The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Chevalier (12A)
Amusical prodigy faces racial discrimination across the class divide in director Stephen Williams’ handsome period drama.
It is based on the untold true story of composer Joseph Bologne, whose artistic achievements were almost erased from history during the upheaval of the French Revolution in the late 18th Century.
Kelvin Harrison Jr adopts a cocksure swagger in the title role, beginning with an eye-catching opening sequence in which Bologne brazenly shares the stage with Mozart (Joseph Prowen) and humiliates the Austrian composer by performing one of his works with more verve and passion than its dumbfounded creator.
A fiery expletive from Mozart provides the perfect punctuation to this thrilling battle of the violin bows.
Screenwriter Stefani Robinson composes a bittersweet symphony of triumph against adversity, with ravishing solos from production designer Karen Murphy, costume designer
Oliver Garcia and their respective teams.
Bosoms tastefully heave – sexual dalliances are inferred, but never explicitly depicted to secure a 12A certification – while violence is used sparingly to illustrate a groundswell of public discontent that will lead to Marie Antoinette losing her head.
The French queen is played with steely resolve by Lucy Boynton, labouring under the illusion that the people “cannot topple what has been ordained by God”.
Williams’ artful picture reminds us that powerbrokers and the privileged underestimate the resolve of hard-working people.
As the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Joseph Bologne (Harrison Jr) is encouraged by his father (Jim High) to achieve excellence in his schooling at the prestigious Academie La Boessiere.
“I fear this will not be a kind place to such a boy,” warns La Boessiere (Ben Bradshaw), a fencing master who fires Joseph’s competitive spirit with a foil.
Those skills with a blade impress Marie Antoinette and she anoints Joseph as Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
He wins the queen’s favour and she encourages him to compete against celebrated composer Christoph Gluck (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) for the coveted position of head of the Paris opera.
The candidates will be judged on a new opera and Joseph enlists Madame De Genlis (Sian Clifford) to oversee his staging.
He woos ingenue MarieJosephine de Montalembert (Samara Weaving) for the title role, in direct opposition from her husband (Marton Csokas), who reminds Joseph that “in any other country, a man of your colour would not be wearing such fine clothes”.
Chevalier conducts dangerous liaisons as the heady scent of revolution wafts through Paris.
Csokas’s jealous spouse is a cookie-cutter villain but he serves a clear purpose as Williams’ picture builds to a rousing performance of Bologne’s emphatic Violin Concerto No 9.
AROUND TOWN Potfest Scotland
Scone Palace, Scone, Perth, PH2 6BD, 07801 441152, until Sun June 11, 10am-4.30pm, £8 / £15 (children free). Celebration of Scottish ceramics, now in its 26th year, with 90 studio ceramics artists taking part. You’ll have the opportunity to wander Scone Palace’s grounds and gardens, talk to the makers and discover what fuels their passion for clay, and buy directly from them. potfest.co.uk
Scotland’s Coasts
Stanley Mills, Stanley, Perth, PH1 4QE, until Sun July 2, daily 9.30am5.30pm, included in £7.50 admission price (£6; children £4.50). Scotland’s coast has shaped life in the country for thousands of years, influencing how we work, rest and play. This exhibition, drawn from Historic Environment Scotland’s archives, explores Scotland’s relationship to the sea and its impact on everyday life. historicenvironment.scot
Got the Message?
Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, 01382 384310, until Sat July 29, Mon-Fri 9.30am-7pm. Sat 11am-4pm, free. This exhibition explores the power of graphic design to change your life. Featuring posters, product packaging, public health promotions and other material from the University of Dundee Museum collections. dundee.ac.uk
Tartan
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Sun January 14, daily 10am5pm, £7-£16 (members and children free). Tartan is the first major exhibition curated by V&A Dundee and the first major design exhibition dedicated to tartan in the UK in 100 years. vam.ac.uk/Dundee
V&A Dundee Highlights Tour with Tartan Entry
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Sun January 14, Fri-Sun, 12.30pm, £20-25 (includes ticket to Tartan exhibition). This tour provides an overview of the museum and a visit to the Scottish Design Galleries to see some of the most popular objects. It is followed by admission to Tartan, the V&A’s current major exhibition. Meet at the welcome desk ten minutes before the start. vam.ac.uk/ dundee
Adam Smith Annual Lecture: Robert Peston
Adam Smith Theatre, Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1ET, 01592 583302. Fri June 9, 7pm, £10. Robert Peston, the renowned English journalist, presenter, and author, will deliver this year’s Adam Smith Annual Lecture. He is the political editor of ITV News and hosts his own weekly political discussion show, Peston. onfife.com
Under the Stars: Land Rover Trek Weekend
Dunkeld, PH8 0AY, 01350 727720, until Sun June 11, Sat-Sun, £250 per vehicle (members £100). This two-day adventure trek experience provides an excellent opportunity to drive your vehicle through some beautiful off-road terrain. slroc.co.uk
Exhibition: Balhousie Castle Through the Years
The Black Watch Castle and Museum, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth, PH1 5HR, 01738 638152, until Mon June 19, Sat-Thu 9.30am4.30pm, free but donations welcome. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2013 castle and museum redevelopment, this special exhibition invites you to explore the history of
Balhousie centuries. co.uk
Castle over the theblackwatch.
