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SHOW OF THE MONTH GLASGOW GIRLS Dynamic musical tribute to the power of friendship and community
National Theatre produced musical
T here’s a scene in this lively new of Scotland- in which the youthful heroines sing of their deep affection for Glasgow – for all its rough edges. The show itself inspires a similar reaction: there’s the odd cheesy moment but it’s impossible not to be swept along with the affecting story, the energy of the ensemble and the superb mix of musical styles.
Cora Bissett’s production, based on the true-life tale of seven girls from Drumchapel High School who stood up to the brutal UK immigration system when one of their number was threatened with deportation, draws on a range of musical genres, from folk to hip hop and reggae, to create a dynamic, diverse score,
co-written by Bissett with Sumati Bhardwaj, the Kielty Brothers and Patricia Panther. If there’s something a little earnest and naïve about some of the lyrics, this feels a credible complement to the refreshingly uncynical attitude of the teenage leads as they plunge headlong into the bearpit of politics and campaigning. The excellent cast, which also includes Myra McFadyen as a doughty local campaigner, more than rises to the physical demands of the action-packed show, which proves an irresistible tribute to the power of friendship and community while also packing a fearless political punch. (Allan Radcliffe) Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, until Sat 17 Nov ●●●●●
HITLIST HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
kicks off with traditional pantos at the
✽ Pantos The festive theatre season ✽ Louise Welsh King’s in Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as straight Christmas plays, including a new piece exploring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fascination The ever-popular Glasgow author delivers with spiritualism at Edinburgh’s Traverse. a lecture entitled ‘Robert Louis Stevenson and Plus: look out for three very different shows the Theatre of the Brain’. If that wasn’t intriguing from the new king of Scottish panto, Johnny enough, let us hit you with the event’s subtitle: McKnight, at the Tron, the Lyceum and the ‘An Exploration of. macrobert. See feature, page 20, and Wish List for individual panto previews. Various venues across Scotland.
✽ Louise Welsh ✽ Glasgow Girls – The Musical The ever-popular Glasgow author delivers a lecture entitled ‘Robert Louis Stevenson and the Theatre of the Brain’. If that wasn’t intriguing Infectiously energetic musical based on the enough, let us hit you with true story of a group of friends who stood up to the event’s subtitle: ‘An an unfair immigration system. See review, left. Exploration of. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, until Sat 17 Nov.
✽ One Man, Two Guvnors The
inspired adaptation of Goldoni’s classic comedy The Servant of Two Masters returns to Scotland with comedian Rufus Hound in the lead role. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, until Sat 17 Nov.
✽ Fuelfest Series of new performances and theatre experiences from the
acclaimed producers. See preview, page 104. Tramway, Glasgow, Tue 20–Sun 25 Nov.
✽ 12 Dancers / Deliberance The Traverse Autumn Dance Festival
gets underway with this double bill from choreographer Andy Howitt, inspired by the classic courtroom drama, Twelve Angry Men. See preview, page 105. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 21 Nov.
✽ Breakin’ Convention: Open Art Surgery Hip hop and break dance
show hosted by Breakin’ Convention’s artistic director, Jonzi D. See preview, page 105. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 24 Nov.
✽ Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Whiz kid choreographer Bourne completes
his Tchaikovsky trilogy with a gothic take on the time-honoured fairy tale. See preview, page 105. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue 27 Nov– Sat 1 Dec.
15 Nov–13 Dec 2012 THE LIST 103