Musical and comedy highlights in Scotland for 2012 and 2013

Phantom of the Opera, Medea, Ross Noble, Glasgow Girls and more

This article is from 2012.

Ross Noble

Phantom of the Opera

It’s been 25 years since Lord Lloyd-Webber’s high-drama, high-camp operatic musical burst onto the stage. And now, after sell-out shows all over the globe, Phantom returns to Edinburgh’s Playhouse in September for a month-long run as part of its silver anniversary tour. Always hugely popular, snap up your tickets quick.
19 Sep–20 Oct, Edinburgh Playhouse, atgtickets.com

Medea

This modern twist on Euripides’ classic Greek tragedy comes courtesy of Orange Prize nominee Stella Duffy. The play uses the ancient text to explore the current political hot topics of immigration and national security. After 3,000 years the themes of persecution and revenge are still relevant today.
27 Sep–13 Oct, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, citz.co.uk

The Authorised Kate Bane

Multi-award winning theatre company Grid Iron return to the Tron to explore themes of identity and isolation. The Ella Hickson play centres around Kate’s attempt to find a true version of her family’s past on a visit to her childhood home with her new boyfriend. The atmosphere grows in intensity and communication is cut-off as the snow begins to fall heavier.
12–26 Oct, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, traverse.co.uk

Glasgow Girls

The Citz premieres this daring musical from director Cora Bissett and writer David Greig. Outraged by the detention of their friend, a Kosovan refugee, seven school girls start a protest that makes it all the way to the Scottish Government. Based on true events and with original songs, can these girls succeed where politicians have failed?
31 Oct–17 Nov, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, citz.co.uk

Dirty Dancing

Eighties film phenomenon and now the fastest selling West End show in history, Dirty Dancing brings its saucy dance numbers north of the Border on its first nationwide tour. Expect plenty of lifts, turns, watermelon carrying and an extremely excitable audience when Baby and Johnny take to the stage for THAT dance routine.
4 Dec–12 Jan, Edinburgh Playhouse, atgtickets.com

Ross Noble: MindBlender

It’s always best to expect the unexpected where freewheeling off-the-wall Geordie comedian Ross Noble is concerned. Spinning whole routines from the tiniest details like fringes or bras, Noble takes his audience on a topsy-turvy journey through the psychedelic caverns of his mind. Every night is a surprise for the audience and for Noble.
Pavillion Theatre, Glasgow, 2 Nov, paviliontheatre.co.uk

Glasgow Comedy Festival

The city that ‘smiles better’ lives up to its nickname with the arrival of Glasgow’s annual comedy festival in March. This year’s festival played host to comedians from far and wide, including Ardal O’Hanlon and Police Academy’s human sound machine, Michael Winslow, as well as comic talents of the future. The programme for 2013 will be released in the spring.
15 Mar–1 Apr, Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowcomedyfestival.com