The Glaswegian - West End

Shaun the Sheep Flocks To Theatre Royal

2011-06-30T11:28:29Z

For woolly fun, dance and laughs, Shaun the Sheep show comes to the Theatre Royal, starting today and runs throughout the weekend. From the animators of Wallace and Grommit, Shaun the Sheep moves from television screen to stage in an entertaining family show.

Shaun decides to put on a big show in the barn with all his favorite fluffy friends, including Timmy, Shirley and Bitzer. He's been inspired by the Farmer, who's become a fan of Strictly Come Dancing, and has decided to teach himself to tango. Tango may be a nod to what caregivers might enjoy watching on stage, while the flock will amuse the kids to no end.
Shaun the Sheep will lead the children on an imaginative adventure of what fun you can have in your own back garden, which may inspire them for the summer holidays.

Shaun the Sheep, Theatre Royal, Thur 30th June -Sun 3rd July

Fri 11am, 2pm & 5pm
Sat 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
Sun 11am, 2pm, & 5pm
Tickets: £11.50 - £16.50

Box Office: 08448 717 647 (bkgfee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow(bkg fee)
www.shaunthesheep.com

MAMMA MIA! - When I Called From Glasgow ...

2011-03-14T11:25:38Z

After more than a decade of MAMMA MIA! being well-known in popular vernacular - first as a West End show and then as an abominable though surprisingly popular film starring Meryl Streep and Colin Firth - the ABBA-based cultural phenomenon is meant to be no more than good fun and light entertainment. Even when ABBA made their breakout debut on Eurovision in platform boots and skin-tight Lycra, the performers didn't really seem to take themselves too seriously. Hence, the musical MAMMA MIA! is not intended as high art.

The singing of Sara Poyzer, who plays Donna, is marvelous. The women who play her best friends and the back-up cast are star. Charlotte Wakefield as Sophie was a little uneven in her singing to begin with but warmed up to her potential to give riveting performances, in the matinee performance I saw. Richard Standing, who happens to be Sara Poyzer's real-life husband, plays Sam. The men in her life seem to be cast as types rather than for their vocal chords.

I caught the MAMMA MIA! show at the West End several years ago and don't recall the show having so much swearing and lewd gestures. Though billed as a family show, I found myself a bit squeamish as there were loads of children in the audience at the Sunday matinee show. I'm not sure if the show has undergone a few alterations to push the limits in engaging the audience in scintillating, even gratuitous, behavior that doesn't add to the show's entertainment value.

Overall, MAMMA MIA! is a decent show offering fun entertainment for two-and-a-half hours. It's an amusing diversion to whittle away a few hours with catchy music, nostalgic disco dancing and low-brow comedy.

Mamma Mia! - Here I Go Again!

2011-03-04T14:49:36Z

The musical Mamma Mia! has become synonymous with the beloved ABBA. And just as we never tire of hearing ABBA, we won't ever tire of the plot in Mamma Mia!. Who doesn't have a love that got away?! In its sixth year of touring, Mamma Mia! smashed all sorts of records at the SECC last time it visited. No doubt Mamma Mia! will be loads of fun with unbeatable music that begs for the audience to start dancing away.

For the first time in the musical's history, real-life couple chemistry will be transplanted to the stage as Sara Poyzer plays the role of Donna while her husband Richard Standing takes on the role of Sam.

And as the cast sings "And when I called you last night from Glasgow ..." from "Super Trouper", ABBA's call out to the home crowd will surely be electrifying.

Everyone will become a Dancing Queen when Mamma Mia !hits the SECC stage!

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd.

Mamma Mia runs from 5 March 2011 to 3 April 2011 at the SECC - Clyde Auditorium. Tickets, priced from £15 to £39.50, are available from www.ticketSOUP.com® or telephone 0844 395 4000.

Ice and Fire Hit the Theatre Royal with Cirque de Glace

2010-10-07T15:07:17Z

Cirque de Glace at the Theatre Royal

Imagine the thrilling acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil with performers somersaulting from the ceiling, and then add razor-sharp blades to the nimble feet of the entertainers. That's what Cirque de Glace promises in its death-defying ice show, playing this week at the Theatre Royal.

The combination acrobatic and ice dancing spectacular is centred on the story of how Earth came about, hence the name of the show "Evolution." Using the dramatic effects of ice, live fire spewing out of a volcano, and, skaters shooting around a small rink at breakneck speed, the Russian Ice Stars will leave audience members gasping for breath, or at least sighing in relief that no one gets their head sliced off with a skate blade.

