Theatre News

Opening: Stott View, Vision/Aria, CATS Awards, Communism

Amongst the major openings in Scotland this month are: 

OPENING 1 June 2009 A View From The Bridge is revived at the Theatre Royal Glasgow with a cast including Ken Stott and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Arthur Miller‘s 1955 classic tale of love, ambition and revenge, set amid Brooklyn’s Italian-American community. Eddie and Beatrice have raised niece Catherine as their only precious daughter. She is almost 16 when two cousins arrive illegally from Sicily, seeking work and shelter and jeopardising all their dreams. The limited season continues until 06 June 2009.

OPENING 9 June 2009 Cinderella On Ice at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow. The world-famous Imperial Ice Stars are set to thrill once more with their brand new production. The 25-strong cast of World, European and National Championship skaters are renowned for innovative skating and story-telling, and continue to break new ground in the genre of ice dancing with daring and graceful feats never attempted before – all performed in the intimacy of a frozen theatre stage.

OPENING 10 June 2009 France in Scotland: Paris Calling at The Traverse, Edinburgh. The only Scottish partner taking part in the UK-wide Paris Calling year of Franco-British performance events. Public readings of first translations of two contemporary plays from France, with leading Scottish actors. The Problem by François Bégaudeau and Alta Villa by Lancelot Hamelin.

OPENING 11 June 2009 Vision/Aria at Tron Theatre, Glasgow. Stories about the cross and delight of being in love, stories of tenderness and of the lyrical explosion of doubts, stories we all recognise.  Three performers attempt to unpick the weave of romantic love, trying to make sense of their mutual desires, waiting for evening to become morning under their skin. Loosely based on A Lover’s Discourse (fragments) by Roland Barthes.

OPENING 12 June 2009 The Woolgatherer at Tron Theatre, Glasgow. In times dominated by computers and online gaming some young people have forgotten how to create their own entertainment and use their imaginations. That’s where The Woolgatherers come in.  Their job is to open up the door to your imagination.  But what happens when the door won’t close?

OPENING 13 June 2009 Best Man Speech at Byre Theatre, St Andrews. A one-man show by Glyn Maxwell starring Charles de Bromhead. Addy – prosperous businessman and hit with the ladies – is getting married. His wedding to beautiful Miranda should be the icing on the cake of his success story. But his best man Bailey has some life-changing truths to reveal about the groom.

OPENING 14 June 2009 CATS Awards at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. The annual celebration of the Critics’ Awards For Theatre In Scotland (CATS), this year on its first-ever visit to Edinburgh. Founded in 2003 by Scotland’s top theatre critics, the awards are made across ten categories from Best Actor and Actress to Best Production Of The Year, and are designed to celebrate all that’s most exciting in theatre made here in Scotland.

OPENING 18 June 2009 Tess Of The D’Urbervilles at Byre Theatre, St Andrews. Thomas Hardy‘s best known and most passionate Dorset story is brought faithfully to life in a fresh adaptation. From Theatreworks – the company which specializes in period productions – we relive the struggles of fair maiden Tess who, having fallen victim to the desires of bounder Alec D’Urberville, fights to keep her family from starvation and gain forgiveness from Angel Clare – the man she truly loves.

OPENING 19 June 2009 Fur Coat and Magic Knickers at Byre Theatre, St Andrews. New one-woman comedy drama by multi award winning playwright Rona Munro. One actress, 3 characters: a compulsive shopping pensioner out of control, a personal shopper who just has to sell and Mum who even recycles the recycled toilet paper.

OPENING 24 June 2009 The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at Tron Theatre, Glasgow. Presented by Upstage Theatre Company. The 2005 off-Broadway musical written by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell (who also starred in the original production). Each of the five acts is a short musical in the style of various American and British musical theatre composers.

OPENING 24 June 2009 Scooby-Doo & The Pirate Ghost at King’s Theatre, Glasgow. The ultimate cartoon classic bursts straight from the TV screen and onto our stage. The adventure unfolds with perplexing clues, pirate ghosts and an abundance of Scooby snacks. Mixing the familiar blend of classic physical comedy, popular tunes and special effects into an irresistible theatrical experience.

OPENING 25 June 2009 I Miss Communism at Lemon Tree Theatre, Aberdeen. Nominated for the Amnesty International Award and Writer’s Guild Award East goes West. Communism goes capitalism and atheism goes God. From Croatia to America and back, this intense dramatic comedy solo show is about 3 women, 3 generations who lived through 3 wars, 3 concentration camps, 3 governments, 3 countries and 3 currencies.