So much culture, so little time. We boil it down to 20 of the best events
P H O T O
:
A N D Y R O S S
4
MUSIC Counterflows
5
DANCE Scottish Ballet: Highland Fling
This festival of underground, experimental and international music takes over Glasgow for a long weekend featuring the likes of Usurper, Susie Ibarra, Rhodri Davies and Mhysa. See feature, page 20. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 5–Sun 8 Apr. Matthew Bourne’s ‘romantic wee ballet’ has been dubbed ‘La Sylphide for the Trainspotting generation’ and with its tendency towards high-octane sex, love and rock’n’roll, it’s hard to disagree. See preview, page 100. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 4–Sat 7 Apr; Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue 10–Sat 14 Apr.
P H O T O
:
T E A N R O B E R T S
P H O T O :
I
B R N K H O F F & M √ ∂ G E N B U R G
6
COMEDY Desiree Burch
7
FILM 120 BPM
8
TV Westworld
9
THEATRE War Horse
This US-born, UK-based comic has seriously upped her game in recent times and brings us the acclaimed Unfuckable. See feature, page 62. Rose Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Apr. Burch is also on a multi-act bill at the Rose on Fri 27 & Sat 28 Apr. Sex and politics are firmly on the agenda in this 90s-set French movie about AIDS awareness activists and gets its points across without ever losing cinematic brio. See review, page 70. Selected release from Fri 6 Apr.
After a compelling and unsettling first season, this sci-fi drama about the revolting robots at a Wild West theme park returns with more moral and ethical dilemmas to untangle. See preview, page 126. Sky Atlantic, Mon 23 Apr. The stage version of Michael Morpurgo’s WWI-set drama about Albert and his beloved horse has now played to over 7m folk worldwide. See Highlights, page 101. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wed 18 Apr–Sat 12 May.
P H O T O :
T R U D Y S T A D E
10
CHOSEN BY COMEDIAN DAISY EARL Spirit Aid Comedy Benefit
The show I’m most excited about in April is definitely the Comedy Benefit in aid of Spirit Aid at Òran Mór. Spirit Aid is a humanitarian relief organisation dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children whose lives have been devastated by war, poverty or a humanitarian crisis. Based in Glasgow, they were founded in 2001 and currently have operations running in Scotland, Palestine, Afghanistan and Malawi. I really love charity comedy nights, as you get amazing acts at an affordable ticket price whilst helping a great cause: what’s not to love? And this night will be no exception: the lineup is incredible! They’ve already confirmed some of the very best acts in Scottish comedy including Janey Godley, Jojo Sutherland, Mark Nelson (pictured), Gary Little, Scott Agnew and Raymond Mearns. So it’s bound to be a great night! Daisy Earl is at The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 12–Sat 14 Apr, The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 19–Sat 21 Apr; Spirit Aid Comedy Benefit, Òran Mór, Glasgow, Sun 22 Apr.
1 Apr–31 May 2018 THE LIST 5