Plus, Svetlana Murzak, the Guinness record holder for most cloud swing rotations, is in the cast. According to Circopedia.org, cloud swings are the ancestor of the trapeze, where a slack rope hanging on both ends is used for aerial rotations.

The elements are all there - ice, fire, air, and earth - to tell a story that'll make a lasting impression on all your senses.

Cirque de Glace

Tue 5 - Sat 9 Oct
Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Thu & Sat mats @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £10 - £25
Box Office: 08448 717 647 (bkg fee)

Ice and Fire Hit the Theatre Royal with Cirque de Glace

2010-10-07T15:07:17Z

Cirque de Glace at the Theatre Royal

The elements are all there - ice, fire, air, and earth - to tell a story that'll make a lasting impression on all your senses.

Cirque de Glace

Tue 5 - Sat 9 Oct
Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Thu & Sat mats @ 2.30pm
Tickets: £10 - £25
Box Office: 08448 717 647 (bkg fee)

All Aboard the Ninky Nonk!

2010-09-21T20:53:12Z

Or will it be the Pinky Ponk?!

This is the last week to catch "In the Night Garden Live" at the Glasgow Green. Set in white purpose-built inflatable domes, the shows transforms the beloved BBC children's programme into a magical reality for kids. Using puppetry, projected film images, and adored life-size characters like Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy, children will feel immersed in the exquisitely wonderful setting where Makka Pakka and Tombliboos are up to antics that young kids find hilarious.

Glasgow is one of only four cities the show is stopping in. There are five scheduled shows a day with a choice of two completely different themes to choose from. Families can choose the Ninky Nonk or Pinky Ponk show. Up to 500 people can be seated in the enclosed dome, where even the rainy weather can't damper the spirits of the young theatregoers.

"It's meant to be an immersive experience. The television show is quite iconic and the show is meant to carry the magic over into the theatre," said Cameron Duncan, the show's publicist.

There's even a buggy park, nappy change area, and microwaves to heat up baby food, to help foster the most pleasant experience for families. The shows are about 60 minutes long with no intervals.

Director Will Tuckett explains that children are used to seeing their beloved characters on television and the live show "unlocks your imagination and [the programme] comes to life right there in front of you."

TICKET INFORMATION:

Runs through Sunday 26 September, Glasgow Green, GLASGOW G40 1AT
Performance times: 9.30, 11.15 a.m., 2.00, 3.45 & 5.30 p.m.
Tickets: £5 - £20
Running time: approx. 60 minutes
To book tickets visit www.nightgardenlive.com or call 0844 581 1251

Made in the Shade - A Shopping Fete at The Lighthouse

2009-09-23T11:21:31Z

This Saturday, a unique stylish boutique market hits The Lighthouse with an assortment of one-of-a-kind wares, ranging from jewellery, 1950s dresses, urban guerrilla gardening products, retro craftworks, cupcakes and a lot more. Over 50 vendors will be there to feature their kitschy designs. The event, organized by Made in The Shade (www.wearemadeintheshade.com), offers shoppers an alternative to goods you may not find anywhere else on the High Street.

Not only will perusers get a chance to marvel at many of the handcrafted goodies, there'll also be crafting demonstrations, old time rock 'n' roll music, and free giveaways.

One of the amazing vendors will be Michelle Aaron of Covetables (www.covetables.co.uk), who makes handmade children's dresses, aprons, knitted dolls and animals, and stylish pincushions. Celebrity fashionista Lady Luck Rules OK (www.ladyluckrulesok.com) comes to Glasgow with her products that have sold all over the world.

It's not too early to start Christmas shopping and it's never the wrong time to buy yourself a little treat.

Made In The Shade Boutique Shopping Event
Saturday 26th September 2009
Gallery 5 and Vitra Suite
The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, G1 3NU
10.30am - 5pm
FREE ENTRY

Angelina Ballerina Auditions in Glasgow

2009-08-10T15:16:42Z

If you're a parent who's a ballet fan and want to introduce your children to the arts without gritting your teeth through the performance, Angelina Ballerina's Big Audition may be the solution. The English National Ballet puts on a kiddie-friendly show that includes music by Tchaikovsky but based on the beloved tutu-wearing mouse.

