Scotland Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 58

BWW Review: CHICAGO, King's Theatre, Glasgow, 19 September 2016
by Natalie O'Donoghue - September 20, 2016

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, fights to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn....

BWW Review: TRAINSPOTTING, Citizens Theatre, 16 September 2016
by Natalie O'Donoghue - September 16, 2016

In a world where work and opportunities are scarce Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud rail against the trappings of a successful lifestyle held out of their reach, and seek life through the point of a needle. Published in 1993, Trainspotting defined a generation and remains one of the most important,...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: THE WALL, theSpace on the Mile, 27 August
by Amy Hanson - August 28, 2016

 Four teenagers experience love, family tribulations, and impending exam results together at the eponymous wall, the hang-out spot for the young people of Stewarton....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: ASSASSINS, Paradise in Augustines, 27 August
by Amy Hanson - August 28, 2016

Stephen Sondheim's Assassins is a fascinating exploration of the dark side of the American dream, taking as its subject nine of the men and women who have tried to kill Presidents of the United States....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: CHRISTINA BIANCO, Ghillie Dhu, 22 August
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 23, 2016

Join Christina as she presents her greatest hits, celebrating the music of the worlds iconic divas from today and yesterday. You can expect an eclectic selection of your favourite pop, standard & Broadway tunes, in her own voice as well as impersonations of the great divas of our time! With celebrit...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: F*CKING MEN, Assembly George Square Studios, 11 August
by Adam Robinson - August 21, 2016

Straight from selling out in London comes a King's Head Theatre play by Joe Dipietro. F*cking Men is a modern interpretation of Schnitzler's 19th-century play La Ronde.  A play which caused great controversy at the time now retold through the lives of men who have sex with other men. Gay, Straight, ...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: SODDIN' FLODDEN, Spotlites, 16 August
by Amy Hanson - August 17, 2016

Soddin' Flodden presents the life of King James the 4th, from his youth right up to his death in one of the most important battles in Scottish history....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: THE SURGE, Greenside @ Royal Terrace, 16 August
by Amy Hanson - August 17, 2016

The Surge is a new play from The King's Players of King's College London inspired by contemporary British politics.  A new MP gets involved in a student campaign, as protests she speaks at turn to violence and the media accuse her of supporting riotous behaviour.  She is then forced to consider whet...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: OUR HOUSE, Paradise in Augustines, 15 August
by Amy Hanson - August 16, 2016

Our House is a jukebox musical based on the hits of Madness.  On the night of his sixteenth birthday, Camden lad Joe Casey breaks into a block of flats with his girlfriend.  When the police arrive on the scene, the narrative splits, in the style of Sliding Doors, between the Joe that ran from the po...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: JUST BY ALI SMITH, Assembly George Square Gardens, 15 August
by Amy Hanson - August 16, 2016

Scottish writer Ali Smith is best known for her short stories and novels, including three books shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.  Her 2005 play for Shell Connections, Just, offers a delightful example of Theatre of the Absurd that certainly deserves to be as well known as her other literary end...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: NO HORIZON, Underbelly Med Quad, 15 August
by Amy Hanson - August 16, 2016

New musical No Horizon has been garnering a good deal of attention, with airings on Elaine Paige's radio show, and Chris Evans dubbing it 'the Yorkshire Les Mis'.  It would perhaps be fairer to say it is in the vein of The Theory of Everything, only with added Yorkshire charm.  Based on a true story...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: ANDREA HUBERT WEEK, Gilded Balloon, 14 August
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 15, 2016

On Monday, Andrea was in a supermarket, clutching a mini-carafe of don't-judge-me wine. By Friday she was musing: 'Should I get on the train, or jump in front of it?'. A surprisingly uplifting debut hour of medication, night sweats, stoned teenage philosophy and how putting on socks is life's most c...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: HEADS UP, Summerhall, 13 August
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 15, 2016

A city. Right now. A woman staggers home after a two-day bender. A finance worker preaches doom outside Cafe Nero. A priest who doesn't believe in God stares blankly at endless disasters on the TV news. In just one moment, all their worlds will end....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: PETE OTWAY SIX YEARS FROM THEN, Just The Tonic, 13 August
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 15, 2016

