THEATRE
puppetry and music based on the misunderstandings that can come from words. Created specifically for 3–5 year olds. The Edibles Wed 18–Fri 20 Dec. See Kids listings. ■ GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival: Music and Dance from the Ballet Sun 29 Dec, 3pm. £19.50–£32.50. Music and dance from some of the most popular ballets, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Spartacus and more.
■ THE HOLD (UNDERNEATH THE ADMIRAL BAR) 72a Waterloo St, 221 7705. Enterteasement: Comedy! Magic! Burlesque Sat 14 Dec, 8pm. £10–£14 (students £7.50–£10). A spellbinding mix of comedy, magic and burlesque. No tracksuits – smart casual and smarter. Doors open 7.15pm. Line-up features Jojo Sutherland, Chris Henry, Santa, Rachael Renegade, Dolly Tartan and Daiquiri Dusk. ■ INTU BRAEHEAD Kings Inch Road, Braehead, 885 7051. Moscow State Circus: Park Gorkogo Thu 9–Sun 19 Jan, 7.45pm (Fri 5pm also; Sat & Sun 2pm, 5pm & 8pm only). £10–£32 (£7–£25). The internationally acclaimed Russian circus troupe returns with ever more impressive acrobatics, clowning and aerial feats.
■ KING’S THEATRE 297 Bath Street, 0844 871 7648. Aladdin Thu 12 Dec–Sat 11 Jan. See Kids listings.
✽ West Side Story ●●●●● Wed 15–Sat 25 Jan, 7.30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat 2.30pm also). £15–£49.50. The classic tale, based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, packed with memorable songs including ‘I Feel Pretty’, ‘America’ and ‘Tonight’. See review, page 126.
CIRCUS LIMBO Paradiso Spiegeltent, Edinburgh, until Sat 4 Jan ●●●●●
As far removed as you could possibly get from Bobby Roberts and co, the only animal you’re likely to see in Limbo is inked on to a human shoulder. A compendium of classic and contemporary circus feats and trickery
are thrown our way across 75 minutes of loud, lively and lascivious entertainment.
There may be slight concerns about the show’s pacing (the first half hour contains a surprising amount of filler) and it takes a while for the first truly arresting sequence to arrive (don’t try that gravity-defying contortion at home) but when the gang gets properly into its stride, the jaw-dropping moments come thick and fast.
Any sense that there might be a narrative thread to follow (possibly about gaining access to Heaven or Hell) is quickly forgotten in the wake of some sharp Chinese pole work, an anti-striptease routine and some hectic tap. Even the more traditional circus elements (sword- swallowing, fire-gulping, a couple of magical illusions) are enough to keep attention ticking over until the real eye-opening sequences kick in.
All the while, the action is accompanied by a live band cranking out their dirty bluegrass-funk vibe with a variety of brassy and percussive instruments (you half expect Tom Waits to walk on with the ghost of General Tom Thumb at any moment). Personal highlights will vary depending on an individual’s own level of expectation and tolerance of this kind of act. But it’s surely hard to see past the routine where, attached to their own bendy pole (there may be a more technical term), a Limbo trio swing speedily past each other to dip in and out of the crowd, leaving aghast audience members temporarily without their hat or bag. A show-stopping and (literally) scene-stealing display. (Brian Donaldson)
124 THE LIST 12 Dec 2013–23 Jan 2014
■ OFFSHORE 3/5 Gibson Street, offshorecoffee. co.uk Offshore Platform Saturdays 14–28 Dec, 7pm. £3. Each week Attune Theatre produces a new piece of writing or offers a fresh take on an existing piece, then mounts the production with the help of guest artists. Tickets available on the door.
■ ÒRAN MÓR 731–735 Great Western Road, 357 6200. A Play, A Pie & A Pint: Oran Mor Panto – The Uglies Thu 12–Sat 21 Dec, times vary. £8–£12.50. Celebrate Christmas with Oran Mor’s seasonal panto. ■ PAVILION THEATRE 121 Renfield Street, 332 1846. The New Magical Adventures of Pinocchio ●●●●● Thu 12 Dec–Fri 17 Jan (not Wed 25 Dec, Wed 1 Jan & Thu 2 Jan), times vary. £18.50–£22.50 (£17.50–£19.50). Panto fun with Stephen Purdon, Dean Park, Michelle McManus, Joyce Falconer and Johnny Mac. See review, page 121.
■ PLATFORM The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Red Riding Hood Thu 12–Mon 23 Dec. See Kids listings. The Edibles Fri 13 & Sat 14 Dec. See Kids listings.
■ ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057.
Jack and the Beanstalk Thu 12 & Fri 13 Dec, 2pm & 7pm. £13.50. A traditional family pantomime based on the fairy story about the boy with the magic beans.
■ SCOTTISH MASK AND PUPPET CENTRE 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Fundraiser Evening for SMPC Thu 12 Dec, 7pm. £5.95 (£5.75). Fundraising evening featuring Alex the Magician, Michael McCurry and Jango Star. Ages 9+. Looking for Nessie Sat 11 Jan. See Kids listings. ■ SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Frida and Frosty Thu 12–Mon 30 Dec. See Kids listings.
■ SECC Finnieston Quay, 0844 395 4000.
✽ Dick McWhittington Sat 14– Sat 28 Dec (not Wed 25), times
vary. £13–£28.50. The SECC’s annual big scale pantomime complete with 3D effects, John Barrowman and the Krankies. See preview, page 119, and Ian Krankie interview, page 136.
■ THE SSE HYDRO Exhibition Way, 248 3000. Disney Fantasia: Live in Concert Fri 27 Dec. See Kids listings. Peter Pan: The Never Ending Story Fri 10–Sun 12 Jan. See Kids listings. ■ THEATRE ROYAL 282 Hope Street, 0844 871 7647. Scottish Ballet’s Hansel & Gretel Thu 12–Fri 27 Dec (not Sundays & Wed 25), times vary. £8.50–£35.50. Innovative new production of the fairytale, under the artistic direction of Christopher Hampson. Scottish Ballet: Wee Hansel and Gretel Mon 23 Dec. See preview, page 89, and Kids listings.
■ THE 13TH NOTE CAFÉ/BAR 50–60 King Street, 553 1638. Little Bit of Theatre Wed 18 Dec, 7pm. £5 (students £3). Monthly evening featuring live performance art, theatre, comedy, music, burlesque and spoken word.
■ TRAMWAY 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. Red Shoes Thu 12–Fri 20 Dec. See Kids listings. ■ TRON THEATRE 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Peter Panto and the Incredible Stinkerbell ●●●●● Thu 12 Dec– Thu 2 Jan (not Wed 25 Dec & Wed 1 Jan). See review, page 122, and Kids listings. Remember December Sat 14– Tue 24 Dec. See Kids listings.
■ WOODSIDE HALL 36 Glenfarg Street Spaggoi Sat 21 Dec, 7.30pm. £6. A reading of Spaggoi with live musical accompaniment. A Glaswegian teenager dreams of being a West End star but a childhood full of bullying has knocked his confidence. Doors from 7pm. Ages 7+.
EDINBURGH
■ ALBA FLAMENCA 73 East Crosscauseway, 667 3600. Alba Flamenca Sat 14 Dec, 8.30pm. £10–£12. Flamenco rhythms from highly skilled dancers. ■ CITY NIGHTCLUB 1a Market Street, 226 9560.