The premise of the show is that Angelina Ballerina prepares to try out for a place in the prestigious performing arts school. As she gets ready to audition, she's both excited and anxious about leaving her friends in her old ballet class behind. However, she discovers she's bound to make fantastic new friends when she meets other dancers who not only can dazzle with classical pirouettes but wow Angelina with hip-hop beats and disco moves.

For two days only, Angelina Ballerina's Big Audition will be playing at Theatre Royal on August 11 and 12.

Angelina Ballerina's Big Audition
Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th August
Tue & Wed 2pm and 5pm
Tickets: £10 - £21 (Family - group of 4 max of 2 adults)
Box Office 08448 717 647 (Bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (Online bkg fee)

The Musical Annie Comes to Theatre Royal

2009-08-03T11:17:38Z

The most famous feisty redheaded orphan makes her appearance in Scotland when Annie hits the stage at Theatre Royal. Su Pollard, of Hi-De-Hi and Two Up, Two Down fame, takes on the role of Miss Hannigan, the boozy, hapless caretaker of Annie and her fellow orphans. Much loved songs, such as "Tomorrow" and "It's a Hard Knock Life," will be featured. Students from Glasgow's Star Struck Theatre Academy will provide rousing backup as Annie's friends.

Annie is centered on the plight of a little girl who's made miserable in an orphanage. When she's selected to live a week in the lap of luxury with zillionaire Daddy Warbucks for a publicity stunt, her fate changes forever as she worms her way into the businessman's heart. Her journey out of the orphanage is filled with trials and songs.

Pollard has performed as Miss Hannigan before when she came to Glasgow in 2004. According to her web site www.supollard.co.uk, she had planned a cast lunch at the Kelvingrove Museum but had to cancel when she found out it was closed for renovation. Now that the Kelvingrove has been reopened and renovated, hopefully she'll get a chance to visit one of the top cultural attractions in Europe.

A perfect musical for the family!

ANNIE at Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow

Tuesday through Saturday, August 4th - 8th
Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Thu and Sat mats 2.30pm
Tickets: £11 - £26
Box Office: 08448 717 647 (bkg fee)
www.ambassadotrickets/glasgow (bkg fee)

Lazy Town Live

2009-07-02T13:58:00Z

Sportacus somersaults his way to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow, accompanied by archenemy Robbie Rotten and his good friends, Stephanie and her crew. The kids love it and are encouraged to dress in costumes of their favorite characters. If you don't happen to have such outfits, you can always pick up a pink Stephanie wig at the concession stand.

Sportacus makes a spectacular entry from above the stage with the help of high wires and a video screen that makes it look he's jumped out of a airship. He does do impressive somersaults and back flips, perhaps inspiring children to take up gymnastics.

Great fun for the kids!

Theatre Royal
Wed 1 - Sun 5 July
Wed and Thu 5pm
Fri 1.30pm & 5pm
Sat 11am, 2pm and 5pm
Sun 11am & 2pm

Tickets: £10 - £18.50
Family Ticket (4 with max of 2 adults) £65

Box Office: 08448 717 647
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasg

Malcolm Gladwell on U.K. Tour

2009-06-23T09:57:02Z

Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell kicked off his U.K. tour last night in Glasgow at the King's Theatre. The reason for his tour is the release of the paperback version of Outliers: The Story of Success, the best-selling pop sociology book with entertaining stories of how people become wildly accomplished. As Gladwell joked in his performance, the purpose of his tour was to convince the audience to buy his book "in triplicate." Gladwell chose to make the current global financial crisis the focus of his one-hour talk.

And to explain the phenomenon and not bore his listeners with discussion of head-spinning derivatives, he chose to use an example of the American Civil War, a topic he joked his Scottish audience wouldn't challenge him on. What Gladwell basically says is that "miscalibration" - the overconfidence of experts - helped spiral the world's economy out of control. Those who were armed with information, expertise, and most of all, power, didn't react fast enough with urgency and solutions to handle the crisis looming in the horizon.

Perhaps it's an oversimplified explanation given in hindsight of the recession we're living in now, but I'm looking forward to his next article or book that'll elucidate more on his theories. Gladwell is an important thinker in the modern world, and not to be missed if you get the chance to see him live.

-Helen I. Hwang

For more tour dates, go to www.malcolmgladwell-live.com. For more information on Malcolm Gladwell, go to www.gladwell.com.

Cinderella on Ice at Theatre Royal

2009-06-12T11:40:36Z

Cinderella on Ice, currently playing at Theatre Royal, is full of twists and turns in several dimensions.

