Published: March 10th, 2014
 Denise Van Outen. Photo © Pamela Raith King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
Mon 10 – Wed 12 March 2014
Review by Martin Gray
From Big Breakfast weather girl to Broadway star, the talents of Denise Van Outen have taken her a long way.
Now she arrives at the King’s in one-woman show Some Girl I Used to Know, a showcase for her singing, comedy and dramatic skills.
Stephanie is hitting a crisis point. A hugely successful lingerie designer, she’s taking refuge in her London hotel room from the fuss surrounding her latest launch. She plans a few hours of slobbing around before an interview with a hack she hates, and isn’t in the mood to speak to husband Paul, who hasn’t turned out to support her the way he … Continue reading Some Girl I Used to Know – Review
Published: March 10th, 2014 Takin’ over the Asylum role cast
 By Thom Dibdin
Leitheatre has cast Callum Barbour as Campbell Blair in its forthcoming amateur production of Takin’ over the Asylum, after the role became vacant – as announced in Æ last Thursday.
The original actor who had been down to play the lead role in Donna Franceschild’s adaptation of her television series had become indisposed due to work commitments.
The role of Campbell was created by David Tennant in his first major TV appearances in the 1994 series. It was played by … Continue reading Leitheatre find new Tennant for Asylum
Published: March 10th, 2014 VPT Firsts to showcase different talent
 By Thom Dibdin
Edinburgh’s low-fi new writing company, the Village Pub Theatre, is introducing a sextet of new writers to this month’s show.
All of the new writers, like the Village Pub regulars, were members of last year’s Traverse Fifty group of writers.
This Friday’s event, titled VPT Firsts, comes as the regular company of VPT writers prepare for a week-long residency at the Traverse theatre at the end of March.
Speaking about VPT Firsts, producer and writer Sophie Good told Æ … Continue reading Village Pub Theatre recruits new writers
Published: March 8th, 2014
 The Tootsie Rollers. Photo © Justin Grainge King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
Wed 5 – Sat 8 March 2014
Review by Martin Gray
Looking at this week’s offering at the King’s Theatre, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s panto season. There are star turns by Andy Gray and Grant Stott. A supporting cast of talented young lads and lasses. A speciality act or two…
But it’s not panto, it’s Allan Stewart’s Big Big Variety Show. The King’s dame of the last cough years has gathered a bunch of pals to create the kind of show “they just don’t make anymore”.
Well, they made this one, and the packed houses will be hoping there will be many more to follow. Because from first to last, this is pure showbiz delight, fun for all the family and perfect for … Continue reading Allan Stewart’s Big Big Variety Show – Review
Published: March 8th, 2014
Pleasance Theatre
Tue 4 – Sat 8 March 2014
Review by Thom Dibdin
Roaring out onto the Pleasance Theatre’s specially constructed thrust stage, this is a Tempest which bristles with physicality and thrills knowingly with contemporary twists.
Director Jack Kinross takes a distinctly modern line on Shakespeare’s last play in this production from the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Society.
Designer Isobel Williams’ costumes are cleanly modern and stylish, while her skeletal, scaffolding set towers on the main stage with more than a nod to an oil drilling platform. … Continue reading The Tempest – Review
Published: March 7th, 2014 High profile work for Traverse event
 By Thom Dibdin
High profile playwrights, emerging artists and intellectual heavyweights are joining together for a Women in Theatre Scotland event at Edinburgh’s Traverse on Saturday 8 March, International Women’s Day.
The evening of readings, discussions and interventions will raise funds for Women’s Fund for Scotland and Womankind Worldwide.
A discussion and open forum starts the evening from 6pm, with staged performances of brand new scripts at 7.30pm. From 7.15pm there will be a series of encounters created by … Continue reading WITS on the case for IWD
Published: March 6th, 2014 Lead actor pulls out of Takin’ Over the Asylum
By Thom Dibdin
Leitheatre are on the hunt for a new lead to play Campbell in their May 2014 production of Donna Franceschild’s Takin’ Over The Asylum.
The Edinburgh amateur favourites will be staging the play in the Festival Theatre studio – the first amateur theatre company to use the facility. The actor originally cast in the role is no longer able to do so.
Don Arnott, president of Leitheatre, said: “It is an absolutely brilliant part for a young man, preferably between the age of 19 and 20-something. The … Continue reading Leitheatre call-out for Campbell
Published: March 4th, 2014
 Jason Donovan as Tick. Photo © Paul Coltas Edinburgh Playhouse
Monday 3 — Saturday 8 March 2014
Review by Paul Johnson
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – which tells of a trio of drag queens who journey deep into the boiling heart of Australia on a bus called Priscilla – is, of course, fahbulous dahling.
At least the 1994 movie starring Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving was. And so too, by all accounts, was the original 2006 adaptation for the stage.
But the musical production currently on its latest road-trip round the UK leaves you wondering just how much better the original in London’s West End must have been – and wishing … Continue reading Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The musical – Review
Published: March 4th, 2014 Auditions to be held on March 11
 Rehersal shot from BYT’s Animal Farm. Photo © The Brunton By Thom Dibdin
The Brunton’s youth company, BYT, is looking for new participants for their 12 to 15 year-old group, and will be holding auditions on March 11.
The Brunton Youth Theatre Stages 2 & 3 classes invite anyone in the age range with an interest and enthusiasm for acting to register for the auditions, which will take place in the Brunton rehearsal room from 6-8pm.
According to BYT: “This is a chance to join a performance focused group, developing a range of theatrical skills and techniques. In addition, this group has the opportunity to perform onstage at The Brunton.”
Recent productions from BYT have included a production of Animal Farm this February and collaborating with … Continue reading Brunton Youth Theatre seeks new blood
Published: March 4th, 2014
 Belle Jones and Angela Milton. Photo © Susie Cavill St Giles Cathedral
Mon 3 – Fri 7 Mar 2014 (not Thurs)
Review by Thom Dibdin
Intriguing and doubly pertinent thanks to its re-staging in a dark corner of St Giles, Jen McGregor’s tale behind the tale of Jenny Geddes is a moving and provocative piece of theatre.
According to folk legend, Geddes was the market trader who, incensed at the words of the Collect at the first public use of the book of Common Prayer, threw a folding – or “creepie” – stool at the Minister of St Giles Cathedral.
It was the supposed Catholic-bias of the words of the new prayers that caused Geddes’ disapproval. The prayer book was imposed on the Scottish congregations by King Charles, much to popular disapproval. … Continue reading Creepie Stool – Review
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