theatreSCOTLAND

New summit for Hill

SUCH has been the media focus on the RSC's rebuilt theatre in Stratford that it has been easy to miss the news of the company's 2011 programme. It opens in April with a production of Macbeth by Michael Boyd, who seems to be doing all right for himself since leaving Glasgow's Tron. Already announced is a revival of David Greig's Dunsinane (pictured), which this time round is being presented by the National Theatre of Scotland in association with the Royal Lyceum, and will appear in Edinburgh and Glasgow in May and June. In the company will be three cast members from the original staging earlier this year: Siobhan Redmond, Jonny Phillips and Brian Ferguson. Also in the RSC line-up, Dominic Hill is moonlighting from the Traverse to direct The City Madam, a "biting comedy" by Philip Massinger, house dramatist with the King's Men. And Anthony Neilson will be applying his customary directorial flair to the Marat/Sade.

Gagarin Way to go

BACK at Boyd's old stomping ground, even as the Tron is promoting its Flo White panto with a video featuring actor Sally Reid, the company's thoughts are already turning to the spring. Its 2011 programme includes Blythe Duff (pictured) in Just Checking, a one-woman comedy by Karen McLachlan, staged by the Taggart actor's new company Datum Point. Duff has plans to tour the play in the autumn. The Tron company itself is giving a "stripped" staging to Charles Dyer's Staircase, a 1966 drama about two Brixton homosexuals and there are visits from Raindog, back from the dead after folding in 2002, Random Accomplice and Stellar Quines. Also calling in will be Rapture with a revival of Gregory Burke's Gagarin Way starring Dave Anderson, Jimmy Chisholm, Finn Den Hertog and Jordan Young.

Fringe benefits

AFTER several decades with an unchanged constitution, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has revamped its membership system. Now when companies register with the organisation, they will be given the option of becoming members. At an extraordinary general meeting last Sunday, the society agreed to the change by a majority of 93%. There will also be a 12-member participants' council which will work closely with the board. That board will have guaranteed places for performers and venue representatives. More details in the Stage.

OPENING SOON A Christmas Carol, Cumbernauld Theatre, Nov 26–Dec 24 Beauty and the Beast, Citizens, Glasgow, Nov 27–Dec 31 Sleeping Beauty, Dundee Rep, Nov 20–Jan 8 Mr Snow, MacRobert, Stirling, Nov 30–Dec 31 Cinderella, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Dec 2–Jan 1 The Magical Adventures of Robin Hood, Pavilion, Glasgow, Dec 1–Jan 22 Pinocchio, Arches, Glasgow, Dec 1–Jan 2 The Snow Queen, Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, Dec 2–31   LAST CHANCE TO SEE Romeo and Juliet, Open Book, on tour, Nov 22–26

REVIEWS AT theatreSCOTLAND

30 September 2010 Northings

Interiors

Vanishing Point review.

10 August 2010 Northings

White

By Andy Manley. A Catherine Wheels review.