Conductor: Kirill Petrenko Violin: Augustin Hadelich I come from a place where classical music is a luxury, and the Berliner Philharmoniker was one of the first symphony orchestras I ever knew, thanks to Todd Field’s 2022 film Tár. And it really is a magical moment to witness them playing at the Usher Hall as they close this year’s EIF. Led by conductor Kirill Petrenko, the first half of the evening is Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, performed with violinist Augustin Hadelich. Originally written for Franz Clement, the piece was not an immediate classic. It was later revived by Joseph Joachim, whose 1844…
Author: The Reviews Hub - Scotland
The Reviews Hub - Scotland
The Scotland team is under the editorship of Lauren Humphreys. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. We aim to review all professional types of theatre, whether that be Commercial, Repertory or Fringe as well as Comedy, Music, Gigs etc.
The name Roleplay the new work by Australian writer, director and performer Hannah Reilly, captures the central idea of the show. The idea of playing other people is at the centre of performance, so much so that quite a few performers call themselves “professional pretenders” on social media. Reilly also claims before the show starts that some of what we are about to see is real, while other parts are not. Roleplay begins with Danielle, or Danni, a feminist podcaster trying to find her way to success. Her podcast uses “hey slut” as its tagline, and she initially presents herself…
Book: Arthur Kopit Music & Lyrics: Cole Porter Director: Rachel Kavanaugh Philip Barry’s 1939 play The Philadelphia Story has spawned a smash-hit movie in 1940 starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant as well as the beloved 1956 movie musical High Society, starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. So it is astonishing that a stage musical version took until 1998 to appear on Broadway. It closely follows the movie musical version. We join the action on the eve of Long Island socialite Tracy Lord’s (Helen George) wedding to the reliable but unremarkable George Kittredge (David Seadon Young. A spanner…
Director: Ursula Martinez Writers: Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole Original Music and Songs: Sh!t Theatre Leaving their audience enlightened, moved, and thoroughly entertained, Sh!t Theatre deliver a brilliant piece of chaotic, investigative cabaret. Evita Too takes on the unbelievable yet true story of Isabel Perón—the actual first female president in world history— whose legacy has been entirely erased, overshadowed by both her husband’s shadow and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s historically shaky musical. What makes the performance work so well is how it balances madcap entertainment with genuine substance. The show is as autobiographical as it is biographical; the duo introduce themselves…
Writer & Director: Bashar Murkus Dramaturg: Khulood Basel Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah, or The Epic of Bani Hilal, is one of those stories that has circulated widely across cultures and languages. Until the early 20th century, the story of Banu Hilal was performed in a variety of forms across the Arab world, from Morocco to Iraq, as folktales or local legends recounted in poetry, yet it is now at risk of extinction. Even before the show starts, the actors are waving at us, welcoming us into their collective storytelling, an art form that can transport us to a different time and space,…
Conceived and directed by Μario Βanushi Taverna Miresia is the name of the family restaurant of Greek-Albanian director Mario Banushi. A part of his Romance Familiare, which also includes Ragada and Goodbye, Lindita, Taverna Miresia is also the space where a memory about his father happened. The set that welcomes us is strikingly distinctive: a bathroom, with a washing machine, a bath surrounded by a curtain, a sink, a freestanding radiator in the centre, exposed light bulbs protruding from the wall, a small white bin, a mirror hanging on the wall, a laundry basket overflowing with clothes, and a drying…
Written by Alice Stanley Jr Directed by Riley Rose Critchlow Navigating trauma through dark comedy is a delicate tightrope, but The Second Best School Shooting walks it with impressive poise. Set in the immediate aftermath of an active shooter incident, the play follows two best friends grappling with an absurdly modern predicament: their own survival has been completely eclipsed by a far deadlier shooting on the exact same day. The central premise, that one friend is genuinely devastated because a survivor from the other school has racked up half a million Instagram likes, is as hilarious as it is deeply…
Glob promises a peaceful refuge from the noise of the Fringe. Quebec’s Les Foutoukours bring a wordless, gentle circus adventure to McEwan Hall, designed to slow the world down. Yet while its gentle rhythm offers a calm space to breathe, that tranquility proves a little too effective. Visually, the production creates a genuinely enchanting world. Atmospheric lighting washes over the stage alongside a beautiful, soothing soundscape, crafting moments of real stage magic. The technical skill on display is clear, with the duo executing impressive acrobatics, fluid movement, and juggling with real grace. The children in the audience were mesmerised, completely…