Adam Smith Food Festival
Fife College, St Brycedale Avenue, St Brycedale Campus, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1EX, 03442 480115.
Sat June 10, 10am-4pm, free. Fun family event with a programme of demonstrations by industry professionals and young talent, food workshops for kids and adults, tastings and stalls. fife.ac.uk
Dining Experience at the Castle: 10 Course Tasting Menu
The Black Watch Castle and Museum, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth, PH1 5HR, 01738 638152.
Sat June 10, 6.30-11pm, £65. Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Balhousie Castle redevelopment with a 10-course tasting menu created by talented head chef, Michael Wells. This unique menu will showcase local produce. theblackwatch.co.uk
Strathmore Highland Games
Glamis Castle, Glamis, DD8 1RJ, 01307 840393. Sun June 11, 10am, £10 (£5). Expect caber tossing, hammer throwing, Highland dancing, pipers, a bouncy castle, refreshments and races. strathmorehighlandgames. co.uk
Dundee’s Turbulent History: From Witchcraft Trials to Votes for Women
City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BG, 01382 527527. Sun June 11, 2.30-4pm, £10 (£9). You will learn about invading armies, witchcraft persecution and executions, while from the 20th Century, you will hear stories of suffragettes. dundeewaterfrontwalks. scot
V&A Dundee Architecture Tour
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ, 01382 411611, until Thu January 11, Mon-Thu, 12.30-1.30pm, free but booking required. Discover the incredible story behind the V&A’s building and learn more about its design and construction with a detailed look at the architecture of this very modern museum. vam.ac.uk/dundee
Kings & Queens Buried in Dunfermline Abbey
Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Abbot Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NL, 01383 312603. Thu June 15, 4.30pm, free but booking is essential.
Join Dr Michael Penman from the University of Stirling for some fascinating tales of the Scottish kings and queens buried in the Dunfermline Abbey Church and Nave. onfife.com/dclg
ART
Robert Leishman: The Poet’s Dreams
Tower Foyer Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, 01382 384310, until Sat June 24, Mon-Fri 9.30am7pm.
Sat 11am-4pm, free. Born in Inverkeithing and trained in Edinburgh, Leishman taught art in Fife before coming to Dundee in the 1960s to teach at Kirkton High School. This is the first significant exhibition of his work in more than 30 years. dundee.ac.uk/museum
I Wasn’t Prepared
Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, PH8 0DS, 01350 727674, until Sun June 25, daily 10am-5pm, free. Mat Dugard’s artistic practice combines digital tools such as 3D modelling with traditional painting techniques. birnamarts.com
The Royal Photographic Society: Scottish Annual Exhibition
Carnoustie Library, High Street, Carnoustie, DD7 6AN, 01241 803585, until Fri June 30, daily 10am5.30pm,
free. RPS Scotland has 577 members who put on a travelling exhibition comprising 40 mounted/ framed images chosen to best represent the breadth and quality of work undertaken by its members. rps.org
Zineb Sedira: Can’t You See the Sea Changing
Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY, 01382 432444, until Sun August 6, Sat-Sun & Tue-Wed 11am-6pm. Thu 11am-8pm, free. Sedira draws upon her personal history and close connection to Algeria, France and the UK to explore ideas of identity, mobility, gender, environment and collective memory. dca.org.uk
What’s New? Recent Additions to Dundee’s Fine Art Collection
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, Albert Square, Meadowside, Dundee, DD1 1DA, 01382 307200, until Thu August 31, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12.30-4.30pm, free. Dundee’s fine art collection continues to grow and this exhibition reflects the past ten years of acquisitions. The exhibition features a major sculpture installation by Doug Cocker, a rare studio portrait by John Duncan and work by Joan Eardley, Alberta Whittle and Katie Paterson
among many other artists. mcmanus.co.uk
Hidden Histories: Exploring Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Dundee’s Art Collection
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, Albert Square, Meadowside, Dundee, DD1 1DA, 01382 307200, until Sat December 16, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12.30-4.30pm, free. Display revealing the work the McManus have been doing to consider the 20thCentury art collection from different standpoints, and to provide a more inclusive view that better reflects the diversity of the world we live in. mcmanus.co.uk
Cyanotype Workshops
Perth Art Gallery, 78 George Street, Perth, PH1 5LB, 01738 632488.
