Here’ sw hat you’ve been Les Missing! The essential shows to see as theatre returns
The world might be a stage but when the world is in lockdown where is there left to perform? Theatres large and small felt it harder than most in the entertainment industry during the pandemic. Forced to shut their doors over the past 18 months, there’s been a longing for a return to the shared experience of live theatre.
After some theatres made a tentative reopening in recent weeks, a full-blown return to a packed schedule of touring shows is just around the corner, with some of the biggest and best-loved productions about to go on the road, starring a host of famous names.
Theatres will continue to follow government guidelines closely and also implement their own safety measures. In Edinburgh’s Festival and King’s theatres, face coverings should be worn unless exempt, there will be hand sanitiser available and one-way systems in operation.
Since both theatres opened before restrictions came to an end, they have not changed the seating plans for any performances sold on a socially distanced basis and for others, they are offering socially distanced seats in one area of the theatre for those who would prefer it until the end of September.
At Ambassadors Theatre Group venues, which include the King’s and Theatre Royal in Glasgow and Playhouse in Edinburgh, either a negative PCR/LF test done within 48 hours prior to attending or a copy of an NHS certificate proving you are fully vaccinated, is required prior to gaining entry. It is also asking audiences to wear face coverings.
Touring productions are very much hoping audiences will quickly become enthralled by what they are watching on stage and still have a great night out.
To help you plan your return to the theatre, we’ve taken a look at some of the biggest shows performing in Scotland before the end of the year.
Bill Kenwright’s production of Blood Brothers (King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Edinburgh Playhouse, Oct 5-9, Oct 12-16) has now surpassed 10,000 performances in the West End, one of only three musicals to ever achieve that milestone. The score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and Tell Me It’s
Not True.
Disney first debuted Beauty And The Beast (Edinburgh Playhouse, Oct 21-27) on Broadway 26 years ago. Members of the original creative team have reunited on this new production that features the music and lyrics of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Promising to use the latest theatrical innovations to bring the magical story back to life, among the cast is former X Factor winner Sam Bailey as Mrs Potts.
One of the most glamorous, over the top and joyful musicals is Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Nov 1-6) , a UK theatre staple for decades. With spectacular dance routines, eye-popping costumes and a sing-a-long soundtrack featuring It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Finally, this can’t help but raise a smile.
If ever a film was perfect for a musical adaptation, it was ’80s classic Dirty Dancing (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Nov 8-13), and the stage version’s popularity around the world since its inception has proved that to be true.
Featuring hit songs such as Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? And (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life, the story of 17-year-old Frances “Baby” Houseman falling in love with Johnny, the dance instructor at the holiday resort where her family is staying, continues to be a favourite down the generations.
The stratospheric rise of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Nov 9-13) has been breathtaking. Beginning life as a documentary and soon to be seen on screen as a major new Amazon movie, the smash-hit musical came into being after the documentary was seen by a theatre director. Starting life as a regional production, a major producer saw it and offered it a West End stage. Layton Williams stars as Jamie, ably supported by household names Shane Richie and Shobna Gulati.
Waitress (His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Nov 23-27) started life as a cult 2007 film, which premiered at Sundance and received a limited cinema release in the States. It was adapted for the stage in 2015, introducing a new set of fans to the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of happiness in her life. When an attractive new doctor arrives in town, her life becomes even more complicated. Former
X Factor star turned acclaimed musical theatre performer Lucie Jones heads the cast, alongside ex-emmerdale actress Sandra Marvin and Busted’s Matt Willis as Dr Pomatter.
Rounding off the year in style is one of the bona fide classics of musical theatre. Les Miserables takes up residency in the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, from
Nov 23-Jan 1, providing a festive treat for fans. This production was conceived in 2009 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show, with new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The songs speak for themselves
– I Dreamed A Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear The People Sing and many more.