat 4 Jan (not Wed 25 Dec, Wed 1 Jan & Thu 2 Jan), times vary. £14.25–£16.50 (£11.25–£13.50; family £49–£58). The
Brunton’s annual panto packed with gags, laughter and plenty of in-jokes for Musselburgh residents. The Singing Kettle: Christmas Wishing Well Sat 21 & Sun 22 Dec. See Kids listings. A Moose in the Hoose Tue 31 Dec, 11am. £4 (£3). A musical version of the Scots counting book by James Robertson and Matthew Fitt. Performed by Sonsie Music. £4 (£3). Faerie Stories Tue 31 Dec, 1pm & 3pm. £4 (£1). A magical blend of storytelling, music and puppetry to interactively introduce youngsters to the fairy tales that inspired Scotland’s Gaelic culture. Ages 6–11. ■ DUNDEE REP Tay Square, Dundee, 01382 223530. The BFG Thu 5–Tue 31 Dec (not Wed 25 & Thu 26). £10 (£7). Roald Dahl’s captivating story of Sophie and her whizpopping adventures with the Big Friendly Giant.
■ MACROBERT University of Stirling, Stirling, 01786 466666. Beauty and The Beast Thu 12 Dec–Sun 5 Jan (not Wed 25 Dec, Wed 1 Jan & Thu 2 Jan). See Kids listings. The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot Thu 12–Sun 29 Dec (not Wed 25 Dec). See Kids listings. Scottish Dance Theatre: Innocence Thu 12–Sun 22 Dec (not Mondays). See Kids listings.