Theatre HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE

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Dunsinane David Greig’s highly acclaimed play takes place in the aftermath of the death of the tyrant king Macbeth, focusing on the struggle of an English commander to restore order. Siobhan Redmond (pictured) heads the cast. Reviewed next issue. Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, Fri 13 May–Sat 4 Jun; Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 7–Sat 11 Jun.

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Mayfesto The politically-minded theatre festival returns to the Tron with a shift of focus to the Celtic nations. See feature, page 102. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 4–Sat 28 May.

Educating Agnes Sparkling production of Liz Lochhead’s Scots translation of Molière’s L’ecole des femmes. See review, page 104. Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, until Sat 7 May. After the End New revival of Dennis Kelly’s psychological thriller about the immediate aftermath of a nuclear incident. See preview, page 104. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 17 May–Sat 4 Jun.

Richard Alston Dance Company A trio of dance pieces from the acclaimed company, set to music by composers Prokofiev, Hoagy Carmichael and Steve Reich See preview, page 106. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 26 May.

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Pandas Playwright Rona Munro explores Chinese-Scottish links through the complicated lives of three couples living in Edinburgh in this thriller-cum-romcom. See review, page 104. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sat 7 May.

Na Grani Compagnie S’poart unveils the UK premiere of their new piece, showcasing their unique mix of contemporary and hip hop styles. See preview, page 106. Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 13 & Sat 14 May.

Miracle Nicola McCartney’s new lunchtime play Anna Karenina Dundee Rep revives Jo Clifford’s ‘joyous

revolves around an extraordinary episode in the love life of the young Albert Einstein. See Stage Whispers, right. Oran Mor, Glasgow, Mon 2–Sat 7 May. adaptation’ of Tolstoy’s classic thwarted love story with a strong focus on the social aspects of the play. See preview, page 106. Dundee Rep, Mon 23 May–Sat 11 Jun.

Six Black Candles Des Dillon’s surreally funny play follows three generations of Coatbridge women hell-bent on revenge against a wayward husband. See review, page 104. Currently touring throughout Scotland.

Stage WHISPERS NICOLA MCCARTNEY

What was the inspiration for your new play, Miracle? I received an SAC Writer’s Bursary in 2005 to write the original version of this play, which was about Einstein and his second wife, Elsa, in 1919. And then I found this story about Einstein’s courtship with his first wife and decided it was more useful. And Mileva Maric Einstein is a fascinating woman. Do you have to do a significant amount of research for a play with a historical protagonist? Well I notoriously do too much research. My play Heritage was almost five hours long when we did the first read-through at the Traverse in 1998! This story lends itself to the imagination more because so little information exists about Einstein and Mileva. We know that the marriage was turbulent. We know she may have helped him in constructing his great theories of 1905. We have letters but there are huge gaps. And that is where the imagination comes in. Are there particular challenges to writing for a lunchtime audience? Yes. There are tight perameters for Oran Mor, which makes each play an experiment. I think that’s wonderful. I find the lunchtime audience at Oran Mor really receptive. They understand what a new play is that’s why they come. And that is what makes it a joy. The only challenge is to make it worth their while. You’re also a director and dramaturge. Do these strands complement each other? I do have to switch the dramaturgy head off when I am writing, which I find difficult. That is the most difficult stage for me getting freedom from the brainwork and letting go of that first script. Even after nearly 20 years of doing this I still want it to come out perfectly first time. As a dramaturge, I know that often it’s those ‘imperfect’ bits of script which make it interesting. Miracle, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Mon 2–Sat 7 May.

28 Apr–26 May 2011 THE LIST 101