 Something wicker this way comes
THE National Theatre of Scotland has announced its programme for the spring and is already capturing the headlines for Appointment with the Wicker Man (pictured, photo: Eoin Carey), a spin on the cult horror flick by Greg Hemphill and Donald McLeary. Directed by Vicky Featherstone, the music-theatre piece is an "all-singing-and-dancing love letter" to the original movie and goes on a four-city tour from February. Meanwhile, two NTS shows will be abroad: Beautiful Burnout is heading to festivals in Australia and New Zealand, and Duncan McLean's Long Gone Lonesome is in the USA. Also announced is Reasons to Dance, a large-scale community show in Falkirk about social dancing, and Emerge, a series of events showcasing the work of the company's new directors and artists. All together nowACTOR Brian Cox is backing a partnership between Dundee Rep and the University of Dundee, the first fruits of which is a masters degree in theatre studies launched today. Drawing on the professional input of the Rep and the combined expertise of the school of humanities and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, the course will cover creative writing, directing, marketing and the theory and history of drama. "It is both brave and original in its vision," says Cox. "The concept of a 'creative campus' establishes a vital link between a working theatre and the university community. It also supports the whole idea of the craft of 'theatre in the community'. In an ideal world it would be exciting to see this idea catch fire between other established universities and theatres throughout Scotland and beyond." There is a plan to adapt the Bonar Hall into a learning and performance space.  The kids are all right
IT wouldn't be a theatreSCOTLAND update without news of Catherine Wheels. This week it's about the triumph of White (pictured) winning best show for children and young people in the Theatre Awards UK (previously the TMA awards). Hooray! More good news for children comes with the announcement of the London 2012 Festival programme for Scotland, which includes two new shows in the Bank of Scotland Imaginate festival under the banner of Truce - Celebrating the Olympiad. Andy Cannon and Mull Theatre will present Scota-land, about the authenticity of the Crown of Destiny on the fictional Isle of Mikle, and Andy Manley and the MacRobert will present Mikey and Addie, about a day when everything changes. Both plays will go on an extensive Scottish tour.  Life imitating art
WE hear from Cora Bissett that things took a turn for the hyper-real during the current run of Roadkill in London. So convinced was one audience member that actor Mercy Ojelade (pictured) was genuinely being held against her will as a sex slave in the site-specific show that she untied her, confronted actor John Kazek, presented herself as a human shield and tried to flee the house. Thanks to some careful persuasion by Ojelade, she saw reason and the show went on. OPENING SOON The Murder of Geoffrey Robbins, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Nov 7–12 Little Match Girl Passion, Cryptic, Tron, Glasgow, Nov 10–12 Kin, Donna Rutherford, Traverse, Edinburgh Nov 10–12 LAST CHANCE TO SEE God Bless Liz Lochhead, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, on tour, Sep 5–10 and Nov 1–5 You Cannot Go Forward From Where You Are Right Now, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, on tour, Oct 10–Nov 4 Juicy Fruits, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, on tour, Oct 17–Nov 11 Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off, Dundee Rep, Oct 19–Nov 5 Connected, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Oct 31–Nov 5 Edwin Morgan’s Dreams and Other Nightmares, Glasgay, Tron, Glasgow, Nov 2–5 |  | |
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1 November 2011 Northings By Shona McKee McNeil and Ian Hammond Brown. A Pitlochry Festival Theatre review. 
31 October 2011 Northings By Shonna Reppe. A Catherine Wheeels theatre review. 
28 October 2011 The Guardian 27By Abi Morgan. A National Theatre of Scotland/Royal Lyceum Theatre review. 
25 October The Guardian A Day in the Death of Joe EggBy Peter Nichols. A Citizens Theatre review. 
10 October 2011 Northings By JC Marshall. A Visible Fictions review. 
4 October 2011 The Guardian Calum's RoadBy David Harrower (from the book by Roger Hutchinson). A Communicado/National Theatre of Scotland review 
4 October 2011 Northings By Gerry Mulgrew (adapted from stories told by Duncan Williamson). A Communicado/National Theatre of Scotland review 
28 September 2011 Northings By Hamish MacDonald. A Mull Theatre review. 
23 September 2011 The Guardian By Liz Lochhead. A Royal Lyceum Theatre review. 
22 September 2011 The Guardian By Ena Lamont Stewart. A National Theatre of Scotland review. |
