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K R A L C Y B B O N
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Serious musical adaptation with more grit than glitter
L landyll Gove, playing Double J – the one in Tony Manero’s gang ‘most likely to join the mafia’, Gove reflects – promises that this Saturday Night Fever is no sentimental remake. ‘The great thing is that the characters are so well written you are always finding new things in them,’ he says. ‘They are real to life. The original movie was an 18, and there was a lot of swearing and racial tensions: there was drugs and sex, which was going on in the disco scene.’
Unlike an earlier musical version, this script stays closer to the film’s gritty realism, even while choreographing the famous soundtrack into a series of showstopping numbers. ‘The disco scene was very underground,’ Gove continues. ‘Although it had all those colours, it was about living for the weekend: living like kings for one night and then back to work for the rest of the week. It’s about the dark
issues around the disco scene.’ Unlike a jukebox musical, the songs in Saturday Night Fever already relate to each other and while fans of the music won’t be disappointed, it does move into darker territory. ‘This one has gone back to the film script. If you listen to the lyrics, they are poignant lyrics. They are catchy and people sing along to them, but they have important themes,’ says Gove.
to escape
the misery of With the main story of Tony Manero’s attempt low expectations in 1970s America, and a host of social troubles slowly closing in, it has more depth than the popular memory – of white suits and huge collars – might suggest. (Gareth K Vile)
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tue 16 Dec– Sat 3 Jan.
N A W N E K - A G Y M M O T
HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
✽ The BFG Roald Dahl’s magical tale of giants and whizzpoppers comes to life,
with snozzcumbers, bubbles and a sweet festive finale. See review, page 114. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sat 3 Jan.
J O H N J O H N S T O N
✽ Miracle on 34 Parnie Street
Johnny McKnight holds onto his crown as king of panto with this subversive take on Christmas schmaltz. Possibly best for older children. See review, page 114. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, until Sun 4 Jan.
✽ Wicked The touring version of the West End hit: good and evil are reconsidered in this postmodern musical that rearranges The Wizard of Oz for a generation ready to question eternal verities. See review at list.co.uk. Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat 10 Jan.
✽ Blooming Surprise Saras Feijóo’s one- person clown show is set at an airport and
a reminder that clowning – and optimism – is not just for children. Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, Fri 12 & Sat 13 Dec.
✽ The Nutcracker Peter Darrell’s 40-year- old version of the classic ballet has been
given an updated design by Christopher Hampson. See preview, page 115. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 13 Dec–Sat 3 Jan; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 7-Sat 10 Jan.
✽ Saturday Night Fever See preview, left. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tue 16 Dec–Sat
3 Jan.
✽ manipulate From local artists to international stars of visual theatre,
manipulate’s annual festival is a dynamic charge of puppetry, poetic performance and imaginative innovation. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 31 Jan–Sat 7 Feb.
11 Dec 2014–5 Feb 2015 THE LIST 113