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Curtain up

After a busy year in 2009, the National Theatre of Scotland returns to Scottish stages with an exciting new programme. Words: Anna Millar

T he National Theatre of Scotland has launched its programme for 2010, with highlights including a new piece of work by the team behind worldwide hit Black Watch.

In line with the company’s ethos of working with a variety of art forms, in February and March the NTS joins forces with Ken Fox Troupe and Stephen Skrynka to present public art event Wall of Death A Way of Life (see Big Pic). Performers will offer audiences an opportunity to discover a ‘vanishing way of life’ as the troupe shares what happens when you run away and join the circus, as part of the touring production to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Other highlights include new play The Miracle Man by Douglas Maxwell, whose most recent production, The

Mother Ship, won the Brian Way Award. Maxwell joins Cathy Forde and Rob Drummond to present a season of three new shows for young people. Directed by Vicky Featherstone, Maxwell’s new work looks at the growing pains of teenagers Dawn, Rob and Fawziya as well as Ozzy, their loser PE teacher; elsewhere, towards the end of February look out for site specific piece Allotment at Govan Cross Shopping Mall.

Meanwhile, John Tiffany directs the highly anticipated re-imagining of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, courtesy of David Greig, relocating the story to Victorian Edinburgh. The project reunites Tiffany with Davey Anderson, Laura Hopkins and Gareth Fry, three of the creative team behind Black Watch.

SCOTTISH BALLET LAUNCHES PROGRAMME Following a truly momentous anniversary year, Scottish Ballet are looking ahead. Highlights of their 2010 programme include a new work from San Francisco Ballet choreographer Val Caniparoli, famous for his dramatic style. Meanwhile, The Nutcracker continues to run in Glasgow and is currently touring to Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and Newcastle.

8 THE LIST 7–21 Jan 2010

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BRIEFS

GLASGOW’S FILM FESTIVAL

Gift Passes are now available for the GFF. Saver passes can be bought at the GFT box office or over the phone by calling 0141 332 6535. The number of passes is limited and the GFF recommends that you redeem passes as soon as possible after the programme is launched on 20 Jan.

THE OLDEST book in Scotland is going on public display for the first time in its history. The Celtic Psalter dates from the 11th century and contains hand- written psalms in Latin, with Celtic and Pictish illustrations.

ROCK LEGENDS Status Quo are to perform at a major concert for a charity in the Highlands. The band is to headline Rock4Life in Inverness on 1 May, in aid of Highland Hospice. AND FINALLY January at the National Gallery Complex in Edinburgh will be marked by the opening of the annual display of watercolours by JMW Turner (1775–1851). The 38 works in the display were bequeathed in 1900 by Henry Vaughan, a London art collector who amassed an outstanding group of his watercolours.

NEW TRAIN SERVICE SETS OFF ON VIRGIN VOYAGE A new late night service from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh has now been launched. The Friday night service leaves Glasgow Central at six minutes after midnight, 36 minutes later than the last train to Edinburgh from Glasgow Queen Street.

GOBLIN PULL OUT OF GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL LINE-UP The List were very sad to learn that following ‘internal issues’ Goblin, the Italian cult rock band who were due to perform on 19 February at the GFF have had a meeting and have decided to disband. The scheduled show as part of the Glasgow Music & Film festival has subsequently been cancelled. In happier news, Glasgow Youth Film Festival, returns with film premieres, interactive workshops and special events from 7–14 February. Specially invited guests include the stars of The Mighty Boosh and E4’s hit drama Skins. Thomas Turgoose (This is England, Somers Town) will join director Tom Harper to celebrate the launch of their new film, The Scouting Book for Boys. Alongside film premieres, the GYFF will host special acting and scriptwriting workshops presented by Joe Dempsie (Doctor Who, Merlin) and Ben Schiffer, scriptwriter for Skins.