theatreSCOTLAND

Cut to the chase

THINGS are not quite the same as the last time we had a Tory government when there was a phalanx of left-wing theatre companies to kick up a fuss, but – in its 21st century way – the theatre is doing its bit to suggest there is an alternative. The Traverse, for example, has a proposed piece of "guerrilla theatre" lined up to coincide with the Scottish elections on 5 May, following last year's very entertaining Gordon Brown: A Life in Theatre. Before that is a nationwide event called Theatre Uncut, described as a 'national theatrical uprising' to protest about the government's public spending cuts. Several writers, including David Greig, Dennis Kelly and Mark Ravenhill, are donating short pieces which, for the duration of the event, can be performed rights free. Other professionals are also working for free. The idea is that on 19 March, student drama groups, youth clubs and professional theatre companies will stage the plays to spark discussion and dissent. More details here.

C in the Park

IN case you were in doubt about the National Theatre of Scotland's drugs policy, we learn this week that the company does not "condone in any way the abuse or possession of illegal substances". Glad we got that cleared up. The reason for the company's statement was the fining of Black Watch actor Keith Fleming for possession of a gram of cocaine at last year's T in the Park. Pictured is Fleming after being named joint actor (no, not that kind of joint) with Gerry Mulgrew in the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland in the heady days before his "cocaine shame".

A bard in the hand

CONGRATULATIONS to Liz Lochhead who succeeds the late Edwin Morgan as Scotland's Makar. As a reader of Joyce McMillan's blog for the Guardian points out, that means the national poets for both Scotland and Wales are women (in Wales, it's Gillian Clarke). It also means Scotland's first two Makars have been poets with an active interest in theatre. The next Lochhead play on the horizon is a revival of Educating Agnes at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh. The first production of that play was directed by Graham McLaren who has a very busy year ahead of him, not only with several engagements with the National Theatre of Scotland, but also with Toronto’s Necessary Angel for which he is directing a new translation of Racine’s Andromaque at the Luminato festival in June (publicity pic: Guntar Kravis).

Early birds catch the CATS

TICKETS for the 2011 ceremony for the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland are now on sale at the early-bird price of £10 if you book before 1 February – that's a 33% discount. The event takes place at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Sunday 12 June. Everyone gets a free glass of fizz before and after the afternoon ceremony. Pictured is Jemima Levick receiving the award for best director from Jonathan Mills and Karen Dunbar last year (pic: Lloyd Smith). Book tickets here.

OPENING SOON Singin' I'm No a Billy He's a Tim, NLP Company, On tour, Jan 31–Apr 7 A Play, a Pie and a Pint, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Jan 31–Jun 5 Manipulate, Traverse, Edinburgh, Jan 31–Feb 5 Just Checking, Datum Point, Tron, Glasgow, Feb 2–12 LAST CHANCE TO SEE The Breathing House, Rekindle, , Tron, Glasgow, Jan 25–29 Doorways in Drumorty, RedRag, on tour, Oct 14–Jan 28

REVIEWS AT theatreSCOTLAND

18 January 2011 The Guardian

A View from the Bridge

By Arthur Miller. A Royal Lyceum Theatre reivew.

30 September 2010 Northings

Interiors

Vanishing Point review.