Pete Otway is a multi award-nominated comedian. Some time before all that he'd broken up with the girl he was meant to be with and got back with her a long time later. This is the story of the things that happened in-between...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: BRIEFS FACTORY PRESENTS: SWEATSHOP, Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, 12 August
by Adam Robinson - August 15, 2016

The Briefs brand is on the rise at the Edinburgh Fringe. After touring the acclaimed macho in mascara mashup original show Briefs in all its drag, circus and comedy glory, 2016 sees the introduction of the 5-star Hot Brown Honey, and this new late night addition Sweatshop....

EDINBURGH 2016- BWW Review: EVERY BRILLANT THING, Summerhall, 13 August
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 15, 2016

The worldwide smash-hit is back. You're six years old. Mum's in hospital. Dad says she's done something stupid. She finds it hard to be happy. You make a list of everything that's brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: AMELIA RYAN: LADY LIBERTY, Assembly George Square Theatre, 12 August
by Adam Robinson - August 15, 2016

A one-woman show is hard to do for any artist. Standing alone trying to fill a stage while getting an audience on your side. Amelia Ryan does not make it easy on herself with her show Lady Liberty combining singing, storytelling, silliness and a slice of self-help. Fortunately, her talent is as big...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: HOT BROWN HONEY, Assembly Roxy, 12 August
by Adam Robinson - August 15, 2016

Each Edinburgh Fringe there are one or two shows that get it all right. They go beyond mere theatre into something with much greater value and significance. Hot Brown Honey is one such show. From the creative team behind Australian cabaret sensation Briefs, comes an all-female dynamic variety show. ...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: THE RAUNCH, Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, 12 August
by Adam Robinson - August 15, 2016

Strap on your boots, tie your horse up outside and get in line because the circus has come to town. Blowing in from London comes The Raunch. A naughty variety show with a cowboy twist....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: JAMES WILSON-TAYLOR: GINGER IS THE NEW BLACK, Underbelly, Cowgate, 12 August
by Adam Robinson - August 15, 2016

In a time of great diversity awareness, media discussion, and societal polarisation, James Wislon-Taylor is ready for his voice to be heard. To light the flame for his red haired revolution. Though years of bullying and historical percussion do highlight valid points throughout, Ginger is the New Bl...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: BETH VYSE AS OLIVE HANDS IN ALL HANDS TO THE PUMP, Heroes @ The Hive, 12 August
by Adam Robinson - August 15, 2016

One of the most wonderful things about the Edinburgh Fringe, and comedy itself, is the room for all types of acts and you don't know what to expect next. Off the wall comedians like Beth Vyse can test out material, free the silliness in all of us, and let their freak flag fly high....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: 9 to 5, Assembly, 13 August
by Natalie O'Donoghue - August 14, 2016

Daily grind getting you down? Chauvinistic bosses passing you over? Ladies, fight back! Based on the cult 80s movie with the one-and-only Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 is a real feel-good musical....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: LAST DREAM (ON EARTH), Assembly Hall, 13 August
by Amy Hanson - August 14, 2016

Last Dream (On Earth) makes fascinating use of digital technologies and exquisitely paralleled stories to create a unique and moving experience.   A tribute to the bravery of those who dare to take the first steps on a journey beyond our comprehension, it is an experience not to be missed....

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Reviews: 2044, Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 13 August
by Amy Hanson - August 14, 2016

Set in a dystopian future where English refugees have flocked to an independent Scotland, 2044's concept created expectations of a focus on UK politics.  Instead, it neatly drew parallels with the rise of Donald Trump in America, and resulting issues of racism and the dangers of national exceptional...

EDINBURGH 2016 - BWW Review: HOW TO WIN AGAINST WINNING, Assembly George Square Theatre, 11 August
by Adam Robinson - August 14, 2016

History class at school can be a marmite subject to many. Covering historical moments and movements of great importance do heighten our ability to evaluate events of today, but many can feel like a task rather than a joy. Thankfully the Edinburgh Fringe can provide extra curriculum knowledge that op...