The REALIST
4 COMEDY Wilson Dixon
He may seem like a laidback guy, but country legend Wilson Dixon sure is hurtin’ inside. His ex-wife is causing him grief while he’s struggling to keep an angry horse happy. Character musical comedy at its finest, y’all. See preview, page 77. The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 1 Jul; The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 1, Tue 3 Jul.
5 THEATRE Edwardian Ghost Stories / Victorian Séance
Edwardians and Victorians knew a thing or two about spooks, and these two events should have you quaking in your boots. An afternoon recreation of MR James telling tales by the fire is followed by an evening of paranormal activity. See Highlights, page 112. Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, Sat 28 Jul.
6 KIDS Milkshake! Live
An astonishing array of kiddies’ favourite characters are gathered on one stage courtesy of Channel 5’s Milkshake!, including Fireman Sam, the Little Princess, Noddy, Bob the Builder, Shimmer & Shine, Winnie & Wilbur, and Wissper. See preview, page 89. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thu 5 Jul.
7 TV The Bridge
8 VISUAL ART Eve Fowler
9 MUSIC / KIDS Kelburn Garden Party
The end of an era is dawning as Scandic Noir’s crown jewel heads for its no-doubt shattering finale, with the fates of Saga and Henrik swinging in the balance. See preview, page 119. BBC Two, Fri; seasons 1–4 box set released on Mon 2 Jul.
Yet another coup for Dundee as the DCA hosts the first major European exhibition of this LA- based artist’s work with posters, prints, billboards, paintings and installations utilising the words of Gertrude Stein. See Highlights, page 117. DCA, Dundee, Sat 9 Jun–Sun 26 Aug. A long weekend of fun lies ahead on the grounds and glen of a 13th-century castle with music from Goldie, Ibibio Sound Machine and Auntie Flo, plus there’s kids’ entertainment from Let’s Circus and the Lullabies Collective. See Highlights, page 105. Kelburn Castle, Largs, Fri 29 Jun–Mon 2 Jul.
10 CHOSEN BY ACTRESS AND WRITER ISOBEL MCARTHUR Bard in the Botanics
July can be the cruellest month if you’re a theatre-loving Scot. Companies are in rehearsal for their festival shows and many buildings go quiet as the front-of-house staff nervously brace themselves. Plus audiences are reluctant to take a gamble on new work if it means sitting in a dark room during what might be their only taps-aff-pertunity that year. Luckily, you can have your cake and eat it (along with the rest of your picnic) at Bard in the Botanics. In the beautiful gardens, classics we’ve seen a thousand times make great watching, but I’m so pleased to see the bold decision taken of staging seldom-performed Edward II. Not because Marlowe’s better than Shakespeare (probably no one is) but because this story, about two male heads-of-state in love, was written over 400 years ago and, if well-adapted, might have much more to teach us about humanity than we realise. Pride and Prejudice* (*Of Sorts), Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 28 Jun–Sat 14 Jul; see preview, page 109. Bard in the Botanics, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Wed 20 Jun–Sat 28 Jul; see Highlights, page 112.
1 Jun–31 Aug 2018 THE LIST 7