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The Nutcracker Scottish Ballet’s triumphant production of the classic ballet with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score returns for a three-month Scottish tour. The Nutcracker is choreographed by Ashley Page, whose contemporary retelling combines the fairy tale world
with Weimar Germany, to surreal and magical effect. ■ Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Sat 12–Thu 31 Dec, then touring.
■ SECC: CLYDE AUDITORIUM Finnieston Quay, 0870 040 4000. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Thu 10 Dec–Sun 3 Jan (not Mon). Times vary. £15.50–£32.50. Hum along with singing candlesticks, boorish suitors and pitchfork wielding provincials as the West End stage adaptation of Disney’s Oscar-winning feature film comes to Scotland. ■ STEPPS CULTURAL CENTRE Stepps, 779 1050. Aladdin Sat 5 Dec. 2pm. £4.50. In North Lanarkshire’s annual touring pantomime, Aladdin and his magic lamp return for a festive outing along with his mother Widow Twankey, Wishy Washy and the beautiful Princess Jasmine.
■ THEATRE ROYAL 282 Hope Street, 0870 060 6647. The Grass is Greener Until Sat 5 Dec. 7.30pm (Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm). £11–£24. Liza Goddard, Jack Ellis, Christopher Cazenove and Sophie Ward star in the 60s comedy set during a house party.
✽✽ Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker Sat 12–Thu 31 Dec
(not Sun/Mon). Times vary. £9–£27. See picture caption.
■ TRAMWAY 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. The Art of Laughter Fri 4 Dec. 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Jos Houben gives a masterclass in physical comedy. Tickets from RSAMD, 0141 332 5057.
■ TRON THEATRE 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Ya Beauty and the Beast Until Sun 3 Jan (not Mon). Times vary. 31 Dec & Sun 3 Jan 1pm; Thu, Sun & Tue 5pm (also Tue 8pm); Wed, Sat & Mon/Tue 2.30pm. £9–£16.50. The Tron puts its usual spin on a panto classic – this time it’s Bunty versus the Beast. Santa’s Little Helpers Sat 5, Sun 6, Sat 12, Sun 13 Dec & Sat 19–Thu 24 Dec. See Kids listings. 88 THE LIST 3–17 Dec 2009
Edinburgh
■ BEDLAM THEATRE 11b Bristo Place, 225 9893. Peter Panto Thu 3–Sat 5 Dec. 7.30pm. £4 (£3–£3.50). Sam Hansford and Christopher Payne’s Barrie-inspired panto.
■ BRUNTON THEATRE Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 665 2240.
✽✽ Sinbad the Pantomime Featuring the Little Mermaid
Until Sat 2 Jan (not Sun). Times vary. £13.50–£15.50 (£10.50–£12.50; family ticket £46-£54). A brand new panto written and directed by Liam Rudden, containing the pick of panto’s best-loved seafaring characters and given a local twist.
■ CHURCH HILL THEATRE 33a Morningside Road, 529 4147. The King and I Until Sat 5 Dec. 7.30pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £10 (£7). Balerno Theatre Company presents this well- known musical by Rogers and Hammerstein. Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves Wed 9–Sat 19 Dec (not Sun). Times vary. £9 (£7). Annual panto from Edinburgh People’s Theatre set in Baghdad where Pollyanna Jones and her father seek the Tomb of Doom. Book online at www.ept.org.uk/shows/show+200912aliba ba.html
■ KING’S THEATRE 2 Leven Street, 529 6000.
✽✽ Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates Until Sun 17
Jan (not Mon). Times vary. £12.50–£21.50 (£7.50–£18.50). A swashbuckling adventure from Qdos Pantomimes with parrots, peg-legs and barrels of laughs.
■ FESTIVAL THEATRE 13/29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000.
✽✽ The Corstorphine Road Nativity Thu 3–Sat 19 Dec (not Sun). Times vary. £10.50–£25. A new stage version of Tim Firth’s hit television nativity show, The Flint Street Nativity, is created exclusively for the Festival Theatre.
■ MEADOWBANK SPORTS CENTRE 139 London Road, 01786 466232. Dancefest 2009 Fri 4 Dec. 4pm. £5 (£3.50). An afternoon of dance performance for dance groups from local schools, colleges, universities and private dance groups across a wide range of styles. See www.fitness- scotland.com for tickets.
■ TRAVERSE THEATRE Cambridge Street, 228 1404.
✽✽ Zorro Fri 4–Thu 24 Dec (not Mon/Tue). Times vary. £8–£16
(£5–£12; family ticket £19–£52). Who’s more festive than the masked and caped Spanish swordsman? No one, according to Visible Fictions and Traverse Theatre Company who have given him a family show make-over.
■ PLAYHOUSE 18–22 Greenside Place, 0844 847 1660.
✽✽ We Will Rock You ●●●●● Until Sat 9 Jan (not Sun). Times vary. £16–£40. A run through all your Queen favourites in this musical penned by Ben Elton and members of Queen.
■ ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE Grindlay Street, 248 4848.
✽✽ Peter Pan Until Sun 3 Jan. Times vary. £11.50–£22.50. The Lyceum Christmas show is always a treat; this year join Peter Pan, the Darling family, the Lost Boys and that dastardly Captain Hook for a festive family show.
■ SIERRA METRO Ground Floor North, 22 West Harbour Road, 07971 510877. FREE Cross-cutting: Performances Fri 11 Dec. 7pm. Contemporary dancer Jose Campos performs a new work in response to a site-specific installation by Inefficient Solutions, alongside a special performance from Jesus H Foxx. Group exhibition Cross-cutting features new film and video work from The Sheffield Pavilion, Ewan Sinclair and Corinne Mynatt & Angus Braithwaite. Mulled wine, cider and other hot treats will help you shrug off the evening chill. ■ ST SERFS CHURCH HALL 280 Ferry Road, 249 4899. Goody Two Shoes Until Sat 5 Dec. Times vary. £6 (£3; family ticket £15). Family pantomime from the St Serf’s Players.
Outside the Cities ■ DUNDEE REP Tay Square, Dundee, 01382 223530. A Christmas Carol Until Sat 2 Jan. Times vary. £14–£16 (£7.50–£11; family ticket £37). The classic seasonal tale of the miserly Scrooge (who now lives in Dundee) and his visits from the three spirits, who open his eyes to the real meaning of Christmas.
■ PERTH THEATRE 185 High Street, Perth, 07838 621031. Pinocchio Thu 3 Dec–Sat 2 Jan. Times vary. £16.50–£18.50. Indulge in a spot of theatrical festive cheer with this new version of Carlo Collodi’s famous story about a naughty puppet whose nose grows every time he tells a fib. ■ MACROBERT University of Stirling, Stirling, 01786 466666. Sleeping Beauty Until Thu 31 Dec (not Sun). Times vary. £6–£14 (£6–£10). New panto version of the fairy tale classic, with an alarming Prince Charming, contrary fairy and many more colourful characters for you to boo, hiss, laugh and shout at. The Night Before Christmas Until Thu 31 Dec (not Mon). Times vary. £6.50–£7.50. A heartwarming tale for little ones about Carol, a girl who’s sick of all things festive, until she meets a lonely elf who helps her discover the magic of Christmas. Suitable for ages 3-5. Peep Wed 9–Thu 24 Dec (not Mon). See Kids listings.