Thu June 15, 10am12.30pm & 2-4.30pm, £15. Join collections officer Paul Adair who will introduce you to the basics of cyanotype printmaking, its history and chemistry. Learn how to create beautiful blue prints in this hands-on workshop inspired by the Perth Art Gallery’s lantern slide photographic collection. culturepk.org.uk
BOOKS
Ben Aaronovitch Topping & Company Booksellers, 7 Greyfriars
Garden, St Andrews, KY16 9HG, 01334 585111. Tue June 13, 8-9pm, £7-£14.99 (£5). Calling all fantasy fans: former Doctor Who screenwriter Ben Aaronovitch will be swinging by Topping Books to celebrate the release of his new standalone novella in the bestselling Rivers Of London series, Winter’s Gifts. toppingbooks.co.uk
Ambrose Parry
Topping & Company Booksellers, 7 Greyfriars Garden, St Andrews, KY16 9HG, 01334 585111.
Thu June 15, 8-9pm, £7£16.99 (£5). Ambrose Parry is the pen name for two authors – the internationally bestselling Chris Brookmyre and consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman. Inspired by the gory details Haetzman uncovered during her history of medicine degree, the married couple teamed up to write a series of historical crime thrillers. They’ll be discussing the next instalment in their Raven And Fisher series, Voices Of The Dead. toppingbooks.co.uk
COMEDY Gary Meikle 2.5
Alhambra Theatre, 35 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NX, 01383 740384.
Fri June 9, 8pm, £22.50. Gary performs his third show, with subjects including his daughters, being a young, single grandad, how equality between the sexes has a clear and definitive line, medication side effects, how our ancestors were idiots, and more. alhambradunfermline.com
Two Doors Down: Elaine C Smith & Arabella Weir
Adam Smith Theatre, Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1ET, 01592 583302. Sat June 10, 7pm, £20. Known to millions as next-door neighbours, the ever-demanding Christine and long-suffering Beth, on hit BBC sitcom Two Doors Down, Elaine C Smith and Arabella Weir will be appearing on stage together at the newly refurbished Adam Smith Theatre. onfife.com
National Theatre of Scotland Presents Dear Billy
Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, St Andrews, KY16 9LA, 01334 475000.
Sat June 10, 7.30pm, pay what you can £5£15. National treasure Billy Connolly needs no introduction – he is woven into Scottish culture. Now, an expert team of story gatherers has created a collection of moving and hilarious tales about Billy, with Gary McNair, one of Scotland’s best theatre makers, turning them into a special show celebrating the Big Yin and what he means to us. byretheatre.com
DANCE Pirates!
Dundee Rep Theatre,
Tay Square, Dundee, DD1 1PB, 01382 223530, until Sat June 17.
Tue 1.30pm.
Thu 7pm, £10-£20. All aboard for Scottish Dance Theatre’s new family show Pirates!. Join best friends Tom and Daisy as they enter the world of Captain Sandy Rogers and her rowdy crew. Together, they go on an unforgettable adventure. Aimed at ages 7-12, but everyone is welcome. dundeerep.co.uk
FAMILY Hands On Art
Perth Art Gallery, 78 George Street, Perth, PH1 5LB, 01738 632488, until Sat December 23, Fri-Sat & Mon 10am-5pm.
Sun 10am-4pm.
Thu 10am-7pm. A colourful, interactive and fun space for families to visit. From bean bags, giant jigsaws and building blocks to musical instruments and craft tables, young museum visitors will enjoy engaging and responding to art and objects. Suitable for all ages. culturepk.org.uk
The Big Aberdour Castle Lego Build
Aberdour Community Centre, 9 Shore Road, Aberdour, KY3 0TR.
