There’s big productions of Mamma Mia!, The King and I, Once the Musical and the Glasgow debut for Les Miserables ahead of us as we begin a busy year for theatres in the city. From Opera to new stage plays, comedies to thrilling drama, each month will bring new opportunities for a night out in one of the city’s venues.
Here’s a selection of what is coming up as we start the year, followed by a round-up of the highlights of 2019. Look for regular reviews, previews and updates at Glasgowist.
Scottish Ballet – The Snow Queen 3–18 Jan, Theatre Royal
Josh Widdicombe – Bit Much… 25 Jan, King’s Theatre
The King and I 28 Jan – 8 Feb, King’s Theatre
Hamlet, 5 Feb, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Trajectories, 6 Feb – 8 Feb, Tron Theatre
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, 11 Feb – Sat 15 Feb, King’s Theatre
Scotttish Opera – Nixon In China, 18 Feb – 22 Feb, Theatre Royal
Educating Rita, 24 Feb – 29 Feb, Theatre Royal
Chris McQueer: Runner, 25 March, Tron Theatre
Mamma Mia!, 7 Apr – 25 Apr, King’s Theatre
A Year in Theatre: 2019 in Review
January: Rock of Ages
The 27th longest running show in Broadway history, this rock and roll extravaganza centres on wannabe rockstar Drew and his sweet “small town girl” love interest Sherrie. The story follows their search for stardom and blossoming romance in a firmly tongue in cheek fashion with rock anthems such as We Built this City, Don’t Stop Believing and Wanted Dead or Alive. Get ready to rock!
February: Benidorm the Musical
The unique brand of saucy seaside humour from the ITV television classic sitcom Benidorm was transformed onto the stage. Set in the hapless hotel Solana, the show is a two hour romp through Benidorm stereotypes with laughs, innuendos and gags a plenty from show favourites from the original series. A perfect antidote to a cold and frosty February night.
March: Swan Lake
Matthew Bourne returned with his powerful and visually stunning interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”. As the miserable, handsome prince runs away to the lake to end his life, he encounters the majestic and powerful Swan and begins a descent into madness where reality and imagination collide. The controversial decision to include an all-male cast of swans and the homoerotic element of the classic love story was brave if not risky but has quickly become a cult classic. A contemporary and thought provoking twist on classical ballet.
April: The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawking’s best-selling psychological thriller and Hollywood blockbuster film stars Rachel, an alcoholic and downtrodden divorcee, obsessively fixated on watching her ex-husband and his new wife every day from the train window on her daily commute to work as her own world continues to crumble. Samantha Womack, famous for her stints on EastEnders and Silent Witness, gives an incredible performance as Rachel. An enjoyable and gripping piece of theatre.
May: Kinky Boots
Glitz, Glamour and a whole lot of fabulous! Kinky Boots is a loud, proud and downright sassy production based on the true story of an unlikely friendship between a straight-laced business man and a fabulous cross dressing entertainer. Pop princess Cyndi Lauper wrote the musical score with show-stopping numbers including Land of Lola, Sex is in the Heel as well as the tear-jerking Not My Father’s Son. Vivacious, saucy and truly heartwarming.
June: Calendar Girls
The award winning hit musical based on the film of the same name inspired by a true story of ordinary Yorkshire members of the Women’s Institute raising money for charity by posing for a nude calendar – overcoming the stiff upper-lip stereotypes, and eyebrow raising while shattering glass ceilings for women along the way. With a cast of household names and a musical score written by Gary Barlow, the show features friendship, love, bereavement and teenage rebellion while interweaving individual stories of each of the brave women. Expect to be both moved and entertained
July: Little Miss Sunshine
2006 film Little Miss Sunshine featuring a highly dysfunctional family’s road trip across America to a beauty pageant in California was adapted into a musical. Seven year old Olive Hoover has the chance to compete in a beauty pageant and win the coveted title of Little Miss Sunshine- albeit as the underdog. Throughout the journey and the bumps that inevitably follow, the family argue, clash and drive each other crazy. However it’s not so much about the destination but the journey for this particular family. An enjoyable performance which most can relate to. Fans of the film will not be disappointed.
August: Rocky Horror Show
Madness indeed took its toll with Richard O’Brien’s science fiction fantasy musical creation The Rocky Horror Show featuring Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton and former Blue heart throb Duncan James. The plot features an innocent and sickly sweet couple who meet the crazy transvestite scientist Dr Frank n Furter. The cult show features series of crazy, bizarre and utterly outrageous shenanigans with an electrifying soundtrack including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet and of course The Time Warp. Wild, fun and adult only – The Rocky Horror Show takes you on a crazy journey but it’s one hell of an enjoyable ride
September: The Exorcist
As one of the top ten highest grossing films of all time, William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist has joined a new genre of horror classics taking to the live stage. The bone chilling tale features a young 12 year old girl Regan who becomes possessed by a devilish demon and turns to Father Damien Karras to desperately try an “exorcism” – can they save the young girl and defeat this evil demon? This live stage show is most definitely deserving of its 18+ certificate with plenty of uncomfortable and gory moments. A suitably unnerving yet strangely entertaining performance that will continue to horrify audiences throughout their UK tour
October was a big month with two smash hit productions
October: Motown the Musical
Everyone around the world is more than ready for a brand new beat with Motown the Musical, the ultimate in jukebox musicals. The fast-paced, show stopping production sweeps the audience along in the nostalgia with no less than 50 Motown smash hits through the life and songs of Berry Gordy founder of the Motown record label. Featuring timeless classics such as Aint No Mountain High Enough, My Girl, I Heard it Through The Grapevine and Dancing in the Street. The story features many of the infamous record label acts including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5 and many more. A must-see
October: 9-5 the Musical
Queen of country music Dolly Parton’s stage version of the 1980 original girl power film 9 to 5 features three under paid and underestimated female employees who decide to hatch a plan to take revenge on their vile, sexist boss! The cast includes Love Island’s Amber Davies who shines as a west end star alongside 90s pop star Louise Redknapp. With an Oscar-winning musical score including Backwoods Barbie, Get Out and Stay Out and of course the iconic 9 to5, it’s as cheesy, enjoyable and utterly delightful as Ms Dolly Parton herself.
November: SIX
Divorced. Beheaded. Live! SIX the musical features the six famous ex-wives of Henry VIII as they rewrite the tradition of the history books and tell their own unique story full of sass, girl power and sisterhood. Nominated for 5 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, its about to begin a tour of America with shows opening soon in Broadway. More of a musical concert than a musical, pop inspired hits such as All You Wanna Do and No Way are packed with sex appeal and powerhouse vocals. However there are also softer ballads such as the emotional performance of Heart of Stone. This fun, glamorous show is well worth a watch .
December: We Will Rock You
The alternative to the Christmas pantomime, We Will Rock You is a roller coaster ride of rock, punk, science-fiction and sing along tracks inspired by Queen and their iconic songs in a show which echoes the band’s legendary live performances. Following bohemian rock wannabe Galileo and his sidekick Scarmouch as he rebels against the strict regime of GlobalSoft Corporation while rocking out to tracks including One Vision, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Radio GaGa and of course We Will Rock You. If you aren’t already a fan of Queen then you will be after this show.