Magic, music, even murder in Gaiety’s summer line- up
The summer season at Ayr’s famous Gaiety Theatre is packed full of fun for all the family.
There’s everything from the National Youth Theatre Festival – kicking off this week – to a tribute to the legendary David Bowie at the end of August.
The National Youth Theatre Festival runs from Friday until Sunday, and will see a host of performances and workshops with youth theatre groups from around Scotland – and as far afield as Malta – taking to the stage.
And on Tuesday, the Chapterhouse Theatre Company return to Ayr for a production of Wind in the Willows. The fantastic show is presented in beautiful traditional costume and even features a ‘ woodland parade’ during the interval to get everyone involved.
On Friday, July 14, fans of pop legends Abba are in for a treat as the unique look and sound of the group is replicated by Abba Forever as they perform some of the world’s most- loved chart hits.
The next night, the theatre will host magician Michael Jordan for a show promising grand illusions, crazy circus thrills and extraordinary tricks from the talented performer who rose to fame on ITV’s Penn and Teller ‘ Fool Us’ show.
The sounds of swing take to the stage on Friday, July 21 as the Pasadena Roof Orchestra recreate timeless classics from the great American songbook of the 1920’ s and 1930’ s.
Murder mystery is the name of the game on Saturday, July 22 as the Memento Mori event plunges you into the Victorian era – when death was most definitely a serious business.
Opera returns to the Gaiety on Tuesday, July 25 as Opera Bohemia present Bizet’s masterpiece The Pearl Fishers featuring a starstudded cast singing in French with English subtitles.
And it’s a busy week as the popular A Play, A Pie and A Pint series returns – but this time it’s panto, with ‘ Punocchio’ bringing the much- loved tale of everyone’s favourite liar into the 21st century.
Versatile entertainer Liam Dolan’s return to The Gaiety is sure to be another highlight of the summer season as he brings his live variety show to the stage on Saturday, August 5.
And later that month the Step Into Summer Showcase on Saturday, August 26 will feature a feast of music, dance and laughter from supremely talented local performers. All proceeds from the night go to The Gaiety themselves.
August comes to a close with a tribute to the iconic David Bowie with performances of his top hits set to pack out the main auditorium on Wednesday, August 30.
Another popular show returns as The Lady Boys of Bangkok take to The Gaiety stage with a lavish new production on Tuesday, September 5.
The Price of A Fish Supper, written by Kirmichael author Catherine Czerkawska and performed by retired depute head teacher Ken O’Hara went down a storm earlier this year.
And the show returns on Wednesday, September 6 and Thursday, September 7 after its successful run as part of the A Play, A Pie and A Pint series.
Perfect Days, written by Scotland’s former national poet Liz Lochhead, comes to the theatre on Wednesday, September 13 before Elio Pace opens The Billy Joel Songbook to perform some of the American icon’s most loved songs on Thursday, September 14.
Comedy pair Chris Taylor and Fraser Boyle take to the stage again on Friday, September 22 after their wildly successful comedy sketch show last year.
And the summer season comes to a close from Tuesday, September 26 until Saturday, September 30 as the classic Scottish play The Steamie takes to the stage for its 30th anniversary production.
More details, plus listings and ticket info, visit www. thegaiety. co. uk or call 01292 288235.