Sat June 10, 10.30am4.30pm, free. Join sculptor and Lego enthusiast Alistair Jelks to help build a scale model of Aberdour Castle and learn about architecture and construction along the way. Ages 7+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. historicenvironment.scot
Little Oaks Early Years Group
St Andrews Botanic Garden, Canongate, St Andrews, KY16 8RT, 01334 461200. Tue June 13, 10-11.30am, £6 (additional siblings £3.50). Little Oaks weekly sessions are designed to help you explore nature as a family, with outdoor play and learning for every season. Grow your confidence with tips for supporting your little ones to explore the natural world through play. For ages three months to five years. standrewsbotanic.org
Circus Vegas
Riverside Park, Dundee, DD2 1AZ, until Mon June 26. Thu 5pm & 7.45pm, £10£34. Housed inside a huge big-top circus tent, Circus Vegas combines all the elements of a fun, daredevil circus with the glitz, glamour and spectacle you imagine when you think of Vegas. circusvegasuk.com
MUSIC
Kathleen White & David Mowle
Saint Paul’s Episcopal
Cathedral, 1 High Street, Dundee, DD1 1TD, 01382 224486.
Fri June 9, 1-2pm, £5 (students £3; children free). Enjoy a beautiful concert enhanced by the cathedral’s wonderful acoustics. Coffee/tea and cake will be served afterwards. This week, soprano Kathleen White and pianist David Mowle will be performing. saintpaulscathedral.net
BC Camplight
Beat Generator Live, 70 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1PS, 01382 229226.
Sat June 10, 7pm, £15.75. Indie rock and alt pop from the US songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He’s touring his latest and reportedly final album, The Last Rotation Of Earth. beatgenerator.co.uk
In Concert with Gill Halliday
The Bothy Experience, Kirkwynd, Glamis, Forfar, DD8 1RT, 01307 840979. Sat June 10, 7.30-9.30pm, £15-£20. Gill Halliday is an acclaimed musician and songwriter based in Angus. She tells stories of life on the road from Scotland to New Zealand, tales of love, friendship and chance encounters. ginbothy.co.uk
Ready Steady 60s Show
The Webster Memorial Theatre, 64 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1AW, 01241 435800.
Sat June 10, 7.30pm, £18£20. Four-piece live band recreating the best of the 60s mod and British beat scene. angusalive.scot
SCO Summer Tour: Bohemian Dances
Birnam Arts, Station Road,
Birnam, PH8 0DS, 01315 576800.
Sat June 10, 7.30-9.30pm, £16 (free-£8). The Scottish Chamber Orchestra Wind Soloists invite you to join them on a thrilling musical tour of Europe, with dance as the theme. sco.org. ukbirnamarts.com
SCO Summer Tour: Mozart Serenade
Montrose Town Hall, Melville Gardens, Montrose, DD10 8HG, 01315 576800. Sat June 10, 7.30-9.30pm, £16 (free-£8). The Scottish Chamber Orchestra Strings performance features works by Boccherini and Mendelssohn, before Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. sco.org.uk
Beth Malcolm
Perth Theatre, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5UW, 01738 621031.
Sat June 10, 8-10pm, £18.50. Winner of the BBC MG ALBA Scots Singer of the Year in 2022, Beth Malcolm will be accompanied by guitarist and vocalist Heather Cartwright, and will invite some of the brightest stars of contemporary folk to join her on stage. perththeatreandconcerthall. com
Disney on Handbells: A Concert Celebrating a Century of Disney Classics
Dunblane Cathedral, The Cross, Dunblane, FK15 0AQ, 01786 823388.
Sun June 11, 7.30-9pm, £10 (£8; children free). Dunblane Cathedral’s Handbell Ensemble perform music from Disney classics on Scotland’s largest range of handbells. dunblanecathedral.org.uk
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
Caird Hall, City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BB, 01382 434940.
Wed June 14, 7.30pm, £30£35. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac return to perform the iconic Rumours album, alongside a special set celebrating the very best of the band in question. leisureandculturedundee. com
THEATRE
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Perth Theatre, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5UW, 01738 621031, until Sat June 10. Fri 7.30pm.
Sat 2pm & 7.30pm, £15.50£21.50. The irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favourite son. Presented by Ad-Lib Arts and featuring all the classic songs from the award-winning West End and Broadway show. perththeatreandconcerthall. com
Barefoot in the Park
Abbey Theatre, Abbot Street, Arbroath, DD11 1HH, 01241 876420, until Sat June 17, Mon-Thu 7.30pm, £10. Newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter are over the moon as they begin their life together in their new apartment in Manhattan. Presented by the Abbey Theatre Club. theabbeytheatre.co.uk
A Tomb with a View
Monifieth Theatre, 72 High Street, Monifieth, DD5 4AG, 01382 480043, until Sat June 24.
Thu 7.30pm, £6-9 (£4-7). The eccentric Tombs family want to know who Miss Ash is and why she has been left a fortune by the departed Septimus. Flora Ash, writer of romantic fiction, soon arrives. Then the corpses start to pile up in the silliest of horror comedies from Norman Robbins. monifieththeatre.co.uk