First of all, the glass slipper is replaced by a glittery ice skate, and the act is a whimsical performance with the women skating on single blades, coyly pointing their hosed toes out for the Prince to size up. Instead of a royal ball, the plot climaxes with a skating production of Swan Lake, where the evil stepsister slips up in her role as Odette. Cinderella is picked from the ensemble of swans to dazzle the audience.

The storyline is actually an enjoyable alternative retelling of the classic, though the show stretches on for three hours, including intermission.

Another surprising aspect is the number of acrobatic maneuvers and surprising high-wire theatrics, which adds to the magic of the ice dance show. Skating in such a small rink is no easy feat for the primarily Russian troupe. The choreography is based on a complicated sequence of counter-clockwise maneuvers, sometimes with as many as ten skaters synchronized tightly. Yes, there were a couple of scary slip-ups, even from the principal male skater, the Prince (a dead ringer for Prince Harry with a mullet.) But the gracefulness of Cinderella, played by Olga Sharutenko, and the ardent passion of the evil stepmother, Olena Pyatash, more than make up for any pitfalls.

Perhaps in a nod to its Gaelic audience, the skaters performed Irish step dancing on ice skates, immensely pleasing the crowd.

Altogether, the show is exciting to watch, entertaining old and young alike.

Theatre Royal,
Tue 9th - Sat 13th June
Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed, Thu and Sat Mats 2.30pm
Tickets: £13.50 - £30
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow
Box Office: 0870 060 6647

The Wow Factor

2009-04-23T17:29:39Z

Children's Classic Concerts on Saturday, April 25, Glasgow and Sunday, April 26, Stirling

A word play off of the wildly popular TV show, The X Factor, Children's Classic Concerts offers a version called The Wow Factor, where kids and adults will be thrilled to hear some familiar tunes from their favorite TV shows, films, and football teams. Little do some people know, some of the most popular songs in our day are taken from the greatest composers of our time.

"Kids don't really realize they're listening to classical music," said Owen Gunnell, 28, one of the co-presenters of Children's Classic Concerts.

Gunnell will be offering up a well-beloved tune, Ravel's passionate "Bolero," with a twist. He'll be performing the song while on roller skates (not on ice skates like Torvill and Dean dazzled in the Olympics to the same composition.) Will Owen manage it? Will he fall off his skates? Owen recently confessed to having not been on those teeny, tiny wheels in a while. The concerts promise to offer loads of fun and amusement.

This month's concert will also feature a full orchestra so masterpieces like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony will get the full cacophonic effect. Also, kids will get to see how different sections, like the woodwind and the strings, play integral parts in creating the layered harmonies.

For co-presenter Oliver Cox, who goes by Olly, performing in Scotland is a welcome homecoming. Raised in Haddington, East Lothian, since he was 4 years old, he now resides in London. "My mum's family is still in Scotland," said Cox.

The Wow Factor show gives audiences a high dosage of classical music, combined with fun and antics, when really, they'll be listening to songs they've heard in the most unlikely of places their whole life.

Saturday 25th April 2009, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 3pm
Sunday 26th April 2009, Stirling MacRobert Centre, 3pm

www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk

Ticket Prices - Single Concert: Child £6, Adult £10, Family £29 (2 adults, 2 children), Concessions £6

To book tickets,
Glasgow - GRCH Box Office: 0141 353 8000 or at www.glasgowconcerthalls.com
Stirling - The Macrobert Centre: 01786 466666 or at www.macrobert.stir.ac.uk

Dance and Passion with a Cheating Carmen

2009-04-15T14:21:43Z

Scottish Ballet Presents Carmen and Cheating, Lying, Stealing

This week, Carmen, the passionate Spanish cigar girl, hits the stage at the Theatre Royal, along with Cheating, Lying, Stealing, choreographed by Ashley Page, Scottish Ballet's artistic director.

The world premiere of Carmen is staged as a one-act ballet piece and based on the original novella, written by French author Prosper Merimee. Many people are more familiar with the Carmen in Bizet's opera. This rendition is choreographed by Richard Alston, who won the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance at 2008's Critics' Circle National Dance Awards.

In the second half, ardent emotions continue to run high with Cheating, Lying, Stealing. Exploring the psychology of female control though movement, the piece lets the audience observe a couple as they spiral through the demise of their troubled relationship.

