THEATRE | Previews
MUSICAL ADAPTATION AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 2–Sat 7 Jul
As a young navy cadet, Douglas Day Stewart knew he had a story in him. A keen writer since school, he’d been discouraged from a career in the arts by his family, and instead ended up in the military. In the end, both worlds came together when Stewart used his personal experience to pen the screenplay for one of the 1980s’ most iconic films, An Officer and a Gentleman. ‘I started writing while I was still in the navy,’
he explains. ‘But it wasn’t until some years after I left that the story for the film came to light, although it had been incubating and percolating during that time.’ The tale of a young naval trainee who
struggles in boot camp, falls in love with a local factory worker, and sees his close friend come to a tragic end, An Officer and a Gentleman is as much gritty realism as it is romance.
Now, Stewart has re-worked his screenplay into a musical, with a plethora of 1980s chart hits driving the action along. ‘The main challenge for me was not to get
too full of myself,’ he says. ‘Because the movie was such a big hit, and a lot of people were advising me to make it a big musical like West Side Story; but that wasn’t the right way. Then I met director Nikolai Foster, and we both saw the story the same way: very working class and very true to life.’ (Kelly Apter)
MUSICAL GIRLS NIGHT OOT! THE MUSICAL Dundee Rep, 23 Jun; Òran Mór, Glasgow, Thu 12–14 Jul
With a catchy soundtrack of R&B and disco hits repurposed for a Scottish audience, this is a raucous affirmation of female friendship and the secrets we share from the loos to the dance floor. Paul Harper-Swan’s brash follow up to the hit musical I Will Survive follows Lauren, a bride-to-be, and her boozy pals as they’re getting ready to hit the clubs for ‘a last night of freedom’ before her big day. It’s a riot for those who like their humour saucy, their music loud and their drinks free-flowing. The cheeky banter and choice of female-centric pop will appeal to anyone familiar with
Harper-Swan’s pantomime / musical format. Girls Night Oot! is a no-holds-barred celebration of womanhood in all its unabashed, un-airbrushed glory. The hardworking cast of four – Alison Rona Cleland, Natalie Tulloch, Lauren Ellis-Steele, and Donna Hazelton – harmonise beautifully, even when life is less than perfect. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll possibly even pee in your TENA Lady at their shenanigans, which despite a brief moment of tension, resolves into a joyous singalong finale. ‘L’ plates, vodka shots and feather boas are not provided, so bring your own. Fellas: don’t sit near the front. (Lorna Irvine)
P H O T O :
CABARET QUEER THEORY Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, Wed 27 Jun
I I
M A R T N W N D E B A N K
110 THE LIST 1 Jun–31 Aug 2018
With a name that describes its intentions and aesthetic, Queer Theory is a monthly cabaret night that draws on Scotland’s dynamic performance culture and promotes a spirit of resistance. For Dean Cargill, the night’s curator and member of band Black Doves, it is ‘definitely a labour of love. It gives a stage to and supports countless upcoming queer performers and it brings many beautiful people together every month.’ Cargill’s belief in the power of performance is enshrined in his approach to programming.
‘I’m interested in booking acts which are fighting oppression, entrenched power and the mainstream. It is important to me that the acts that I book, even if not directly political, are experimental, subversive and challenging in some way.’ As with many cabaret nights, however, the audience and atmosphere are as important as the acts. ‘I want Queer Theory to be a community of queer people who support each other,’ he continues. ‘But at the same time, I want the acts to feel like they can do and say dangerous things. I want the audience to never be sure what to expect next and for the mood of the show to dramatically change from act to act.’
With the June show themed around the Pansy Craze (the male and female impersonators of the 30s), the night makes a bold statement that both respects the rich history of resistance and celebrates its contemporary vitality. With artists from music, spoken word, dance, live art and more taking the stage, Queer Theory practices what it preaches. (Gareth K Vile)