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4 KIDS EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Another innovative and exciting line-up of children’s theatre is assembled by Noel Jordan with France, Australia and the United Kingdom among the nations represented. See feature, page 40. Various venues, Edinburgh, Sat 25 May–Sun 2 Jun.
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THEATRE TAKE ME SOMEWHERE
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MUSIC RIVERSIDE
Returning for a third year, the drama fest which invokes The Arches’ spirit demonstrates flexibility and inclusivity with Mette Ingvartsen, Simone Kenyon (pictured), V/DA and Ivo Dimchev all on the bill. See feature, page 52 and preview, page 108. Various venues, nationwide, Sat 11 May–Sun 2 Jun. A top-notch bank holiday weekend is lit up with Scotland’s biggest electronic music festival welcoming Jon Hopkins (pictured), Rebekah, Daniel Avery and Carista to the bonny banks of the Clyde. See feature, page 34. Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Sat 25 & Sun 26 May.
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AROUND TOWN WERQ THE WORLD
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COMEDY BILL BAILEY
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THEATRE MAYFESTO
High flyers from RuPaul’s Drag Race sashay into town with their usual overflowing levels of glamour as they attempt to save the universe, both metaphorically and in plot terms. See preview, page 65. Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 6 May; Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Fri 17 May. With Larks in Transit, the hirsute musical comic explores the notion of happiness and mashes up some unlikely sonic pairings to stupendous effect. See feature, page 72. Caird Hall, Dundee, Wed 29 May; SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Thu 30 May; Edinburgh Playhouse, Fri 31 May.
The art of performance gets an uplift for an entire calendar month. The latest instalment of this annual programme brings us the likes of Johnny McKnight reimagining a Dario Fo classic and Apphia Campbell revisiting Woke. See preview, page 107. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 1–Fri 31 May.
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CHOSEN BY COMEDIAN PHILL JUPITUS JAMES YORKSTON
There are moments when an artist or performer hits a rare vein of form. The timing of these purple patches is, sadly, completely unpredictable. James Yorkston seems to be in just such a place with the release of his new long player The Route to the Harmonium. Unlike previous albums, it was crafted over a much longer period, sandwiched between his other duties as an author, club promoter, band member and dad. It is an extraordinary work, imbued with an enticing sonic palate, heart-twanging lyrics and melodies that ebb and flow like the chill waters of Cellardyke Harbour. The single, ‘My Mouth Ain’t No Bible’, is a worthy challenger to the ‘speak song’ crown of Tom Waits. As a live performer, his bone-dry wit and laid-back demeanour make him supremely watchable. Like a kind of hipster Chic Murray. Phill Jupitus: Sassy Knack, Tolbooth, Stirling, Sat 25 May; Dundee Rep, Fri 31 May; James Yorkston, Summerhall, Edinburgh, Thu 2 May; Òran Mór, Glasgow, Fri 3 May.
1 Apr–31 May 2019 THE LIST 7