list.co.uk/theatre
Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by venue. Submit listings at least 14 days co.uk. Listings are compiled by Murray Robertson. ✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
GLASGOW
■ THE ARCHES 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Stef Smith: Cured Tue 22–Sat 26 Oct, 7.30pm. £8–£11. Stef Smith’s new play is inspired by real accounts of conversion therapy. On the cusp of turning 40, a woman walks into a clinic that claims it can ‘cure’ her of her homosexuality. See preview, page 104. Private Party Thu 24–Sun 27 Oct, 3pm (Sat & Sun 7pm also). Immersive and interactive performance piece from Janice Parker examining our notions of what a party is. Matinee performances ages 14+; evening performances 18+.
✽ Monkey Bars Tue 5 & Wed 6 Nov, 7.30pm. £12 (£10). Verbatim drama putting the words of children into adult mouths. See preview, page 105.
■ BRITANNIA PANOPTICON MUSIC HALL 113–117 Trongate, 553 0840. Music Hall Memories – The Most Vintage Show in Town Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct, 1pm & 3pm. Pay to get out. Music hall variety show harking back to the good ol’ days, with music, magic, comedy, sing-a-longs and novelties.
■ CITIZENS THEATRE 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. Dragon Thu 17–Sat 19 Oct, 7pm (Sat 2pm also). £14 (children £8.50; family £33). National Theatre of Scotland and Tianjin Children’s Arts Theatre co-production, about the bond between a destructive dragon and a bereaved young boy. See preview, page 105. The Elevator Pitch Thu 17–Sat 19 Oct, 7pm & 9pm. £10 (£6). An ambitious filmmaker draws her family, friends and enemies into a celluloid hell where getting a film made is more important than life or death.
✽ True West Tue 29 Oct–Thu 14 Nov (not Sun & Mon), 7.30pm (Sat 9 Nov 2.30pm also). £12–£19.50. Sam Shepard’s classic play about sibling rivalry, the lure of Hollywood and the fragility of the American Dream. See preview, page 105.
■ CLASSIC GRAND 18 Jamaica Street, 847 0820. The Gates: Love, Liberation and Respect Wed 23–Sat 26 Oct, 8pm (Sat 4pm also). £12. West Side Story meets Cabaret meets Chicago in this extravaganza of 1950s blues, jazz and gospel, which tells the story of London’s legendary Gateways club. Featuring former MSP Rosie Kane. See preview, page 79. Part of Glasgay! ■ COTTIERS THEATRE 93–95 Hyndland Street, 357 4000. Tea Time of the Living Dead: A Zomedy Thu 17 & Fri 18 Oct, 7.30pm. £12 (£10). A new comedy about the
EXISTENTIAL DRAMA CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 22 Oct–Sat 9 Nov ●●●●●
We know whodunnit. We know, those of us who studied Crime and Punishment for Higher English (which is most of the Citz audience), why he dunnit. The real joy here is to see how writer Chris Hannan and director Dominic Hill have turned Dostoevsky’s philosophical doorstop into over two hours of gripping drama. Hannan’s script ranges across the original text, transforming
Raskolnikov’s internal monologues into impassioned soliloquies. Hill puts Northern Irish actor Adam Best – every bit the miserable student with his mildewed overcoat and prison yard stare – in the lead and backs him up with a powerful, ten-strong ensemble that bang drums, clank piano keys, solicit for business, slosh down vodka and, movingly, become an Orthodox Russian choir.
These he places on a stripped-back stage, their instruments and props visible, to wait on mismatched chairs while Best paces the rest of the space with only his demons for company. Doors are wheeled in as needed. The cast act as a cheerful chorus to Raskolnikov’s anguish and Chris Davey’s skilful lighting scheme gives everyone the harsh pallor of poverty. Hill’s vision is strong enough to take a familiar text and make it fresh and vital. There are similarities with his 2012 King Lear: the grunge aesthetic, discordant soundscape, open staging, but also the feeling of a strong, confident voice, comfortable enough with classic texts to retool them for the 21st century.
With the pawnbroker’s spattered blood mopped up well before the interval, the pace flags slightly in the second half. But Best’s intensity does not waver and actor intern Jessica Hardwick as Sonia, the devout prostitute, is the redemptive light to his relentless shade. Cate Hamer shoulders four roles and particularly impresses as the widow Katerina. It’s a supreme team and they play a blinder. (Anna Burnside) ■ Reviewed at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow.
THEATRE
BILL KENWRIGHT presents
WILL YOUNG AS EMCEE
(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:3)(cid:3) “WILL YOUNG’s TRIUMPH
Tomorrow does indeed
belong to him ” Sunday Telegraph
(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:43)(cid:3)(cid:3) “CABARET DAZZLES ANEW” Sunday Express
Mon 21 to Sat 26 October 2013
A major new stage adaptation by AYUB KHAN-DIN Based on the book by E.R. BRAITHWAITE
Tue 29 October to Sat 2 November 2013
A THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS production MANSFIELD PARK
By Jane Austen
Thu 6 to Sat 8 June 2013 Tue 5 to Sat 9 November 2013
Sat 16 November 2013 BOX OFFICE 0131 529 6000 edtheatres.com
Booking fees. Registered charity SC018605. 2 LEVEN ST EH3 9LQ
17 Oct–14 Nov 2013 THE LIST 107