list.co.uk/theatre THEATRE
Roald Dahl’s tale of young James and his round-the-world adventures. Breakin’ Rules Sat 17 Jan, 8pm. £9 (£6). UK’s top breakdancing companies. Sunday Mornings on Dundee Law Thu 22–Sat 24 Jan, 7.30pm. £12 (£10). A Scottish musical play by Mike Gibb and Kevin Walsh depicts the lives of a bunch of Dundonians in the final days of WWII. ■ MACROBERT University of Stirling, Stirling, 01786 466666. The Pine Tree, Poggle and Me Thu 11–Sun 21 Dec. See Kids listings. Too Many Penguins? Thu 11–Sun 28 Dec. See Kids listings. Aladdin Thu 11 Dec–Sun 4 Jan. See Kids listings.
WIN TICKETS TO ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS AT THE FESTIVAL
THEATRE EDINBURGH
G N U O Y N A E S
CIRCUS SCOTCH & SODA The Spiegeltent, Edinburgh, until Sun 21 Dec ●●●●●
Edinburghers are spoiled for Spiegeltents and circus stunts during the summer, so it makes sense that Underbelly – along with Unique Events – have begun to expand this magic into a sort of winter Fringe, supplementing the markets and fairground rides with a programme of cabaret and m usic. At the heart of this is circus show Scotch & Soda, a four-strong Australian ensemble tangled up with the Crusty Suitcase Band’s Balkan vintage-style swing tunes. There are no showy entrances here. The troupe mooches onto stage one by one, and gathers casually round the sturdy trestle table that forms their centrepiece. Stage furnishings are ramshackle and homely; sheepskin rugs, crates, empty champagne bottles that will later become an impromptu tightrope. Costumes are all plus fours, tattoos, mismatched military jackets, braces and brogues. There’s an unashamed hipster vibe in the air, not least when the pillarbox-red fixie bike is wheeled out for some multiple-rider derring-do.
There are also gorgeous touches of originality, hinting at Victoriana circus without the usual brassy nostalgic tropes. Chelsea McGuffin’s tiny gauze square tent with three tame slender birds flitting inside is an exquisite image, as is Daniel Catlow’s swivelling hand balance, reminiscent of an inverse ballerina in a music box. But, along with a few of the other segments, they don’t build much beyond the initial beautiful idea. It is, however, a firm rule of Australian circus that gender counts for nothing, and there are some nice plays on this: McGuffin taking base in doubles trapeze, then getting her own back on the men flinging her about in a punchline bow. The Spiegeltent’s round three-sided stage isn’t ideal for evenly distributing the wow factor of the finale, but seat yourself in the right spot (directly forward of the entrance) and their carpet-catapult antics will flip you out. (Lucy Ribchester)
Falling trousers, flying fish heads, star-crossed lovers, cross-dressing mobsters and a fabulous on-stage band are just some of what awaits at the National Theatre’s “WILDLY” (The Times), “GOBSMACKINGLY” (Time Out), “DELERIOUSLY” (Financial Times) funny hit.
Originally directed by Olivier award-winner Nicholas Hytner, Richard Bean’s side-splitting comedy is a unique laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners. The List are giving away a pair of tickets to the opening night of One Man, Two Guvnors at the Festival Theatre on Tue 17 Feb 2015 at 7.30pm. To be in with a chance of winning just log on to list.co.uk/offers and tell us:
Who directed One Man, Two Guvnors?
Festival Theatre Edinburgh 13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT Tue 17 – Sat 21 Feb 2015 edtheatres.com
TERMS & CONDITIONS: COMPETITION CLOSES 4 FEB 2015. NO CASH ALTERNATIVE. USUAL LIST RULES APPLY.
11 Dec 2014–5 Feb 2015 THE LIST 119