Theatre Royal, Glasgow
282 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3QA
15-18 April 2009
15-18 April at 7.30pm; 16 and 18 April at 2pm
Tickets £8.50*-£33.50 (*Thu matinee)
Family tickets (group of four, max two adults); Wed and Thu evenings - Stalls and
Upper Circle £58, Fri and Sat evenings - Stalls and Upper Circle £74
Audio described performance Sat 18 Apr at 2pm preceded by a touch tour
Insight Sat 18 Apr at 11am (£5 ticket / £3 concession / £12 family of four)
Free pre-show talks with Artistic Director Ashley Page on Thu 16 Apr at 6.30pm and
Resident Conductor Richard Honner on Fri 17 Apr at 6.30pm. Please book places at box office.
Box Office 0870 060 6647 (bkg fee)
Book online www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
22-25 April 2009
22-25 April at 7.30pm; 23 and 25 April at 2pm
Tickets £8*-£35 (*Thu matinee)
Family tickets (group of four, max two adults);
Thu matinee-Stalls £72, Dress Circle £82, Sat matinee -
Stalls £92, Dress Circle £102, Evenings - Stalls £92, Dress Circle £102
Box Office 0131 529 6000 (bkg fee)
Book online www.festivaltheatre.org.uk (bkg fee)

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, AB25 1GL
29 April - 2 May 2009
29 April - 2 May at 7.30pm; 2 May at 2pm
Tickets £11.50-£27.50
Family tickets (group of four, max two adults); Wed and Thu evenings - Stalls and
Upper Circle £57, additional children £10 each.
Audio described performance Sat 2 May at 2pm preceded by a touch tour
Outside In Fri 1 May at 4pm (£5 tickets with a £3 discount when buying a show ticket
at the same time)
Insight Sat 2 May at 11am (£5 ticket / £3 concession / £12 family of four)
Free pre-show talks with Artistic Director Ashley Page on Thu 30 Apr at 6.30pm and
Resident Conductor Richard Honner on Fri 1 May at 6.30pm. Please book places at box office.
Box Office 01224 641122 (bkg fee)
Book online www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Bishop's Road, Inverness IV3 5SA
6-9 May 2009
6-9 May at 7.30pm; 9 May at 2pm
Tickets £11-£26
Audio described performance Sat 9 May at 2pm preceded by a touch tour
Outside In Fri 8 May at 4pm (£5 tickets with a £3 discount when buying a show ticket at the same time)
Insight Sat 9 May at 11am (£5 ticket / £3 concession / £12 family of four)
Free pre-show talks with Artistic Director Ashley Page on Thu 7 May at 6.30pm and Resident
Conductor Richard Honner on Fri 8 May at 6.30pm. Please book places at box office.
Box Office 01463 234 234 (bkg fee)
Book online www.eden-court.co.uk (bkg fee)
Concessions and group discounts available at all venues

Doctor Who Lands at the Kelvingrove

2009-03-30T09:51:18Z

If you're not a diehard Doctor Who fan before you visit the latest exhibit at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, you'll come out as one.

Chock full of costumes, nifty computer displays, and episode excerpts, the Doctor Who exhibit tickles all the senses. Running till January 4, 2010, the Kelvingrove is the only Scottish destination to play host to the traveling Doctor Who exhibit.

In the "Be A Dalek" display, anyone can get inside the robot, manipulate the menacing plunger-arm, and speak into the microphone lodged inside the robot to create a terrifying, android voice, sure to scare enemies, as well as family.

Lurking in a dark corner is an army of giant Daleks. A red button on the wall lures visitors with the warning "DO NOT PUSH." Playing on the predictable psyche of kids and adults alike, everyone, of course, pushes the button. The machines instantly come to life and their inhuman-like sounds crescendo with the repeated screams "Life Forms Detected! Life Forms Detected!" You'll have to find out for yourself what comes next ... or if you'll live to tell about it.

Bailie Liz Cameron, Chair of Culture and Sport Glasgow, admits, "Yes, I'm a fan myself." She plans on taking her grandchildren during the Easter holiday since the first weekend has already been sold out. "It's a great show for anyone from 9 months to 99 years old."

It's grand fun for all, with exhibits eliciting good, old-fashioned scares. Sounds of screams melting into uncontrollable laughter reverberate throughout the cellars of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum at the new Doctor Who Exhibit.

-Helen I. Hwang

Doctor Who Exhibit, Runs until January 4, 2010. Ticket prices are 7.50 adults, 4.50 children and concessions. Family tickets cost 18, plus a service charge. Tickets are available on www.SECxtra.com or by calling 08444 815 816. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG.