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CONTENTS 1 NOV 2018–31 JAN 2019 | LIST.CO.UK

ur annual countdown of the most exciting cultural figures in Scotland is here and as you may have noticed, it's a bit different. This year's Hot 100 is all about highlighting the achievements of women (including trans women and non-binary identifying people) who have made significant contributions to Scottish arts and culture in 2018. If you're dying to find out who's topped this magnificent list, head over to page 44 to find out and join the discussion online using #ListHot100. It may be our last issue of the year but we've packed in plenty of recommendations for things to do over the festive period (and beyond). Turn to page 52 to read all about what's in store this Hogmanay, and don't forget to flick through our annual Christmas Wish List, which you'll find bundled up with this issue. Plus, we take a sneak peak at this year's SQIFF (page 54) and look ahead to Scottish Opera's Anthropocene (page 50). Elsewhere, we hear more about Sleep in the Park (page 49) from some of the acts playing at the events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee and the creators of the smashhit musical Six (page 56) give us the lowdown on the future of the 2018 Fringe hit. You can also plan your Christmas TV schedule (page 130) and check out our latest film (page 92) and restaurant (page 64) reviews for some well-deserved holiday inspiration.

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GLASGOW & EDINBURGH EVENTS GUIDE 1 NOV 2018–31 JAN 2019 | ISSUE 751 LIST.CO.UK

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As a means of shaking up our annual countdown of Scotland's cultural movers and shakers, and reflecting on the societal sea change that's going on across the globe, we're giving over this year's Hot 100 to the women who are making artistic waves. Debate has raged within these walls over the nominees, so who will scoop this year's number one slot? Among the contenders are book publishers, theatre bosses, composers, TV stars and a library . . .

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Book Week Scotland

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COMEDY

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Into Film Festival

Widows

The Favourite

Stan & Ollie

You Choose

MUSIC

SIX

Edinburgh will once again lead the world with a New Year's Eve party to end them all. Headlining the Concert in the Gardens are Franz Ferdinand with admirable support from Free Love (the band formerly known as Happy Meals) and Metronomy.

They brought the house down at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the Six phenomenon is set to do the same in Glasgow, as the story of Henry VIII's longsuffering wives (frankly, history has also not been kind to them) gets a blistering musical treatment.

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103

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106

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108

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THEATRE & DANCE

110

121

Kinky Boots

123

The Journey

124

The Mother

126

Rambert

126

TELEVISION The Staircase

VISUAL ART

129 129

131

Toulouse-Lautrec

131

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FIRST & LAST Gary Lightbody

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What we’ve been talking about As a tie-in with our all-female rundown of the 100 top creative talents in Scotland, we asked which fictional women have whipped up a storm down the years. From vampire slayers to alien busters, and modern Disney princesses to contemporary Scandi cops, this list has them all . . . Lucy van Pelt from the Peanuts cartoons. Wiki characterises her as a ‘”fussbudget”, crabby, bossy and opinionated girl who bullies most other characters in the strip, particularly Linus and Charlie Brown.’ I just think she’s rad.

Peggy from Mad Men was kick ass, flawed, felt real and grew so much as a character across the series. She showed the mad men that she was just as talented, if not more so than them, and totally carved her own path.

Ellen Ripley from the Alien movies. She’s level headed, intelligent, able to face her fears head on. And clearly kick ass.

CJ Cregg from The West Wing, a woman who puts both her fierce brain and warm heart to good use.

The Bridge’s brilliant Saga Norén redefined what a true detective is, while having sex on her own terms and telling the truth like no one ever has on TV and beyond.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer will always be one of my all-time heroes. It was really cool to have a strong female character that totally kicked ass to look up to. When I finally get a cat, I’m definitely calling it Buffy. Judith and her servant in Artemisia Gentileschi’s stunningly visceral ‘Judith Slaying Holofernes’. She is grimly sawing away while her young and strong servant holds the guy down. Just goes to show what people can do if they work together.

Fa Mulan was one of the first animated Disney characters to take all of the stereotypes of what it meant to be a ‘Disney Princess’ (white, gentle, dependent on romantic love) and turned it completely on its head.

Lyra Belacqua from Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Trilogy. A female protagonist you don’t often find in much fiction; she’s gutsy, creative, intelligent and compassionate, whilst also being tremendously flawed and allowed to make loads of mistakes.

Orlando from Sally Potter’s film. Well, she starts out as a man but she becomes warmer, funnier and more sympathetic after waking up one day as a woman. Lorelai Gilmore of The Gilmore Girls just seemed like someone you’d want to drink coffee and order a ton of take-out food with, while she spoke so fast you could barely keep up.

Nora Helmer from Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Married to a man who treats her like a child. Unknown to him, she’s saved his ass financially, but hasn’t told him about it because she knows he’d be humiliated and doesn’t want to injure him. She eventually realises what an asshole he is and tells him she’s walking out. He begs her not to. She does. Curtain.

Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black for showing us such a multi-dimensional character who made some bad choices and who we see bettering herself as she deals with life in prison with her son and wife outside.

Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. Originally a public-sector clone of Michael Scott from the US version of The Office, she became one of the funniest and most memorable characters on TV through her radiantly optimistic nature, freakish competence at her job and addiction to breakfast food.

Ms Marvel is an amazing legacy character, taking up the name from the classic 1970s heroine. Her stories have the right blend of naturalism and melodrama that makes for the best superhero adventures.

Merida (from Brave) and Moana (from Moana) were a whole new generation of Disney Princess and I loved watching their stories. Brave girls, leading the charge and inspiring little girls everywhere. We need much more of those characters.

CONTENT Editor Arusa Qureshi Head of Digital Media Scott Henderson Content Manager Murray Robertson Senior Content Producer Alex Johnston Content Producers Deborah Chu, Katharine Gemmell, Sofia Matias, Henry Northmore Subeditors Brian Donaldson, Paul McLean SECTION EDITORS Books Lynsey May Comedy / Front Brian Donaldson Dance / Kids Kelly Apter Film Reviews Emma Simmonds Film Reviews (maternity cover) Nikki Baughan Food & Drink Donald Reid Music: Gigs / TV Henry Northmore Music: New Releases Arusa Qureshi News Katharine Gemmell Theatre Gareth K Vile Visual Art Rachael Cloughton PRODUCTION Senior Designer Lucy Munro Designers Stuart Polson, Seonaid Rafferty DIGITAL Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Sharon Irish Data Developers Andy Bowles, Alan Miller, Stuart Moir COMMERCIAL Digital Business Development Director Brendan Miles Partnership Director Sheri Friers Senior Events and Promotions Manager Rachel Cree Senior Account Managers Paul Murphie, Debbie Thomson Account Managers Ross Foley, Jakob Van den Berg Ad Ops Executive Victoria Parker Affiliate Content Executive Becki Crossley Events and Promotions Assistant Amy Clark ADMINISTRATION Head of Accounting & HR Sarah Reddie Director Robin Hodge CEO Simon Dessain

Published by The List Ltd HEAD OFFICE: 14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE Tel: 0131 550 3050 editor@list.co.uk GLASGOW OFFICE: at the CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD Tel: 0141 332 9929, glasgow@list.co.uk; list.co.uk ISSN: 0959 - 1915 © 2018 The List Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without the written permission of the publishers. The List does not accept responsibility for unsolicited material. The List provides this content in good faith but no guarantee or representation is given that the content is accurate, complete or up-to-date. Use of magazine content is at your own risk. Printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd, W.Yorkshire.

4 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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R E B M E V O N

2 BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND BOOKS

This seventh annual event takes ‘rebels’ as its theme this year. Among those appearing across the country are Akala (pictured), Joanne Harris and Sam Conniff Allende while there’s also Banned Books and a Beer, and the Feminist Disco. See preview, page 83. Various venues, nationwide, Mon 19–Sun 25 Nov.

1 RAMBERT DANCE

Setting aside their usual menu of double and triple-bills, Rambert bring us a full-length narrative piece, Life is a Dream. Choreographed by Kim Brandstrup, this is a two-act reimagining of the 17th-century play in which an imprisoned prince is allowed his freedom for one day, only to react with violence. With set design from the Quay Brothers and a score by the late composer Witold Lutoslawski, this is sure to be a 2018 dance highlight. See preview, page 126. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Thu 22–Sat 24 Nov.

3 EDINBURGH’S CHRISTMAS AROUND TOWN

What better way for capital residents and visitors to celebrate the seaon’s festivities than with a trip into town for shows including Black Beauty and Wendy and Peter Pan (pictured). See Highlights, page 50. Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 16 Nov–Sat 5 Jan.

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4 CHRYSALIS

5 BIG MUSIC FOR MINIS

Taking on a heap of contemporary issues, this young people-oriented festival explores the gap between rich and poor, the tyranny of 24-hour informationoverload and the ongoing struggles for non-binary individuals. See preview, page 123. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 15–Sat 17 Nov.

Gigs, workshops and events for your tiny ones take over the Royal Concert Hall for two days as this hands-on mini-festival features SambaYaBamba (pictured), the Celine Donoghue Band, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. See preview, page 100. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov.

THEATRE

KIDS

PHOTO: RENATO GHIAZZA. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND THE SUNDAY PAINTER

PHOTO: DOMINICK MASTRANGELO

6 THE TWILIGHT SAD

7 INTO FILM FESTIVAL

8 EMMA HART

9 THE JOURNEY

Featuring the optimistic title of It Won’t Be Like This All the Time, The Twilight Sad’s fifth studio album drops our way in mid-January with a warm-up Edinburgh date coming up and single ‘Videograms’ out now. See preview, page 108. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Thu 29 Nov.

With an innovative ‘F-rating’ for movies in their Year of the Woman strand, the Into Film Festival also gives young people up to the age of 19 the chance to engage in all aspects of the filmmaking process. See preview, page 91. Various venues, nationwide, Wed 7–Fri 23 Nov.

The ‘badly-behaved and messy’ work of this rising star of the London art scene comes to Edinburgh in ceramic form, a material that Hart says ‘can be an exciting way to talk about chaos’. See preview, page 133. Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, until Sun 3 Feb.

Tackling the global refugee crisis, Steve Lambert and Badac Theatre’s immersive new production explores the deep effect that fleeing your home has on a human being. See preview, page 124. Drill Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov.

MUSIC

FILM

VISUAL ART

THEATRE

10 THE PROCLAIMERS

CHOSEN BY COMEDIAN RAY BRADSHAW

The Proclaimers are coming to the Playhouse in Edinburgh and I genuinely think it will be amazing. I saw them once in a tent at T in the Park (a music one not a three-man one) and they were incredible. You forget how many bangers they’ve had: some iconic, some political and some in Shrek. In all my years of doing stand-up at music festivals, it’s the gig that stands out the most (that’s not strictly true, as 800 moshers at Download Festival hating me because I told them ‘When You Say Nothing at All’ by Ronan Keating was one of the best songs ever written still haunts me, but that’s another story for another time). I reckon being in a sold-out venue in Edinburgh with 3000 people singing ‘Sunshine on Leith’ will give even the hardiest of people goosebumps. I’m insanely jealous of everyone that’s going. Ray Bradshaw: Deaf Comedy Fam, Mac Arts, Galashiels, Fri 2 Nov; Rose Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 17 Nov; Falkirk Town Hall, Sun 18 Nov; The Proclaimers, Edinburgh Playhouse, Fri 9 & Sat 10 Nov; O2 Academy, Glasgow, Fri 16 & Sat 17; then touring. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 7

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R E B M E C E D

1 SIX

THEATRE

The hands-down grandstanding hit of the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe takes over the Armadillo this Christmas with the story of Henry VIII’s reign of terror told straight through the eyes of his six brides. Clad in funky Tudor garb, Catherines Howard, Parr and of Aragon, Annes Boleyn and Cleves, and Jane Seymour, all give us their perspective of a previously one-sided story through the medium of a Spotify-friendly soundtrack. Six is herstory in the making. See feature, page 56. SEC, Glasgow, Thu 20–Sun 30 Dec.

PHOTO: ANASTASIA TIKHONOVA

2 SLEEP IN THE PARK

3 THE MOTHER

Taking place this year in Dundee and Aberdeen as well as in the central belt, Social Bite’s admirable attempt to defeat homelessness has another selection of big-hitters on board, such as Lulu, Irvine Welsh, KT Tunstall (pictured) and Eddi Reader, while Frightened Rabbit make their first stage appearance since Scott Hutchison’s death. See feature, page 49. Various venues, nationwide, Sat 8 Dec.

Inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen tale, The Mother features the special dance talents of Natalia Osipova and Jonathan Goddard while mercurial South African choreographer Arthur Pita directs operations in this festive spectacular. See preview, page 126. Pleasance at EICC, Edinburgh, Fri 21 & Sat 22 Dec.

AROUND TOWN

DANCE

8 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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REALIST PHOTO: ANDY ROSS

4 HOGMANAY

5 SQIFF

6 SCOTTISH BALLET: CINDERELLA

Whether the world will be a better place in 2019 than it was in 2018 is up for debate, but Edinburgh will be triggering a new year celebration in style with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Gerry Cinnamon (pictured), Capercaillie, and DJ Andy Joyce all appearing. See feature, page 52. Various venues, Edinburgh, Mon 31 Dec.

Another top Scottish Queer International Film Festival is on its way, featuring opening night shorts, the true story of a female-owned, all-black underground strip club in 90s LA, and lesbian representation on screen with Dykes, Camera, Action!. See feature, page 54. Various venues, Glasgow, Wed 5–Sun 9 Dec.

As Scottish Ballet heads towards its 50th year celebrations, great movement and wellconceived comedy merge in Christopher Hampson’s adaptation of the classic fairytale. See preview, page 121. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 8–Sun 30 Dec; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 4–Sat 12 Jan.

7 STEWART FRANCIS

8 FLUTTER

9 MARGARET SALMON

With Into the Punset, the UK-based Canadian and one-man joke factory is officially signing off on his live comedy career with a show that he insists is a fitting final curtain to a decade of topnotch gagging. See preview, page 88. Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Sat 1 Dec, then touring.

Tortoise in a Nutshell crack open another gem for younger audiences with a show all about the joys of winter as two sisters discover their garden has been transformed by snow. See preview, page 100. Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, Sun 25–Thu 29 Nov; Platform, Glasgow, Sat 1–Wed 5 Dec.

The Jarman Award-nominated artist brings us Hole, a 16mm film shot through a camera that’s pretty much attached to her and which reflects the mundane but universally recognisable. See preview, page 133. DCA, Dundee, Sat 8 Dec–Sun 24 Feb.

AROUND TOWN

COMEDY

FILM

DANCE

KIDS

VISUAL ART

10 THE GIANT LANTERNS OF CHINA

CHOSEN BY MUSICIAN PHIL CUNNINGHAM

I meant to go to this last year but missed it, though I sent my goddaughter and her mum and they had a magnificent time. I’ve been a huge fan and a member of the zoo since I was a little boy. They have something in the region of about 450 giant lanterns based on myth and legend and I think this year there’s even going to be a Loch Ness Monster. It’s the kind of thing you can make an afternoon of by seeing the animals first and then going to this when the lights die down so you get the full benefit of it. I like anything large-scale and this is a great venue for it. I think it will be especially fun to just watch the faces on the weans. Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook, Albert Halls, Stirling, Sat 15 Dec; Perth Concert Hall, Sun 16 Dec; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Wed 19 Dec; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 21 & Sat 22 Dec; The Giant Lanterns of China, Edinburgh Zoo, Fri 16 Nov–Sun 17 Feb. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 9

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Y R A U JAN

2 FLO & JOAN COMEDY

Alive on Stage has the mildly passiveaggressive musical sibling duo of Flo & Joan (actually Rosie and Nicola Dempsey) on top form as they analyse misogynistic merchandise, failed marriages, and the internet trolls who make so many lives miserable. See preview, page 87. The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan; The Stand, Edinburgh, Sat 19 Jan.

1 CELTIC CONNECTIONS MUSIC

With over 300 events on its bill, Celtic Connections is virtually unrecognisable from the music festival that originated in 1994. This time around, the largest winter music festival of its kind welcomes yet another glittering array of international and national talents to Glasgow. Among those appearing in 2019 are Judy Collins, John Grant and Bassekou Kouyate (pictured) while a celebration of John Martyn has enticed the likes of Danny Thompson, Eddi Reader, Eric Bibb and Paul Weller. See preview, page 103. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan–Sun 3 Feb.

PHOTO: HELEN MAYBANKS

PHOTO: JULIE BROADFOOT

3 ANTHROPOCENE

4 THE FAVOURITE

5 KINKY BOOTS

Composer Stuart MacRae and librettist Louise Welsh collaborate once again for Scottish Opera’s story set among explorers trapped in the frozen Arctic wastelands. See feature, page 50. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 24–Sat 26 Jan; King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 31 Jan–Sat 2 Feb.

Featuring a strong cast headed up by Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, Yorgos Lanthimos’ film about the 18th-century court of Queen Anne starts next year off with a five-star bang. See review, page 96. General release from Tue 1 Jan.

The hugely successful Olivier Award-winning musical comes to Edinburgh injecting camp and queerness into a mainstream work which is further elevated by the sassy pop gems of Cyndi Lauper. See preview, page 123. Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 10 Dec–Sat 5 Jan.

MUSIC

FILM

THEATRE

10 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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Chris Lintott (The Sky at Night)

Wunder Der SchÖpfung

The Rocket Post with Shauna Macdonald

with Herschel 36

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by Andy Cannon

And much more!

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READER OFFERS WIN TICKETS TO SLEEP IN THE PARK

The List are partnering up with Social Bite to offer you a pair of tickets to Sleep in the Park. In a mission to create a movement to end homelessness in Scotland, Social Bite are asking people to join them to spend a night sleeping in the park in a fundraising event. All four major Scottish cities will be taking part this year’s Sleep in the Park, with Amy Macdonald and KT Tunstall playing each city in the one night. Headlining Aberdeen is Eddi Reader, and in Dundee The View frontman Kyle Falconer will be playing a solo set. Edinburgh will see sixties legend Lulu perform along with a live bedtime story from Irvine Welsh, and Glasgow will be performing Songs of Frightened Rabbit with guest singers. Full line up can be found on their website. To be in with a chance of winning, simply log onto list.co.uk/offers and tell us:

What city would you like to attend Sleep in the Park in? Sleep in the Park Sat 8 Dec 2018 Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow

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WIN TICKETS TO SLEEPING BEAUTY

The List are partnering up with Beacon Arts Centre to offer readers the chance to see their spectacular panto this December based on the magical tale of Sleeping Beauty. As a result of a curse from the evil Carabosse, Princess Beauty pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls into an enchanted sleep. Will the dashing Prince be able to save her before the hundred years are up and the Princess’ fate is sealed? With a star studded cast including Still Game’s Jane McCarry as Carabosse and Mark Cox as Cludgie the Henchman, this show will have all the ingredients for a magical family panto with spectacular sets and costumes, fabulous songs and dances and bags of slapstick fun. To be in with a chance of winning, simply log onto list.co.uk/offers and tell us:

What is the name of the evil fairy in Sleeping Beauty? Beacon Arts Centre Fri 7 – Mon 31 Dec 2018 Custom House Quay Greenock PA15 1HJ Tickets from £11-£21

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competition closes Sat 1 Dec 2018. Prize is a family ticket. Available performances include Fri 7 & Sat 8 Dec at 7pm, Sun 9 Dec at 5pm, Sun 16, 23 & 30 Dec at 5pm. The List’s usual rules apply.

WIN 12 FREE DROP-IN CLASSES AT DANCE BASE

WIN PICKERING’S ORIGINAL GIN BAUBLES

The List have teamed up with Dance Base to offer one lucky reader the chance to win 12 free drop-in classes that can be used during the 2019 Spring/Summer term. Want to unleash a new talent and try something new in 2019? How about reigniting that love for jazz, starting that Irish dance class or shaking it off in Dance Base’s Commercial Hip Hop Class featuring tunes from Beyoncé and Shakira?

The List are partnering up with Pickering’s Gin to offer you a chance to win a set of Christmas Gin Baubles.

Celebrate the new year and choose 12 free classes that you, or your children, have wanted to try or brush up on.

Grab Christmas by the baubles with Pickering’s Gin. Win the ultimate Christmas tree upgrade and global phenomenon – Pickering’s OriGINal Gin Baubles. With baubles enough to keep you merry and bright through the festive season, this prize truly is in the spirit of Christmas.

Dance Base believe dance and movement is for everyone so whether you fancy contemporary, power yoga, ceilidh, Bollywood or a sensory class with the little ones, Dance Base has it all.

The lucky winner will receive two packs of these award-winning drinkable festive ornaments (that’s 12 gin baubles!) Each bauble contains a 50ml double shot of this truly authentic Edinburgh based gin, distilled in Summerhall.

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SIGN UP NOW AT LIST.CO.UK/SUBSCRIBE OR CALL 0131 550 3050 (*SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. OFFER NOT VALID FOR EXISTING SUBSCRIBERS. TONY MACARONI VOUCHER WILL BE MAILED WITH SUBSCRIBER WELCOME LETTER. SEE FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ONLINE.)

WIN A BOTTLE OF GLENFIDDICH FIRE E & CANE The List are partnering up with Glenfiddich to offer one lucky winner a bottle of Fire & Cane this Christmas. Glenfiddich boldly fuses sweet and smoky whiskies for the newest concept in their Experimental Series: Fire & Cane. The fourth expression in the series brings together non-peated and peated malts that have been matured side by side in bourbon casks before being finished in Latin rum casks, resulting in a dram with two personalities: sweet and smoky, while highlighting Glenfiddich’s fresh and fruity signature style. The fire of the newest expression in the Experimental Series provides an explosion of campfire smokiness with oak and mainland peaty notes, finished with lingering woodiness. The cane provides long-lasting sweetness by merging rich sweet toffee with fresh green fruity characters, baked apple, and toasted marshmallow with soft spice to finish. For the chance to win your own bottle of Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, simply log onto list.co.uk/offers and tell us:

What kind of cask has Glenfiddich’s Fire & Cane whisky been matured in?

SKILFULLY CRAFTED. ENJOY RESPONSIBILY. TERMS & CONDITIONS: Competition closes Sat 1 Dec 2018. Entrants must be 18 years and over. No cash alternative. The List’s usual rules apply.

Glenfiddich ® Single Malt whisky is a registered trademark of William Grant & Sons Ltd.

1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 13

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BURNS

Museum of the Moon @ St Giles’ Culture Trail Burns Supper Red, Red Rose Street Live Music Spoken Word & Poetry Family Ceilidh Food & Drink Comedy Art

& BEYOND A brand new festival celebrating Scottish culture from Burns to now in venues across Edinburgh city centre.

TUE 22 – SUN 27 JAN 2019

burnsandbeyond.com

Photo: Simon Galloway

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NEWS

FOR MORE NEWS GO TO

LIST.CO.UK /NEWS

Announcements, lineups and opinion EDINBURGH’S CREATIVES REWARDED Creative Edinburgh’s 2018 Awards has used its nomination period to shine a light on the work they do to promote creative talent in the capital. The awards cover nine categories – City, Collaboration, Commercial, Creativity, Independent, Leadership, Social, Startup and Student – and are open to those who live in or have a connection to the city. The awards are announced on Wed14 Nov and will coincide with their 7th birthday bash.

MUSEUM LATES RETURN The National Museum of Scotland’s Museum Lates returns in November with a Rip It Up themed event (Fri 16 Nov). The evening features live music from Sacred Paws and The Pastels as well as the usual bars, food, activities and chance to explore the museum by night. The Museum’s major exhibition Rip It Up: The Story of Scottish Pop closes at the end of the month (Sun 25 Nov). Sacred Paws

MANIPULATE LAUNCHES 2019 PROGRAMME Puppet Animation Scotland has announced the 12th edition of manipulate Visual Theatre Festival (Sat 2–Thu 14 Feb), the international festival solely dedicated to visual theatre, puppetry and animated film. This year’s programme takes place across Scotland and features work from all over the world.

BRIGHTEN UP THE DARK NIGHTS An ambitious new festival called the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival is to take place in February 2019 on the Isle of Lewis. The event takes its inspiration from the fact that the Hebrides has some of the darkest skies in the UK and will put on a programme of arts, science and astronomy events. You might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

COLLECTIVE EDINBURGH OPENS

Alan Cumming

The arts centre and restaurant on Edinburgh’s World Heritagestatus Calton Hill has finally been given an opening date of Sat 24 Nov. The site, which was not previously freely open to the public, has art organisation Collective at its helm and includes a restored observatory, fresh exhibition space, and a restaurant called The Lookout, run by the people at Gardener’s Cottage. The inaugural exhibition features works from artists Dineo Seshee Bopape, James N Hutchinson, Alexandra Laudo, Tessa Lynch, Catherine Payton and Klaus Weber.

PEOPLE’S PALACE PULLS PLUG The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens at Glasgow Green are being forced to close at the end of the year because of safety concerns from Glasgow City Council. The main issues are said to be with the structure of the Winter Gardens, which was built in 1898, and an estimated figure of between £5–£7 million is needed to correct the issues. A spokesperson on the matter said the council is working on a plan to allow the People’s Palace to stay open, without the Winter Gardens, but do not currently know how long it will remain closed.

ALAN CUMMING RECOGNISED BY SCOTS BAFTA

Hebridean Dark Skies Festival

Hollywood actor, comedian and thespian Alan Cumming will be honoured with an Outstanding Contribution Award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards (Mon 5 Nov). The actor trained at the Royal Conservatoire and went on to win Tony and Olivier Awards, along with countless other award nominations. To mark the achievement, he is taking part in a live conversation with Janice Forsyth at Glasgow’s Oran Mor (Sun 27 Nov) to discuss his life, work and achievements. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 15

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NEWS FAIR PLAY

COMING UP PHOTO: ANNA STYPKO

Katharine Gemmell explores cultural movement Fair Saturday’s ﬁrst foray into the Scottish arts scene

COMIC-CON SCOTLAND Comic Convention Scotland presents a ‘For the Love of 80s’ theme this year in an ode to the decade that brought us an abundance of our favourite pop culture classics. EICC, Edinburgh, Sat 10–Sun 11 Nov. OBAN WINTER FESTIVAL The coastal town gets frosty with activities, films and light shows to celebrate the fluffy white season that carries the year to a close. There’s even a chance Santa might stop by when he gets a break from all that present preparation.Various venues, Oban, Fri 16–Sun 25 Nov.

n arts and culture mobilisation movement born in Spain’s Basque Country is coming to Scotland for the first time on Saturday 1 December. The pilot initiative, named St Andrews Fair Saturday, coincides with St Andrew’s Day and is to be part of the country’s wider celebrations. The original Fair Saturday was first launched in the city of Bilbao in 2015 by Jordi Albareda and Saioa Eibar, as a way to encourage cultural mobilisation that had a social impact at its heart. The initiative consists of a number of artistic and cultural events occurring around participating cities on the same day, all of which are open and inclusive to all, and support a social project. Distinctly, the project is held on the Saturday following Black Friday, as a way to counteract the negative effects of consumerism related to this day. Furthermore, Fair Saturday’s fundamental principles lie on two pillars – culture and empathy – which the organisers believe can build a better world. The Scottish Government noticed this unique endeavour and decided to introduce the concept nationwide on Scotland’s National Day in partnership with BEMIS Scotland. When the partnership was first announced in March 2018 at Edinburgh Castle, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was ‘absolutely in tune with what we are about in the country here in Scotland.’ She also commented that it was a ‘privilege’ to be able to celebrate it. Launch events are already confirmed to take place in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and

Inverness and anyone – organisations and individuals – can take part by organising a cultural event or getting involved at a local event. The project’s aim is to connect communities, widen engagement and social inclusion and showcase Scotland’s commitment to equality on the world stage. By holding it on Scotland’s national day, it’s hoped it will boost the profile of St Andrew’s Day, which is largely under-celebrated. Highlights of St Andrew’s Fair Saturday launch events include Dunedin Consort performing their Golden Age choral concert (Fri 30 Nov) in Edinburgh; a Diwali Multicultural Celebration (Sat 1 Dec) up in Inverness; and a celebration for International Day of Disabled People called All Together Now with Do Your Thing! (Sat 1 Dec) in Dundee. Other interesting events include a collaboration between Bilbao Choral Society and the Nevis Ensemble (Wed 27 Nov) in Edinburgh and an Open Archive event looking at the tradition of Girls’ Annuals (Sat 1 Dec) at Glasgow Women’s Library. Fair Saturday officially takes place in Scotland, Bilbao, Bristol, Huelva, Lima, Málaga, Mesagne, Milan, Pisa and Santander. However, it will also take place in other cities around the world in an unofficial capacity due to the event’s open and participatory culture. For the full programme of events, go to standrews.fairsaturday.org

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL QUEER FILM FESTIVAL SQIFF returns with features, short film screenings, workshops, discussions and nights out showcasing queer cinema. The 2018 programme includes the Scottish premieres of Jason Barker’s debut A Deal With the Universe and Leilah Weinraub’s Shakedown. Various venues, Glasgow, Wed 5–Sun 9 Dec. EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY Edinburgh’s world-famous Hogmanay celebration ushers in the New Year with a bang. A torchlight procession winds through the historic Old Town and into Holyrood Park on 30 Dec, a massive street party with live music culminates with midnight fireworks from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle on 31 Dec, and for those brave souls still wanting more, there’s the Loony Dook on 1 Jan. Various Venues, Edinburgh, Sun 30 Dec–Tue 1 Jan. CELTIC CONNECTIONS Glasgow’s annual folk, roots, indie, world and traditional music festival celebrating the links between Celtic music and cultures across the globe. An international cast of artists descend upon Glasgow, to create over 300 events. These include ceilidhs, workshops, talks and free events. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan–Sun 3 Feb.

16 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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BIG PICTURE GLASGOW GIRLS Those who think that deadly serious subjects shouldn’t be the terrain of musical theatre probably haven’t seen Glasgow Girls. Oversentimentality and icky schmaltz are wholly absent from the 2012 show conceived and directed by Cora Bissett and written by David Greig. They retell the true 2005 story of a crew of Drumchapel schoolgirls who came together to fight off the might of British governmental bureaucracy by preventing a Kosovan pal from being deported. Uplifting, enthralling and with dashes of humour, the only downside to Glasgow Girls is that it may well remain depressingly relevant for a long time to come. ■ Glasgow Girls, King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 15–Sat 19 Jan; King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 23–Sat 26 Jan.

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL For the fifth year running, the Ocean Film Festival makes a stop-off in Edinburgh bringing along a showcase of evocative and dramatic films connected by their water-based adventures, featuring intrepid rowers, bold surfers and spectacular depths. Among the highlights are Kiwi Breeze about a man building a yacht in his London back garden ahead of voyaging home to New Zealand, while Touched by the Ocean features Latvian pals attempting to row across the South Atlantic Ocean, and The Big Wave Project tracks a crew of surfers seeking that next watery thrill. ■ Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 15 Sep.

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8th December 2018 Two headline acts traveling between all 4 cities

Edinburgh

Glasgow SONGS OF

IDLEWILD ADMIRAL FALLOW (Acoustic)

SIOBHAN WILSON And special bedtime story from

Irvine Welsh

THE TWILIGHT SAD (Acoustic)

KATHRYN JOSEPH STINA TWEEDDALE (Honeyblood Solo)

MOUNTAIN HIGH (DJ set)

HOLLIE MCNISH And special bedtime story from

Darren ‘Loki’ McGarvey

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A nationwide sleep out to end homelessness in Scotland. For good. Aberdeen

Dundee

KRIS DREVER (LAU)

FATHERSON WITHERED HAND

Plus special guests to be announced

(Solo)

And special bedtime story from

Derrick Mcinnes

Irvine Welsh

With appearances from Sir Chris Hoy

Vic Galloway

Fred MacAulay

Ewen Cameron

Produced by

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Media Partner

Supported by

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SUPPORTED BY

H O T O 1 O SUPPORTED BY

THE LIST

Without a doubt, 2018 has been a year of incredible female activism and empowerment. From

#MeToo and Time’s Up to the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which gave some women the vote, the various events of this year have renewed and reinvigorated the ﬁght for gender equality. With this in mind, this year’s Hot 100 is all about celebrating the women in Scotland that are making a sizeable splash with their many accomplishments, innovations and creative endeavours across arts and culture. In the words of Beyoncé, ‘who run the world?’. . .

WRITERS: Craig Angus, Kelly Apter, Deborah Chu, Neil Cooper, Becki Crossley, Brian Donaldson, Katharine Gemmell, Lorna Irvine, Jo Laidlaw, Lynsey May, Henry Northmore, David Pollock, Arusa Qureshi, Donald Reid, Murray Robertson, Fiona Shepherd, Stewart Smith, Jay Thundercliffe, Gareth K Vile ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM: Miriam Attwood, Niki Boyle, Rachael Cloughton, Simon Dessain, Scott Henderson, Alex Johnston, Ruth Marsh, Sofia Matias, Sharon McHendry, Alan Miller

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HOT

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100

MINNIE THE MINX BEANO SCENE

In The Beano’s 80th anniversary year, one of its most popular characters also celebrated her 65th birthday. As well as setting a bad example for decades, it was announced that Minnie the Minx will star in her own live-action TV show from Beano Studios, the multimedia brand which has helped revitalise Dundee’s DC Thomson. (DP)

KELLY MACDONALD ONALD PUZZLE SOLVER

Macdonald made jigsaws gsaws cool again when she launched this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival with relationship nship drama Puzzle. And she’s about to reprise her Brave role as Merida in the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet. (MR)

CHVRCHES SACRED SPACES

Love is Dead once again proved Chvrches have a knack for gorgeous us synth-pop, this time adding a political olitical edge and including a collaboration with The National’s Matt Berninger. Vocalist / co-writer / co-producer Lauren en Mayberry later admitted tted her criticism of Stereogum’s eogum’s ‘bullshit’ review of the he album was due to jetlag. (HN) HN)

P PAM BR BRUNTON

SUZANNE BONNER NNER

CELTIC CONNECTOR

STEREOTYPE SMASHER ASHER

As the force behind the wonderfully eccentric Shoot Your ur Shot night, Bonner has been at the forefront of promoting a Glasgow gow club culture that doesn’t rely on male and heteronormative stereotypes. reotypes. She’s also responsible for the always brilliant Weirdo Warehouse parties and continues to be an advocate of queer er politics. (AQ)

Integrity and in intelligence are chef Brunton’s the marks of c gathering, approach to ga cooking and serving great food. At Inver Restaurant on the shores of Loch Fyne, she and p partner Rob for spirited and Latimer shine a beacon fo Celtic cuisine. engaged contemporary Celt (DR)

SPECIAL PERFORMER MER

MANE ATTRACTION

After an initial brush with fame five years ago, singer-songwriter Nesbitt esbitt is reinventing her career in slow-burning ng but indefatigable fashion. Her ‘Somebody Special’ ecial’ EP was released on Cooking Vinyl, and her live shows revealed an artist with real, relatable able humour and style. (DP)

Featuring members of Breakfast Muff, M Spinning Coin, and the Yawns, all-female outfi o t Hairband hotly tipped are one of the country’s most hotl indie acts. Their off-kilter guitar-pop guitar-p is already and taking picking up national radio play an is just the them to big stages. You sense this t beginning. (CA)

NINA NESBITT T

CHUCHOTER PIECES OF THEM

Chuchoter (pronounced nced shoo-shaw-tae) are an Edinburgh-based ased indie-electronic band, comprising producer roducer Owen McAllister and vocalist ist Emily Smith, who gained attention n this year for their pop / disco sound and the release of their first EP, ‘Pieces’. They are re self-described makers of ‘angry, shouty feminist nist pop’. (KG)

HAIRBAND

100

FIONA BRADLEY SPACE ODYSSEY

In her 15th year as the Fru Fruitmarket Gallery’s director, Bradley has h continued to programme exciting exhibition exhibitions (Lee them), as well Lozano and Emma Hart among th as continuing to turn the gallery in into a hub of proceeding after-hours talks and events, and p with a planned future expansion. ((DP)

22 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan n 2019

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SUPPORTED BY

and music. 2018 highlights included her show Puppy Love at Barcelona’s Cordova Gallery, and Knots, an unofficial Celtic Connections fringe event co-organised with Josie Vallely. (SS)

Chamber of Commerce to bring the city’s best designers together to mark the 2018 European Championships. (KG)

THE HONEY FARM

ST.MARTIINS The Dundee-based duo (made up of Katie Lynch and Mark Johnston) blend genres to produce a unique jazzy lo-fi sound. The pair performed at 3D Festival which opened V&A Dundee and received a Scottish Alternative Music Awards nomination for Best Rock / Alternative band. (BC)

A woman of unfeasibly diverse talents, this actor, writer, poet, director and singer-songwriter released her collection Quines: A Tribute to Women of Scotland through Luath Press in March and gave the Thomas Muir Memorial Lecture in Edinburgh. (DP)

QUIET ONE

Host of Besoms, the Rose Theatre’s monthly multi-bill heralding diversity in comedy, Lafferty is also a member of the Edinburgh-based collective Viva La Shambles which regularly gigs at The Stand. Meanwhile, Wheesht! was her warmly received Fringe hour. (BD)

CRYSTAL HEAVEN SENT

The Glasgow grungy four-piece (featuring lead vocalist Anna Shields and bass player Lizzie Reid), received a nomination for the Scottish Alternative Music Awards Best Newcomer prize. The group played their latest single ‘Heaven’ at festivals including Electric Fields and Tenement Trail all summer. (BC)

KT TUNSTALL WAX WORKER

One of Scotland’s most accessible and popular singer-songwriters, Tunstall’s sixth album WAX (the second part of her planned ‘soul, body and mind’ trilogy) found her embracing guitars, synths and big soulful vocals while focusing on concepts of physicality and the human body. (HN)

SGÀIRE WOOD DOG PERSON

Artist and model Wood explores trans identity and mental health through performance, costume

MORVEN CHRISTIE

After The Replacement, The A Word and Grantchester, Christie has become one of the most consistent and reliable actors on TV. In 2018, she was among the many suspects as part of the ensemble cast in BBC One’s Agatha Christie adaptation, Ordeal by Innocence. (HN)

PAM HOGG DESIGN GURU

DR STACEY HUNTER LOCAL HERO

This design curator, writer and producer founded Local Heroes, a platform supporting designers working in Scotland, back in 2015. This year, the organisation partnered up with the Glasgow

The legendary fashion designer, whose avantgarde pieces are coveted by A-listers the world over, designed the punky, sumptuous costumes for the new production of Cyrano de Bergerac, and currently has her first solo exhibition as part of the Liverpool Biennale. (DC)

Performer, poet and compere, Jenny Lindsay is a force for good when it comes to the Scottish spoken-word scene. She runs a programme of events under the name Flint & Pitch, and this year launched her popular solo show, The Script. (LM)

INNOCENCE PROJECT

JAY LAFFERTY

As well as working on a doctoral research project looking at gender equality in contemporary writing and publishing in Scotland, Neuwirth pens her own essays and fiction. Her debut novella, Amphibian, swam its way onto bookshelves this year. (LM)

SCRIPT WRITER

STELLAR TALENT

BOOK, BY TOAD

With the release of their debut mini-album Welcome to the Honey Farm, this Dunbar rap trio continued to fiercely knock holes in the masculine front of the genre with tracks which call out douchebro behaviour, fight back against gender stereotyping and promote body positivity. (DP)

JENNY LINDSAY

GERDA STEVENSON

CHRISTINA NEUWIRTH

CARING DUNBAR

FIELD GAMES

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MARIEM OMARI TABOO BUSTER

Activist and co-founder of Bijli, currently a company in residence with the National Theatre of Scotland, Omari’s scripts are political, sensitive and give voice to those often ignored within theatre and in the wider community. From mental health to honour killings, Omari fearlessly addresses taboos. (GKV)

POLLYANNA MCINTOSH ZOMBIE HUNTER

Admittedly season eight of The Walking Dead wasn’t the strongest series, however the development of McIntosh’s character Jadis (leader of the Scavengers) was a high point. And she’s now officially part of Rick Grimes’ team as season nine starts with new showrunner Angela Kang. (HN)

scene. As club booker at Glasgow’s Stereo, she promotes nights such as the R&B-focused Push It, and queer party Grind Yr Axe. (SS)

EMMA BEEBY COMICS CENTRAL

KIRSTY LOGAN Glasgow-based writer Logan will take you to a fantastical place in her fiction. Her latest novel, The Gloaming, is a tender and mystical tale about love, family and finding your place in an often hostile or confusing world. (LM)

The Edinburgh-based comic writer created a timely biography of the exotic dancer and spy Mata Hari – over a hundred years after she was executed by firing squad – for the acclaimed editor Karen Berger at Dark Horse Comics. She also contributed to 2000 AD’s all-female summer special. (DP)

SHOTS CALLER

AROMA THERAPIST

The Edinburgh-based photographer and lecturer tackled domestic violence in her portrait series Violence Unseen at the Stills Gallery in association with Zero Tolerance, photographed Mhairi Black for the 209 Women project, and created the photographic element of the Our World Heritage exhibition at Edinburgh’s Tron Kirk. (DP)

Anyone with the slightest interest in coffee knows Dear Green Coffee Roasters. Since firing up her roaster in 2011, and later starting the Glasgow Coffee Festival, Lawson has been at the forefront of the bean scene, supplying, training and inspiring baristas across Glasgow and beyond. (JT)

ROAMING CORRESPONDENT

ALICIA BRUCE

ROSEANNE WATT ISLAND LIFE

Shetlander poet Watt became the third winner of the prestigious Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, as well as runner-up for the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award. Watch this space: her debut collection will be published by Polygon in 2019. (DC)

LISA LAWSON

THE RABBIT HOLE DRAG TRADER

The Rabbit Hole at CC Blooms is a great place to get your drag fix with fierce and fabulous host Alice Rabbit plus Scottish queens and kings like Roche, Violet Grace and Eli Buck. Having supported former Drag Race winner Sasha Velour, you can expect more from Rabbit Hole very soon. (AQ)

CATRIONA REILLY STEREO SOUNDS

Reilly (aka Sycophantasy) is one of the DJ / promoters working to create an inclusive club

HONEYBLOOD BEES KNEES

Album three is on the way, and Honeyblood have been delivering their most accomplished live performances to date in the meantime, looking primed to make another big step up. Drummer Cat Myers has been doing double shifts by performing with post-rock legends Mogwai in recent times. (CA)

24 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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MORVERN CUNNINGHAM WALL BUILDER

Although the well-known programmer and Leith resident’s LeithLate mini-festival was unfortunately shelved this year, Cunningham helped bring the Hamburg-based short-film collective A Wall is a Screen to town for a unique and well-received evening of outdoor screenings around the area during August. (DP)

of its participants and the roles we all play in building a fairer society. (CA)

VICTORIA CROWE PAINTERLY CONCERNS

A new painting of Prince Charles was a major draw at Crowe’s retrospective at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, which also included studies of RD Laing, Tam Dalyell and Winifred Rushworth (and ran alongside a show of new work at the Scottish Gallery). (NC)

FAIR PLAYER

ALISON URIE Vox Liminis’ director Urie helped release an album, with the likes of Emma Pollock, Admiral Fallow and Bdy_Prts collaborating with people who had experience of the criminal justice system. The charity explores both the stories

MARTHA FFION SUNDAY GIRL

Ffion’s debut album, Sunday Best, is a dreamy mix of acoustica, country and indie pop that, as our reviewer put it, ‘comforts and challenges

in equal amounts’. She followed up the release with a UK tour and a live session on Marc Riley’s 6Music show. (HN)

JENNA WATT MAGNETIC PRESENCE

Recipient of Magnetic North’s Artist Attachment award, Watt is an independent theatre-maker with a consistent vision of a relevant and engaged theatre. Combining the personal and the political, she fuses Live Art practice with an accessible storytelling style. (GKV)

CATEGORY IS BOOKS INDEPENDENT MINDS

Married couple Fi and Charlotte Duffy spotted a gap in the market when they opened Glasgow’s first ever LGBTQIA+ speciality bookshop in Govanhill earlier this year. The shop has gained substantial support within the local area and also hosts events organised by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. (KG) PHOTO: MIHAELA BODLOVIC

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND GAGOSIAN

26 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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SUPPORTED BY

SOLID BLAKE HARD BEATS

Raised in Glasgow but based in Copenhagen, Emma Blake is one of Scotland’s most exciting young DJs and producers. This year she took part in the 20th edition of Red Bull Music Academy in Berlin, contributed a track to Modeselektion Vol. 04, and released the ‘Warp Room’ EP. (DP)

PHOTO: RYAN MCGOVERNE

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ALBERTA WHITTLE

IN MEMORY

COUNTRY MATTERS

It’s been a busy season for Whittle, with works showcased at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art and her co-curation of the touring exhibition Another Country. Happily there’ll be even more from her on the horizon, after winning the 2018 Margaret Tait Award. (DC)

RADICAL READS

NICOLA STURGEON FIRST WORDS

Scotland’s First Minister told a Wigtown Book Festival audience that when she was young, she’d hide under a table to read. Now she makes no effort to conceal her love of books, backing national reading campaigns and personally championing Scottish writers. (LM)

FRANCES POET LINE WALKER

Playwright, dramaturg, and associate artist at the Traverse, Poet’s 2018 script Gut took the tragic genre and used it to examine contemporary anxieties: a passionate and precise writer who pushes the potential of performance’s immediacy and poetic power. (GKV)

Craig Angus and Kelly Apter reflect on two inspiring creative figures who sadly died in 2018

LIGHTHOUSE BOOKSHOP The left-leaning and independent Lighthouse: Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop is the new incarnation of long-beloved Word Power Books on West Nicolson Street. Promoting free speech, it’s a bookish haven for curious minds and bibliophiles alike. (LM)

MIDAS FALL GOLDEN YEAR

Scottish prog-rock duo Midas Fall (Elizabeth Heaton and Rowan Burn) released their third album Evaporate, played Robert Smith’s Meltdown and won the Limelight award at the Progressive Music Awards. ‘It’s got to a point where it’s constantly moving; it’s been a very busy year,’ admits Burn. (HN)

JENNY SAVILLE BODY ARTIST

The illustrious Glasgow School of Art alumna led the pack in the third instalment of NOW at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. For those who measure things financially, in October Saville became the highest-selling living female artist when Sotheby’s witnessed the sale of ‘Propped’, her 1992 self-portrait, for £8.25m. (BD)

THE SPOOK SCHOOL SCARILY TALENTED

A unique and vital proposition in the world of Scottish music, the Spook School explore gender, sexuality and queer issues through rousing, anthemic slabs of guitar pop. Their third album, Could it Be Different?, was a popular inclusion on the Scottish Album of the Year longlist. (CA)

RIBEKA ELECTRONIC ARTIST

One of the most hard-working young figures in Scottish electronic music, Becky Marshall is a freelance producer (including for the dance element of the Rip it Up exhibition) and an A&R for Mute Records. As Ribeka, DJ and co-founder of Glasgow’s So Low night, her reputation is on the rise. (DP)

SCOTT HUTCHISON The passing of Scott Hutchison in May was felt not only within the Scottish artistic community but the world over. There were those who’d sought consolation or found joy in his music, those who’d enjoyed the cathartic experience of a Frightened Rabbit live show, and those who’d been fortunate enough to meet this kind, generous and humorous man in person. The ten-year anniversary tour of the band’s seminal album The Midnight Organ Fight back in March, was a timely reminder of Hutchison’s powers. Concluding with a completely sold-out show at Glasgow’s O2 Academy, it was a defiant victory lap for one of the landmark Scottish albums. The band had gone from small clubs to festival headline shows in the decade since its release, and deserved this moment in front of thousands. There were some sore throats (and hangovers) the following day. It was a year that also brought the first Mastersystem album, Dance Music, a collaboration between Hutchison and his brother Grant, and James and Justin Lockey, and one that had promised more Neu! Reekie! output. We end the year grieving for the loss of a great man, but grateful for his gifts and his time on earth. (CA) JANIS CLAXTON Ask anyone in the dance community to tell you a story about Janis Claxton, and chances are they’ll have one. I have my own fond memories, from Janis inviting me to spend two hours inside an enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo during her fascinating 2011 Fringe show, Enclosure 99: Humans, to our respectful and witty exchange when she demanded to know why I hadn’t given her show the five stars she felt it deserved. That forthright manner ensured her voice was heard, in particular during her fight to get more female choreographers into company repertoires. But what really spoke volumes was her clever and beautiful choreography. Since relocating to Scotland in 2005, Janis gifted us with a wide range of works, such as her gorgeous 2013 piece, Chaos & Contingency and her final work, POP-UP Duets (fragments of love) which found couples springing up in public places all over the world, introducing newcomers to dance. Whether she was dancing, choreographing, producing or speaking, Janis imbued everything with a strength and passion, and everyone who has a story to tell about her will mourn her loss. (KA)

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LAPS TRACKS ACT

Alicia Matthews (also known as a DJ under the name Sue Zuki) and sometime Golden Teacher singer Cassie Ezeji continue to be one of the most exciting live bands in Scotland. The big news for 2018, however, was Rihanna’s personal selection of their track ‘Who Me?’ for her New York Fashion Week show. (DP)

SELINA CAIRNS DAIRY STAR

Food producers don’t often claim the limelight, and as cheesemaker at Errington Cheese, Cairns would rather be turning curds than winning court cases. September saw the hard-fought release of the 2016 Corra Linn, the most impressive Scottish cheese of recent times. (DR)

SARAH BEBE HOLMES AIR APPARENT

Co-founder and co-artistic director of Paper Doll Militia, Bebe Holmes’ performances celebrate the power of aerial acrobatics to be more than entertaining, but provide a rich, abstract yet emotive examination of human experiences. This year’s Egg discussed the tension between science and mortality. (GKV)

RABIYA CHOUDHRY IDENTITY ARTIST

ROSE LESLIE LEGAL EAGLE

Still best known as Ygritte in Game of Thrones (even marrying co-star Kit Harington in June), Leslie swapped swords and sorcery for the courtroom as associate lawyer Maia Rindell in CBS drama The Good Fight, which has already been renewed for a third season in 2019. (HN)

SIKH SANJOG SOCIAL AND ENTERPRISING

See page 30.

With her first solo exhibition, COCO!NUTS! at Transmission in Glasgow, Choudhry unleashed a body of work that explores the contradictions of her Scots-Pakistani heritage with wit, confessional candour and colourful largesse in paintings that burst forth with a vivid cartoonstyle mix of the personal and the political. (NC)

NADINE AISHA JASSAT POETIC LICENSEE

Winner of a Scottish Book Trust New Writers’ Award and shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Prize 2018, it’s been a stellar year for Jassat. In the next one she publishes her debut poetry collection, Let Me Tell You This. (LM)

BEX ANSON SKY REACHER

As a member of expressionist arts collective 85a, Anson’s remit is multidisciplinary work. Most recently, V/DA and MHz’s stunning Void, a raw fusion of dance, visuals and sound, won a Total Theatre award, and the sublime Liquid Sky was a visceral aerial piece. (GKV)

SOFAY DISC SPINNER

A regular at Glasgow’s La Cheetah and Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s, Sofay (aka Sophie Reilly) continued her upward trajectory, DJing at London’s Corsica Studios with Palms Trax, playing Berlin and Copenhagen, and contributing a guest mix to Livity Sound’s NTS Radio slot. (SS)

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50 A WOMAN’S PLACE Jo Laidlaw goes behind the pass at social enterprise café Punjabi Junction to ﬁnd a group of women using traditional cooking skills to support and encourage each other Sikh Sanjog is a female-led community charity focusing primarily on the needs of women and girls in Edinburgh’s Sikh and minority ethnic community. Looking forward to celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019, the charity offers three main services: wellbeing groups for older women, groups for young mums, and lively youth clubs. Punjabi Junction sits at the heart of the charity: a social enterprise café providing a muchneeded income stream, training opportunities and an important hook into the broader Leith community. ‘Back in 2010, we knew we needed to find a way to control our financial destiny,’ explains social enterprise manager Sinita Potiwal. ‘All young Sikh women are taught to cook; we realised the people who used our service were also a brilliant resource. We started off sharing a kitchen space with the YWCA at Dr Bell’s [family centre] and things grew.’ Punjabi Junction is a bright and vibrant space, offering the kind of traditional Sikh Punjabi home-cooking it’s impossible to

find elsewhere in the city. The café has legions of die-hard fans (as well as celebrity admirers in the shape of Madhur Jaffrey and Paul Hollywood) but Potiwal admits it’s not always been plain sailing. ‘We had these amazing home cooks, but we had to create a professional kitchen. We had to write recipes down, get costings right and learn how to promote ourselves. Then we had to encourage the women out of the kitchen to interact with people, whether that was taking orders or dealing with suppliers. Watching their confidence grow has always been the most rewarding thing.’ Sustaining a café is never easy, especially in high-rent, high-competition Edinburgh. Potiwal credits the Leith community as one of the main reasons for their success. ‘We wanted to be in Leith because that’s where our women lived and we didn’t want travel to be a barrier to participation. But what’s been amazing is the way Leithers have opened their arms to us; from the wee boy who comes in for chicken pakora every week

after his karate class, to our older guests who say our food reminds them of a time when “curry tasted like curry”. Our regulars are amazing.’ Punjabi Junction is slap-bang in the middle of the proposed Drum redevelopment, which has been the focus of a sustained, and sometimes heated, campaign to #SaveLeithWalk. At time of going to press, the café is surrounded by boarded-up shops and an on-again-off-again graffiti campaign. But Potiwal sees only opportunity for the future. ‘We are still very much open for business but obviously we’re running different scenarios for the years ahead. The Sikh community has spread through the city: should we go with it? What’s to stop us popping up in Sighthill, for example? Or perhaps we should focus more on our event catering or cooking classes? We don’t have the answers but we’re absolutely confident that Punjabi Junction will survive and thrive as long as there is a need for the services it supports through Sikh Sanjog.’

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PHOTO: CHRIS SCOTT

PHOTO: MELANIE JORDAN

BE CHARLOTTE HOMECOMING QUEEN

Possessing a fiercely original voice, Charlotte Brimner – one of Dundee’s most exciting exports – has had another amazing year. After signing to Columbia / Sony Music, she embarked on an extensive tour across Europe and beyond before returning home to help open the V&A Dundee. (MR)

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JORDAN & SKINNER CLOWN AROUND

An inspiring double-act that demonstrates how physical theatre can work for all ages, their commitment to challenging material suitable even for younger audiences reveals how the clown is not just for parties but for moving, serious theatre. (GKV)

KATE ATKINSON WAR CORRESPONDENT

In a career spanning over 20 years, Atkinson has given us eleven witty, innovative and genredefying books. The latest, Transcription, is a World War II spy thriller that asks the reader to question much more than their allegiances. (LM)

MICHELLE GOMEZ

HEIR OF THE CURSED RESIDENT ARTISTE

As well as being a phenomenal musician and performer, Beldina Odenyo Onassis was recently announced as one of eight recipients of a funded residency as part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s starter programme and has been in the process of developing a new idea for a full theatre / gig piece. (AQ)

WITCHY WOMAN PHOTO: HELEN CLYNE

The former Doctor Who villain continues to walk on the dark side. Gomez is taking the role of enigmatic big bad Mary Wardell in Netflix’s witchy reboot, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, from the same team who gave us Riverdale. (HN)

CATHY WILKES CARVING SUCCESS

As well as the closing months of her solo exhibition at MoMA in New York – organised as part of her receipt of the Maria Lassnig Prize – the Glasgow-based sculptural and installation artist Wilkes was also announced as Great Britain’s entry for the Venice Biennale 2019. (DP)

PRIZE GUYS Henry Northmore picks out just a few of the winners in Scotland’s creative industries during 2018

PHOTO: ALICE HADDEN

This was an amazing year for Young Fathers. Not only did they release their third studio album, Cocoa Sugar, to great acclaim, they also became the first band to win the Scottish Album of the Year for a second time (after first lifting the trophy with Tape Two in 2014). The trio seem to have a profound confidence in their music, drawing together hip hop, soul, electronica and R&B and they’ve crafted another outstanding album with its uncompromising stance, lyrical urgency and sonic energy. Another name with roots in the Scottish hip-hop scene, Darren McGarvey (AKA Loki) took a sideways step into writing with his deeply personal Poverty Safari, an impassioned, raw examination of the realities of working-class Britain. It went on to win the prestigious Orwell Prize for political writing. ‘His unflinching account of his life and the effects of deprivation and poverty is self-aware, brutally honest and more urgent than ever,’ explained author Kit de Waal who was on the judging panel. ‘If Orwell were alive, this is the book he would choose.’ Staying with books, it seems fitting that Liam McIlvanney won the McIlvanney Prize (named after his own father, William) for Scottish crime novel of the year for The Quaker, inspired by real-life Glasgow serial killer Bible John. In the world of food and drink, Edinburgh Gin solidified their standing in the spirits market at the Annual Scottish Gin Awards. They took the title for Growth Business, Innovation of the Year for Edinburgh Gin 1670 (created with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) along with Silver and Bronze Taste Medals for their Cannonball Navy Strength and Pomegranate & Rose liqueur. Despite being based in the capital, there have been hardly any Scottish winners of the Edinburgh Comedy Award (just Arnold Brown back in 1987 and Richard Gadd in 2016). Sadly Larry Dean just missed out with his hilarious and heartfelt show Bampot, but getting a nomination was still pretty damn impressive. And you can read about other winners across our Hot 100, including Roseanne Watt who won the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, Midas Fall who picked up their first Progressive Music Award, Hannah Rarity, named BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, and 404 Ink who won an armful of awards in 2018.

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PRIDE AND PERSIANS

PERTH PIONEER

A FAIR KOP

A gifted actor, Tyler displayed considerable comic abilities and pathos in the recent production of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), and wrote the magnificent, biting political satire The Persians for A Play, A Pie and A Pint. More recently, her autobiographical work, Medicine, ran to critical acclaim in London. (LI)

At Perth’s revamped theatre, Kemp’s artistic direction has been a cunning mix of the classic, the best of touring theatre, and some mighty new commissions that have marked the venue as a centre of creative excellence and imagination. (GKV)

It’s been a busy few years for MacLeod: MasterChef quarter-finalist in 2014, cookery shows on STV, plus her Street Kitchen at Glasgow’s pop-up hotspots. More recently, Kopitiam, her first permanent restaurant, impressed with a modern take on Malaysian hawker-style dishes. (JT)

CATHIE BOYD

MEGHAN TYLER

CLAIRE ASKEW TRUTH TELLER

A prize-winning poet and novelist, Askew brought us a new kind of crime story in 2018. All the Hidden Truths is a taut and thoughtful look at toxic masculinity, public tragedy and the women left picking up the pieces. (LM)

LU KEMP

The former frontwoman of Camera Obscura launched her first musical project since the death of fellow bandmate and friend Carey Lander. The project is a collaboration with Crybaby’s Danny Coughlan and the pair released a self-titled album in May to critical praise. (KG)

MELE BROOMES

SONICA DELIGHTS

Boyd’s international ambitions have continued to expand since founding Glasgow’s Theatre Cryptic in 1994 with a mission to ravish the senses. Now known as Cryptic, the company these days focuses on Sonica, a bi-annual festival and yearround global touring programme where sound, vision and big-time sensuality abound. (NC)

TRACEYANNE CAMPBELL COMEBACK QUEEN

JULIE LIN MACLEOD

INTO THE VOID

Along with her compatriots in V/DA and Project X, Glasgow-based performer, choreographer and director Broomes champions dance by the African diaspora. As a woman of colour, she gave JG Ballard’s Concrete Island a whole new edge in her stunning Fringe show, Void. (KA)

NIGHTWAVE SHE SELLS SANCTUARY

The Glasgow-based DJ and vocal advocate for women in DJing continues to enjoy an impressively diverse career. This year, her Nightrave party celebrated its fifth birthday at La Cheetah, her ‘Sanctuary’ EP appeared on Fool’s Gold, she remixed Django Django, and brought a Producergirls workshop to Glasgow’s SWG3. (DP)

MUSIC MAESTROS

SOUNDFESTIVAL Led by director Fiona Robertson, the Aberdeenbased festival of new music showcases a variety of innovative music, including world-class musicians, family events, talks and workshops. The 2018 festival featured works by more than 50 female composers, with illustrious names such as Sally Beamish, Thea Musgrave and Anna Meredith alongside emerging composers. (AQ)

RACHEL NEWTON WEST LIFE

Following on from an award-winning year in 2017, the dynamic singer and harpist released her fourth solo album West. Newton embarked on a ten-date headline tour of the UK in support of the record, marking this as her biggest tour to date. (BC) PHOTO:TOM FORSTER

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Exhibition Until 3 February 2019

Emma Hart fruitmarket.co.uk #fruitmarketgallery

The Fruitmarket Gallery

The Tree of Life Annual Exhibition 2018 & Wood Market

Custom Lane Custom Wharf 67 Commercial Street Leith EH6 6LH

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YOUNG GUN

FIELD ARTIST

Part of the Blood of the Young collective, and writer of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), their late season hit, McArthur has created a series of memorable performances, with her genderswapped Mr Darcy eclipsing even the most famous versions of stage and screen. (GKV)

Povera (aka Glasgow-based, Finnish-born musician and artist Maria Rossi) delivered one of the year’s most beguiling debuts with Hilja, creating experimental pop from vocal loops, synths and field recordings. Look out for her second album in 2019. (SS)

COMEDY QUEEN

TRAD STAR

Aside from maintaining her campaign against all things Trump-related, Godley was in reflective mood this year with two shows. Her Glasgow Comedy Festival affair Revelations of Godley, and her Edinburgh Fringe show Godley’s Cream, looked back on her 20 years in comedy alongside plenty new material. (BD)

After winning BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018, Rarity’s sumptuous vocals have been heard far and wide on stage and screen, with the release of her debut album, Neath the Gloaming Star, the icing on this year’s cake. (KA)

ISOBEL MCARTHUR

JANEY GODLEY

CUCINA POVERA

HANNAH RARITY

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PHOTO: ALAN MCATEER

20 BEYOND THE BLAZE David Pollock reflects on the tragic night when the Mackintosh Building was destroyed by a second fire in four years. He finds that above the debris, some optimism fills the air

PHOTO: MIHAELA BODLOVIC

WILS WILSON SHAKER MAKER

Having given audiences goosebumps with Wind Resistance, her meditative collaboration with Karine Polwart, this indomitable director brought psychedelic madness to the Royal Lyceum adaptation of Twelfth Night, which felt more like trippy classic Performance. (LI)

ASHLEY STORRIE ADULT HUMOURIST

As daughter of one of the fiercest comedians on the Scottish circuit (see number 28), Storrie has always had a lot to live up to. But this year, she struck out fantastically with a Fringe hit, Adulting, in which she explored #MeToo, smear tests, and what it means to be a grown-up. (BD)

SARRA WILD CULTURED CLUBBER

Co-founder of club night and collective OH141, Sarra Wild has pushed the conversation around opening club spaces to people of colour, queer people and women. A brilliant DJ, she reduces crowds from Counterflows to Romanticrash to a sweaty, joyous mess. (SS)

ORLA O’LOUGHLIN THEATRE PLAYER

Outgoing artistic director of the Traverse, O’Loughlin sealed a reputation as an intuitive director of plays, and her recent programme of Fringe shows were timely and challenging, taking on class, race and gender. Her collaboration with Cora Bissett, What Girls Are Made Of, was a moving riposte to pressures on women. (LI)

FREE LOVE LUXURY LOUNGE

Suzi Rodden and Lewis Cook’s psych-pop juggernaut, formerly known as Happy Meals,

25 rolls on. This year they made an EP for Lost Map’s Visitations series (centred on the theme of alien abduction) and a string of banging singles (‘Synchronicity’ and ‘Pushing Too Hard’) gathered in the aptly titled collection Luxury Hits. (CA)

SHONA MCCARTHY FRINGE FORCE

The Fringe continues to go from strength to strength thanks in great part to the Fringe Society’s chief executive. This year Shona McCarthy launched a five-year manifesto featuring ambitious and far-ranging goals, as the world’s largest arts festival rails against the politics of division. (MR)

ECLAIR FIFI HEY DJ

Bookings in Australia, India, North America and across Europe (including Edinburgh’s Terminal V event and Denis Sulta’s Sulta Selects show in Manchester) continued to reinforce Clair Stirling’s already solid reputation as one of Scotland’s finest DJs. Plus she delivered a Scotland-centric soundtrack to the lightshow which opened Dundee’s V&A. (DP)

The only thing everyone knows for certain about Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building is that most of us don’t know very much at all. Beginning with what actually happened on the night of June 15, when the almostcomplete building caught fire again four years after a previous, severely damaging blaze, and left the old stone walls a crumbling shell. Once more, dramatic images of the fire were streamed live across the world, and the devastation caused by the time it had burned out was near-total. In another dismally contemporary twist on proceedings, where lack of knowledge exists online, so too do professional opinions treated as incontrovertible fact and understandable anger translated into conspiratorial guesses. As bad as the last fire was, this time the effect was far greater, with Sauchiehall Street’s historic ABC music venue also destroyed, local residents locked out of their homes for an extended period of time, and local businesses (including the Centre for Contemporary Arts and arts organisations based there) forced to close or relocate indefinitely. At time of writing, the CCA has just reopened but we don’t know when, how or even if the Mack building itself will be rebuilt once again. The GSA board, through its chairperson Muriel Gray, has made an emphatic declaration that it will return in something like its original form, and that insurance money and private donations will ensure that no public money needs be spent in the process. Hopefully that will be the case. Where the tragedy of the 2014 fire brought a broad, Dunkirk Spirit consensus that this horrible tragedy be put right immediately, the much wider impact of 2018 and the sense of bubbling frustration at how lightning could have been allowed to strike twice has left a far messier public conversation about the value of art in a time of austerity. Yet Glasgow’s reputation across the arts has been built upon people doing great things with not very much, and such ingenuity must surely be given every opportunity to win out again.

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ELA ORLEANS EAR BENDER

In March, the Scottish Album of the Year Award nominee presented Martyrs, Angels & Villains, an audio-visual companion / response to the Calton area at Glasgow International. In May, she took her score to Guy Maddin’s Cowards Bend the Knee to Hawick’s Alchemy film festival. (SS)

BHP COMICS ANIMATOR INNOVATOR

The Glasgow-based comic book publisher launched a veritable library of new titles including anthologies Full Colour, edited by Nyla Ahmad, which champions work from young BAME people in Scotland, and We Shall Fight Until We Win, which celebrates the achievements of women throughout history. (MR)

CHARLOTTE PRODGER VIDEO STAR

The stars aligned in 2018 for Glasgow-based

video artist Prodger. Nominated for the Turner Prize, she was also chosen to represent Scotland in the Venice Biennale, with a work which she says will reflect themes of ‘queer wildness’. She also showed new work in Amsterdam. (DP)

TAKE ONE ACTION GIRLS ON FILM

CORA BISSETT RENAISSANCE WOMAN

Bissett’s energetic and passionate directorial style, her versatility as a performer, and imagination as a writer make her one of the most forceful and explicitly feminist voices in contemporary theatre, with the Fringe success of What Girls Are Made Of marking her as a national presence. (GKV)

This socially minded film festival had its most ambitious year yet, with 45 events and an emphasis on women’s empowerment. Of its 2018 programme, 60% featured films directed by women, and its Sisters strand showcased films recognising sexism’s intersections with other forms of systemic oppression. (DC)

SIOBHAN WILSON ALL SAINT

CARLA J EASTON IMPOSSIBLE DREAMER

Her most recent record Impossible Stuff was a gorgeously fluent example of Easton’s indiepop songwriting, while her curation of Since Yesterday: The Unsung Women Pioneers of Scottish Pop at Edinburgh International Festival PHOTO: IAN FOX

(based on a documentary she’s currently making) shone a light on generations of undervalued talent. (DP)

Classically trained singer-songwriter Wilson weaves magic with her enchanting compositions and utterly captivating vocals. As well as touring with Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert and the Proclaimers, her stunning debut There Are No Saints was shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year award this year. (AQ)

EVE MUTSO DANCING QUEEN

A former principal dancer with Scottish Ballet, Mutso is now dipping her pointe shoes into a host of interesting projects, from her captivating solo Loop, and guest spot in Scottish Opera’s Eugene Onegin to choreographing a new piece for Estonian National Ballet. (KA)

ADURA ONASHILE BANKABLE STAR

This recipient of the Channel 4 Playwright Scheme is currently artist-in-residence at the Traverse Theatre. Having garnered huge critical acclaim for her powerful acting role in Creditors, Onashile is now developing new work. Immensely versatile, she’s also a powerful playwright. (LI)

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KATY & KAREN KOREN TEAM GB

As well as expanding the Gilded Balloon’s range in 2018 as the year-round Rose Theatre fully took root, and maintaining GB’s position as a key player on the Edinburgh Fringe landscape, the mother and daughter team gave us plenty of insights and anecdotes with their Boss Wummin’ podcast. (BD)

PHOTO: SANDY BUTLER

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JACKIE WYLIE WALL BREAKER

The National Theatre of Scotland’s artistic director is determined to represent the imagination of a nation, and by commissioning a musical from Birds of Paradise and inviting Gob Squad to disrupt in Glasgow, she demonstrates her fierce vision for a theatre beyond walls. (GKV)

404 INK Heather McDaid and Laura Jones’ alt.indie publishing house took last year’s Hot 100 number one spot and 2018 has been equally as successful for them. They’ve had releases from Helen McClory, Chris McQueer, and a graphic feminist anthology in collaboration with BHP Comics. (KG)

PHOTO: LENA GALOVICOVA

PHOTO: SUZANNE HEFFRON

PEN PALS

KARINE POLWART BRIGHT STAR

KAREN GILLAN PARTY PERSON

Not only starring in two huge blockbusters – front and centre alongside The Rock, Jack Black and Kevin Hart in Jumanji and as a member of Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers: Infinity War – Gillan also made her directorial debut with The Party’s Just Beginning which premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival. (HN)

The Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year award went nicely alongside Polwart’s Scottish Album of the Year shortlisting for A Pocket of Wind Resistance. On the live front, she proved a vibrant addition to the Edinburgh International’s Festival Light on the Shore programme with her Scottish Songbook. (BD)

KATHRYN JOSEPH UNIQUE VOICE

Her breakthrough in 2015 established Joseph as one of the most unique and exciting musical voices in Scotland, and this year’s reputation-reinforcing second album From When I Wake the Want Is brought her renewed national attention. The live show, designed by theatre company Cryptic, was also outstanding. (DP)

RACHEL MACLEAN WAVE MAKER

See page 40.

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“A glimpse into another world” The List Until 24 February 2019 Book now. Members go free. vam.ac.uk/dundee

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3 BEAUTY TIPS With the media continuing to distort representations of women, artists such as Rachel Maclean are taking a stand. Neil Cooper talks to her about the male gaze, NVA and making movies Rachel Maclean is sat in Film City Glasgow to talk about Make Me Up, the artist’s feature-length subversion of primetime TV. Holding court to a parade of journalists in the boardroom of what used to be Govan Town Hall seems fitting somehow for a film about women and power. Following Spite Your Face (Maclean’s dark look at the corrupting force of money which formed Scotland’s official contribution to the 2017 Venice Biennale), Make Me Up dissects popular media clichés of female beauty in a deceptively prettified world. Here the wideeyed and tellingly named Siri is put through a blender of choreographed conformity alongside a troupe of similarly well-turned-out would-be mannequins forced to compete in an extreme take on trash-TV talent shows where survival of the fittest is what counts. All this is overseen by a candyfloss-coiffed ringmistress played by a typically barely recognisable Maclean. The words mouthed by the dominatrix-diva are taken from recordings of Kenneth Clark, the plummy-voiced art historian whose seminal 1969 BBC series, Civilisation, gave us a very male view of art. ‘I saw so much that was political in Kenneth Clark’s voice,’ says Maclean. ‘The power and authority of this upper-class male voice was almost imperial. Out of that came a particular point of view, which came at art history without any idea about female creativity at

all. When someone is revered in the way Clark was, it probably seemed inconceivable that there was any other way of teaching art. But within that, you can see the background of how female bodies are treated. Kenneth Clark can sound quite paternalistic, and when you put that together with something like America’s Next Top Model it becomes quite uncomfortable.’ Maclean normally reinvents herself as every character in her work, but this time out some 13 actors appear alongside her. Working with such a large company on Make Me Up’s relatively linear narrative appears to be a pointer for Maclean’s next move. ‘I’d really like to make a feature film for cinema,’ she says. ‘I’m really excited about creating a believable world using a straightforward narrative, and I’m getting a crash course in screenwriting just now.’ One of the more poignant aspects of Make Me Up is its use of the modernist architecture of St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross. While Maclean’s film was shot using green screen at Film City, customised images of St Peter’s feature as a DayGlo dystopian backdrop. Up until recently, St Peter’s was earmarked for long-term renovation by NVA, Angus Farquhar’s environmental interventionists, whose rejection for regular funding by Creative Scotland caused the company’s demise, with the plug being pulled on the St Peter’s

development. With NVA now co-producers of Make Me Up alongside Hopscotch Films, Maclean’s film will be their swansong. ‘I wanted Make Me Up to look stylistically unreal,’ says Maclean. ‘St Peter’s was amazing to visit, and it was really nice working with NVA. It was really sad when they closed midway through the process, and it was a really difficult moment in public art in the UK.’ Arriving in the midst of the #MeToo age, the contemporary voices of dissent in Make Me Up put into the mouths of Siri, Alexa and co come from the likes of Pussy Riot, Rose McGowan, Germaine Greer, Geri Halliwell and Viv Albertine. Such a disparate display chimes with a new generation of feminist thought and action which has been fearlessly evident of late. In this sense, for all its aesthetic and polemical complexities, Make Me Up is arguably a call to arms. ‘There’s far more politicisation and awareness of feminism in young women now than when I was growing up,’ notes Maclean. ‘I don’t want to force my ideas down people’s throats. I’d much rather the film opens up possible ways of thinking about some of the things it looks at. There are things in the film about weight and eating and body image, which traditionally young women have been made to feel like it’s all their fault, when actually it’s part of a much larger political discourse.’

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HOT

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PHOTO: CHRIS SCOTT

PHOTO: KATE BONES

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ONES TO WATCH With only 100 spots to fill, there were inevitable omissions as we whittled down our favourites. Arusa Qureshi gives a shout out to the folks that have just missed out, because despite not having made the list, they’re very much on our radar for 2019 and beyond

ANNA MEREDITH STILL IN SEASON

Composer Anna Meredith is no stranger to The List’s Hot 100. After all, she topped our annual countdown in 2016 after the release of her debut album, Varmints, which won the Scottish Album of the Year Award. 2018 found Meredith in similarly creative form. Much of her work in contemporary classical and electronica captures an atmosphere and an emotion, so a move into film was a natural progression for her approach to songwriting. Her first movie work arrived this year as she composed the soundtrack for American comedian Bo Burnham’s directorial debut Eighth Grade which had its world premiere at Sundance in January (Meredith’s score was released by Columbia in July). Meredith toured America, Europe and the UK through the first quarter of 2018 with various orchestras, bands and ensembles, including the European premiere of Tuggemo, commissioned by the Kronos Quartet for their 50 for the Future Project. Five Telegrams – co-commissioned by BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival and 14-18 NOW – was one of her most ambitious projects to date. It marked the centenary of the end of World War I and was inspired by themes surrounding communications sent by young soldiers during the war. The music was brought to life with a spectacular synchronised light show, created by 59 Productions, projected onto the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the First Night of the Proms, and onto the Usher Hall as the Edinburgh International Festival’s opening event. Five Telegrams was also adapted for virtual reality piece ‘Nothing to be Written’ for a fully immersive experience. ‘59 Productions are obviously amazing,’ explained Meredith. ‘I was very honoured to have been asked to compose for this. I think often they work with pre-existing music, so this time round where it has been written from scratch it has been very important to make sure the visuals and music are synced up and that we are all on the same page.’ She returned to the EIF to perform Varmints with the Southbank Sinfonia as part of Light on the Shore, and also played the Fringe, with a live performance from her new album Anno (released on Moshi Moshi in August). This collaboration with the Scottish Ensemble mixed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with original electronic and contemporary work composed by Meredith. (HN)

EH-FM is a new multimedia radio station based in Summerhall, whose range of shows have proven popular in the city thus far. The team aim to offer a platform where local talent and projects can be showcased, from arts and journalism to social enterprises and business. Also based in Summerhall, Miriam Attwood and Amy Taylor’s Don’t Speak podcast sees the pair joined by a rotating series of artists and creatives for occasionally silly but always wonderful and profound conversations. Musician Heather Leigh continues to impress, with her second solo album taking an almost goth-pop direction. Finnish-born, Glasgow-based DJ and promoter IDA has been taking the Scottish club scene by storm with her Acid Flash parties, while electronic musician Amble Skuse’s new partnership with Alasdair Roberts and David McGuinness has resulted in the excellent album What News. Holly McGowan and Sofya Staune of Glasgow collective VAJ.Power work with interactive technology and sound, making their FUSE club nights as multisensory and accessible as possible. Diljeet Bhachu, meanwhile, is a highly skilled flautist, researcher and activist who recently co-founded the Scottish-Asian Creative Artists’ Network. Edinburgh-based writer, performer and artist Iona Lee’s debut poetry pamphlet was published this year by Birlinn to rave reviews, and we’re really looking forward to writer and journalist Charlotte Runcie’s first book, Salt on Your Tongue, which is due to be published in January 2019 by Canongate. As well as starring in Karen Gillan’s directorial debut this year, comedian and actress Rachel Jackson has been busy previewing a new show, Slutty Little Goldfish, the follow-up to her 2017 Fringe debut Bunny Boiler. Rosie Healey, head chef of Glasgow’s Alchemilla, has been causing quite the stir with her innovative take on Mediterranean cuisine, which Jay Rayner described as ‘a thoughtful mix of great ideas and ingredients’ earlier this year. Also in Glasgow, theatre company Modest Predicament, run by Jenny Gilvear and Shilpa T-Hyland, have had some exciting projects this year including History of a Life by Laurie Motherwell.

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PHOTO: JEANETTE LANG, GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY

PHOTO: MY BOOKCASE

PHOTO: KEITH HUNTER

PHOTO: COURTESY OF GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY

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44 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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Glasgow Women’s Library have been quietly going about their business for nearly 30 years. Fiona Shepherd pays tribute to this year’s Hot 100 number one, and says it’s high time to shout their achievements from the rooftops

A PHOTO: COURTESY OF GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY PHOTO: KEITH HUNTER

s the only accredited museum dedicated to women’s history in the UK, Glasgow Women’s Library is more than a library, is not just for women and reaches out far beyond its base in the east end of Glasgow. Sue John, GWL’s enterprise development manager, is sensitive to the implied circumscription of the name. ‘We have 27 years of goodwill around that name,’ says John. ‘And also, what would we replace it with, because we want it to be as accessible as possible.’ The conversation about their name is just one example of the appetite for debate, dynamism and progress which has powered Glasgow Women’s Library since its foundation in Garnethill in 1991. Since then, this unique organisation has inhabited a number of locations in the city centre and is now firmly ensconced in the beautiful Edwardian premises previously occupied by Bridgeton Public Library. The former Ladies’ Reading Room is now the GWL offices and the Gentlemen’s Reading Room has turned into a flexible events space where their latest exhibition, First Waves, on the impact of changing UK race relations legislation, has just opened. ‘This is an amazing part of the city,’ enthuses John. ‘We know it’s had its challenges, with decades of neglect and industrial decline. Yes we have poverty, low life expectancy and links to sectarianism but what a pride in the history of this area, what a hunger for heritage and cultural offerings. There isn’t this invisible barrier that marks us adrift from the community; we are the community, and we want visitors from around the corner and around the world.’ As well as being a welcoming library, café and meeting space, GWL is home to a vast archive of 20,000 books, 3000 artefacts and 400,000 donated items. These date from the early 1800s right up to contemporary collections of materials around the Women’s Marches which followed Donald Trump’s election and from the Repeal The 8th campaign in Ireland earlier this year. All of which testifies to the personal and political lives of women and how that has impacted families, communities and wider social change over the last two centuries. By any measure, 2018 has been a landmark year for women’s rights. Across the UK, Vote 100 celebrated the centenary of votes for (some) women. Glasgow Women’s Library have marked the occasion by developing two new Suffragette City (nice) heritage

walks, and programming a strand of talks, workshops and events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival called Revolting Women. Plus, they collaborated with students at Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art and Glasgow College to create a series of 30-second animations on 100 different suffragists, as part of their drive to raise the profile of Scottish suffragettes such as Flora Drummond and Helen Crawford (whose greatgrandniece, the New Zealand artist Fiona Jack, exhibited at GWL at the start of the year). Meanwhile the need to safeguard such hard-won rights was highlighted by the global surge of the #MeToo movement in response to high-profile allegations of sexual abuse by a succession of powerful public figures. ‘What a time!’ says John. ‘It feels like there are two incredibly powerful forces in play here: the rise of the global right, Trump and that unequivocal message from white men particularly in the highest echelons of power that they are sticking together. On the other side, we’ve got this unprecedented uprising of women’s solidarity; and that doesn’t go back in the box. I think it’s incredibly empowering that those movements have come together through social media or in real life, and it lifts my heart every single day.’ The Glasgow Women’s Library had particular cause to celebrate earlier this year when they were nominated for the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, which hailed their ‘warm and witty’ approach. They lost out to Tate St Ives, prompting an editorial in the Museums Association Journal hailing GWL as ‘ambitious and innovative’ and urging a rethink of the purpose of that prize. GWL aren’t bitter though. Instead they responded with some ‘warm and witty’ new merchandise including best-selling mugs which proclaim ‘I Love My Pubes’ and t-shirts bearing the titles of key works of feminist literature from Muriel Spark’s The Driver’s Seat to Ali Smith’s How to Be Both. As John looks forward to 2019 and the continuation of the library’s diverse programme of events, from creative writing groups for Muslim women to an alternative Burns Night ceilidh, she reflects that ‘it has been an amazing year with lots of young, and not so young, women and young men coming in, non-binary, trans people, who want to get involved in equality projects and changing the world for the better. All we are trying to do is be part of solutions, and not part of problems. I think it really is an important time for us.’

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Changing Light An Exhibition by Andy Laycock

Open 7 days Art Club & Student Discounts The Dundas Street Gallery

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48 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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26/10/2018 15:28

SLEEP IN THE PARK

DREAM ON The Sleep in the Park fundraiser to tackle homelessness expands to all four of Scotland’s major cities this December. David Pollock reﬂects on the success of last year’s event and asks some of the musicians taking part why they’re pitching in

t’s fair to say that last winter’s Sleep in the Park event, organised by the Edinburgh charitable organisation and café Social Bite, was a big success. Search under their website for the ‘Last Year’s Results’ section and you’ll see why; a list of achievements towards tackling homelessness not limited to the building of the Social Bite Village in the city’s Granton area; the rolling-out of the Housing First program across Scotland, to get rough sleepers into mainstream housing; and an assortment of money given to related charities, academic studies and Social Bite’s own charitable work. The reason for this success appears simple – that the idea to get several thousand people to sleep out in a public place on one freezing night, enticed by the thought of some good music to start things off, is an imagination-grabbing idea. Of course, doing this relatively luxurious task isn’t anything like being without a home, but Social Bite and its founder Josh Littlejohn (a man not averse to promoting his charity with a bit of showbiz, having previously invited George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio to Edinburgh) only need to inspire enough empathy to get the money rolling. ‘It felt a really positive occasion and I was happy to be a part of it,’ says singer Amy Macdonald, who played last year and is back again this time. ‘Sometimes there are too many charities and people don’t know what to donate to, but the way Social Bite has done it is great

– they’re big, they’re bold, they say “here we are, here’s what we’re about, we want to raise as much money as possible so we’re going to make as much noise as possible”. You feel almost humbled to perform in front of all these people who are doing their best to help others.’ This year, Macdonald and KT Tunstall will be travelling to all four cities taking part in an expanded Sleep in the Park in one night to play ten-minute sets; the plan had been to do it by helicopter, she says, but problems finding places to land mean they’ll now be travelling by car. Elsewhere, the events will be headlined by Lulu in Edinburgh, Kyle Falconer in Dundee and Eddi Reader in Glasgow, with a bunch of other musical and non-musical guests including Chris Hoy, Irvine Welsh and the Orwell Prize-winning Darren ‘Loki’ McGarvey. Glasgow’s event, meanwhile, will be a special one for very different reasons. Having agreed to do the gig before their lead singer Scott Hutchison died earlier this year, Scott’s brother Grant (whose wife works with Social Bite) and the other members of Frightened Rabbit will be playing together for the first time, as friends including James Graham of the Twilight Sad – whose band are also appearing – contribute guest vocals. ‘We felt it would be the perfect time for us to play together again,’ said Grant in a statement, ‘and, since it was something for such a great cause, that we should stick to our decision and honour Scott in the best way we

PHOTO: TOM JOHNSON

From left: Amy Macdonald, KT Tunstall, Kathryn Joseph

know – to play the songs he wrote and continue spreading his message of kindness while supporting Social Bite and the amazing work they do.’ ‘I have no details of what’s happening yet, other than the terror of not doing the songs justice that’s filling my bones,’ says Kathryn Joseph, who will also be singing with Frabbit. ‘But yeah, I’m incredibly honoured to be doing it. I only saw Scott occasionally, but when I did he was the loveliest guy ever. You know the Hits the Fan label who released my debut record? They basically started that label to release Frightened Rabbit’s music. The connections were so strong. ‘When I first heard him play “Poke”, I was bawling my eyes out, it’s a perfect song. Will I cover it here? I don’t know – I just know that whatever they want me to do, I’ll do my best. Even being a girl’s voice on it is worrying me a wee bit, they’re such beautiful Scottish boy songs! It’s very similar to when Emma Pollock did the Kate Bush tribute (at True North in Aberdeen) . . . the perfect song becomes the Holy Grail, but then you realise there are so many beautiful ones.’ Sleep in the Park, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh; Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow; Slessor Gardens, Dundee; Duthie Park, Aberdeen, Sat 8 Dec, sleepinthepark.co.uk 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 49

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26/10/2018 13:19

ANTHROPOCENE

IT TAKES TWO The partnership between librettist and composer is at the core of creating a new opera. Carol Main learns how the creative process works for writer Louise Welsh and composer Stuart MacRae as they prepare to debut Anthropocene, their latest work for Scottish Opera

Anthropocene, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 24, Sat 26 Jan; King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 31 Jan, Sat 2 Feb.

PHOTO: JULIE BROADFOOT

odgers & Hammerstein, Gilbert & Sullivan – the names trip off the tongue as famous pairings from the lighter side of the operatic stage. But what about other composers and librettists? Not much heard about are Mozart & da Ponte or Puccini & Giocosa. Yet the partnership between composer and librettist is the one which brings the creation of an opera into its very being, even though too many librettists end up as unsung heroes. Not so with Scottish Opera’s Five:15, a research and development project designed to bring together new opera makers. Taking its name from five operas of 15 minutes each, it was hugely successful, with one of the most lasting matches to emerge from it being writer Louise Welsh and composer Stuart MacRae. Anthropocene is the fourth Scottish Opera commission for Welsh and MacRae. Their most recent was 2016’s The Devil Inside, based on a Robert Louis Stevenson short story. This time, the story is of their own devising, inspired by the anthropocene age, the geological era marking the destructive impact humans have made on the planet. ‘There’s a research expedition to Greenland, where the ice is beginning to melt,’ explains Welsh. ‘Through microbes in the ice, they are finding out about prehistoric times.’ The scientists, their ship trapped by the ice, find a frozen body. What happens next is partly up to the audience to decide, as there is, she says, ‘an element of mystery and uncertainty. It’s that delicious feeling of what’s real and what’s not real.’ Led by billionaire entrepreneur Harry King, the ship takes his name – King’s Anthropocene. ‘We’ve chosen it as the name of the boat,’ says MacRae, ‘as it represents that character. He thinks he’s helping the human race, but he’s doing it for himself.’ The pair are not, however, making an explicit comment on climate change or rich men’s vanity projects. ‘We are more drawing on people’s awareness,’ says MacRae, ‘and their thinking differently. We’ve worked very hard at getting the story right.’ In reaching that point, Welsh says, ‘we have a method of working which is really pleasurable. We meet for tea and scones – no alcohol – maybe in the National Library café, and talk and talk.’ Or perhaps they’ll use Skype, but the important thing is to keep talking. ‘Louise and I come to a project from different places, with different ideas,’ says MacRae, ‘and it ends up a melding of that, with us trying to imagine the atmosphere and pacing of the music.’ Anthropocene is sparse in terms of words, with only around ten words, repeated a few times, equating to four minutes of music at times. In other places, chunkier sections of text move on quickly. For MacRae and Welsh, trust in each other is key. ‘I would trust Stuart with anything’, says Welsh, ‘particularly artistically.’ It’s the same for MacRae, who says, ‘We have a deep trust, but it doesn’t mean we can’t disagree. It’s got to feel right for both of us.’

50 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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26/10/2018 13:39

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HOGMANAY

SECOND TIME LUCKY

As Franz Ferdinand prepare to headline the Concert in the Gardens Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh alongside Metronomy and Free Love, Henry Northmore ﬁnds out what the revitalised band have in store for New Year revellers

ot everything goes to plan. ‘We were supposed to do it about 15 years ago; we were supposed to be the first act on before the Coral and then Erasure,’ explains Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos, ‘but there was a massive storm and the whole thing got cancelled. We ended up seeing the bells in playing a gig in somebody’s flat somewhere in Marchmont instead, which was great fun, but I’m very happy to be coming back and playing the party itself.’ Not only are Franz back for 2018’s Hogmanay celebrations but this time they are headlining the Concert in the Gardens. ‘There are so many places you can celebrate New Year in the world but nowhere beats Edinburgh,’ says Kapranos. ‘People always say the way you spend your New Year is an indicator of how you’ll spend the rest of the year. And for me, I’ll be with my band, with my friends and family all about me, back in Scotland, so it feels really good.’

2018 also finds the band revitalised. Even the title of recent album Always Ascending felt like a statement of intent. Lead single and title track ‘Always Ascending’ is built around a marvellously confusing sonic illusion that feels like it’s constantly building to an elusive climax. Produced by Philippe Zdar, one half of French house duo Cassius (who has also worked with the Rapture, Two Door Cinema Club and Phoenix), the album is a propulsive, slice of indie rock and post-punk, happily embracing disco and pop to its heart. It’s also the first to feature guitarist Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie on keyboards / synths after Nick McCarthy’s departure in 2016. ‘Bands have a personality which is a product of the personalities within them, so fresh blood and a fresh perspective is invigorating and inspiring.’ The change in personnel breathed new life into the band. ‘[Making the record] definitely felt like a new era. The last Franz record – Right

52 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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HOGMANAY

PHOTO: DAVID EDWARDS

CHANGE YOUR TUNE Franz Ferdinand top the bill at the Concert in the Gardens (with support from Metronomy and Free Love) but there’s plenty more music to enjoy across Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations

SYMPHONIC IBIZA DJ Andy Joyce (Pacha, Amnesia, Eden and Café Mambo) teams up with a 20-piece Scottish orchestra for a unique classical take on the house and dance anthems that have made Ibiza the world’s biggest party island. McEwan Hall, Sun 30 Dec.

BABY LOVES DISCO One for the little ’uns with this club ‘night’ for toddlers and kids featuring a mini ceilidh, facepainting, balloons, games and child-friendly tunes. BLD features a special live countdown to NYE (in Australia) on 31 Dec. Festival Square Spiegeltent, Sun 30 & Mon 31 Dec.

CANDLELIT CONCERT

From left: Free Love, Franz Ferdinand, Metronomy

A more serene take on Hogmanay with a night of baroque and classical featuring St Giles’ Cathedral Choir with the St Giles’ Camerata and performances of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum, JS Bach’s Gottlob! Nun geht das jahr zu Ende BWV 28 and Magnificat. St Giles’ Cathedral, Mon 31 Dec.

GERRY CINNAMON

Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action [2013] – felt like a bookend. Then we had this cleanser in-between, FFS, which was so different to anything we’d done before which was very refreshing in its own way and really felt like a divide between the old band and the new band.’ FFS was Franz Ferdinand’s gloriously named collaboration with offbeat US pop act Sparks (aka brothers Ron and Russell Mael). A partnership you couldn’t have imagined in your wildest dreams but when you sit down and think about Franz Ferdinand working with Sparks it makes some kind of weird sense. Both embrace sharp intelligent pop, arch lyrics and meticulously constructed songs and melody. ‘We actually announced it on April Fool’s day so a lot of people thought we were taking the piss, especially with the name,’ laughs Kapranos. ‘It’s nice to surprise people and it’s what keeps it exciting for yourself, not to be always predictable and always meet people’s expectations.’

For the Concert in the Gardens, Franz are joined by two bands that also perfectly fit their sound and style. ‘We’ve played with Metronomy a few times before, I’ve known those guys since I saw them in King Tut’s years ago when they were first starting out. Free Love [formerly Happy Meals] are playing the slot we were supposed to play 15 years ago so it bodes well for them. I couldn’t want for a better line-up.’ Franz Ferdinand plan to rise to the occasion of playing such a big gig on a midwinter night. ‘We’re planning a really upbeat set, it’s going to be a set of bangers basically,’ says Kapranos. ‘There’s not going to be any deep dark contemplative navel-gazing, it’s about having a party and having a good laugh, keeping the energy levels high so no one can stay still long enough to get cold.’ Franz Ferdinand play the Concert in the Gardens, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Mon 31 Dec.

The Glaswegian singer-songwriter tells stories about real life in Scotland and is a vocal supporter of the Yes campaign on single ‘Hope Over Fear.’ Other highlights across three stages at the Street Party include Judge Jules, the Mac Twins, Snap!, Vistas and Miracle Glass Company. Princes Street, Mon 31 Dec.

JIMI SHANDRIX EXPERIENCE If you prefer upbeat trad, folk and full-on Scottish dancing, head to Ceilidh Under the Castle where Jimi Shandrix Experience, Hugh MacDermid’s Hair and Ceilidhdonia provide the live music for a night of jigs, reels and whirls. Princes Street Gardens, Mon 31 Dec.

CAPERCAILLIE Keep the party going with one of Scotland’s most beloved folk bands and their blend of Gaelic, traditional and contemporary song. McEwan Hall, Tue 1 Jan. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 53

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SQIFF

BIG DEAL

As the latest edition of the Scottish Queer International Film Festival rolls into town, Katie Goh chats to director Jason Barker about the premiere of his movie, A Deal With the Universe

he Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF) is back with a bang. Kicking off in December, Scotland’s only LGBTQ+ film festival aims to get as many people to see queer cinema as possible through unique initiatives such as a sliding-scale ticket price (the festival encourages people to pay what they can instead of having a fixed ticket price) and travel funds. This will be SQIFF’s fourth year and, if the events announced so far are anything to go by, it’ll be one of the festival’s most exciting programmes yet. Dykes, Camera, Action! + BOOM BUST: Feminist Filmmakers Blowing Up the Canon in which different feminist filmmakers, such as Desiree Akhavan and Barbara Hammer, share their stories, White Rabbit, the closing night film, and the Scottish premiere of A Deal with the Universe are some of the highlights announced so far. A Deal with the Universe is an autobiographical film about director Jason Barker’s journey to becoming pregnant. Composed of home footage shot by the filmmaker, it’s an intimate exploration of parenthood and being pregnant and transgender. Barker explains that the film came from a desire to document his unique experience. ‘One thing about queer history and about LGBT lives is it can move very fast. Things change quickly, legally and culturally, and in a way, we’re not good archivists. People don’t keep a record. I suppose that was the thing about having a video camera, I was documenting with a film in mind.’ It’s been 15 years since Barker and his partner, Tracey, embarked on their journey to become pregnant, so why a film now? ‘I was thinking about it around seven years ago when the baby was born, when I was looking at the footage,’ says Barker. ‘I was at the Berlin Film Festival and while I was

there, one of the tabloid newspapers in the UK had issued a bounty offering cash for information about the first pregnant man. I don’t know if it was referring to me but there was that fear and there were quite a lot of newspaper reports saying disparaging things. When you’ve just had a baby, you feel very vulnerable. You’re exhausted and you don’t know if you’re doing a good job so the idea of having any attention from anyone at that point, I didn’t want it in my life. It took a while.’ It wasn’t until Barker’s child was six that the thought of a film came back. Barker hooked up with a producer and editor, and began the daunting process of turning home videos into a feature-length film. Barker worked with Raising Film, an organisation that supports filmmakers who are parents, founded by Scottish-based filmmaker Hope Dickson Leach. ‘We got the first stamp from Raising Film that this film was made in school hours,” says Barker proudly. ‘Within the film industry, there’s a macho culture of working through the night. We’re both parents and had to work normal hours because we have families. We can’t ignore our children to make a film about how they came into the world!’ A Deal with the Universe is the perfect film to have its Scottish premiere at SQIFF because it embodies the festival’s values. It’s heartfelt, home-grown and deeply personal, yet it also has an emphasis on universality. ‘The film is all about coming to terms with your body,’ says Barker. ‘I’m really interested in that and how we can find peace with ourselves. I think with trans people that can be particularly poignant but I think it’s also universal. It’s what we’re all dealing with in life.’ SQIFF, various venues, Glasgow, Wed 5–Sun 9 Dec.

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26/10/2018 13:19

ADVERTISING FEATURE

h g r u b n i Ed

CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR IN STYLE

Arusa Qureshi explores Scotland’s growing connections with China and how plans for 2019 will see the strengthening of cultural and economic links

The links between Scotland and China have seen steady growth over the past decade, aided in part by the arrival of giant panda Tian Tian and her mate Yang Guang in December 2011. Welcomed to Edinburgh Zoo on a 10-year loan and as part of a £2.6bn trade deal, the pair have since attracted visitors from all over the world hoping to catch a glimpse of the charismatic and rarely seen animal. At the time, it was noted that the loan ‘[symbolised] the great and growing friendship between Scotland and China’ and this has only strengthened in recent years, as the number of Chinese visitors to the capital continues to increase. The surge in tourists has been helped greatly by the recent announcement of the first ever direct flights from Scotland to China, which began in June, connecting the cities of Beijing and Edinburgh. With Edinburgh being second only to London as the most popular UK destination for Chinese tourists, the new route aims to build on the cultural and economic links already shared between the two countries. As celebrations begin in early 2019 for Chinese New Year, undoubtedly the biggest and most significant of all the Chinese cultural holidays, tourist attractions, retailers and businesses are being encouraged to mark the occasion as part of a special campaign to make Edinburgh the UK’s most China-friendly destination. For 2019, the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) and Heriot Watt University’s Confucius Institute will promote Edinburgh’s largest-ever programme of Chinese New Year events, celebrations and concerts – making visitors feel welcome in the city while also introducing and connecting Edinburgh’s residents with Chinese cultural traditions.

A major highlight of the programme, Edinburgh Zoo’s spectacular Giant Lanterns of China (which continues throughout the Chinese New Year period) is back, following the success of the inaugural event, which attracted more than 83,000 visitors. This year’s steel and silk sculptures, produced by artisans in Sichuan, will take visitors on a completely new nocturnal trail around the zoo, with over 450 handmade lanterns inspired by mythical creatures from Scottish and Chinese folklore including unicorns, faeries, bogles and the magnificent winged tiger. ‘This year’s Giant Lanterns of China event is set to be bigger and even more spectacular than ever,’ says Barbara Smith, chief executive of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. ‘We’re bringing to life a new myths and legends theme in an awe-inspiring nocturnal trail around the zoo, which features everything from Scotland’s very own Nessie to a colossal phoenix from China.’ A commemoration of the new year according to the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year shares similarities with Christmas and Hogmanay in many ways, especially in its family focus, gifting traditions, decorative displays and huge fireworks extravaganza. This year, Edinburgh went all out in its celebrations, with prominent buildings and landmarks around the city being lit up in red to coincide with the start of the Year of the Dog. As we head into the Year of the Pig in 2019, businesses are being urged to up the ante as part of this industry-wide initiative, details of which will be revealed fully via The List and ETAG in February. ■ Giant Lanterns of China – Myths and Legends, Edinburgh Zoo, Fri 16 Nov–Sun 17 Feb, edinburghzoo. org.uk/lanterns 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 55

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PHOTO: IDIL SUKAN

OOLLER

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SIX

HEAD GIRLS Six, a new show placing Henry VIII’s wives centre stage, has taken musical theatre by storm following a sell-out Fringe run this year. Kelly Apter speaks to the creators about re-writing ‘herstory’

oby Marlow was sitting in poetry class when the idea came to him. ‘The six wives of Henry VIII were already on my mind,’ he recalls, ‘but I thought, how could it be done? I wasn’t going to write some sort of Tudor narrative for the Fringe.’ A student at Cambridge University at the time, Marlow had been tasked by the Musical Theatre Society to come up with an original show to take to the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe – thereby avoiding expensive royalties. Keen to write a historical drama (The Real Housewives of Shakespeare was considered, then discarded) he turned to Henry’s much-mentioned yet rarely revered wives – but struggled to know what to do with them. ‘And then that day in class I thought, what if it’s a pop concert and they’re like a girl band?,’ says Marlow, excited just talking about it. ‘And I’m trying to concentrate on Wordsworth but keep thinking how they could sing about their lives with microphones and wear funky costumes and crowns.’ Crucially, alongside his notes about Wordsworth, Marlow scribbled three important words: ‘I need Lucy’. Enter Lucy Moss, the other half of Marlow and Moss, the new kids on the musical theatre block whose show Six is taking that world by storm. When I meet the duo in Edinburgh, it’s part-way through Six’s sellout run at this year’s Fringe. At that stage there’s a few things they already know: that the humble musical Cambridge University took to Edinburgh in 2017 would turn the heads of several theatre producers; that Six would subsequently get a wash and brush-up in the hands of a crack team of designers, music arrangers and choreographer; and that the show is destined for a four-week run in London post-Edinburgh, followed by a short UK tour. What they don’t know at that point is that the West End run will be extended due to phenomenal demand, sell out and re-book for five months in early 2019. They also don’t know that tracks from the show on Spotify and iTunes, which back in August had garnered six or seven thousand listens, would hit the million play mark by mid-October. All this, plus a glut of five-star reviews (including one from this magazine) and award nominations means Six is doing something very right. Much of its success is down to musical theatre alchemy – fusing an intelligent and witty book with fiendishly catchy songs that range from hip hop to R&B to techno, a cast of incredibly talented performers,

wrapped up in a great creative team. Hats off, too, to the producers who took a punt on a brand new show and injected the cash. But all the money and talent in the world can’t turn a bad show into a good one, so the biggest round of applause goes to the two young graduates who gave six of the most famous women in history a voice. Moss co-wrote Six while simultaneously bagging a First in History from Cambridge – but Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr weren’t part of her studies. ‘I knew a few facts,’ she says, ‘and we obviously knew the rhyme and that Greensleeves was written by Henry for Anne Boleyn. And because I was studying the European Renaissance, I’d dipped a toe into their world and had a background in feminist history. But in terms of the women themselves, I didn’t know a lot.’ Six is packed with funny, modern-day references (‘You’re gonna find out how we got unfriended,’ sings Anne of Cleves at the start) but it was also important to Marlow and Moss that it was historically accurate. ‘We read Antonia Fraser’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII,’ says Marlow, ‘which is such a good book because so much has been written about them from Henry’s perspective, but Antonia gives each wife a chapter, so we find out about their lives before and after they meet Henry.’ It’s during Catherine Howard’s seemingly seductive song, ‘All You Wanna Do’, that humour and fun take a temporary back seat. Beheaded for infidelity, Howard’s situation is seen in a whole new light. ‘We watched the BBC documentary Six Wives with Lucy Worsley,’ says Moss, ‘and she explains the reason Catherine Howard is portrayed as someone who seduced men and slept around is because we only know about her from her trial, when all the men she’d met gave evidence against her. But she was only 13 when they started manipulating her, and Catherine got blamed for everything.’ That, along with the other five women’s stories, is set straight in Six – and it’s the celebration of female empowerment that is the show’s crowning glory. ‘We love the fun and drama,’ says Moss. ‘But it was so important to us that we didn’t just use the same old tired, historical question about which queen was the most important – not to weigh one up against the other but actually give them all their own individual stories.’ Six, SEC, Glasgow, Thu 20–Sun 30 Dec. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 57

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Â&#x201C; T T T LIVE COMEDY & MUSICT Ã&#x153; T T45T T645=TÂ&#x152;T T T T T T TÂ&#x152;T55T T TÂ&#x152;T T

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INDIE GAMES

GAME ON Two Scotland-based artists tell Murray Robertson how they’ve used the medium of video games to bring their works to life

t’s a hoary old question: are video games art? But over recent years, thanks largely to the explosion of low-budget independent game production, a number of traditional artists have discovered vast possibilities of creative expression afforded by the interactive, multimedia nature of games. Simon Meek is a V&A design champion and the first ever designerin-residence at the newly opened V&A Dundee. His most recent game, Beckett, is on permanent display in the museum, helping cement gaming’s place in the world of visual art. Meek describes Beckett as a surreal noir which examines the nature of reality, influenced by the works of William S Burroughs, JG Ballard and Samuel Beckett. It’s an extraordinarily beautiful game and you could take a screenshot at any point, print it off and hang it on a wall. ‘I’m very multidisciplinary,’ Meek explains. ‘I cut my teeth in journalism and moved into television development, writing and directing.’ He’s worked in games for some time now, with notable projects including PlayStation 3’s interactive storytelling device Wonderbook and an ambitious adaptation of John Buchan’s novel The 39 Steps. ‘I got quite obsessed with the potential of games and interactive media for telling stories. I’m trying to explore and mine the potential of video games as a new and potentially limitless storytelling medium.’ Although Meek created much of Beckett himself, his company, The Secret Experiment, received funding from Scottish Enterprise which enabled him to hire a small team to assist him on the game, working with a six-figure budget. It sounds like a lot of money but Meek claims it was a low enough amount to help him focus his creativity. ‘I’m a big believer that design comes out of constraint,’ he reckons. ‘One of the constraints of Beckett, right from the start, was: this cannot be a big-budget game because I’m self-funding this, so a lot of the

choices which are now presented as ingenious design choices are because I had no animation budget and I didn’t want to rely on 3D modelling. So what can I do?’ In 2014, artist Jack King-Spooner released Beeswing, a semiautobiographical story set in the titular Dumfriesshire village where he grew up. It’s a melancholy philosophical journey brought to life as a beautiful watercolour painting. Impressively, King-Spooner created the whole game himself, including its sublime acoustic soundtrack. Unlike Meek, King-Spooner doesn’t consider himself to be much of a gamer. ‘I looked up “what’s the easiest way to make a game”,’ he remembers. ‘And it was a program called RPG Maker. So I made a handful of games with that.’ Beeswing came about when he decided that a video game was the best way to tell his story, the idea of which was inspired by classic novels of country living, notably Cider with Rosie and Sunset Song. He’s reticent to reveal what Beeswing is ultimately about but he explains why he decided to make it in this particular medium. ‘It seemed like a game was good way to convey the story, what with its different paths and then meeting up, and not knowing what’s the right way, and not really finding any answers even though there’s a checklist, which is ultimately unsatisfying.’ King-Spooner’s follow up game, Dujanah, tells the story of a woman searching for her family in a fictional war-torn Islamic country. He describes it as a clay-punk adventure game, and the story is told using mixed media including handanimated clay figures. ‘The idea came from personal experience,’ he explains. ‘It came from trying to understand the political climate we’re in and from ideas of parenthood. All my work has some relationship with death.’ Beckett (top two pics) ; Beeswing (bottom two pics)

Beckett is on display at V&A Dundee; thesecretexperiment. co.uk; jackspinoza.itch.io 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 59

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Dreams for the Future at Moat Brae House

PHOTO: GRAEME ROBERTSON

D L R O W E H T TAKING ON In 2018, young people are taking over the reins at events and festivals up and down the country, shaking things up and bringing fresh new ideas to the table to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Young People. From science at The Helix Park in Falkirk to young musicians on stage at Tiree Music Festival and a BIG Takeover with arts, culture and sports on Shetland to the ﬁrst ever TEDxYouth event in Glasgow, Scotland’s young people have truly shown the world what they are made of this year. And they won’t be slowing down any time soon – over the coming weeks they will be transforming venues big and small, staging even more events for all ages to enjoy

With the power of imagination and a sprinkling of fairy dust, Dreams for the Future (24 Nov–2 Dec) is a series of events across the town of Dumfries including a young people’s takeover of Moat Brae House. The JMB Creatives will open the doors to the enchanted land where Peter Pan began on Saturday 1 December for a sneak peek ahead of the official opening in Spring 2019. Feel the magic in the walls of this special house where JM Barrie first played pirate games and drew inspiration for his legendary story. More magic awaits at Storyworlds, a collection of intricate paper sculptures housed under glass domes created by budding young artists from secondary schools in Edinburgh. Working alongside artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb and education staff from Edinburgh Museums & Galleries, the students’ worlds are inspired

by traditional and contemporary Scottish literature and will enchant you at The Writers’ Museum (10 Nov 2018–12 May 2019). On 8 December, Stepping In will mark the re-opening of Aberdeen’s iconic, redeveloped Music Hall. Local young people will be front and centre of the fantastic celebrations – the perfect opportunity to experience the transformed concert hall for the first time with music, performances and fun activities. Or why not celebrate St Andrew’s Day with a fun packed Night at the Museum at The Hunterian Museum in Glasgow (1 Dec). Themed around ‘Scotland and the Culture of Comics’, the after-hours event will showcase characters, costumes, music and the world’s very first comic on display for one night only. Anna Corbin’s Visible Girls: Revisted at Summerhall in Edinburgh will invite you to

Find more events at visitscotland.com/ yoyp2018 and join the conversation! #YOYP2018

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PHOTO: STEWART ATTWOOD

PHOTO: ROB WARE

SEALL Festival of Small Halls

ORLDS AT THE PHOTO: STORYW M EDINBURGH WRITERS’ MUSEU

Social Bite’s Wee Sleep Out

an examination of youth culture in the early 1980s, bringing together two eras of women’s lives to ask the question: ‘Who am I really?’. Running alongside the exhibition will be Historic Environment Scotland’s Invisible Spaces, bringing together thought-provoking work by a group of 18-26 year olds who documented the significant spaces that inform their identity (10 Nov–21 Dec). The SEALL Festival of Small Halls (23 Nov–1 Dec), the first of its kind in Europe, brings big music to small halls around Skye and Lochalsh. The country’s greatest trad musicians will deliver concerts, cèilidhs and music workshops to communities in remote rural areas to celebrate the unique Highland culture and Gaelic heritage connecting people across many generations. The multi-artform festival will culminate in the Big Cèilidh, a celebration for all on St Andrew’s Night at

not hold yo ur own We Out (9 Nov e Sleep ) at home a chance fo young peop r le to get ou t of their be and comfo ds rt zones to su pp ort Social Bite’s caus e to end ho melessnes s in Scotland . weesleep out.co.uk

PHOTO: EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY

Storyworlds at The Writers’ Museum Edinburgh

CALLING A SLEEPY H LL EADS! Why

#ScotArt at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

A FITTING FINALE TO A #BRAW YEAR Edinburgh’s Hogmanay once again puts young people at the heart of this year’s celebrations. #ScotArt is working with young people across Scotland to create 14 symbols which they believe best represent each region of Scotland. The symbols will be transformed into wicker sculptures by the project’s Lead Artist Ariel Killick, thereafter displayed on Edinburgh’s High Street from 21 to 29 December. Ultimately they will form the focal point for the Torchlight Procession (30 Dec), a spectacular and unforgettable family-friendly event culminating in the historic Holyrood Park. On reaching the park, torchbearers will form the distinctive outline of Scotland. The 14 wicker sculptures will be placed within the outline and set ablaze as Scotland’s beating heart, marking the Year of Young People 2018 drawing to a close and the beginning of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.

CELEBRATING OUR YOUNG SCOTS To celebrate YOYP2018, this year’s The Sunday Mail & Steven Brown Art Young Scot Awards 201 8 (30 Nov) will be bigger and better than ever , bringing in brilliant live entertainment and high-profile celebs. Young people have been key to the design and delivery of the awa rds and even more will be given the chance to attend Scotland’s biggest celebrat ion of young people and their achievemen ts.

Come join in the festivities! youngscotawards.com

the Sligachan Hotel on Skye.

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FOOD & DRINK FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /FOOD&DRINK

WESTER SPIRIT CO. Rum distillery opens in Glasgow Partick continues its transformation into one of Glasgow’s top food and drink destinations with the arrival of a new distillery – the first to produce rum in the city for three centuries. Co-founded by Zander Macgregor and Allan Nairn, Wester Spirit Co. has been producing its rum at Strathearn Distillery in Perthshire since launching last year, but will soon be moving production to the new facility on Meadow Road, which features a stainless-steel still for creating their spiced rum. The distillery will include tours and masterclasses, delving into Glasgow’s rum history, while popup restaurants and live music will offer further entertainment. ■ westerspirit.com

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FOOD & DRINK

DRINKS NEWS

NEWS & REVIEWS

You can’t move for craft gin these days, but gin without tonic is like winter without Christmas. Cheers then to Aberdeenshire-based Summerhouse Drinks, who have just expanded their range of Walter Gregor’s tonic water with four new offerings, including Scottish raspberry and an autumnal apple and cinnamon flavour. In Glasgow’s East End, it’s all about the brew. Fermented tea specialist Clever Kombucha have teamed up with Dear Green Coffee Roasters who launched their coffee kombucha at the recent tee-total Mindful Drinking Festival. Meanwhile, Tennent’s are finishing the revamped visitor centre at their Wellpark brewery ready for a December opening.

KITCHEN ENGINEERING Café Source has headed to Strathbungo for its third Glasgow restaurant. David Kirkwood finds a finely tuned operation

any Southsiders will know the one-storey building between Nithsdale Road and Street, where the walls feel like they run at 30 degrees to each other, and light sears through into a delightfully relaxed space of the sort not commonly found. Most recently it was an Asian fusion restaurant, before that an upmarket bar, before that a neighbourhood brasserie. It’s not all plain sailing in Strathbungo. Perhaps it’s with this chequered past that the new tenants have opted for the name Niven’s by Café Source. Back in the day it was Niven’s motor garage. And with Café Source operating two other restaurants in the city, making that association in name will help lend a sense of stability and know-how. Yet the food here aims higher than its siblings. And lands, too. Chicken thigh, delicately sliced, shaped and perched on pearl barley, is defined by its crispedup exterior and a glorious whiff of garlicky truffle. Ox cheek and haggis pie has glossy, satisfying pastry and meat of impressive depth and juiciness. It’s the sort of dish about which folk say ‘you can’t go wrong with that’ – when actually you can, quite easily. But evening head chef Keir Murray prepares these crowdpleasers with finesse. And if his pretty arrangement of

mango, pickle and rhubarb ice is over-complicating gin-cured salmon a little, it is more than made up for by Cullen skink arancini, where an initial blast of smoky haddock, and fragrant lemon cutting through a dollop of mashed potato, go towards creating what is an outstanding dish. Informality is clearly the aim – Niven’s works well as a bar, too (manager Conor McGeady runs the West End Beer Festival so he knows his hops). These days no neighbourhood loves its brunch like the Southside, so it’s worth watching out for daytime menu developments. Currently, there are variations on eggs and avocado, with charred chorizo, burnt aubergine and tofu scramble in the mix. The likelihood is that as things bed in, the various menus will become more happily coexistent – rather like the drinkers and the diners and the daytime and evening customers already seem to be. Niven’s is truly solid, in the truly modern sense.

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A beautiful space in which to eat and drink It’s a small space

NIVEN’S BY CAFE SOURCE 72 Nithsdale Road, Southside, Glasgow G41 2AN, 0141 471 9666, fb.com/nivensstrathbungo Mon/Tue 10am–4pm; Wed–Sun 10am–4pm; 5–9pm (bar: Wed–Sun until midnight) Average cost of two-course lunch/dinner: £13 / £16 64 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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SUPPORTED BY

SIDE DISHES

If you’re slowly facing up to the fact that Christmas shopping is A Thing, we’ve got a couple of solutions. Two local chefs have cookbooks out just in time for the festive season (which are also very easy to wrap, you can thank us later). Masterchef The Professionals winner Gary MacLean’s Kitchen Essentials: The Joy of

News to nibble on

Home Cooking features 120 recipes ranging from quick and easy to showstoppers, with a chapter on how to get kids involved in the kitchen. Or if you’re buying for wee ones, Mary Contini and Pru Irvine’s Easy Peasy! is a great way to get the small people in your life doing all the work under the guise of gifting.

Leith’s Chill Fest went down so well in August, they’re doing it all over again for Christmas. Leith Yule Fest runs from 5 November until 5 January and aims to celebrate everything good about the area’s vibrant bar scene. After buying a £5 wristband (proceeds go to the excellent Hidden Door and Leithers Don’t Litter), you can have a very merry time enjoying a signature cocktail for a fiver in one of 13 bars, as well as a range of discounts.

and wife owners of the suburban bistro, who received one of our Eating & Drinking Guide awards back in April. They were one of only two new Bibs in Scotland, the other being Sugar Boat in Helensburgh. Glasgow restaurants again received no stars despite a feeling the city has a couple of contenders. Scotland as a whole is at a low ebb on the stars as we received no new ones and lost two to kitchen changes – Albannach at Lochinver, and Boath House in Nairn – and another one, Martin Wishart at Cameron House, due to the fire.

A big congratulations to Monadh Kitchen in Glasgow’s Bearsden for picking up a Bib Gourmand in this year’s Michelin Guide, announced at the start of October. The gongs are stacking up for the husband

Ex xpe erien e ce e ou ur 1st Au uthe ent n ic i Sic ic chuan hu n Cu uissin ne in n Sco otla and d.

349 Sauchiehall Street G2 3HW

http:// www.sichuanhouse.co.uk

0141 333 1788

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FOOD & DRINK

SUPPORTED BY

BRING THE SUNSHINE

RECENT OPENINGS

Jo Laidlaw finds a new city-centre basement dining option that’s bursting with warmth

t’s entirely possible that yet another small-plate restaurant could easily slip under the radar, but when it comes to 83 Hanover Street that would be a big mistake. Big. Huge. For here is something different: Chilean flavours melded with Scottish produce, served in a sunny, comfy basement by a young team who exemplify switched-on-yet-laid-back service. There’s a confidence here that belies the restaurant’s relative youth – for example, a plate of charcuterie from the (excellent) East Coast Cured is served simply and cleanly. Elsewhere on the menu it’s the accompaniments that add intrigue: sharp, oniony pebre salsa with the sopaipillas (squidgy little fried breads made to the owner’s mother’s recipe); nubbly, savoury bean stew with tender octopus; squidgy, spicy new potatoes with punchy swordfish and chorizo skewers (everything is designed to be shared but you’ll want to keep them tatties to yourself). A short, interesting wine list has plenty by the glass or carafe, so if you’re settling in for the evening, let the staff know you’re in it for the long haul and they’ll happily spread your order out.

83 HANOVER STREET 83 Hanover Street, City Centre, Edinburgh, EH2 1EE 0131 225 4862, 83hanoverstreet.com £18 (lunch/dinner)

The best of the new restaurant, café and bar openings in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Prices shown are for an average two-course meal for one.

Glasgow

THE BOTANY BARS & PUBS 795 Maryhill Road, West End, 0141 946 3131, botanyglasgow.co.uk, £16 (lunch / dinner) Formerly the Strathmore, this restyled bar hits plenty of the right notes on décor, food and drink. The rear dining room, where pale-hued wood abounds, has a wonderful wraparound woodland vista – a stark contrast to Maryhill Road facing the front bar. It’s a joint venture between well-kent restaurateur Alan Tomkins and business partner Calum Lawson. The enticing menu has global dishes with plenty of bar staples, and the kitchen shows a steady hand with quality produce. Catch it while the leaves are changing, setting sun poking through the trees, autumnal cocktail in hand (try the Gin Garden Martini) and it’s a magical spot.

THE BRUNCH CLUB CAFES 67 Old Dumbarton Road, West End, 0141 237 7374, thebrunchclub.co, £12 (brunch) Tucking into an all-day brunch is about as zeitgeisty as Glasgow dining gets. Joining this trend is the Brunch Club, recently opened in the former Drugstore Social. It’s picked a nice spot – big windows illuminating a quiet corner close to Kelvingrove Museum. No reservations and a splurge of popularity mean you’ll likely be waiting for a seat at weekends. The menu is fairly straight up, more traditional than trailblazing.

Sourdough appears along with the likes of eggs, waffles, French toast and fry-ups. Pricing seems a bit odd at times, ingredients can feel humdrum, and that sloppy mush ain’t no way to treat black pudding.

TORO COFFEE CAFES 1484, Pollokshaws Road, 07772 703540, torocoffeeglasgow.co.uk, £7 (coffee flight and cake) If you like your coffee like you like your fighting bulls – strong and black – then you’re in for a treat at this coffee shop close to Pollok Park. Its USP is a flight of three coffees: a double espresso, a pretty and fluffy double-shot latte and a glass of three-shot filter – yeah baby, that’s seven! The daily selection features coffee from various indie roasters (including Glasgow’s Good Coffee Cartel). Toro is a carefully curated space created by photographer and co-owner Ross Walker, and there are plenty of toasts (Freedom Bakery) and bakes (Amo Torta). And you can bring the dog.

Edinburgh

surrounded by masses of sides, including excellent chips. But leave room for the ambassador’s reception, a delight of a pud. Hawksmoor doesn’t come cheap – it’s hard to argue that it should – but decent lunch deals mean it’s not inaccessible and perfect, perfect service brings real heart to the glamour.

VESTA RESTAURANT AND BAR BISTROS & BRASSERIES 7–8 Queensferry Street, West End, 0131 220 0773, vestaedinburgh.co.uk, £17 (lunch) / £21 (dinner) Revamped Social Bite restaurant Vesta serves fresh, healthy comfort food to the general public and Edinburgh’s homeless community (during a special Monday afternoon service). Décor is modern and cosy and much of the food is vegan, although there’s also a good selection of meat and fish plus chunky burgers made with either beef or delicious homemade seitan. King oyster mushroom scallops are seared till supple and reminiscent of the fishy version. Balsamic and cherry pork loin is cut thick, pan-fried tenderly, and served with rich black pudding. Sundays sees brunch with keenly priced bubbles accompanying eggs Benedict and avo toast.

HAWKSMOOR

STEAKHOUSES & BURGERS 23 West Register Street, City Centre, 0131 526 4790, thehawksmoor.com, £25 (set lunch) / £40 (dinner) With marble, parquet, wood panels and eight stunning Sadie McLellan windows, Hawksmoor immediately lays claim to special occasion territory. Seafood is strong, much of it Scottish, but most are here for the steak: individual and sharing cuts all grass-fed, dry-aged and UK-sourced. There’s a sense of theatricality when a sharing T-bone arrives on its massive skillet,

THE WINE HOUSE 1821 BARS & PUBS 4 Picardy Place, New Town, 0131 557 1821, winehouse1821.co.uk, £12 (lunch/dinner) Aiming for a contemporary feel, this wine-led collaboration from Sep Marini and Zonin Wines is already a hit with a slightly more mature crowd. As you’d expect from seven generations of vintners, the wine list is a delight worth lingering over but (commendably) you won’t go wrong with the trusty house red either. Generous antipasti platters are scattered with fruit, nuts and golden olive oil-doused crostini, though melanzane parmigiana aficionados may be left a little underwhelmed. If you’re only after a quick drink you can take a bottle home, and if wine isn’t your thing there’s a basement cocktail bar too.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

E V I T S FE FOOD&DRINK

‘Tis the season to gather together with loved ones and eat ourselves into a stupor until the new year. Since we’ve been dreaming non-stop of turkey and trimmings since the weather turned cold, we decided to ask some professional foodies about their culinary inspiration, the secret behind their Christmas showstoppers and how they innovate on the classics. Read on and ﬁnd out how to make brussels sprouts palatable to even the pickiest eater, and who empties their advent calendar all in one go . . .

S T R E P X E R U MEET O

CALUM LESLIE PEATREEKERS WHISKY

CLAUDIO CELINO CELINO’S

LAURIE MACMILLAN CAFE STRANGEBREW

JO LAIDLAW THE LIST EATING & DRINKING GUIDE

FREDERIC DEPREZ JULES VERNE

5-10pm

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CONTINI BACKGROUND: KJPARGETER - FREEPIK.COM

Book your table in any Contini venue by 26th November and your whole party receives a complimentary Christmas cocktail. QUOTE “THE LIST” TO APPLY THIS OFFER.

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FEATURE | MUSIC

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

E T VO

S A & Q E IV T S FE

E VOURIT A F R U FOR YO AURANT AND REST

N I W DINING E V I S U L AN EXC RIENCE WITH EXPE

CALUM LESLIE founder of PEATREEKERS WHISKY Christmas isn’t complete without a cocktail, what’s your ultimate go-to festive tipple? An Old Fashioned made with Peatreekers whisky, a cube of brown sugar, two dashes of Smoke and Oak from Ms Better’s Bitters and garnished with an orange peel.

What does Christmas at Peatreekers look like? Christmas is our busiest time of year, so it’s a month filled with orders, emails, last minute promos and pop-up events . . . whilst listening to Christmas songs on repeat.

Who is your favourite chef or what is your favourite cookbook for festive cooking inspiration? Gordon Ramsay as he’s unapologetic, entertaining and a pretty good cook.

How can you spice up the usual Christmas side dishes to give them an exciting twist? Add a dash of whisky. Never fails.

How would you convince someone to eat out for their Christmas meal? Use the principles of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) by describing an unmissable meal.

This year Birra Moretti is on a mission to help people make time for those that matter most, by bringing people around 100,000 tables to enjoy the finest Italian food and drink. Il Grande Invito will see the authentic Italian lager create amazing dining experiences across the country and to celebrate it is giving you the chance to win an amazing dining experience for you and friends. To vote, just head to list.co.uk/offers and tell us your favourite restaurant in Glasgow or Edinburgh by 1 April 2019. T&C’s apply.

Are you an eat your advent calendar all at once or strictly one per day sort of person? Strictly once a day, although the temptation of all-in-one-go creeps in every morning.

Do you have any recipes or food traditions that have been passed down in your family? My grandmother’s fudge. She should have swapped her career as a hairdresser to set up a candy business.

What is your Christmas showstopper? My cooking skills are a little limited, so I tend to pull out my mixology skills and mix up an array of cocktails. peatreekers.com

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

fresh pasta, pizza & salads CLAUDIO CELINO owner of CELINO’S Christmas isn’t complete without a cocktail, what’s your ultimate go-to festive tipple? Aperol Spritz or a Negroni

What does Christmas in the Celino household look like? It’s very busy in the house. I have three wee boys – Rocco, Giancarlo and Gennaro – and excitement levels are at the max as you could imagine. We set the dinner table the night before and the cooking starts on Christmas Eve once I return from work.

Who is your favourite chef or what is your favourite cookbook for festive cooking inspiration? I really like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie [Oliver] but more recently Gino [D’Acampo] is great for quick simple pasta recipes that I can adapt with Christmas leftovers, like rib roast in a penne filetto or Jamie’s leftover turkey and leek pie, which is phenomenal and so easy to make.

How can you spice up the usual Christmas side dishes to give them an exciting twist? For ‘Italian’ pigs in blankets, use smoked pancetta to make the pigs in blankets and use spicy Italian sausage instead of the usual British pork link. And for a twist on brussels sprouts, mix blanched sprouts with cloves of garlic, olive oil and grated parmesan and breadcrumbs, roasted in the oven . . . amazing.

How would you convince someone to eat out for their Christmas meal? We close Christmas Day so I’m sorry, don’t eat out: make the effort, cook and stay in unless it is completely impossible.

Are you an eat your advent calendar all at once or strictly one per day sort of person? Do the lot in one go. End of.

Last night I finally experienced @VapianoUK - Life changed @IamBlizzard

Do you have any recipes or food traditions that have been passed down in your family? Yes, our apple crumble. You can spice it up with raisins, cinnamon and a bit of Strega – an Italian liqueur which is so underestimated.

What is your Christmas showstopper? A rib roast hung for a minimum of 40 days – it is sublime. And for the sweet tooth, a limoncello zabaglione. Celino’s West End, 235 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, G11 6AB, & Celino’s East End, 620 Alexandra Parade Glasgow, G31 3BT, celinos. com

235 BUCHANAN STREET, GLASGOW, G1 2NG 7 SOUTH ST DAVID STREET, EDINBURGH, EH2 2BW

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MUSIC | FEATURE

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

S A & Q E IV T S FE Vaps is ffinally in Glasgow, my dreams have come true @RHXNZZ

Last night I finally experienncceedd ed @VapianoUK - Life channggeed @IamBlizzard

LAURIE MACMILLAN chef-patron of CAFE STRANGE BREW Christmas isn’t complete without a cocktail, what’s your ultimate go-to festive tipple? You just can’t beat an Old Fashioned! Swap out the honey for maple and add a cinnamon stick for a wintery vibe.

What does Christmas at Cafe Strange Brew look like? I’m quite simplistic with Christmas decorations; I like Scandi designs. Last year we got a local company to dress our windows with hand-cut paper garlands which were fabulous.

Who is your favourite chef or what is your favourite cookbook for festive cooking inspiration? I am a big Nigella fan. She speaks in layman’s terms so you feel confident enough to take on the most ambitious of her recipes. I like her humour too.

How can you spice up the usual Christmas side dishes to give them an exciting twist? Brussels sprouts! Love them or loathe them, I am the latter! But try roasting them off with some garlic, chilli and almond and drizzling with some harissa yoghurt and they become a taste sensation with a Middle Eastern nod.

e d a m d n a H daily i muusst say the carbonarraa wass aabso s lutley amazing @guodaW

How would you convince someone to eat out for their Christmas meal? By photographing the kitchen aftermath from the previous year!

Are you an eat your advent calendar all at once or strictly one per day sort of person? I’m a sporadic advent calendar eater. I never eat into the future, but maybe forget a few days, so retrospectively eat. I’m hankering after an Edinburgh Gin one this year, but may have to wait until the end of the day to open those doors.

Do you have any recipes or food traditions that have been passed down in your family? We don’t really have any recipes handed down and I guess even though my mum was always baking and every dinner was always home-cooked, we never really paid attention growing up. But Christmas has to be traditional for us. Even though none of us particularly like turkey, you just can’t not, can you?

What is your Christmas showstopper? Prawn cocktail! We have this debate every year. My mum would love to ditch it, but the siblings and I are like, no way! So each year we try to take it to the next level. More expensive seafood, langoustine perhaps, and some hot smoked salmon, or crab claws, add some avocado salsa, spice up the sauce, maybe a wee boiled egg. Delicious! Cafe Strange Brew, 1082 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 3XA, facebook.com/cafestrangebrew

Vapiano is genuinely one of my favourite places to eat @ofaglasgowgirl

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S A & Q E IV T S FE

JO LAIDLAW Edinburgh editor of THE LIST EATING AND DRINKING GUIDE

FREDERIC DEPREZ proprietor-chef of JULES VERNE

Christmas isn’t complete without a cocktail, what’s your ultimate go-to festive tipple?

I have a real weakness for Baileys at Christmas. Sweetdram’s Smoked Spiced Rum makes an amazing Dark and Stormy and I’m hoping Santa brings me some Aelder Elixir this year (unlike last year when my husband misheard me and bought me a bottle of elderflower liqueur. Not the same thing).

The Champagne Soup is my favourite Christmas cocktail. Here is what you need: 75cl of sparkling wine (or champagne), 10cl of lemon juice, 10cl of Cointreau and 5cl of liquid cane sugar.

Who is your favourite chef or what is your favourite cookbook for festive cooking inspiration? No one’s better than Delia for the step-by-step instructions you need to take the panic out of the day. But once you’ve mastered a basic Christmas lunch anything goes – fling some Ottolenghi in there! And of course, Nigella. She tweeted me back last week. My life is complete.

How can you spice up the usual Christmas side dishes to give them an exciting twist? Don’t boil anything. Seriously. Stir-fry the sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts, gently braise the red cabbage with nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves and a splash of apple juice, you get the picture. Boiling water is the enemy of flavour.

How would you convince someone to eat out for their Christmas meal? If you’re nervous about eating out for Christmas, then go for something non-traditional rather than trying to recreate your usual home-cooked meal. And remember to tip heartily and well: hard-working hospitality staff are giving up their day so you can have yours, so play nice!

Are you an eat your advent calendar all at once or strictly one per day sort of person?

What does Christmas at Jules Verne look like? Jules Verne is somewhere everyone is welcome, somewhere for the family with generous offerings. We serve authentic French food and you might be lucky enough to see our live pianist playing in the background to help create a joyful atmosphere. One of our star dishes is our 20-hour slow-cooked duck leg.

Who is your favourite chef or what is your favourite cookbook for festive cooking inspiration? Jamie Oliver is my favourite chef. He has so many delicious recipes that can be made by people of all skill levels, meaning the whole family can get involved.

How can you spice up the usual Christmas side dishes to give them an exciting twist? I’d recommend adding a bit of ginger and cinnamon to your side dishes for some extra Christmas flavour. It’s a really simple way to help elevate the dish.

How would you convince someone to eat out for their Christmas meal? Show them the Christmas menus at Jules Verne, of course, where they can have some delicious food and great wine. We love seeing people come down with their families and do our best to make it an experience to remember.

I have children. It’s a battlefield.

Do you have any recipes or food traditions that have been passed down in your family? We have an anti-tradition: my family all have an enduring hatred of dried fruit, so collectively we shun the evil that is Christmas pudding and mince pies and just eat cheese.

Are you an eat your advent calendar all at once or strictly one per day sort of person? I like to eat one per day.

Do you have any recipes or food traditions that have been passed down in your family? Unfortunately not.

What is your Christmas showstopper? My Boxing Day Leftover Mush. Basically bubble and squeak, with all the leftovers – stuffing, sausages, sprouts, bird. Topped off with a fried egg and brown sauce. Magic. The next edition of The List Eating and Drinking Guide will be published in April, food.list.co.uk

What is your Christmas showstopper? Spending time with my family is the main thing I love about Christmas. Jules Verne Brasserie, 13 Antigua Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3NH, facebook.com/julesvernebrasserie

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FEATURE

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AROUND TOWN FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /AROUNDTOWN

MAGICFEST CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Futuristic magic show provides a different take on festive fun

PHOTO: COLIN HATTERSLEY

This year’s MagicFest Christmas Special is a collaboration between Scottish magicianscientist Kevin Quantum (pictured), and high-tech Swedish wizard Charlie Caper. The Miracle of Christmas Future uses sleight of hand, state-of-the-art technology, illusions and science to give audiences a small peek into a future world where Santa’s sled is a hybrid and the elves have been replaced with robots. Enjoy everything from levitations to misdirection as the two performers show you what Christmas in the 21st century truly looks like. As well as their main Christmas show, MagicFest have partnered with Edinburgh Young Carers and YouTube superstar Professor

Richard Wiseman this year for Now You See It, Now You Don’t. The jaw-dropping exhibition of photographic illusions recreates a series of the most famous optical illusions, staged all over Edinburgh, with 30 young carers aged between 5 and 17 involved in the planning team and as models. ‘In addition to our Christmas Special live show, we’re excited about expanding our Christmas programme this year in collaboration with Edinburgh Young Carers,’ says MagicFest founder and creative director, Svetlana McMahon. ‘MagicFest has had a relationship with them for the last three years. The Local Event Fund from Edinburgh Council has allowed

us to develop that relationship and create fun, mind-blowing artwork with these Edinburgh kids that will be seen by tens of thousands of people living in and visiting Edinburgh.’ The Scottish Storytelling Centre will present pictures of the illusions themselves, while the Museum of Childhood will offer a big reveal, explaining how the illusions were created, featuring interviews with some of the young carers who were involved. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ The Miracle of Christmas Future, Traverse, Edinburgh, Thu 27–Sun 30 Dec; Now You See It, Now You Don’t, Scottish Storytelling Centre and The Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh, Thu 13 Dec–Sat 26 Jan.

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AROUND TOWN | HIGHLIGHTS

AROUND TOWN HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW WWE LIVE – WRESTLEMANIA REVENGE SSE Hydro, Sun 4 Nov, wwe.com The ultimate in ‘sports entertainment’ as the real deal WWE superstars of US wrestling bring the pain to the UK. GLASGOW GREEN FIREWORKS Glasgow Green, Mon 5 Nov, glasgowlife.org.uk The city’s biggest and best annual family-friendly fireworks display that takes place on Glasgow Green. GLASGOW FESTIVAL OF BURLESQUE Riding Rooms, Thu 8–Sat 10 Nov, glasgowfestivalofburlesque. com A weekend festival celebrating the very best in the art of cabaret, with workshops and performances throughout the three days. GLASGOW’S WHISKY FESTIVAL Hampden Park, Sat 10 Nov, glasgowswhiskyfestival.com Glasgow’s festival of the national tipple returns for a 10th year, with more than 60 stands featuring whisky, gin, rum, other spirits and whisky gifts in Scotland’s national stadium. THE COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS FAIR SEC, Thu 15 Nov, countrylivingfair. com The Christmas fair returns bringing with it over 300 exhibitors showcasing the finest in crafts, garden and home accessories, jewellery, clothing and homemade food and drink. Demonstrations and tasting sessions also take place each day. CHRISTMAS LANTERNS People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Dec, glasgowlife.org. uk Get in the festive mood and make presents for your loved ones at this Christmas paper lantern craft workshop.

HITLIST

CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Fri 23 Nov– Sat 29 Dec, rbge.org. uk Wander beneath the tree canopies bathed in seasonal colour on this one-mile illuminated trail, enjoy the sounds of the Choir of the Trees and keep an eye out for Santa and his elves.

A Christmas Fairy Trail

CIRCUS OF HORRORS: PSYCHO ASYLUM King’s Theatre, Wed 9 Jan, circusofhorrors.co.uk After taking to the road over 22 years ago and touring all over the world, the horrorthemed burlesque phenomenon returns with its latest brand new incarnation: Psycho Asylum.

ST ANDREWS FAIR SATURDAY Various venues, Scotland, Sat 1 Dec, fairsaturday.org Fair Saturday Foundation and the Scottish Government bring this initiative to Scotland for the first time, supporting social causes through a celebration of arts and culture. See feature, page 16.

EDINBURGH SÉANCE – IS ANYBODY THERE? Edinburgh Dungeon, until Mon 5 Nov, thedungeons.com Séance is the newest immersive experience at the Dungeons, which delves into the story of the notorious Edinburgh 1828 anatomy murderers, Burke and Hare.

SLEEP IN THE PARK Various venues, Scotland, Sun 8 Dec, sleepinthepark.co.uk This year, Social Bite’s charity sleep-out has extended to all of Scotland’s major cities. Confirmed to play across the four cities are Amy MacDonald and KT Tunstall, plus more to be announced. See feature, page 49.

CHEESE FEST Corn Exchange, Sat 17 & Sun 18 Nov, cheesefestuk.com A celebration of cheese with a selection of traders offering the best in cheese and street food (mac & cheese, waffles, halloumi fries, cheesecake and more) plus live music and a bar.

SIX SEC, Glasgow, Thu 20–Sun 30 Dec, sixthemusical.com A big hit at this year’s Fringe and in the West End, this energetic musical features Henry VIII’s six wives finally telling their side of the story, accompanied by a sixpiece band. See feature, page 56.

EDINBURGH HOGMANAY STREET PARTY Princes Street, Mon 31 Dec, edinburghshogmanay. com Thousands of revellers bring in the New Year with a mix of live music, DJs and varying knowledge of the lyrics to ‘Auld Lang Syne’. See feature, page 52.

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professional face & body painting

anne marie farrell photographyÂŠ

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AROUND TOWN HIGHLIGHTS FOODIES FESTIVAL EICC, Thu 22–Sat 24 Nov, foodiesfestival.com Michelin-starred and award-winning chefs cook up a storm at this year’s festival dedicated to epicureans, as well as offerings from local producers and workshops for food lovers young and old. 3D/2D EDINBURGH CHRISTMAS CRAFT, ART & DESIGN FAIR Assembly Rooms, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Dec, 3d2d.co.uk The 3D/2D team are back promoting home-grown crafting talent in their annual Christmas market, featuring goods from over 120 makers, artists and designers. MAGICFEST CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Traverse Theatre, Thu 27–Sun 30 Dec, magicfest.co.uk A festive magic show production from the people behind Edinburgh International Magic Festival. The show centres on a collaboration between magician-scientist Kevin Quantum and high-tech wizard Charlie Caper. See preview, page 79.

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 19 Jan, banff-uk.com Touring film festival that shows off a selection of the most exhilarating sports and adventure films from the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival in Banff, Alberta. Also touring, see list.co.uk for details

OUT OF TOWN BURNTISLAND BONFIRE & FIREWORKS DISPLAY The Links, Burntisland, Mon 5 Nov, fifecouncil.co.uk/whatson Popular and traditional bonfire and fireworks display, with live music, fairground rides and food stalls to keep everyone entertained. A CHRISTMAS FAIRY TRAIL Archerfield Walled Garden, Dirleton, Fri 7–Mon 24 Dec, archerfieldwalledgarden.com An immersive theatrical experience set along a 1.5km trail, designed as a magical world of fairies and forest folk, with surprises around every corner.

Séance - Is Anybody There?

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Postgraduate Open Day, 21 November Web Chat, 29 November

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BOOKS FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /BOOKS

BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND

Embrace your inner rebel in the national celebration of all things book The seventh national celebration of books and reading will be making waves across Scotland with a series of ‘rebel’ themed events this November. Book Week Scotland is facilitated by Scottish Book Trust and works with partners all over the country to deliver a packed programme of events at community spaces and libraries in every local authority. Look out for big names like Juno Dawson, Ann Cleeves and Cameron McNeish among the bookstacks near you. For the first time ever, library and community groups were invited to submit event proposals for collaborations with literary superstars. Bestselling author Joanne Harris, musician and activist Akala, public speaker Sam Conniff Allende and altmusician and author Peter Kelly (aka Beerjacket) were all up for grabs and will be appearing at events throughout Scotland. Get your unruly week off to a good start by heading to Cupar Library to hear about books that went against the grain at Banned Books and

a Beer (Tue 20 Nov), or find out more about the rebels of Falkirk with Maggie Craig at the Forth Valley Sensory Centre (Fri 23 Nov). Help mark the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre’s 40th anniversary at the Scottish Storytelling Centre (Thu 22 Nov) and join Rosemary Goring as she chats about her book, Scotland: Her Story, at Aberdeen’s Central Library (Thu 22 Nov). Or get limbered up for The Feminist Disco in Edinburgh, (Fri 23 Nov) where the music will be exceptional and the dancefloor welcoming. If you can’t make it along to any of the events, why not indulge in some rebellious reading? Writers and members of the public from all across Scotland have shared their real life stories of resistance on the Scottish Book Trust website. There will also be a lively digital strand to the festival, so you can tune in to the Book Week Scotland social media accounts for live-stream poetry slams, digital rebel debates and more. (Lynsey May) ■ Various venues across Scotland, Mon 19–Sun 25 Nov.

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BOOKS | REVIEWS GRAPHIC NOVEL

RACHAEL BALL Wolf (SelfMadeHero) ●●●●● The award-winning artist behind The Inflatable Woman returns with a poignant tale about childhood, grief and the irrepressible power of imagination. Wolf introduces us to Eric, a small and imaginative boy whose father is killed in a tragic accident. The story is set in the 70s and Rachael Ball’s illustrations capture the era beautifully, while a satisfying and entirely relatable blurring of reality makes the tale all the more touching. Following his father’s death, Eric’s family is uprooted to a new neighbourhood where he and his siblings quickly find new friends while getting on with the difficult process of grieving. Their efforts are undercut with a sense of unease, thanks to rumours of the Wolf Man who lives next door. Despite being the youngest (and most susceptible to flights of fancy), Eric is the one driven to confront the stories head on. Inspired by watching The Time Machine, Eric becomes enraptured with the idea of building his own contraption. His siblings and new friends blithely join in; never realising that the young boy truly believes that time travel is within reach. He hopes that if he can get their machine working it will return him to a place where he can have the thing he wants most. It’s his determination to succeed that throws Eric into the Wolf Man’s domain and begins their unlikely relationship. At its heart, Wolf rips right into the kind of confusion, anger and resentment that afflicts the bereaved. Soft pencils and charming characterisations lull the reader into a sense of nostalgia that helps evoke the mystical and sometimes terrifying world of childhood perfectly. (Lynsey May) ■ Out now.

FANTASY

BIOGRAPHY

FICTION

NATASHA NGAN

HENRY BELL

YELENA MOSKOVICH

Girls of Paper and Fire (Hodder & Stoughton) ●●●●●

John Maclean: Hero Of Red Clydeside (Pluto Press) ●●●●●

Virtuoso (Serpent’s Tail) ●●●●●

Ngan is no stranger to writing for a young audience: with two Young Adult novels under her belt, Girls of Paper and Fire marks her first foray into fantasy. Her newest protagonist is Lei, a young girl with golden eyes who wishes for nothing more than the busy life her father’s herb shop provides, but who is thrust into the group of Paper Girls that are chosen yearly to serve as the Demon King’s concubines. No Paper Girl is allowed to take lovers other than the King, a rule that doesn’t stop Lei from finding love and stoking the fire that might just burn the court to ashes. The world of Ikhara is one that easily incites wonder. Ngan masterfully paints a layered society with detailed, beautiful, but also harsh brush strokes. The balance between the peaceful, self-contained remote village of Lei’s birth and the chaos and injustice living just outside its boundaries makes for an enveloping read, where parallels to our own demon-free world are easily drawn. At a time when ‘strong female protagonist’ is an easy classifier to attach to any woman with a sword, Lei embodies just what that should mean. Her empowering character growth is unlike most in the genre, and the step outside of the heteronormative frame is a breath of fresh air. (Sofia Matias) ■ Out Tue 6 Nov.

John Maclean is an icon of the Scottish left and a hero to radicals worldwide. Born in Glasgow in 1879, he helped radicalise a generation of Scottish workers through his teaching and activism. Feared by the British state, Maclean was jailed several times in his life, an ordeal that undoubtedly contributed to his tragic death at the age of 44. Henry Bell deftly places the details of Maclean’s life against such momentous events as the Glasgow Rent Strikes, WWI and the Russian Revolutions. From the harrowing picture Bell paints of the hardships endured by Glasgow’s working classes – Maclean lost his father to an industrial illness in his teens – we gain a clear sense of where Maclean’s revolutionary socialist convictions came from. Maclean was no orthodox Marxist, and his opposition to the war, and attempts to instigate a general strike, brought him into conflict with some comrades on the left. Maclean’s support for Scottish home rule made him a hero to leftnationalists, but Bell is careful to avoid claiming him for any one faction. As capitalism leads the world towards disaster, Maclean’s message is as vital, and inspirational, as ever: ‘We are out for life and all that life can give us.’ (Stewart Smith) ■ Out now.

Yelena Moskovich is back with a second novel and much like her debut, The Natasha’s, Virtuosa shares the same surreal style and shunning of linear narratives and definitives. It follows a young Jana and Zorka in 1980’s Communist-era Czechoslovakia, who are figuring themselves out and exploring their sexual identities together. Zorka is an angry child, Jana is studious, but when Zorka leaves without a trace, Jana is pushed to discover who she is by herself. Unfolding side-by-side is the story of Aimée and Dominique living in Paris, their relationship traced through falling in love, hardships and ultimately grief. As the women move on with their lives, Jana, Aimée and Zorka collide in Paris and it brings with it realisations and relief. As well as following the four women, a third narrative is jaggedly woven in, showing 0_hotgirlAmy_0, an American teenager, and Dominxxika_N39, a repressed Czech housewife, in a lesbian internet chatroom. Throughout the novel, what is real and what is not is hard to discern, but that’s where the magic of the text lies. Queer fiction can often (wrongly) be corralled into a restrictive category but Moskovich deliberately strays from stereotypical tropes. Particularly poignant is Zorka’s friendship with Rico, a trans man. The representation of acceptance and pure love we see from his family is stunning and necessary in these times. Ultimately, this is a bizarre, challenging yet unique read. (Katharine Gemmell) ■ Out Thu 17 Jan.

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HIGHLIGHTS | BOOKS

BOOKS HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW AS THE WOMEN LAY DREAMING: A NIGHT WITH DONALD S MURRAY Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, Mon 12 Nov, waterstones.com Donald S Murray discusses his new novel As the Women Lay Dreaming, based on a survivor of the 1919 Iolaire disaster. The book draws on Murray’s experiences growing up in the Hebrides. Also, Waterstones West End, Edinburgh, Tue 13 Nov, waterstones.com BEN AARONOVITCH LAUNCHES LIES SLEEPING Waterstones Argyle Street, Thu 13 Nov, waterstones.com The author of the PC Peter Grant series launches the latest instalment, Lies Sleeping, and it finds the police officer caught in his biggest challenge yet. Aaronovitch will be present to discuss his latest work and chat about all things cops and magic. INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS: WORK LIKE A WOMAN Mitchell Library, Thu 15 Nov, glasgowlife.org.uk Mary Portas, AKA The Queen of Shops, presents her new book all about being a woman in the business world, Work Like a Woman: A Manifesto for Change. The event is screened live from the British Library in London. MARK KERMODE Glasgow Film Theatre, Tue 27 Nov, glasgowfilm.org Film critic Mark Kermode hilariously reminisces about his journey from dreaming of becoming a pop star to becoming the musical director of a major TV show. A book signing follows the event.

EDINBURGH CRAIGMILLAR BOOK FESTIVAL Various venues, Wed 7–Sat 17 Nov, craigmillar.org.uk.gridhosted.co.uk

HITLIST

EDINBURGH’S INDEPENDENT & RADICAL BOOK FAIR Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, Thu 1–Sun 4 Nov, assemblyfestival.com/ roxy A festival of ideas hosted by the folks at Lighthouse Bookshop. It showcases publishers and speakers with an emphasis on small and

A festival of free events with Scottish authors, storytellers and various literary experts. DANIEL SHAND: CROCODILE LAUNCH Waterstones West End, Thu 8 Nov, waterstones.com The award-winning writer introduces his latest novel Crocodile in a conversation with novelist and editor Moira Forsyth. COMIC CON SCOTLAND EICC, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov, comicconventionscotland.co.uk Scotland’s number one Comic Convention presents a For the Love of 80s theme this year in an ode to the decade that brought us classics like Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE MELTDOWN WITH JEFF KINNEY Assembly Rooms, Sat 17 Nov, assemblyroomsedinburgh.co.uk The renowned author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series chats about the newest addition to the series. HARRY POTTER NIGHT: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD Waterstones Ocean Terminal, Sat 17 Nov, waterstones.com Mark the release of the latest Fantastic Beasts’ screenplay and film The Crimes of Grindlewald, with a fun day of games, activities and a fancy dress competition. NORWAY AND SCOTLAND: POETRY & MUSIC – LINKS THROUGH CENTURIES Festival Square, Sun 18 Nov edinburghschristmas.com A night of folk, jazz and spoken word celebrating the historic links between Norway and Scotland. PERFUMES AND PAGES: LITERARY PERFUMES WITH ALEX MUSGRAVE Golden Hare Books, Wed 5 Dec, goldenharebooks.com Alex Musgrave discusses a series of literary perfumes, and the works of literature they derive from.

independent presses and writings from outside the mainstream. KILLTOPIA LAUNCH Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 3 Nov, glasgowconcerthalls. com BHP comics are teaming up with Rai Con to launch Dave Cook and Craig Paton’s new

A WINTER WARMER Scottish Storytelling Centre, Tue 6 Dec, tracscotland.org The Burgh Blatherers present an evening of warming wintry tales accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies. ART OF THE STORYTELLER: MIDWINTER STORIES & SONGS Scottish Storytelling Centre, Fri 21 Dec, scottishstorytellingcentre. com The Art of the Storyteller series features an evening discussion on what drives contemporary storytelling. This session looks at seasonal celebration and features David Francis and Janis Mackay, followed by a performance. NEW WRITERS AWARDS SHOWCASE The Jam House, Thu 24 Jan, thejamhouse.com Hear some of Scotland’s most exciting new writers perform their work live at Scottish Book Trust’s New Writers Awards celebration. BURNS SUPPER Royal Yacht Britannia, Fri 25 & Sat 26 Jan, royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Celebrate the birthday of our national bard onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. The night features food, dancing and the classic ‘Address to a Haggis’.

OUT OF TOWN DAVID MACPHAIL: TOP-SECRET GRANDAD AND ME Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross, Tue 20 Nov, pkc.gov.uk Children’s author David MacPhail explains how to use mind maps to plot a story. Suitable for ages 8 and above. MASTERCHEF’S GARY MACLEAN Waterstones, Oban, Tue 20 Nov, waterstones.com The Masterchef: The Professionals champion comes in-store as part of the Book Week Scotland celebrations to talk about kitchen techniques and his new book Kitchen Essentials: The Joy of Home Cooking. A TASTE OF . . . CHOCOLATE Kirkcaldy Galleries, Thu 22 Nov, onfife.com Combine two of the sweetest

book, Killiopia. The event takes the form of a retro gaming party and a ticket to the event includes a copy of the book. BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND Various venues, Scotland, Mon 19–Sun 25 Nov, scottishbooktrust. com/book-week-

Leila Aboulela

things in life at this chocolate and reading multi-sensory pairing evening. AN AFTERNOON WITH LEILA ABOULELA The Barn, Aberdeen, Thu 22 Nov, thebarnarts.co.uk The Caine Prize winner, known for novels The Translator and Lyrics Alley, hosts a reading session. ANN CLEEVES: WILD FIRE Loch Leven Community Campus, Kinross, Thu 22 Nov, anncleeves. com The crime writer and creator of the Shetland series chats about her life in writing and what the final instalment of her much-loved series might hold. COVE AND KILCREGGAN BOOK FESTIVAL Cove Burgh Hall, Cove, Sat 24 & Sun 25 Nov, coveburghhall.org.uk Unique festival of books that takes place during Book Week Scotland. Headline authors at this year’s festival include Ian Rankin and Jon Snow. DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE Various venues, Dumfries, Fri 30 Nov–Sun 2 Dec, peterpanmoatbrae. org/dreams-for-the-future Jump into the next adventure in the ‘enchanted land’ that inspired the timeless story of Peter Pan. A three-day festival by the JMB Creatives. FUNBOX: ONCE UPON A TIME His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Sun 13 Jan aberdeenperformingarts.com An immersive family storytelling experience where all your favourite fairytales have gone wrong, and it’s up to the Funbox gang to set them back to rights. Also touring, see list.co.uk for details.

scotland A national book festival for Scotland courtesy of Creative Scotland, the Scottish Book Trust and many other collaborators across the country. A packed programme of star-studded author events, kids’ activities and the distribution of free books all combine to form a week-long

national celebration of reading. BURNS FOR BEGINNERS Edinburgh Castle, Sun 27–Wed 30 Jan, edinburghcastle.gov.uk Ever wondered why people make so much fuss about Robert Burns? Come and find out in this informal introduction to the bard.

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86 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018â&#x20AC;&#x201C;31 Jan 2019

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COMEDY FLO & JOAN

Musical comedy sisters return with a bite

FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /COMEDY

With a raft of four and five stars jostling for space on their tour poster, musical comedy sisters Flo & Joan (actual real sisters Nicola and Rosie Dempsey) have plenty love to fall back on when online morons rear their anonymous and spiteful heads. After some horrendous internet abuse last year, the pair managed to put it behind them and produce a top-notch Edinburgh Fringe show, and now tour, entitled Alive on Stage. Foot-tappingly sweet tunes with a jet-black edge are their thing as they sing about divorce rates, sex robots, binge boozing and the cheesy snack company which plans to manufacture handbag-sized crisps for women. And if hateful web trolls think they’re getting off lightly, woe betide and hell mend them. (Brian Donaldson) ■ The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan; The Stand, Edinburgh, Sat 19 Jan.

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COMEDY | PREVIEWS STAND-UP

STEWART FRANCIS Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Sat 1 Dec, then touring Stewart Francis isn’t one of those comedians who’ll fall into that trap of trying to be funny beyond their use-by date. For after the best part of a decade in which he’s become a staple on Mock the Week, scooped the Dave Joke of the Fringe Award and played one sell-out tour after another, the Canadian comic is bowing out pretty much near the top. For a quickfire gagsmith and one-line joke generator, Into the Punset was obviously the title he would go with for his farewell tour. But wipe your eyes, people, for Francis himself is failing to see the miserable side of the story. ‘For me, it’s a happy conclusion as I’ve left the best til last,’ he insists. ‘It’s nice to go out on a high, like when the athlete that throws the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl then retires.’ So, if Francis has no longer got the comedy bug, where are his talents heading next? ‘I’m going to step away from comedy and focus on acting which is another passion,’ says the man who already has credits on shows such as Lee Mack’s sitcom Not Going Out and US legal drama Kevin Hill. ‘Casting directors can be a bit lazy and think, “well he’s just a comedian”. But I’m not. I think I have some significant acting chops and I want to prove that to myself and to the world. But when you’re wearing both hats as a comedian and an actor, you can be taken less seriously; so I want there to be a real separation.’ For now though, Francis is focused on making the audiences who helped him make his way in the comedy game laugh at his punning punchlines one more time. ‘This tour is a love letter to the UK and Ireland, thanking them for a wonderful chapter in my comedy career. It’s not a sad moment for me, it’s just all about new challenges and new horizons.’ (Brian Donaldson)

SUSAN RIDDELL THE SCOTTISH STAND-UP AND WRITER HAS A GO AT OUR Q&A A Do you have any pre-show rituals you can tell us about? I sacrifice one or two chickens. If there aren’t any around I just eat a banana and remind myself the planet is dying and there won’t be any trace of us soon. What’s the one thing you remember about your very first stand-up gig? I took a notepad on stage the first time I did stand-up. I wrote out my entire set in red pen and when I got on stage they had red lighting so it made the writing invisible. I was fucked but it still went good. You’re curating your own ‘legends of comedy’ lineup. Tell us the bill’s top three acts This would change all the time but at the moment I’m going through a right Australian phase so it’d be Sam Simmons, Chris Lilley,

and Gina Riley and Jane Turner of Kath & Kim. I know that’s four folk but double acts count as one. I love daft, over-the-top nonsensical stuff.

PHOTO: STEVE ULLATHORNE

LOCAL LAUGHS

How do you go about handling hecklers? If I’m on an elevated stage I take a runny and elbow-drop them from a great height. If not, then I just take them down verbally. Which comedian’s memoir would you recommend to someone? Tina Fey’s Bossypants was probably the last one I read. I aspire to be the Scottish Tina Fey. Just dead rich and respected but still under the radar. ■ Susan Riddell is on the bill at the Minted Comedy Festival, The Pleasance, Edinburgh, Sun 4 Nov. See more of this Q&A at list.co.uk/ comedy

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PREVIEWS | COMEDY

list.co.uk/comedy STAND-UP

ZOE LYONS The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 26 Nov; The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 27 Nov Sixteen years in and Zoe Lyons’ stand-up career has been a slow-burner. Winner of the Comedian’s Comedian Award in 2017, her acclaimed current show, Entry Level Human, notched her first Edinburgh Fringe total sell-out. ‘I’m going to sound a bit philosophical and awfully like a wanker,’ she reflects. ‘But life is a journey and my career has been enjoyable. Comedians are a competitive, self-centred bunch and we obviously like it when success comes along. But I’m happy with this gradual build. I reckon I’ve got another 20 years in the tank.’ Lyons recently competed in Celebrity MasterChef. Her potatoes in wine were ‘quite a hit, two barrelloads’ worth’, but a ‘two soups’ homage to Victoria Wood resulted in her elimination. ‘Gregg [Wallace] actually said he couldn’t eat it, which I’ve never heard on MasterChef before.’ Her burgeoning profile has also seen her front a marketing campaign for holiday operator Tui with fellow comic Mark Watson, involving an odd-couple jolly to Jamaica. ‘It was great fun watching him on a zipline. I think he lost a knacker.’ Having experienced an itinerant upbringing, Lyons long ago settled in Brighton and has written a self-starring sitcom about the city. Meanwhile, in Entry Level Human’s memorable portrayal of a drunken fly, there’s a nod to her adolescence in Glasgow. ‘He wasn’t Scottish originally but somehow it’s just funnier than him being from the home counties.’ (Jay Richardson)

PHOTO: STEVE ULLATHORNE

MY COMEDY HERO

ADAM ROWE The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 28 Nov The two who made me want to do stand-up in the first place are Jason Manford and Kevin Bridges. They were the ones I most identified with. I was a young lad from a council estate in Liverpool, and they were two lads, one from Manchester, one from Glasgow, talking about being from a rough background in similar cities. What they were talking about just resonated with me and every joke seemed relatable. They were the two comics that made think I could do this as well. But then the more I’ve got into comedy and travelled with it, you meet other comedians and find out who they’re into. So the stand-up I watch has become a lot more Americanised and I’d say my comedy hero now is Bill Burr. I watch one of his specials maybe every fortnight. I can put it on as background noise if I’m doing admin and emails and stuff. The more I watch him and listen to him in interviews, the more I appreciate how much effort goes in to what he does. It would be so easy to watch a Bill Burr special and go ‘he’s just another angry white man’ but there are so many layers to what he does. What I like is that he’ll normally say something that 90% of people will disagree with and then he’ll do five minutes of stand-up not necessarily making you agree with him, but making you see his point of view. He’s a master of that. (As told to Brian Donaldson)

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COMEDY | HIGHLIGHTS

COMEDY HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW JASON MANFORD: MUDDLE CLASS Pavilion Theatre, Fri 2 Nov, paviliontheatre.co.uk The comedian and actor returns to the stand-up stage with a show questioning his own place in this mad, mad world. Also Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, Sat 3 Nov, alhambradunfermline.com DANIEL SLOSS: X Tramway, Sat 3 Nov, tramway. org The Scottish comedian (as seen on Netflix!) and recipient of the 2016 Sydney Comedy Festival ‘Best of the Fest’ International Award, presents his latest show. Also touring, see list. co.uk/comedy for details. ROBERT FLORENCE IS BISCUITY BOYLE: MY BASTART LIFE The Stand, Sun 4 Nov, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/glasgow Character comedy from the co-writer and star of sketch show Burnistoun. Expect heavy breathing and trousers falling down.

ZOE LYONS: ENTRY LEVEL HUMAN The Stand, Mon 26 Nov, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/glasgow The standup comic and Mock the Week regular discusses not really knowing what she’s doing in life. See preview, page 89. Also The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 27 Nov, thestand.co.uk/whats-on/Edinburgh ADAM ROWE: UNDENIABLE The Stand, Wed 28 Nov, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/glasgow Adam

HITLIST

JOE LYCETT: I’M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AND I THINK JOE LYCETT Edinburgh Playhouse, Wed 7 Nov, playhousetheatre. com The Birmingham-born comic tours his latest show about some recent pranks, internet larks and the things that truly get his goat. Also touring, see list.co.uk/ comedy for details.

EDINBURGH ROSS NOBLE: EL HABLADOR Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 3 Nov, capitaltheatres.com/yourvisit/festival-theatre The wild-haired Geordie, prone to wondrous tangents and surreal interludes, wanders back out on tour with a brand new show. ROB KEMP: THE ELVIS DEAD Gilded Balloon at Rose Theatre, Sat 3 Nov, gilded balloon.co.uk The multi-award winning one-man comedy musical starring Rob Kemp has the cult classic Evil Dead 2 being reinterpreted through the songs of Elvis. Trust us, it works like a dream. JUST THE TONIC COMEDY CLUB The Tron, various dates in Nov & Dec, justthetonic.com/edinburghcomedy Pre-festive weekend comedy nights downstairs at The Tron featuring the likes of David Kay, Tom Stade, Andrew O’Neill, Chris Forbes and more. MINTED COMEDY FESTIVAL The Pleasance, Sun 4 Nov, eusa. ed.ac.uk/ents/event/12434 Line-up of established acts as well as up-andcomers in the Scottish comedy scene, featuring Gary Meikle, Rachel Jackson and Susan Riddell (see Local Laughs, page 88), with all of it compered by Chrissy Ross.

August, ‘the patriarchy gets a good, hard shoeing, as does period poverty, austerity and the gender pay gap.’ DARA O BRIAIN: VOICE OF REASON Edinburgh Playhouse, Fri 16 & Sat 17 Nov, playhousetheatre.com The television regular – best known as the host of Mock the Week – takes his latest routines to the stage. MUM’S THE WORD Gilded Balloon at Rose Theatre, Fri 16 Nov, Fri 7 Dec, gildedballoon. co.uk A comedy gig designed for parents with babies as hosted by comedian and mother, Katie Mulgrew. Feel free and relaxed to feed, change and nurse your wee one as the comedy acts get on with their regular material. GARY DELANEY: GAGSTER’S PARADISE The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 18 Nov, thestand.co.uk/whats-on/ Edinburgh Quickfire one-line comedy from this Mock the Week regular. Also The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 19 Nov, thestand.co.uk/whats-on/glasgow HARRY AND CHRIS: SAVE THE WORLD The Stand, Sun 18 Nov, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/Edinburgh Harry Baker and Chris Read present their

unique mix of comedy, melody and poetry. Also The Stand, Glasgow, Tue 20 Nov, thestand.co.uk/whatson/glasgow ELIS JAMES & JOHN ROBINS: THE HOLY VIBLE TOUR The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Thu 22 Nov, thequeenshall.net Matey jousting from Welsh wag Elis James and John Robins, joint winner (with Hannah Gadsby) of the 2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award. ROB NEWMAN: TOTAL ECLIPSE OF DESCARTES The Stand, Sun 25 Nov, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/Edinburgh The comedian and novelist, and former comedy sparring buddy of David Baddiel, wonders whether philosophy can help in a world gone crazy. JAY LAFFERTY: BESOMS Gilded Balloon at Rose Theatre, Thu 29 Nov, Thu 27 Dec, gilded balloon. co.uk A monthly evening of comedy featuring under-represented groups, hosted by Jay Lafferty. SANDI TOKSVIG King’s Theatre, Sun 27 Jan, capitaltheatres.com Comedian, TV and radio presenter and bestselling author Toksvig presents her onewoman comedy show. PHOTO: MATT CROCKETT

CHRIS RAMSEY: JUST HAPPY TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 18 Nov, thestand.co.uk/whats-on/glasgow The genial Geordie and 2011 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee passes on some ‘wisdom’ to his young son through the medium of stand-up.

Rowe presents a show about his working-class roots, featuring the winning gag of the 2018 Dave Joke of the Fringe Award. See My Comedy Hero, page 89.

VULCAN 7 King’s Theatre, Mon 5–Sat 10 Nov, capitaltheatres.com New comedy written by and starring two Young Ones icons, Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer about, ironically, two former drama students. JEN BRISTER: MEANINGLESS The Stand, Wed 14 Nov, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/Edinburgh Brister attempts to figure out the meaning of life in a show where, as we described during

JOHN COOPER CLARKE The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 30 Nov, thequeenshall.net The legendary Mancunian punk poet (who rather curiously will celebrate his 70th birthday on the next Burns’ Night), is a spiritual godfather to the likes of Mike Skinner and Plan B hauls his insatiable laconic wit on tour.

Joe Lycett

STEWART FRANCIS: INTO THE PUNSET Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Sat 1 Dec, culturenl.co.uk Deadpan one-liners from the Canadian stand-up and Mock the Week alumnus. It’s your last chance to see him tour. Ever! See preview, page 88. Also touring, see list.co.uk/ comedy for details

FLO & JOAN: ALIVE ON STAGE The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan, thestand.co.uk/ whats-on/glasgow Dark and witty whimsical musical comedy from sisters Flo and Joan (actually Nicola and Rosie Dempsey). See preview, page 87. Also The Stand, Edinburgh, Sat 19 Jan, thestand.co.uk/ whats-on/Edinburgh

FIN TAYLOR: WHEN HARASSY MET SALLY The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 20 Jan, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/ Edinburgh A confrontational show about gender, trans identity and #MeToo. Also The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 21 Jan, thestand. co.uk/whats-on/ glasgow

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FILM FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /FILM

INTO FILM FESTIVAL Free festival aimed at young people highlights female storytellers

Film education charity Into Film’s free nationwide festival is an annual celebration of film, giving young people aged 5–19 from varying backgrounds the chance to engage with all aspects of filmmaking. As well as screenings, the festival includes workshops and events with industry experts that provide insights into topics ranging from directing and screenwriting to costume design and VFX. This year’s festival will shine a special spotlight on female storytellers via the Year of the Woman: Empowered Voices strand, to mark the centenary of votes for some women. Films in the strand have all been designated ‘F-rated’, drawing attention to the fact that they’ve been made by a female director or screenwriter, with films that additionally feature a female-centric narrative being given the gold star triple-F rating. ‘There is still a big discrepancy in terms of female representation both in front of and behind the camera, and Into Film are clearly seeking to redress the balance with the Year of the Woman strand,’ says Harry Potter star and Into Film ambassador Katie Leung. ‘I hope this will play a part in inspiring the female filmmakers of the future!’ The strand will include screenings of Ava Duverney’s sci-fi adventure A Wrinkle in Time (pictured), Greta Gerwig’s Oscarnominated Lady Bird, powerful animation The Breadwinner, and 2015 historical period drama Suffragette. Screenings will take place all over Scotland including Aberdeen, Langholm, Campbeltown, Dundee, Falkirk, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayr, Paisley, Moray, Kirkwall and Stirling. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Various locations, nationwide, Wed 7–Fri 23 Nov.

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FILM | REVIEWS

COMEDY WESTERN

THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS (TBC) 132min ●●●●●

CRIME DRAMA

WIDOWS (TBC) 128min ●●●●● Slick, smart, suspenseful and brimming with pathos for the women whose lives are trampled under the boots of men, Steve McQueen’s follow-up to 12 Years a Slave trades historical horrors for present-day cynicism; its characters might be free but, for that, they’re paying a crippling price. This densely populated, richly realised crime drama is based on the 1980s TV series by Lynda La Plante, with the milieu shifted to contemporary Chicago. Hardboiled dialogue comes courtesy of McQueen himself and Gone Girl scribe Gillian Flynn in the kind of politically disaffected tale that’s a good fit for our troubled times. Viola Davis plays Veronica Rawlings, the spouse of Liam Neeson’s career criminal who talks the wives of her husband’s associates (Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez) into a heist when a job goes awry. Meanwhile, in a film that views violent crime and political corruption as equivalently destructive, the outgoing alderman of the 18th Ward (a vile Robert Duvall) hopes to hand the upcoming election to his jaded, morally tarnished son (Colin Farrell). However, a local gangster turned unscrupulous businessman (Brian Tyree Henry) has other ideas. Although three very different females are the ultimate focus, the movie has no truck with Ocean's Eight’s brand of screwball criminality. These women are grafters and pragmatists who staunchly refuse to be collateral damage to male misadventure. Working with a cast which bear the weight of his scrutiny, McQueen’s contemplative, soul-searching style is in evidence enough without detracting from genre thrills and feminist fury. ‘No-one thinks we have the balls to pull this off,’ spits Veronica. Just watch them prove everyone wrong. (Emma Simmonds) ■ General release from Tue 6 Nov.

Originally intended as a multi-part television series, the new, Netflix-backed Coen Brothers movie has instead become an anthology film, comprising six stories of the American Old West. Each tale is presented as a chapter in a dusty storybook. The film opens in high style with the titular tale, in which singing sharp-shooter Buster Scruggs (Tim Blake Nelson), resplendent in a white suit and hat, gets himself into a spot of bother in a cantina full of bad hombres. Showcasing Nelson's 'pleasing baritone' and peppered with great dialogue, it's a hilarious tale enlivened by the Coens' signature moments of sudden comic violence. Its somewhat unexpected ending holds the key to the rest of the film, as each segment becomes increasingly more melancholy, exploring themes of death and the stark brutality of the Old West. Accordingly, the remaining tales, which include James Franco as a decidedly unlucky bank robber, Liam Neeson as a travelling showman and Zoe Kazan as a wagon train passenger, are both haunting and macabre. And all are impeccably crafted, from Bruno Delbonnel's stunning cinematography to Carter Burwell's wonderful Western-themed score and Jess Gonchor's gorgeously detailed production design. A treat for Coen fans and Western fans alike. (Matthew Turner) ■ Available on Netflix and on limited release from Fri 16 Nov.

ACTION

ASSASSINATION NATION (18) 108min ●●●●●

HISTORICAL DRAMA

PETERLOO (12A) 154min ●●●●● Mike Leigh’s latest arrives painted on a far greater canvas than he’s previously attempted in his illustrious career. While you can still expect intimate domestic exchanges, the backdrop is a real historical event: the 1819 massacre at St Peter’s Field in Manchester, when a pro-democracy protest was overrun by the military. Beginning on the battlefields at Waterloo with a young bugler (David Moorst) surrounded by carnage, the tone is set for what will be – on Leigh’s own terms – an epic. The shell-shocked soldier soon returns to the bosom of his family, his mother Nellie played by the great Maxine Peake, an actress who could have been working with Leigh her whole life. Leigh crafts an ensemble story that follows various parties – magistrates, reformers, the Prince Regent – until they coalesce in Manchester, showing what it takes to achieve change, epitomised by the excellent Rory Kinnear as radical orator Henry Hunt. With so many disparate characters, Peterloo struggles at times to gel. But there can be no denying the film’s passion, or the craftsmanship that brings 19th-century England so vividly to life. And, as powerful as the final scenes are, it’s the quieter moments that linger. (James Mottram) ■ General release from Fri 2 Nov.

Has social media spawned the rise of self-righteous, pitchfork wielding bigots, quick to judge anyone who doesn’t fit into their bubble? Director and writer Sam Levinson’s modern spin on the Salem witch trials captures the chaos and confusion of living online with electrifying clarity. When a small town gets hacked by an anonymous force, with people’s secrets leaking into a public forum, a climate of hate and distrust spreads like a virus. The casting of singer Abra, Hari Nef, Suki Waterhouse and Odessa Young as a group of rebellious teenagers is one of the many genius moves this film makes. They share a natural chemistry that adds to the authentic flavour of their friendship, and this credibility means that, when it all kicks off and they feel pain, fury and distress, the audience feels it too. Levinson’s cine-literate approach references a multitude of films including American Beauty and the Stray Cat Rock series, while an intense tracking shot from outside a house brings to mind Dario Argento’s Tenebrae. Levinson’s brutal visuals compound with the high-pitched mass hysteria to paint a bloody portrait of modern America that plays out like a terrifying horror film. (Katherine McLaughlin) ■ General release from Fri 23 Nov.

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REVIEWS | FILM

list.co.uk/ﬁlm

CRIME DRAMA

HORROR MUSICAL

DRAMA

SHOPLIFTERS

ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE

WILDLIFE

(TBC) 121min ●●●●●

(TBC) 92min ●●●●●

(12A) 105min ●●●●●

How do people whom society has deemed insignificant forge a sense of their own value? That’s the central concern of this latest work by the Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda, already one of the most acclaimed of his busy and feted career. This Cannes Palme d’Or winner isn’t rarefied or smug: not only is it warmly accessible thanks to the pulsing humanity of its performances, but its story goes far beyond tender-hearted social realism into darker and more morally challenging territory. We join Osamu (Lily Franky) as he and pre-teen Shota (Jyo Kairi) go on one of the shoplifting jaunts that keep their household going. The motley crew with whom they share their dilapidated digs expands by one when Osamu and Shota meet a little girl they judge will be better off with them. Their group may be low on material resources, but is rich in warmth and resilience – at least until things take a trickier turn. The film's gorgeous aesthetics can be discomfiting: as the content becomes more testing, it can feel odd to be basking in painterly, perfectly lit compositions. But it’s a film about love, in the end; and the loving attention to visual detail is of a piece with the steadfast attention to intricacies of character and feeling. (Hannah McGill) ■ Limited release from Fri 23 Nov.

Like Glee spliced with Shaun of the Dead, this zomcom musical sees the deceased rise up from their resting places to pulverise Christmas. John McPhail’s sophomore feature might have been shot in Scotland but the array of accents render the location less than distinct. Thankfully what it lacks in local colour it makes up for tenfold in commercial appeal. Motherless teen Anna (Ella Hunt) and her lovesick bestie John (Malcolm Cumming) are on the cusp of graduating secondary school when they find themselves in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. In the context of all the carnage, the songs from Roddy Hart (The Lonesome Fire) and Tommy Reilly are surprisingly effervescent – perky pop and power ballads which are performed with gusto by the fine young cast, while comedian Paul Kaye goes full pantomime villain in a wonderfully hissable performance. The need to keep things up-tempo can undermine the tension and it’s better at being irreverent than earnest. But, if horror and musical fanatics aren’t natural bedfellows, this deserves to find its audience. Boasting a self-aware streak a mile wide, it’s a sure-fire Christmas crowd-pleaser that comes splattered with blood and sprinkled in glitter. (Emma Simmonds) ■ General release from Fri 30 Nov.

Actor Paul Dano delivers an impressive directorial debut with this adaptation of Richard Ford’s novel. Co-written with his partner Zoe Kazan, Wildlife is a haunting, elegantly handled portrait of American family life in an era where gender inequality had major sway on income and decision-making. Set in Great Falls, Montana in 1960, 14-year-old Joe (Ed Oxenbould) watches his parent’s marriage disintegrate when they encounter money troubles, coming of age amid the realisation that they are flawed human beings. His father Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal) loses his job at a golf club for being too chummy with the clients and his pride stops him from taking it back after they admit they’ve made a mistake. When he runs away to fight a wildfire, Joe’s mother Jeanette (Carey Mulligan) goes into a tailspin. Dano guides all his actors to great performances but Mulligan turns in what may be her best to date, playing a woman on the edge. Her transformation from wholesome housewife to desperate drunk is fiery and mesmerising. Rather than absorbing itself in Jerry’s brooding masculinity, Dano shifts the film’s gaze to a woman striving for independence, and what that means to her teenage son. (Katherine McLaughlin) ■ General release from Fri 9 Nov.

HORROR

SUSPIRIA (TBC) 152min ●●●●● Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s horror landmark Suspiria continually acknowledges its predecessor (original star Jessica Harper appears), but looks to the cinema of Rainer Werner Fassbinder for aesthetic and political inspiration. The Tanz Dance Academy has moved from Freiburg to a divided Berlin in 1977, where power struggles between the generations form the basis for a brutal waltz through a history of organised violence and guilt. The hugely ambitious Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson) has made her way to the school from Ohio to audition for Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton), who immediately sees her potential. Yet, just like in the original, there is significant discord inside the oppressive walls of this establishment. A rebellious student, Patricia (Chloë Grace Moretz), has fled in fear of what she believes are a coven of witches. Susie differs greatly from the first film, with a poised Johnson displaying the prowess and confidence of a character who is titillated and drawn to power and the macabre, and who challenges tradition. Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, I Am Love) and writer David Kajganich play with the mythology of The Three Mothers, using feminist imagery, expressive dance and real historical events to present a richly provocative piece of modern art. Thom Yorke’s score is melancholic and pared back compared to Goblin’s lurid prog rock, yet it retains the sighs and screams to complement the bone-crunching, explosive intensity of the visual carnage that occasionally punctures the grubby, beige backdrop. Some of the horrific scenes superbly recall Andrzej Zulawski’s work, but others don’t quite match that menace, instead evoking Rob Zombie’s brand of hellish design. (Katherine McLaughlin) ■ General release from Fri 16 Nov. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 93

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Celebrating 40 years as Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading independent cinema

COMING IN NOVEMBER

OM MA.C E N I C USE ROAD ILMHO LOTHIAN F . W 8 WW USE | 8 H | EH3 9BZ O H M L FI URG EDINB

The best in new arthouse cinema, including Widows, Peterloo and Outlaw King cult classics from Some Like It Hot to Thelma and Louise, the French Film Festival D VHDVRQ RI Ã¹OP VHOHFWHG E\ Mark Cousins and more! edf ilmfestmemories.org.uk | memories@edfilmfest.org.uk

94 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018â&#x20AC;&#x201C;31 Jan 2019

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REVIEWS | FILM

list.co.uk/ﬁlm

DRAMA

CRIME BIOPIC

COMEDY

DISOBEDIENCE

THE OLD MAN & THE GUN

SORRY TO BOTHER YOU

(15) 114min ●●●●●

(TBC) 93min ●●●●●

(15) 112min ●●●●●

Sebastián Lelio’s latest tale of female liberation – following A Fantastic Woman and Gloria – is a tonally muted portrait of a cloistered community, based on Naomi Alderman’s novel. After the flamboyance that preceded it, Lelio’s first English-language film is comparatively dour but, thanks to the subtle and striking work of its leads, remains largely engaging. New York-based photographer Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is the only child of a giant of the Orthodox Jewish faith (Anton Lesser). Called back to her Hendon home upon his death, Ronit is startled to find her teenage lover Esti (Rachel McAdams) enduring a stifled existence as wife to her father’s prodigy Dovid (Alessandro Nivola). Danny Cohen’s claustrophobic cinematography emphasises the challenge of living within a closeknit, watchful flock, while the washed-out palette reflects Ronit’s cool reception, the community’s pious existence and the chill of grief. Weisz, McAdams and Nivola beautifully capture the complexity and contradictions of their characters and, while Disobedience lacks overt power, there are pleasures in the minor details. However, it feels less sure as it wears on, culminating in an ending that’s as clumsy as it is cathartic. (Emma Simmonds) ■ General release from Fri 30 Nov.

David Lowery’s latest, The Old Man & the Gun, is the story of real-life ‘gentleman’ bank robber Forrest Tucker, a career-criminal and perpetual prison escapee. It’s a film that is less a traditional biopic and more an unabashed nod to American crime films of the 1970s, like The Friends of Eddie Coyle and Prime Cut. It’s also a tribute to its star, Robert Redford. If this is – as Redford says it will be – his final film, then the actor is ending on a fitting note. Tucker sits neatly alongside Redford’s other characters, as if Lowery’s film was a perfect summation of one of Hollywood’s great careers. Set in the twilight of his robbing days, Tucker never uses a gun and is almost polite in his stick-ups, which are conducted with two felon friends (Tom Waits and Danny Glover). On his tail is Texas lawman John Hunt (Lowery regular Casey Affleck), while Jewel (Sissy Spacek), a farm widow he takes a shine to, offers a chance for love, redemption and another way of life. Lovingly rendered by Joe Anderson’s grainy cinematography, there’s tremendous skill in evidence here and, with Redford in such a playful mood, it’s hard to resist Tucker or his exploits. Frankly, it’d be a crime to miss this. (James Mottram) ■ General release from Fri 7 Dec.

Musician-activist turned filmmaker Boots Riley’s feature debut is a breathless, widely inventive anticapitalist tirade as strident as it is comical. It also bites off way more than it can chew but it is so full of attitude and anarchy that resistance seems futile. Riley makes the most of rising star Lakeith Stanfield, who oozes empathy as downtrodden drudge Cassius Green. His chance at economic salvation comes with a new job at a soulless call centre where fellow telemarketer Langston (Danny Glover) advises him to 'use your white voice'. The ploy works, marking Cassius out as a star employee and placing him within touching distance of becoming a PC (Power Caller). Will he buy into the system, sell his soul and risk losing his performance artist-activist girlfriend Detroit (Tessa Thompson)? Sorry To Bother You is brash and unruly but offers some sharp commentary on race, power, corporate greed and a working environment that feels like modern day slavery. It is frequently funny, but runs out of steam about two-thirds of the way through, turning increasingly absurdist and revealing the inexperience of a filmmaker who, nevertheless, is a striking new voice in American cinema. (Allan Hunter) ■ General release from Fri 7 Dec.

DRAMA

ROMA (TBC) 135min ●●●●● Alfonso Cuarón’s Venice Golden Lion winner ROMA is an exquisitely crafted love letter to the people and places that populated his youth. Shot on 65mm in black and white, it has an epic grandeur matched with a quiet intimacy that turns its attention to the life of a middle class family and their loyal servant Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio). Set in the Roma district of Mexico City over 1970 and 1971, it draws the viewer into the domestic upheavals of Cleo, her employer Sofía (Marina de Tavira) and a brood of boisterous young children, while also acknowledging tumultuous times in the life of the country. A shopping trip stumbles into the heart of the Corpus Christi massacre, an earthquake strikes in a hospital neonatal unit, forest fires erupt during a New Year’s celebration. There is the sense of a clear and present danger all around. Clinging to each other may be the only way to survive. Cuarón’s narrative unfolds as a cinematic scrapbook of memories, concentrating on the squabbles between bickering children, trips to the cinema to see Marooned and La Grande Vadrouille and the prolonged absence of a father who is said to be in Canada at a conference. Cleo discovers that she is pregnant by a man with no sense of loyalty to her and Sofía is as supportive and caring as she can be. Cleo may cook, clean, babysit and meet every other whim of the family but she is almost one of them. Thoroughly absorbing and gently touching, ROMA opens a window into the past and has the feel of an Italian neo-realist classic. In Cuarón’s melancholy reflections on lost times, the men cause the trouble and the women endure, nurture and accept the necessity of keeping calm and carrying on. (Allan Hunter) ■ Available on Netflix and on selected cinematic release from Fri 14 Dec. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 95

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FILM | REVIEWS

CRIME DRAMA

WHITE BOY RICK (15) 111min ●●●●●

HISTORICAL COMEDY

THE FAVOURITE (15) 119min ●●●●● Brash, bawdy and utterly beguiling, The Favourite is something of a deceptive confection. While it may play as a broad period farce, underneath the pomp and powdered wigs it makes scathing commentary about the devastating nature of power struggles that remains blisteringly relevant in this Brexit/Trump age. With early 18th-century England being ruled by the infantile, ineffectual Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), her closest confidante, Lady Sarah Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), expertly uses her influence to assume control. When Sarah’s charming young cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives in search of work, however, she soon captures the Queen’s attention and begins to usurp Sarah as favourite. In its depiction of the royal court, The Favourite eschews tightly-corseted, austere notions of history to positively luxuriate in unfettered decadence. Yet director Yorgos Lanthimos is more concerned with exploring the dark corners of the palace, where secrets and lies are traded like currency. The film’s gender politics are deliciously pertinent. The intense battle of wits between these women is fought entirely by intelligence and cunning, yet both Sarah and Abigail know how to use their veneer of respectability – and, when it suits, femininity and sexuality – as both sword and shield. Only Queen Anne seems to be honest in her childlike responses; which, tellingly, leaves her open to being controlled like a puppet on a string. As Anne, Olivia Colman puts in a commanding, often heartbreaking performance, nailing the comedy of the character but also the grief and heartache that informs her idiosyncrasies. Weisz and Stone are equally as stunning, never losing sight of the human instincts – love, security, survival – that fuel their outlandish behaviours. (Nikki Baughan) ■ General release from Tue 1 Jan.

Richie Merritt plays Rick Wershe, a teenage boy growing up in the bleak landscape of 1980’s Detroit. Rick’s father (a back-tohis-best Matthew McConaughey) dreams of setting up a chain of video stores, but uses his son to hustle local arms dealers. A visit from law-enforcement agent Alex Snyder (Jennifer Jason Leigh) provides Wershe Jr with the chance to deflect attention from his father by performing some low-level intelligence for the FBI. White Boy Rick is a gangster film with an original slant; Rick is a non-violent character in a world where guns are part of domestic life. But the film falters in the closing stretches; Merritt served 30 years in jail, and the reasons are not clear here. There’s a sense of injustice, but the emphasis is on the sympathetic detail of Rick’s family life, never examining exactly how he fell foul of authorities. Despite such issues, White Boy Rick often excels as a drama, with Meritt, McConaughey and Bel Powley (as Rich’s drug addict sister) all on great form, and Demange flipping nimbly between cold, empty streets and sweaty, colourful clubs. It’s an entertaining ride, but the lack of a knock-out punch lessens the impact of careful work all round. (Eddie Harrison) ■ General release from Fri 7 Dec.

BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA

BEAUTIFUL BOY (TBC) 112min ●●●●●

BIOPIC

COLETTE (TBC) 111min ●●●●● Based on the life of bisexual French literary icon Colette, this biopic from Still Alice’s Wash Westmoreland is, at points, as frisky and fabulous as the woman herself. It takes us from Colette’s peaceful existence in the country to her wild days in Paris at the turn of the 19th century, following her marriage to Henry Gauthier-Villars (played here by Dominic West). Keira Knightley delivers a fantastic performance in the title role. Though the film can’t always keep up with her, it still has a cheeky likeability. West has fun with a role that is mostly a sideshow, twirling his moustache and rubbing his belly as he manipulates his wife into becoming a ghost writer. It’s easy to get whisked up in Colette’s sexual revolution and watching Knightley flirt with anyone she takes a fancy to makes for gloriously entertaining viewing. With each personal change comes a brilliant new look, with costumes to die for from Andrea Flesch. In a film all about reinvention, it’s a shame Westmoreland doesn’t take heed from his courageous protagonist and adopt a more adventurous approach. Still, when Colette takes flight it’s a pleasurable rite of passage about a woman striving for independence. (Katherine McLaughlin) ■ General release from Fri 25 Jan.

Belgian director Felix Van Groeningen makes a smooth, heartrending transition to English-language fare with Beautiful Boy, a true-life tale of a family torn apart by addiction that follows the never-ending cycle of rehab and relapse. Powerful core performances from Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet transform the film into a reckoning between father and son as they navigate the guilt, betrayal and loss that unfurl as the addiction takes hold. Guilt appears to have always been a defining element of the relationship between journalist David Sheff (Carell) and his son Nic (Chalamet). The younger Nic is a casualty of his parents’ divorce. The older Nic is a shining student with a brilliant future ahead of him. He is also a party animal whose fondness for experimentation begins to tip over from casual drug use to fullblown meth dependency. Handsomely photographed but inevitably tending towards the repetitive, the film teases out the raw emotion in a story that can start to seem staid and formulaic. A pale, haunted Chalamet dominates, confirming his status as one of the best and brightest of his generation; he could well be heading back to the Oscars one year on from Call Me by Your Name. (Allan Hunter) ■ General release from Fri 18 Jan.

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REVIEWS | FILM

list.co.uk/ﬁlm

HISTORICAL DRAMA

ROMANTIC DRAMA

POLITICAL BIOPIC

LIZZIE

LIFE ITSELF

THE FRONT RUNNER

(TBC) 106min ●●●●●

(TBC) 118min ●●●●●

(15) 113min ●●●●●

Writers as diverse as Ed McBain and Angela Carter have attempted to read between the lines of the court case of Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her father and stepmother with an axe. Here, working from a script by Bryce Kass, director Craig William Macneill views lurid events through the prism of the #MeToo movement, aided by a strong sense of visual austerity and two ideally cast leads. First encountered in 1892, Borden (a glacial, dialed back Chloë Sevigny) is a young girl restricted by the mores of her time. The arrival of Irish maid Bridget (Kristen Stewart) offers a dangerously transformative influence on Lizzie, and the pair take tentative steps towards an illicit affair that threatens the patriarchy’s cruel rule. The considerable time devoted to depicting their constrained relationship is the point; the final violent explosion of rage is held back until a full and bloody depiction in the film’s finale. What’s argued by Macneill’s uneven but pertinent drama is that society was firmly rigged in favour of men, and that systematic abuse resulted. Lizzie Borden’s violence is depicted as a feminist reaction to male oppression; a relevant thesis that’s baldly, but plausibly expressed here. (Eddie Harrison) ■ General release from Fri 14 Dec.

A hit television series like This Is Us wins you a lot of good will. Life Itself trades on that, as series creator Dan Fogelman unleashes a sprawling, unruly, multigenerational tearjerker that attempts to transfer his television template to the more constricted space of a two-hour movie. Unreliable narrators and imperfect men are the recurring themes in a film divided into five chapters. Fogelman begins playfully enough with a focus on Will (Oscar Isaac) and conversations with therapist Cait Morris (Annette Bening) in which he tentatively confronts the giddy highs and bruising lows of his marriage to Abby (Olivia Wilde). The circle is gradually widened to include the lives of Will and Abby’s friends, family, loved ones and subsequent generations including their fierce daughter Dylan (Olivia Cooke). The mood becomes more reflective when the story shifts to Spain and philosophical olive grower Saccione (Antonio Banderas). We do eventually learn all the ties that bind the characters but to get there we are subject to a manic, messy film in which screwball comedy gives way to breathless romance and then sentimental melodrama. It is a film that feels restless and agitated, offering glib thoughts on profound matters. (Allan Hunter) ■ Limited release from Fri 4 Jan.

The cautionary tale of a politician who went from hero to zero in just three weeks, Jason Reitman’s tantalising drama promises much in its intention to portray how the American political landscape shifted seismically in 1988. Gary Hart (played impressively by Hugh Jackman) was a US Senator from Colorado who had a commanding lead in the polls over his Democrat rivals to run for the presidency. Alas, he couldn’t keep his pants on. And while, historically, the media had long turned a blind eye to the hanky panky of presidents and likely leaders, something had changed. It would have been nice to know what was so great about Hart’s big ideas. There are a lot of Altmanesque scenes in which everyone is talking over each other, which add to the growing sense that no one is terribly clear about what this film is trying to say. It’s also a let-down that the women are underused, especially Vera Farmiga as the humiliated Mrs Hart. JK Simmons steals the picture as Hart’s campaign manager, with his terse, ripe one-liners conveying much-needed passion and fury. Otherwise, despite the talented cast and meaty themes, this comes off disappointingly mealy-mouthed, and it’s hard to care. (Angie Errigo) ■ General release from Fri 25 Jan.

BIOGRAPHY

STAN & OLLIE (TBC) 97min ●●●●● Scottish filmmaker Jon S Baird’s Stan & Ollie opens with a bravura tracking shot as world famous double act Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C Reilly) walk through a bustling film studio. Gossiping and arguing with studio boss Hal Roach (Danny Huston), they finally arrive on set to perform a scene from 1937’s Way Out West – a cowboy-themed story that would, in time, become regarded as their masterpiece. Aside from being technically impressive, it’s a beautiful way to encapsulate this comic duo at the height of their fame. But Baird’s film, written by Jeff Pope (Oscar-nominated for scripting Philomena), is not about two men conquering Hollywood. The story winds on 16 years; Laurel and Hardy are still together but no longer so in demand. Back in postwar Britain, they are on a live tour, in the hope of bankrolling their next picture. But has their time passed? After football hooligan tale Cass and Irvine Welsh adaptation Filth, this is undeniably Baird’s most ambitious film – a classy look at the grueling nature of showbiz, and issues of loyalty and trust that come with being a double act. The film particularly livens up when Hardy’s wife Lucille (Shirley Henderson) and Laurel’s partner Ida (Nina Arianda) arrive for moral support. Old wounds are inevitably opened; notably, Hardy’s decision to briefly go solo. Coogan is particularly good at Laurel, totally nailing his onscreen comic persona (one moment, where he tries to entertain a receptionist with a bowler hat trick is done to a tee). Reilly manages to inhabit Hardy too, although the heavy prosthetics do leave him hampered at times. But with Baird and Pope subtly weaving Laurel and Hardy’s routines into the very fabric of the story, it’s a very loving, affectionate nod to two of cinema’s greats. (James Mottram) ■ General release from Fri 11 Jan. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 97

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FILM | HIGHLIGHTS

FILM HIGHLIGHTS THE GRINCH Benedict Cumberbatch voices the titular grump as he attempts to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville. Out Fri 9 Nov. SUSPIRIA Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s original references historical violence and guilt and it’s a richly provocative piece of modern art, with sighs, screams and occasional explosions of bone-crunching intensity. See review, page 93. Out Fri 16 Nov. THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB Sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, now starring Claire Foy as iconic hero Lisbeth Salander. Out Wed 21 Nov. ASSASSINATION NATION Four girls fight for survival after a data hack in Salem. See review, page 92. Out Fri 23 Nov. ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE Polished, self-aware and pleasingly irreverent zombie musical, spattered with blood and sprinkled with glitter, a surefire Christmas crowdpleaser. See review, page 93. Out Fri 30 Nov. DISOBEDIENCE A woman shunned by her Orthodox Jewish community for loving another woman returns, only to pick up the relationship where they left it. See review, page 95. Out Fri 30 Nov. RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET Comedy sequel set six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph. Out Fri 30 Nov. THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS In 1980 three complete strangers discovered they were identical triplets. And that’s just the start of the story told by this extraordinary documentary. Out Fri 30 Nov.

HITLIST

WILDLIFE Paul Dano’s directorial debut is an impressive adaptation (co-written with Zoe Kazan) of Richard Ford’s novel, with a fiery and mesmerising performance from Carey Mulligan as a woman on the edge. Haunting and elegantly done. See review, page 93. Out Fri 9 Nov.

Films are listed by release date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

RETURN OF THE HERO Comedy romp starring Jean Dujardin as a swashbuckling swindler who tries to take advantage of an aristocratic family. Out Fri 7 Dec. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Sci-fi tale about a telemarketer who discovers a magical way to success, which brings with it unexpected consequences. See review, page 95. Out Fri 7 Dec. WHITE BOY RICK The story of a teenager who became an informant for the FBI during the 1980s until things went very wrong. See review, page 96. Out Fri 7 Dec. AQUAMAN Jason Momoa stars as the heir to Atlantis in the latest DC superhero flick. Out Fri 14 Dec. FREE SOLO The story of Alex Honnold, the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite’s 3,000ft high El Capitan Wall. Out Fri 14 Dec. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT Matt Dillon is convincingly sinister, but it’s just Lars Von Trier playing with killer thriller tropes and poking fun at perceptions of himself, and it’s difficult to get offended by such an obvious attempt to provoke. Out Fri 14 Dec. MORTAL ENGINES Based on the series of books, the novel premise of Mortal Engines features enormous cities, wandering the land, devouring each other. Out Fri 14 Dec. MARY POPPINS RETURNS Long-awaited sequel to the Disney classic, featuring Emily Blunt as the titular magical nanny. Out Fri 21 Dec. HOLMES AND WATSON Another take on the detective duo, starring Will Ferrell and John C Reilly. Out Wed 26 Dec.

Mary Poppins Returns

WELCOME TO MARWEN Steve Carell plays a man who constructs a model world to help him recover from a brutal attack. Out Tue 1 Jan.

STAN AND OLLIE The true story of Hollywood’s greatest comedy duo act, with Steve Coogan and John C Reilly as the iconic pair. See review, page 97. Out Fri 11 Jan.

LIFE ITSELF Drama following a couple from first meeting to marriage to the birth of their child. See review, page 97. Out Fri 4 Jan.

BEAUTIFUL BOY True-life story of family breakdown, capturing the neverending cycle of rehab and relapse; handsomely photographed but repetitive and a bit formulaic, but Timothée Chalamet is outstanding. See review, page 96. Out Fri 18 Jan.

COLETTE Colette fights to have her literary talents recognised, after her husband forced her to write novels under his name. See review, page 96. Out Fri 11 Jan. THE FRONT RUNNER Drama about an American senator whose presidential campaign is thrown of the rails following a scandalous affair. See review, page 97. Out Fri 11 Jan.

CREED 2 Rocky Balboa trains Apollo Creed’s son to fight against the son of Ivan Drago. Out Fri 30 Nov. Fantastic Beasts

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD More fantasy adventures in the Potterverse. Out Fri 16 Nov.

THE OLD MAN & THE GUN Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford in his self-proclaimed final role) and his escape from San

GLASS M Night Shyamalan hopes to continue his recent run of good films with this sequel to Unbreakable and Split. Out Fri 18 Jan. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS Historical drama telling the story of the ill-fated Mary Stuart. Out Fri 18 Jan.

Quentin at the age of 70. See review, page 95. Out Fri 7 Dec. VICE Biopic on George W Bush’s Veep, Dick Cheney, featuring an unrecognisable Christian Bale. Out Fri 25 Jan. THE FAVOURITE In the court of Queen Anne

(Olivia Colman), power is wielded by Lady Sarah Marlborough (Weisz), but then Sarah’s young cousin Abigail (Stone) arrives. Brash, bawdy and beguiling, with great work from Weisz and Stone and a commanding performance from Colman as the ailing Queen. See review, page 96. Out Tue 1 Jan.

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KIDS FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /KIDS

WEE HANSEL & GRETEL AND WEE CINDERELLA Scottish Ballet dishes up bite-sized fairy tale ballets for youngsters meet the dancers in the foyer, followed by an introduction to the storyline and a few of the key characters. To avoid any fear of the dark, auditorium lights will stay on – and a live relay of the performance will be shown in a quiet space outside to ensure anyone who has to leave can still watch the action. There’s also some interactive fun to be had during the interval, courtesy of the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. (Kelly Apter) ■ Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 1–Sat 3 Nov (Hansel & Gretel); Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Fri 21 Dec and Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 11 Jan (Cinderella).

PHOTO: ANDY ROSS

As magical and full of wonder as Scottish Ballet’s Christmas shows are, when you’ve yet to reach double figures, staying focused can be a challenge. So, in a bid to open up two of Christopher Hampson’s fairy tale ballets to a younger audience, the company has tweaked and pruned them into a perfect bite-size package. Aimed at children aged 3-8 and their families, Wee Hansel & Gretel and Wee Cinderella will have all the pointe-shoed splendour of their bigger counterparts, but with a few key differences. Lasting for just under an hour, the shows will start with an opportunity to

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KIDS | PREVIEWS ADAPTATION

YOU CHOOSE Festival Square Spiegeltent, Edinburgh, Fri 30 Nov–Sat 5 Jan Nonsense Room Productions has come a long way from putting on small-scale Edinburgh Fringe performances of Hairy Maclary. The company now has a global reach with tours of Asia and Australia on its CV, and is proud to be back in the Scottish capital to play a major part in this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations. In the Spiegeltent just off Lothian Road, Nonsense Room will put on a show that’s never the same twice across the festive period. Based on the hugely successful book by writer Pippa Goodhart and author-illustrator Nick Sharratt, You Choose is an interactive musical production that creates a unique story every time through a series of challenges and games. ‘The audience will experience the usual ingredients of our previous shows such as Hairy Maclary or Shark in the Park,’ explains Nonsense Room’s musical director, Matthew Brown. ‘So there’s a colourful set design, friendly characters, catchy songs and a real sense of fun. But the twist for this production, is that it culminates in a final scene where elements such as location, costume, characters, pets and friends are determined by audience choices.’ Also, through a series of game show-style sections, one half of the audience will compete against the other to choose the location and vote for their favourite act in a spoof talent competition. After the success of Shark in the Park, this is Nonsense Room’s second venture into the books of Nick Sharratt. What is it about his stories that appeals to kids as well as to the company? ‘Nick’s work is instantly recognisable and his artistic style has an element of theatricality that enables the transition from page to stage to be particularly effective,’ says Brown. ‘We had a great experience working together previously, with Nick coming up with the set design for Shark in the Park, and we’re thrilled to be repeating the process for You Choose.’ (Brian Donaldson)

INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCE

MUSIC FESTIVAL

FLUTTER

BIG MUSIC FOR MINIS

Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, Sun 25–Thu 29 Nov; Platform, Glasgow, Sat 1–Wed 5 Dec; Dundee Rep Theatre, Tue 18–Sat 22 Dec

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov

Already well-respected for their puppet theatre productions aimed at both adults and children, Tortoise in a Nutshell’s past hits include Feral, Grit and The Lost Things. The company’s latest piece is a Christmas show aimed at younger audience members, and its upcoming tour a revival from last year, when Flutter had a brief airing. ‘We wanted to do a piece that reflects the season of winter through its sensory and visual aspects,’ says Tortoise in a Nutshell’s Arran Howie, a designer on the show and also one of the two-handed cast for this current tour along with Christie Mitchell. ‘It’s about working with the textures that young audiences enjoy – a celebration and an exploration of the season of winter, in which the audience feel immersed and get a sense of playfulness.’ Directed by Matt Addicott and aimed at children between the ages of two and six, the piece was devised by the company with the help of dramaturgs Alex Bird and Ross MacKay, and tells the broad story of two sisters who go out into their back garden to discover it’s been transformed by fresh snowfall. ‘It’s a completely new playing canvas for them to discover, where something that used to be a shed now looks like a mountain,’ says Howie. ‘They take out their toy penguin and lose it, and while they search for him there’s a sense that animals might be hibernating in the garden and things could be coming to life. So there’s a mix of imagination and magic there.’ (David Pollock)

If you had the option of sitting still and listening quietly to music or getting fully involved in the creation of sounds with some top musical talents, there’s surely no contest. The people behind Big Music for Minis, a weekend event aimed at those aged 0–7 and now in its sixth annual incarnation, know this only too well. ‘To me, music is the most important subject in the world as it connects us all as human beings,’ says Christopher Barr, concert and learning participation producer at Glasgow Life. ‘It’s never too early to introduce children to high-quality music-making which will no doubt have an impact on their lives. The main aim is to provide fun, exciting and high-impact music-learning activities.’ This year’s delights include Mini Beatz running an afternoon club with live DJ and musical activities, the National Youth Choir of Scotland presenting two hands-on events including a large choir for young children, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra performing Jack and the Beanstalk, and an opportunity for children to get drumming with Big Groove Samba for Minis. Meanwhile, the exhibition hall will be turned into the outer limits by Cosmos Planetarium with a musical journey through space and time, and there's a family ceilidh, too. ‘We’re essentially running one big TRSMT Festival, but for children!’ insists Barr. ‘We turn the Royal Concert Hall into a large musical crèche and work tirelessly to ensure that we give the children and their families the best possible experience.’ (Brian Donaldson)

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HIGHLIGHTS | KIDS

KIDS HIGHLIGHTS GLASGOW FAMILY DAY Kelvin Hall, Sat Nov 10, kelvinhall. org.uk Celebrate Kelvin Hall’s second birthday at this fun-filled circus and carnival themed-party, with plenty of activities for the whole family. GLASGLOW Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Thu 1–Sun 4 Nov, glasgowbotanicgardens.com Sound and light show that transforms the Botanic Gardens into a magical world of fantasy and dragons, complete with firepits for toasting marshmallows and a food village. PUFFIN Platform, Thu 1 Nov, independentartsprojects.com/ puffin Story of a young girl’s friendship with a puffin and our relationship to wildlife, the environment and each other.Also Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Sat 10 Nov, then touring, see list.co.uk/kids for details. RIVERSIDE CHRISTMAS FAIR Riverside Museum, Sat 1 & Sun 2 Dec, glasgowlife.org.uk Annual Christmas fair with talks, activities and free children’s rides, as well as a Christmas Market at which to do some holiday shopping. SIGN UP FOR SANTA SCHOOL Scotland Street Museum, Sat 1–Sat 15 Dec, glasgowlife.org.uk Train to become a Santa stand-in and learn some crucial festive skills, just in case there’s a holiday emergency! CHRISTMAS LANTERNS People’s Palace, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Dec, glasgowlife.org.uk Make some festive holiday lanterns at this crafty Christmas workshop.

HITLIST

SCOTTISH BALLET: WEE HANSEL & GRETEL Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thu 1–Sat 3 Nov, scottishballet.co.uk Hansel and Gretel follow a bewitching ballerina into a magical gingerbread house full of dancing sweets and toys, in this show specially adapted for families with young children. See preview, page 99.

IT’S BEGINNING TO SMELL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Dec, glasgowlife.org.uk Be inspired by the Christmas-themed motifs at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery before making your own holiday-scented Play-Doh.

PHOTO: EOIN CAREY

Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

FUNBOX: ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Wed 14–Fri 16 Dec, funbox.co.uk Seasonal sing-along silliness with the Funbox gang, featuring Christmas classics. Also touring, see list. co.uk/kids for details. DUNEDIN CONSORT: CHILDREN’S MESSIAH City Halls, Thu 20 Dec, glasgowlife.org.uk Interactive concert designed to introduce children to Handel’s Messiah, with a special ‘appearance’ from the great composer himself. SATURDAY ART CLUB: XMAS POSTERS Gallery of Modern Art, Sat 22 Dec, glasgowlife.org.uk Creative workshop for kids to make a festive poster just before the holidays, inspired by the exhibitions currently on at the Gallery of Modern Art.

EDINBURGH GORY STORIES: THE KIDS TOUR Mercat Tours, Sat 3 Nov–Sun 27 Jan, mercattours.com Daytime tours for kids that will take them to some of the city’s most horrible haunts, including the infamous Blair Street Underground Vaults. EDINBURGH’S CHRISTMAS Various venues, Fri 16 Nov–Sat 5 Jan, edinburghschristmas.com Edinburgh’s city centre is transformed into a magical festive wonderland, with fairground rides, a Christmas market, a silent disco, enchanting theatre and more.

BIG MUSIC FOR MINIS Various venues, Glasgow, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov, glasgowconcerthalls. com Weekend of musical activities for children aged 0–7 from across Glasgow, featuring everything from family ceilidhs and interactive workshops to musical cabaret and concerts. See preview, page 100.

Edinburgh’s Christmas

CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Fri 23 Nov–Sat 29 Dec, rbge. org.uk Annual winter trail which sees the Botanics festooned with a million twinkling lights and colourful projections. FAMILY ART TOURS Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery, Sat 24 Nov, nationalgalleries.org Short, creative and interactive tours designed to encourage children to chat about and engage with art. The tour will be BSL interpreted. BLACK BEAUTY Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 29 & Fri 30 Nov, redbridgearts.co.uk Superb adaptation of Anna Sewell’s classic tale, brought to life through a blend of storytelling, music and puppetry. Also Platform, Glasgow, Tue 18–Sun 23 Dec, then touring, see list.co.uk/kids for details. FAMILY CEILIDH Scottish Storytelling Centre, Sat 1 Dec, scottishstorytellingcentre.

FLUTTER Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh, Sun 25– Tue 27 Nov; Platform, Glasgow, Sat 1–Wed 5 Dec, tortoiseinanutshell. com Immersive, multisensory performance about the magic of winter that combines puppetry, music and visuals. See preview, page 100. Also touring, see list.co.uk/kids for details.

com Ceilidh for the whole family, with all dances being called and smaller, easier circles for the wee ones. A FAMILY CHRISTMAS AT LAURISTON Lauriston Castle, Sun 9 Dec, edinburghmuseums.org.uk Spend a festive family morning making crafts, listening to storytelling from costumed performers, experiencing an Edwardian magic lantern show and more. POGGLE Studio at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wed 12–Mon 24 Dec, barrowlandballet.co.uk Dance theatre piece about a young boy named Vince who is too scared to climb trees, until he receives some helpful encouragement from a magical forest creature. STORIES ROUND THE TREE Scottish Storytelling Centre, Fri 21 & Sat 22 Dec, scottishstorytellingcentre.com Cosy Christmas storytelling sessions around a beautifully decorated tree, led by Bea Ferguson and Jack Martin.

CHILDREN’S CLASSIC CONCERTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 8 Dec; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 9 Dec, rsno.org.uk The RSNO and Children’s Classic Concerts’ production of Dickens’ festive tale, featuring actors from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

SCOTTISH BALLET: WEE CINDERELLA Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Fri 21 Dec; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 11 Jan, scottishballet.co.uk Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother attend the Royal Ball in this hourlong adaptation of the classic ballet for the little ones. See preview, page 99.

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MUSIC FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /MUSIC

CELTIC CONNECTIONS

Celtic festival returns with a mix of folk, trad, world, indie, jazz, rock and more Not everyone goes into hibernation when the festive season ends. ‘Celtic Connections is the largest winter music festival of its kind and the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music,’ boasts Donald Shaw, Celtic Connection’s creative producer. ‘Every year the festival welcomes over 2000 artists to perform across the city. Each year, the 18 days of entertainment brightens up the dark, wet January nights with a mixture of concerts that include a host of one-off musical collaborations alongside talks, workshops, film screenings, ceilidhs, art exhibitions, free events and latenight sessions.’ The festival started in 1994 with just 66 events – now there are over 300, and through the years, Celtic Connections has expanded its remit encompassing indie, rock, jazz,

country and even electronica alongside the traditional folk and world. ‘Since the festival’s humble beginnings, the music has undoubtedly become more adventurous, more experimental and artists have begun to think of Celtic Connections as an opportunity to create something special outwith their normal performance style,’ says Shaw. ‘Having musicians who are open to exploring all avenues of musical expression means that the audience stays constantly interested in what we’re doing. One-off performances and collaborations have definitely become a key feature of the festival and it’s brilliant that our audience continues to embrace these.’ Themes this year include ‘Celtic Cousins’, celebrating music from Galicia, the Basque Country, Wales and Ireland; ‘Above the

Surface’ showcasing a new generation of multi-genre artists and a series of audio visual performances in ‘Folk Images’. 2019’s line-up includes Judy Collins (pictured), John Grant, Bassekou Kouyate, the Dead South and the Dandy Warhols. However, Shaw is most excited by a very special one-off performance, Grace & Danger: A Celebration of John Martyn. ‘The night will celebrate the man himself as we mark the tenth anniversary of his passing,’ says Shaw. ‘The line-up will include John Martyn’s original band – Danny Thompson, Alan Thomson, Foster Paterson, Arran Ahmun and Graeme Taylor – with special guests including Paul Weller, Lucy Rose, Eddi Reader, Ross Wilson, Rory Butler, Eric Bibb, John Smith, Katie Spencer and the Greg Lawson string section.’ (Henry Northmore) ■ Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan–Sun 3 Feb.

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MUSIC | MC50

P U G N I K KIC A STORM Henry Northmore chats to Wayne Kramer, founder of Detroit proto-punks MC5, as he heads out on tour to celebrate 50 years since the release of their seminal debut album

ayne Kramer never thought he’d be celebrating MC5’s music 50 years after the release of their incendiary debut album Kick Out the Jams. ‘I had no concept of 50 years in the future,’ he chuckles down a crackly phone line from his studio in LA. ‘I wasn’t sure the planet would survive another 10 years in 1968. I thought the chances of us ending up a nuclear cinder in space were much better than lasting 50 years.’ To commemorate this milestone, guitarist Kramer will be leading a new band – dubbed MC50 featuring Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) on guitar, bassist Billy Gould (Faith No More), Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla) on lead vocals and drummer Brendan Canty (Fugazi) – playing the album from start to finish (plus a few other MC5 classics and a couple of covers). ‘My first criteria is that everyone are good people, good solid brothers that know how to work hard and enjoy each other’s company. Time is finite and my time is the most valuable thing I have, so I’m not available for egotrippers and prima donnas, drunks and junkies . . . any more,’ explains Kramer. ‘The band is a real unit, everyone embraces MC5’s message of self-determination and self-advocacy and that all things are possible if you put in the work.’ Their high-octane, politically charged garage rock embraced free jazz and freedom of speech. The only way to capture their energy and raw power was in the live arena. And their debut was recorded over two sweaty nights at the Grande Ballroom in their native Detroit. Now considered a classic, at the time critics were confounded by its intensity (Rolling Stone called it ‘ridiculous, overbearing, pretentious’). ‘The criticism hit me hard,’ admits Kramer. ‘I expected criticism from parents, police, prosecutors and the establishment but I didn’t expect it from our own community in the counter culture. So it just inspired me to work harder and be a better band.’ MC5 refused to compromise and stood up for their beliefs, affiliating themselves with the Black Panthers and performing at Vietnam protests (most famously playing for eight hours outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago before riot police broke up the gathering). ‘Our stance was militantly anti-establishment. I thought it was my patriotic duty to protest a government that was going in the wrong direction. Democracy is participatory, if you don’t like something it’s incumbent on you to do something about it, and there were issues in America in 1968 that I disagreed with: civil rights, the war in Vietnam, polluting the planet, police violence, marijuana laws, outdated sexual mores. I objected to all of these things and we made it part of the art.’ MC5 burned fast and bright. Just three years and two more albums after the release of Kick Out the Jams, the band collapsed. They played their final gig on New Year’s Eve 1972, returning to the Grande Ballroom but this time in front of just a few dozen stalwart fans. ‘It

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MC50 | MUSIC

was heartbreaking, it was devastating; we worked so hard only to have it crumble in front of us, it was a terrible blow.’ Kramer was so upset he walked off stage after just a few songs. ‘There’s a life cycle to bands like there is to everything in nature. The MC5 endured pressure that most bands didn’t have to face. We had the FBI tapping our phones, we were arrested, we were indicted, we were harassed by police departments around the world plus we never made any money and you’ve got to put food on the table, bands can’t exist on good intentions. The MC5 never achieved any commercial success, we never pulled the golden horseshoe out of our ass.’ It wasn’t until decades later that Kramer realised the impact and influence the Motor City 5 had on the world of music. After the band broke up, Kramer struggled with drug addiction (even spending two years in prison after selling cocaine to undercover officers in 1975), worked odd jobs and drifted in and out of various bands before playing with several versions of the MC5 since a partial reunion in 2003 (sadly Kramer and drummer Dennis Thompson are now the only surviving members). Now often cited as one of the founding fathers of punk rock, it’s this status that’s allowed Kramer to secure the insanely impressive line-up of musicians for this current tour, all paying respect to an artist, a band, an album and a legacy that influenced their own music and careers. The politics and sentiments on Kick Out the Jams feel strangely prescient in the modern world. Unsurprisingly, Kramer is troubled by the current political climate in America. When we speak, it’s the eve of Brett Kavanaugh being sworn in to the US Supreme Court, despite protests and allegations of sexual assault. ‘It fits the pattern of corruption; all this starts at the top and the top man is the President of the United States and he has corruption in his DNA, in his blood, and it just spills out from him, so I’m not surprised at what’s happening and I find it an international embarrassment and a national disgrace. He’s a third-generation, white nationalist, organised crime figure and he should be in The Hague.’ Wayne Kramer’s still kicking out the jams after all these years. MC50 play O2 Academy, Glasgow, Sat 10 Nov. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 105

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MUSIC | MABEL

HOT SHOT

Kenza Marland catches up with Mabel, the fast-rising star of the R&B scene who boasts some serious musical genes

t just 22 years old, R&B singer Mabel is beginning to garner increasing attention from the music world. Her smooth, clean vocals and uptempo tracks have set her apart as an R&B artist to be taken seriously. Debut single ‘Know Me Better’ was released in 2015 and real success arrived in 2017 when her track ‘Finders Keepers’ reached number eight in the UK charts. Despite not yet releasing a full-length album, Mabel has already been nominated for two MOBO awards, and was the winner of the MTV Brand New award this year. With latest single release, ‘One Shot’, and a UK tour at the end of the year, this could be a real breakout period for the young artist. As the daughter of Swedish singer-songwriter star Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack’s Christopher McVey, Mabel has potentially inherited some pretty golden musical genetics. This, in combination with a childhood full of music and growing up in multiple locations, has led to a confident, assured vocalist ready to excel. ‘There were studios in the house and music was everywhere.’ says Mabel, on her earlier years. ‘When you are a kid, you don’t really reflect on things like that, you just think it is normal. You kind of just adapt to whatever, so it was never weird at all.’ After being raised predominantly in Stockholm – among other places – Mabel is now mainly based in London. ‘Stockholm has a certain sound which is very sick and I’d definitely say both inspire

me, but it wasn’t until I moved to London that I really found my sound.’ Her music has a playful, dancey vibe with a distinctive edge. Her voice is crisp, yet warm, and in her words, she tends to make ‘soulful pop’. ‘When I was younger I would listen to Lauryn Hill, Destiny’s Child, Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah: lots of 90s R&B. Now I would say there are so many other influential women in music that are really inspiring like Jorja Smith and Kehlani. Loads of different genres have influenced me, but mainly I love R&B.’ Her latest single, ‘One Shot’ is a summery dance track. ‘It’s about setting the bar high and being upfront with the person you’re with. I think there is a misconception that being open and honest, and saying what it is you want is something we should be embarrassed about. But that’s just not me. I am a very honest person, I always tell somebody what I am looking for, and I don’t want people to waste my time basically. ‘People interest me, and I think that is kind of why we are all here, right? Everyone wants love in some way, in some shape or form. And it’s interesting. You go through so many different things, looking for the right experiences, and I feel like I learn something new every time I meet somebody. So I like observing that process and then writing the stories.’ In a world with ever more focus on gender equality and the rights of women, Mabel has clear opinions on her role as an emerging female artist: ‘I think the best thing that I can do is be myself. I don’t know about being a role model, I think placing that sort of title on myself is too much. It’s trying to be this thing that puts loads of pressure on something.’ The Fader declared Mabel the ‘best R&B to come out of London in recent memory’: an impressively high accolade at this early point in her career. There’s a fresh and global sound to Mabel’s music, which means many will be keeping their eyes on this rising star. She’s very clear on her simple, no games, genuine approach to artistry and fame: ‘I am just trying to be myself and encourage other young women to be themselves.’ Mabel plays Garage, Glasgow, Fri 30 Nov.

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MUSIC | REVIEWS INDIE

THE TWILIGHT SAD Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Thu 29 Nov; Social Bite’s Sleep in the Park, Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow, Sat 8 Dec PHOTO: THE TWILIGHT SAD

Four years ago I spoke to James Graham of The Twilight Sad ahead of the band’s fourth album Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave. He didn’t appear to be in a great place. The previous record, No One Can Ever Know, hadn’t done as well as hoped, and he seemed concerned that the band was toiling in obscurity. ‘The goal before that record was just to be able to make another one,’ he recalls now. ‘But it brought things I never expected: it was just crazy.’ The past four years have been an emotional rollercoaster for Graham, but for the band, vindication came with the fulfilment of a dream. The tour for the album was coming to a close just as the band received an offer to support The Cure. ‘It was a life-changing experience,’ says Graham. ‘They were the band we would have chosen to tour with in our dreams, but not only that, playing our music to crowds that size and seeing it go down well, with Robert Smith watching from the side of the stage every night, it felt like walking through a dream.’ It was Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite who introduced Smith and Graham, and his label Rock Action has taken on their new record It Won’t Be Like This All the Time. ‘Those two years [between records] held some of the most polar highs and lows you can experience. I got married, we’ve had a son, but some things in my personal life meant I was the lowest I’ve ever been.’ The loss of his good friend Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit came very close to the birth of his son. 'Lyrically, the record reflects that. The title means two things: that you should appreciate the good times while you can, but when you’re low, you have to know you’re not always going to feel like that.’ (David Pollock) It Won’t Be Like This All the Time, Rock Action, Fri 18 Jan.

POP / R&B

ALL SAINTS O2 Academy, Glasgow, Mon 10 Dec Girl groups were a ubiquitous part of 90s pop culture. But while the Spice Girls were held up as the new face of 'girl power', with their mainstream-friendly brand of feminism resonating with many, their effortlessly cool counterparts All Saints were advocating for an entirely distinct version of female empowerment. Shaznay Lewis, Mel Blatt and sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton didn't fit neatly into the shiny pop mould created by the music industry, instead remaining fiercely independent and choosing to focus on the strength of their music over pop consumerism. 'Whatever was going on commercially, within our music, I think we always worked with people that were a bit more left of field,' Shaznay Lewis explains, ‘from our first album, where we worked with people like Nellee Hooper, Cameron McVey and K-Gee, who himself was originally a hip hop artist, to the second album, which had William Orbit.' With five number one hits since their 1997 self-titled debut, the group recently returned with their fifth studio album Testament, following 2016’s reunion record Red Flag. It sees them team up once again with producer Orbit and long-time collaborator Karl 'K-Gee' Gordon and although there are subtle hints to classic All Saints numbers, Testament takes them to new territory. 'One night, Shaz and I were out having a couple of cocktails and we bumped into him [Orbit] in the bar,' says Nicole Appleton. 'It was just like no time had passed and we started reminiscing. So a few months later, there we are back in the studio with him again. It was just amazing.' (Arusa Qureshi) INDIE

FATHERSON Barrowland, Glasgow, Fri 2 Nov Scots trio Fatherson's new album Sum of All Your Parts distils the essence of Scottish indie. It captures the rock riffs of Biffy and Idlewild, the epic choruses of Twin Atlantic and the intelligent, introspective lyrics of Frightened Rabbit. 'We're not a heavy rock band, we're not a folk band, we're not an indie band. Just somewhere in-between,' explains vocalist / guitarist Ross Leighton. Forming in Kilmarnock as teenagers, they gigged across the country and the festival circuit before releasing 2014’s I Am An Island and 2016’s Open Book. However, they had a new approach, collaborating with producer Claudius Mittendorfer (who has worked with Johnny Marr, Weezer and Arctic Monkeys), for their third album. 'We basically recorded the whole album live which we'd never done before. It’s not something you really do in the modern age, you just track everything separately; it was a really good experience,' according to bassist Marc Strain (who alongside drummer Greg Walkinshaw make up Fatherson). 'It was freeing because when you go to play it live there's none of that bullshit because it was just three guys in a room making music,' adds Leighton. Citing influences as diverse as Frank Ocean and a debt to Frightened Rabbit (in particular Frabbits' fourth album Pedestrian Verse), this raw approach obviously worked for Sum of All Your Parts. 'The sound of the album is not crazy different but it is a very different sounding album,' says Strain. 'We've got to a place where we're really proud of the album and feel confident people will love it. At the end of the day we love it.' (Henry Northmore) 108 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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MUSIC | RECORDS ELECTRO-PUNK

ALBUM OF THE ISSUE

COMPILATION

VARIOUS ARTISTS JD Twitch presents Kreaturen Der Nacht (Strut Records) ●●●●●

Any mix or compilation which Optimo (Espacio)’s JD Twitch lends his name to has the added bonus of being not just an inevitably pleasing listen, but also a sonic excavation of ear-opening dimensions. Blessed with that all-toorare blend of abilities to dig hard for unheard music while spotting and developing to the full the great hooks he finds, any collection of music which Twitch has overseen is a joyful education. With Kreaturen Der Nacht (‘Creatures of the Night’), his latest compilation for Strut, Twitch maps a parallel history of German postpunk in the early 1980s, an era when Berlin wasn’t the enlightened European hub of designers, DJs and tech companies it is now, but the still-scarred and Berlin Wall-riven frontline in the Cold War. The 16 tracks on this compilation take an evocative snapshot of a group of young German musicians who thrived on the influence of punk, the cultural confidence to use their own language and a raw, DIY sensibility which is perfectly Optimo. From the low bass pulse and yelped vocals of Leben und Arbeiten’s ‘Amanita’ to Ausserhalb’s Siouxsie and the Banshees-like ‘Zeitzelle’ and Die Haut’s motoric, Can/ Morricone fusion ‘Der Karibische Western’, these songs mirror the postpunk which was coming out of the UK during the time covered (1980 to 1985) in their style and their raw analogue production. Mania D’s ‘Track 4’ sounds like a distraught Joy Division with saxophones; Twitch’s own edit of Christiane F’s ‘Wunderbar’ is a lost disco-punk classic; and as the record moves on, there are more ambient and often dub or synthesiser-influenced experiments in atmosphere, a parallel reality of classics you never knew existed. (David Pollock) ■ Out Fri 9 Nov.

THE PRODIGY No Tourists (Take Me To The Hospital) ●●●●● The Prodigy have pulled off a coup. Their hardcore rave assault has united metal heads, indie kids and clubbers (they've headlined Download, Reading and Creamfields). Their sixth album, No Tourists, refuses to deviate from this tried and tested formula. It kicks off in typically raucous style with the squelchy acid beats and big drops of 'Need Some1'; 'We Live Forever' continually ramps up the intensity; their collaboration with New Jersey punk / metal duo Ho99o9, 'Fight Fire With Fire', is as deliciously chaotic and hardcore as you'd expect exploding with jittery beats, harsh riffs and confrontational lyrics; 'Timebomb Zone' goes old skool with a dubstep twist and the insistent grinding rhythms of 'Champions of London' will set your teeth on edge. However there's also a clutch of tracks ('Light Up the Sky', 'No Tourists', 'Boom Boom Tap', 'Resonate') that feel like Liam Howlett on autopilot. Not exactly bad but predictable and faceless. The Prodigy have a sound that's instantly recognisable: hammering beats, big, bolshie, thumping bass as Keith Flint and MC Maxim scream slogans above the maelstrom. Sonically, there's been little progression from their early rave days but you have to admire their tenacity and refusal to compromise. Six albums in and it's still brutally effective (2004's Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned has been their only serious misstep in over 25 years). It's relentless, ferocious and confrontational, immediately connecting on a visceral, primal, physical level. If you want variety, No Tourists offers no respite from the Prodigy's ruthless robotic template (even their collaboration with singer-songwriter Barns Courtney, 'Give Me a Signal', is an in-your-face banger). They've created the perfect soundtrack to accompany the technological onslaught of Skynet's global machine revolution. And it's going to sound immense live. (Henry Northmore) ■ Out Fri 2 Nov.

EXPERIMENTAL POP

INDIE FOLK

BAS JAN

DAN MANGAN

Instant Nostalgia (Lost Map) ●●●●●

More or Less (City Slang) ●●●●●

Following the release of their debut album Yes I Jan earlier this year, this new EP from London-based trio Bas Jan bills itself as the inaugural release from 'Bas Jan 2.0'. Issued on Johnny Lynch’s Eigg-based indie factory Lost Map, the songs here are once again led by composer and mainstay Serafina Steer, but her former colleagues and founder members Sarah Anderson and Jenny Moore have been switched out for Emma Smith and Rachel Horwood. What definitely remains is the band’s esoteric sense of composition, which manages to sound entirely off the wall while retaining a solid heart of compulsive pop catchiness. The title track coasts in on a wobbling, two-note keyboard line and a chorus of 'na na na na na's, before settling on a kind of shuddering art-pop interrupted by ventures into folksy toytown psychedelia. It’s difficult to put this music into words, as a delicately eclectic jumble of styles whose striking, laser-precise lyrics tie everything together. When a word is invented for the phase of land development which comes after trendy art galleries and coffee shops, this music will bear that description, as Steer bemoans the death of her art studio in spiky terms; 'studios are getting shut down / everybody will be kicked out… we can’t start reinventing some idea of the good old days.' The dynamism and poignancy of her words is thrilling, and it continues onto the Moogish futurism of 'Profile Picture'. The song is a sensual slice of disco-pop, but it’s lyrics are an evocation of the internalised, anti-social anxiety of social media living. 'No Time' is less acerbic but equally striking, a metronomic groove built around Horwood’s tick-tocking drums, Smith’s violin lines and Steer’s meditation on being time-poor, while the closing ‘I Am Animal’ is an understated piece of mellow elegance whose gorgeous music masks the fact Steer’s striking lyrical evocation of feeling and story isn’t so readily apparent here. Still – this reboot has been an unqualified success. (David Pollock) ■ Out Fri 23 Nov.

'There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall’, proclaimed literary critic Cyril Connolly back in the days when bulky babytransporting receptacles were more of a thing. There are plenty who will throw that accusation at Dan Mangan whose fifth album, More or Less, is less about previous concerns such as civil unrest in Guatemala and his partying life, and more about keeping a small human alive and offsetting the doubt and paranoia of raising a child in a crazily edge-of-its seat world. Being a daddy has got deep into Mangan’s veins and there was never any doubt that this would be the subject of his next collection of songs. After an initially jagged beginning where the echoey, distant Beta Bandlike and Bon Iver-esque vocal stylings and discordant passages suggest the difficulties of starting each day with a small child to take care of (or, as he puts it in opening track 'Lynchpin', 'every morning is a resurrection'). While tracks with names such as 'Lay Low', 'Just Fear', and 'Never Quiet' suggest a man who’s not exactly taking parenthood in his stride, he’s perhaps just a realist, recognising in 'Peaks & Valleys' that there’s ‘the good, the bad, the in-between’. Matters appear to get cheerier on the musical surface in the album’s middle section with a trio run of 'Cold in the Summer', 'Troubled Mind' and 'Fool for Waiting'. But listen a bit closer and the first two songs signify Mangan’s worries about being swiftly left behind in an ever-evolving and youthbiased music industry, while the anthemic last one (put your lighters and mobiles down, and wave them dummies in the air) seems to revolve around finding a partner who will happily accept the worst of your foibles. It’s perhaps the most upbeat message on an album that signals a man and an artist unsure of his bearings in an increasingly manufactured musical landscape. (Brian Donaldson) ■ Out Fri 2 Nov.

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RECORDS | MUSIC

list.co.uk/music ALT ROCK

COVERS

J MASCIS

TY SEGALL

Elastic Days (Sub Pop) ●●●●●

Fudge Sandwich (In The Red) ●●●●●

Since Dinosaur Jr’s reformation in 2005, lead songwriter J Mascis has balanced his output between the influential 1980s punk band’s noisy discography and his own typically more reserved sound. Elastic Days is the fifth studio album released under the J Mascis name and certainly adheres to the trend his previous solo outings have set. Recorded at his own studio with Mascis playing nearly all the instruments, Elastic Days has the breezy and lackadaisical charm of someone who has found a groove and settled into it. All 12 tracks on the album clock in at under four minutes, and as a whole the record never demands too much from the listener. The majority of tracks are led by a gentle acoustic strum, with the occasional electric squall sidling gently alongside and only taking the spotlight in the final minute of a song. The album plays out in a post-psych melancholy haze, although tracks like 'Cut Stranger' and 'Sometimes' rescue it from descending too far into depressed dad rock. The latter, in particular, injects life into the back half of the album with an unexpected tempo change. More of these stylistic moves would be welcomed to force listeners to sit up and pay attention in the way Mascis has done so many times in his other guise. Despite this lack of edge, the moment Mascis’ voice starts on opening track 'See You at the Movies', he brings with him decades of experience, and the reassuring comfort that comes with that. Each track has just enough personality to stop them from becoming indistinguishable, although there is nothing on here to win Mascis any new fans – this album does not give the impression of a man trying to break new ground. Instead it sounds like a man happy to have a gentle conversation with himself and his faithful fans. (Sean Greenhorn) ■ Out Fri 9 Nov.

Where does Ty Segall find the time? 2018’s already brought his tenth solo album in as many years – the excellent Freedom’s Goblin, which is soaked in fuzzy riffs and soaring hooks – as well as Joy, a full-length collaboration with White Fence. That barely scratches the surface of the last decade; this most prolific of artists has gifted us live albums, cassette releases, and a collection of T-Rex covers in that time. His latest effort is another album of other people's songs and it’s a blast. To his credit, Fudge Sandwich, a collection of Segall’s take on eleven songs, doesn't feel like a throwaway effort at all. It's a valuable tour through a record collection that's been listened to and loved, and the results are frequently surprising. War's classic 'Low Rider’ (slowed down and shorn of that instantly recognisable saxophone riff) is unrecognisable here, reimagined as a sinister industrial soundscape. The frantic punk of the Dil's 'Class War' is given the power pop treatment, ending up like something from Big Star's #1 Record. The irresistibly groovy 'Hit It And Quit It' from Funkadelic's Maggot Brain gets a stoner rock makeover, the funky guitar riff given some punishing muscle. You'd be hard pressed to dance to it, but don't be put off by that. Sometimes it's just a pleasure to hear great songs played well with passion. There's some distorted guitars on a soulful rendition of John Lennon's 'Isolation', but the main lesson learned is that the ex-Beatle was an incredibly gifted songwriter. Fudge Sandwich’s greatest achievement might be that it introduces the younger members of Ty Segall's devoted fanbase to the krautrock of Amon Düül II, to the never ending archives of Neil Young's brilliant back catalogue, and to Funkadelic, a bizarrely underrated group in the guitar music stakes. Think of it as a mixtape from a friend. An old-fashioned present, but done well, one that can be a companion for life. (Craig Angus) ■ Out now.

AMBIENT POP

PSYCHEDELIC POP

EIKO ISHIBASHI

HEATHER LEIGH

The Dream My Bones Dream (Drag City) ●●●●●

Throne (Editions Mego) ●●●●●

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eiko Ishibashi is known in Japan for her innovations in avant-pop, skills in improvisation and brilliantly experimental solo albums which take her to varying realms of jazz, classical and contemporary composition. Her latest full-length release arrives four years after her indie-pop solo album Car and Freezer, during which time Ishibashi also worked on Kouen Kyoudai, a collaboration with Merzbow; and Ichida, her collaboration with Darin Gray. The Dream My Bones Dream, her sixth solo record, sees Ishibashi once again team up with American musician and producer Jim O'Rourke for an emotional and cinematic journey through her family history, prompted by the discovery of her father's childhood photos shortly after his death. The album is full of intricate layers, a banquet of textures and tempos that includes the odd motif signalling an element of familial history, like the chugging rhythmic details in 'Iron Veil' which reference Ishibashi's grandfather, who worked as a railroad man in occupied territory. Opening track 'Prologue: Hands on the mouth' sets the overall contemplative tone of the album, with a cacophonous backdrop of horns, feedback and droning strings giving Ishibashi's melismatic vocals a brutal edge. Elsewhere, there are moments of warm ambience, as in 'Agloe' and the pensive and serene instrumental piece 'Silent Scrapbook'. 'A Ghost in a Train, Thinking' is similarly hypnotic, with circular rhythms that build alongside the repetitive melody, and the string harmonies reflecting Ishibashi's beguiling Japanese vocals in title track 'The Dream My Bones Dream' are somewhat reminiscent of a dulcet Disney pop ballad. The contrasts throughout the album are adventurous and affective in their addition to the narrative, with the album often making swift shifts in mood, for example from the nightmarish and tension-filled to the soft and piano-led in a matter of minutes. Ultimately, The Dream My Bones Dream is an eerie yet beautiful exploration of genre and sound, retaining an array of ideas without ever feeling overdone. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Out Fri 16 Nov.

Heather Leigh follows 2015’s justly celebrated I Abused Animal with an album of sensuous gothic pop and dark psychedelia. Throne is not so much a departure from its predecessor as a radical expansion, bedding subtle layers of synth, drum machine, bass and violin in behind her striking voice and pedal steel guitar. Throne is gothic in the broadest sense, with Leigh conveying the beauty and terror of the Romantic sublime. 'Prelude To Goddess' and 'Lena' are complex reflections on femininity, full of yearning and awe. The former deploys ecstatic end-phrasing reminiscent of Kate Bush’s channelling of Molly Bloom in 'The Sensual World', as the object of Leigh’s infatuation is elevated to mythic status. The latter has a conspiratorial intimacy that suggests it could be an ode to a friend or a lover, but it’s dramatic too, as Leigh’s crystalline voice soars over rumbling timpani and bass. Leigh transforms the pedal steel’s high and lonesome quality into a heady and reverberant sound that takes in Jack Rose-like picking, stark melodic figures and searing riffs. 'Soft Seasons' is driven by the latter, with Leigh’s distorted pedal steel scything through the night sky, as a drum machine grinds out an industrial pulse. 'Gold Teeth' is the album’s centrepiece, a 16-minute epic that fully justifies its length. Leigh glides back and forth between two finger-picked chords, creating a woozy backdrop to her recurring images of ‘diving into the sea’. Dark clouds of bass roll in, with a higherpitched statement of the riff breaking through like shafts of sunlight. Later, she kicks in the distortion, dragging the ragged Americana of Neil Young’s Dead Man soundtrack to a dark and desolate plain. It’s genuinely psychedelic, drawing the listener into its twilit world, warping reality around it. (Stewart Smith) ■ Out now. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 111

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MUSIC | GOING UNDERGROUND

GOING UNDERGROUND Stewart Smith digs out some of the best underground, DIY and self-released music currently coming out of the Scottish music scene

BELL LUNGS Phosphodendrophobia ●●●●●

There’s a bit of a physics and biology theme running through Phosphodendrophobia, multiinstrumentalist Ceylan Hey’s debut tape as Bell Lungs. With this in mind, I found myself entertaining the notion that the title track is a sonification of a bacterial culture under a microscope. Whatever the inspiration, it’s an evocative piece, teeming with detail. Keening wisps of high-pitched viola and analogue electronics swim around the sonic field, as alien radio transmissions flicker in and out of earshot. The microbes come out to play on ‘Listeria Hysteria’, a spoken-word fairytale accompanied by spindly psychedelic folk loops and dark viola groans. Built around round the dreamy swirl of the Omnichord (a cult 1980s electronic instrument), ‘Omnidrone’ is a deeply lovely drift through the cosmos, with Hay layering shooting star vocal loops and electronic twinkles over a slowly phasing drone. Halfway through she adds vaulting vocal incantations, bringing an urgency and focus that steers the track into the beyond. KAPIL SESHASAYEE A Sacred Bore ●●●●●

The first part of a planned ‘Desi-Futurist trilogy’, Kapil Seshasayee’s A Sacred Bore is a powerful and ambitious art-rock album exploring the issue of caste oppression in India and the diaspora. Born in the Tamil Nadu city of Ramnad, but raised in Clydebank, Seshasayee offers unflinching portraits of the violence carried out in the name of the caste system, from the honour-killings of ‘Ligature Hymnal’ to the brutal attack on a North Indian protest singer in ‘Ballad of Bant Singh’. Seshasayee’s twisted guitars fuse the microtonal inflections and intricate rhythms of Carnatic music with math-rock and postpunk, but as complex as the structures can be, the songs are notably punchy and concise,

almost anthemic in places. The arrangements are relatively sparse, with the dense weave of guitars occasionally supported by harmonium, electronics and beats. ‘The Agitprop’ opens with electronic jabs and hisses, before bursting into a galloping chorus, while ‘Exemption Hum’ takes on a psychedelic folk feel thanks to Diljeet Kaur Bhachu’s flute. STILL HOUSE PLANTS Long Play ●●●●●

Since they first emerged in 2015, Still House Plants have been Glasgow’s most exciting and unusual guitar band, reimagining song through skewed repetition and free improvisation. Long Play is their full-length debut, released on vinyl by new London label bison records. Building on their two tapes for GLARC, the album sees the trio of Jessica Hickie-Kallenbach (vocals), Finlay Clark (guitar, piano, violin) and David Kennedy (drums), delivering their scratchy pop minimalism with a renewed focus and urgency. ‘You OK’ has the familiar SHP elements of dreamy R&B-inflected vocals over jazzy slowcore guitar, with Kennedy’s drums pulsing and fluttering like a sentient machine. HickieKallenbach’s vocals are more creative than ever, the raw inflections and smeared phrases only intensifying their emotional impact. ‘Spit’ and ‘Left Brake’ are among their most abrasive songs to date, with jagged guitar and drum patterns that collapse in on themselves, but they retain an oddly reflective quality. The group’s willingness to experiment is evident in their violin and drum instrumentals, but their most tantalising new discoveries are the piano songs like ‘Is It?’, where they grasp towards their own form of free jazz balladry. A genuinely challenging and beautiful album. ABY VULLIAMY Spin Cycle ●●●●●

Aby Vulliamy has been a vital presence on albums by Nalle, Bill Wells’ National Jazz

Trio Of Scotland and Sound Of Yell. Having found her songwriting voice, the Yorkshire artist’s debut solo album explores ‘love, life and parenthood’, drawing on pop, folk and experimental forms. The title track is a short vocal about domestic drudgery, while ‘Rock Me Tender’ depicts the late-night loneliness of the breast-feeding mother over piano and melodica, finding comfort and hope in an extended coda of viola and musical saw. ‘This Precious Time’ is the album’s centrepiece, Vulliamy’s vocals and piano supported by trombone and double bass, while ‘Good Enough’ confronts misogynist assumptions through slanted piano and rumbling percussion. A strange, gorgeous and deeply personal record. FRITZ WELCH A desire to push forward without gaining anything ●●●●●

In addition to his skills as a percussionist and visual artist, Glasgow’s Fritz Welch has developed a singular vocal practice, which he explores on A desire to push forward without gaining anything, his new LP on Radical Documents. Each piece is carefully constructed, with Welch working over phrases and duetting with himself via overdubs. ‘Square Teeth Non-Linear Conference Room’ sees conversational mutterings morph into falsetto, followed by a burst of jacking hip hop beat-boxing. Welch pitch-shifts his voice into the stratosphere, before he sits down to dinner, smacking his lips appreciatively and singing to himself. Minimalism meets Looney Tunes on ‘The Donald Judd vs Elmer Fudd Inner Space Crisis’, as Welch modulates his voice into vocal wobbles and hovering drones, before exploring a series of mumbles, gasps and choked utterances. There’s a rigour and intensity to Welch’s absurdism that ensures it’s never merely wacky. And on ‘Tamio’s Prison Song’, he enters into political commentary, contrasting beautiful haiku-like imagery with the horrors of the carceral state.

112 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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regularmusicuk

26/10/2018 15:44

MUSIC | HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS PHOTO: DERRICK KAKEMBO

Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW KOBI ONYAME Stereo, Thu 1 Nov, stereocafebar. com Ghana-born, Glasgow-based hip hop artist.

CHRISTINE & THE QUEENS Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Fri 23 Nov, glasgowconcerthalls. com French singer-songwriter touting shimmering synth noises and gender politics. Also Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 24 Nov, usherhall.co.uk

FATHERSON Barrowland, Fri 2 Nov, barrowlandballroom.co.uk Indie power pop trio from Kilmarnock. See preview, page 108. FOODBANK FUNDRAISER Glasgow Autonomous Space, Fri 2 Nov, glasgowautonomous.weebly. com Fundraiser for Drumchapel Foodbank featuring performances from Crywank, Heir of the Cursed and Sam Small.

THE WOMBATS O2 Academy, Thu 23 & Fri 24 Nov, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow Perky Scousers known for indie rock hits ‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’ and ‘Moving To New York’.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE O2 Academy, Sat 3 Nov, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow The American band plays Southern rock and countryrock with hints of bluegrass.

KING CRIMSON Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Mon 12 Nov, glasgowconcerthalls.com Robert Fripp’s pioneering intense psych-rockers return with a new sevenpiece, three-drummer line-up. Also Edinburgh Playhouse, Tue 13 Nov, atgtickets.com/edinburgh GRUFF RHYS SWG3, Thu 15 Nov, swg3.tv The frontman of Super Furry Animals

HITLIST

MC50 O2 Academy, Glasgow, Sat 10 Nov, academymusicgroup. com/o2academyglasgow Original MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer celebrates 50 years of Kick Out the Jams with this special tour and very special band featuring guitarist Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), drummer Brendan Canty (Fugazi), bassist Billy

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE SSE Hydro, Sat 17 Nov, thessehydro.com Big blustering vocalist with a fine line in stage gear and one of the most distinctive voices in pop. MS LAURYN HILL SSE Hydro, Fri 23 Nov, thessehydro. com The American singer-songwriter, rapper and former member of the Fugees performs her solo material.

THE PRODIGY SSE Hydro, Fri 2 Nov, sec.co.uk Veteran techno rockers, renowned for their blistering live shows.

SLAVES Barrowland, Thu 8 & Fri 9 Nov, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk Raw riff heavy garage rock from Kent two-piece Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent.

gov.uk/alberthalls; Caird Hall, Dundee, Sat 15 Dec, cairdhall.co.uk

STEFFLON DON SWG3, Sat 24 Nov, swg3.tv Londonbased rapper performs her material.

Stefflon Don

presents original solo material of the indie-rock persuasion. OBIE TRICE Stereo, Thu 15 Nov, stereocafebar. com Detroit rapper associated with Eminem and D12. WOMAN TO WOMAN Òran Mór, Thu 15 Nov, oranmor.co.uk Judie Tzuke, Beverley Craven and Julia Fordham perform their hits and album tracks with a five-piece band. Also Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Wed 14 Nov, thequeenshall.net

Gould (Faith No More) and frontman Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla). See feature, page 104. SLAYER SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Mon 12 Nov, thessehydro. com Your last chance to see thrash metal pioneers Slayer as they head on their final world tour. Solid metal line-up with Lamb of God, Anthrax and Obituary in support.

THE PROCLAIMERS O2 Academy, Fri 16 & Sat 17 Nov, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow Scotland’s unforgettable musical twins return to the stage with their singalong Caledonian anthems. Also Edinburgh Playhouse, Fri 9 & Sat 10 Nov, atgtickets.com/edinburgh; Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, Thu 15 Nov, alhambradunfermline. com; Perth Concert Hall, Thu 22 Nov, horsecross.co.uk; Motherwell Concert Hall, Thu 13 Dec, whatsonlanarkshire.co.uk; Albert Halls, Stirling, Fri 14 Dec, stirling.

MUSEUM LATE: RIP IT UP National Museum of Scotland, Fri 16 Nov, nms.ac.uk Enjoy a night out with 2017 Scottish Album of the Year award winners Sacred Paws and indie legends the Pastels, along with bars, food, themed activities and a chance to explore the National Museum of Scotland after dark.

BROKEN20 The Old Hairdresser’s, Fri 30 Nov, theoldhairdressers.com Glasgow’s ‘eroded electronics’ label Broken20 takes over two floors of The Old Hairdressers. Featuring live sets from Rose & Sandy, Spatial and James Sandford. GROOVE ARMADA SWG3, Sat 30 Nov, swg3.tv Return to live gigs for big beat duo Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. MABEL The Garage, Fri 30 Nov, garageglasgow.co.uk Soulful pop singer-songwriter. See feature, page 106.

CONCERT IN THE GARDENS Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Mon 31 Dec, edinburghshogmanay. com See in 2019 with headliners Franz Ferdinand, supported by Metronomy and Free Love. Plus you can catch Gerry Cinnamon, Judge Jules, the Mac Twins, Miracle Glass Company and more at the official street party. See feature, page 52.

CELTIC CONNECTIONS Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan–Sun 3 Feb, celticconnections. com Glasgow’s annual celebration of folk, trad, Americana and world music with added jazz, indie and more. Highlights include John Grant, CAKE, Judy Collins, Bassekou Kouyate and the Dandy Warhols. See preview, page 103.

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––––– Collection in aid of Marie Curie

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rbge.org.uk/christmas 0844 995 1363 A single charge of £2 per transaction applies for print at home tickets, £2.50 for tickets sent by post. No fees for bookings made in person at RBGE. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your network access charge. Running selected evenings only.

1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 115

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MUSIC | HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED YOUNG FATHERS O2 Academy, Fri 30 Nov, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow Bass and electro heavy hip hop from Edinburgh threesome who won both the 2014 and 2018 SAY award and the Mercury Prize.

PAUL MCCARTNEY SSE Hydro, Fri 14 Dec, thessehydro. com Ex-Beatle, Ex-Wings, classical composer, poet, artist, animal rights activist, writer of silly love songs, settles in for an evening of classic hits and a few more recent ones thrown in for good measure.

A PERFECT CIRCLE O2 Academy, Sun 2 Dec, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow Alternative rock / metal from Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan.

SASHA Barrowland, Sun 16 Dec, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk House music brought to life with a full live band, string section and guest vocalists from the pioneering DJ and producer.

JAMES AND THE CHARLATANS SSE Hydro, Wed 5 Dec, thessehydro.com Double bill of Madchester indie favourites.

TRAVIS SSE Hydro, Fri 21 Dec, thessehydro. com Scotpop heroes playing their classic album The Man Who.

C DUNCAN Mono, Fri 7 Dec, monocafebar.com Scottish singer-songwriter nominated for a Mercury Award

THE 1975 SSE Hydro, Sat 12 Jan, thessehydro.com Sweeping indie rock from the Manchester four-piece.

DMA’S Barrowland, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Dec, barrowland-ballroom.co.uk Big hooks and choruses from Sydney’s DMA’s.

FOUR FISTS The Hug and Pint, Wed 16 Jan, thehugandpint.com Leftfield rap from POS and Astronautalis.

SLOTHRUST Stereo, Tue 22 Jan, stereocafebar. com Alternative rock trio from Boston. J MASCIS Saint Luke’s, Fri 25 Jan, stlukesglasgow.com American singersongwriter, guitarist and member of Dinosaur Jr. See album review, page 111. SNOW PATROL SSE Hydro, Thu 31 Jan, thessehydro.com Chart-topping gently rocking indie act fronted by Gary Lightbody. See First & last, page 136.

EDINBURGH ALTERNATIVE PEERS BALL Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, Sat 3 Nov, usherhall.co.uk Brilliant line-up of Scottish pop and indie featuring Fatherson, the Xcerts, Bossy Love, the Spook School, BABE, Martha Ffion, Kobi Onyame, Best Girl Athlete, Zoe Graham, EH-FM, Projector Club, Ursula Cheng, Too Much Fun Club and Vic Galloway. SKINDRED The Liquid Room, Sat 3 Nov, liquidroom.com Big bouncing fusion of ragga, dubstep and metal. BANG THE DRUM: A SAVE LEITH WALK FUNDRAISER Summerhall, Sat 10 Nov, summerhall.co.uk Raising money for the ‘community action group fighting unwanted demolition and development on Leith Walk’, featuring Meursault, Future Get Down, Rituals and Maranta. RAT BOY The Queen’s Hall, Sun 11 Nov, thequeenshall.net Hip hop and punk from Chelmsford singer and producer, Jordan Cardy, who won Best New Artist at the NME Awards in 2016. KOJEY RADICAL The Caves, Sun 11 Nov, unusualvenuesedinburgh.com London-based poet, rapper, musician and mixed media artist. !!! Sneaky Pete’s, Tue 13 Nov, sneakypetes.co.uk Awkwardlynamed New York punk funk collective. Brooklyn Brewery presents Brooklyn Sound. PIP BLOM Sneaky Pete’s, Thu 15 Nov, sneakypetes.co.uk Slacker grunge artist from the Netherlands.

Kojey Radical

NORWAY & SCOTLAND: POETRY & MUSIC Festival Square Spiegeltent, Sun

18 Nov, edinburghschristmas.com A night of folk, jazz and spoken word celebrating the historic links between Norway and Scotland. Featuring contemporary Scottish poet Christine De Luca and Norwegian poet, translator and musician Odd Magne Goksøyr, Norwegian folk musician, composer, writer Benedicte Maurseth and Norwegian jazz musician, composer, guitarist Stein Urheim. Chaired by Donald Smith, director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre. EH6 FESTIVAL Various venues, Fri 23–Sun 25 Nov, eh6music.com A live music, food and craft beer festival in Leith. The Coral, Kyle Falconer, the Snuts, Jake Bugg (solo acoustic), Twisted Wheel, Gerry Cinnamon and many more play the 2018 edition. HENGE The Voodoo Rooms, Sun 25 Nov, thevoodoorooms.com A mind boggling display of synths, cosmic indie pop, BPMs and psychedelic costumes from outer space (via Manchester). THE TWILIGHT SAD The Liquid Room, Thu 29 Nov, liquidroom.com Melancholic soaring sounds from indie rock band, the Twilight Sad. See preview, page 108. LAU The Queen’s Hall, Fri 7 Dec, thequeenshall.net Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle), Kris Drever (guitar and vocals) and Martin Green (accordion) drawing together traditional music from Orkney, west Scotland and the north-east of England. KATIE MELUA Assembly Rooms, Thu 13 Dec, usherhall.co.uk Emotional pop and acoustica from the Georgia-born singer-songwriter, who is accompanied for this tour by the 24-piece Gori Women’s Choir, who are masters of the ancient Georgian tradition of polyphonic singing. CATTLE & CANE Sneaky Pete’s, sneakypetes. co.uk Sun 16 Dec, Folky indie pop from Teeside with a special Christmas show.

KILMARNOCK DIRTY WEEKENDER Various venues, Thu 22– Sun 25 Nov, facebook.com/ dirtyweekenderfestival Four days of live music, including the Coral, the LaFontaines, the Snuts, Jake Bugg, Twisted Wheel, Goldie Lookin Chain any many more across multiple venues.

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HIGHLIGHTS | CLUBS

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW NUMBERS Glasgow School of Art, Sat 3 Nov, gsa.ac.uk One of Glasgow’s most eclectic clubbing successes goes from strength to strength with rotating residents and a diverse array of dubstep and techno-playing special guests from around the globe. Featuring Helena Hauff, Klein, Batu, Giant Swan, Spencer, Perko and Sue Zuki. BIGFOOT’S TEA PARTY Sub Club, Fri 16 Nov, subclub. co.uk An eclectic techno and electronic music party. Objekt plays all night at this tenth birthday party. AUNTIE FLO Sub Club, Sat 1 Dec, subclub. co.uk Electronic sounds fused with world influences. Radio Highlife live set. Also Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Sun 2 Dec, sneakypetes.co.uk

MISSING PERSONS CLUB Sub Club, Fri 7 Dec, subclub.co.uk Raw house and techno from the Glasgow collective. Sixth birthday with Umfang (Discwoman / Technicolour) and Anastasia Kristensen (Houndstooth / Mord).

Slam, Surgeon (live), DVS1, Charlotte de Witte, SNTS (live), Leon Vynehall, DJ Fett Burger, Jasper James, Harri, Edit Select, IDA (UK) and AM & 171 (Fenix).

BOXING DAY ON THE BOAT The Ferry, Wed 26 Dec, the-ferry.co.uk Animal Farm present the ultimate Boxing Day escape party with house and techno from Ivan Kutz, Frazier (UK) and Quail.

MIDLAND Sneaky Pete’s, Thu 8–Sat 10 Nov, sneakypetes.co.uk Midland is one of the hottest DJs and producers of recent years who is the very embodiment of eclectic dancfloor selections. He doesn’t care about genre just quality so expect electro via techno to pop and funk. Three night residency.

LA CHEETAH X COOKING WITH PALMS TRAX: NYE 2018 La Cheetah Club, Mon 31 Dec, lacheetahclub.co.uk Forward thinking electronica for Hogmanay with Shanti Celeste, Palms Trax, Avalon Emerson and Or:la.

EDINBURGH

SWG3 PRESENTS NEW YEAR’S EVE SWG3, Mon 31 Dec, swg3.tv Eclectic funk, beats, rock, house, techno and beyond from the Black Madonna, Optimo (Espacio) and more tbc.

PULSE Mash House, Sat 24 Nov, themashhouse.co.uk Hybrid electronica from special guest Paula Temple to celebrate Pulse’s ninth birthday. Also La Belle Angele, Tue 1 Jan, la-belleangele.com New Year’s Day party with Rødhåd, Perc, I Hate Models, Shifted, Neil Landstrumm and more.

MAXIMUM PRESSURE SWG3, Tue 1 Jan, swg3.tv Glasgow techno duo Slam host this series of big club nights. New Year’s Day special with

SULTA SELECTS Usher Hall, Sat 22 Dec, usherhall. co.uk Transforming Edinburgh’s prestigious Usher Hall into a house and

disco party with Denis Sulta, Honey Dijon and Horse Meat Disco. Afterparty from 11pm at Cabaret Voltaire. NIGHTVISION PRESENTS JEFF MILLS The Liquid Room, Sat 29 Dec, liquidroom.com Nightvision presents the legendary Detroit techno pioneer and technical wizard Jeff Mills. Plus Pan-Pot, Marcel Fengler and more. SATIVA Mash House, Sun 30 Dec, themashhouse.co.uk Edinburgh’s legendary techno club returns for a pre-Hogmanay party. Featuring Neil Landstrumm (live), Patrick Walker, Dave Tarrida and Ian Brown. FLY NYE 2018 Leith Theatre, Sun 31 Dec, flyclub.co Two rooms of music from the city’s best DJs and party crews plus secret special guest headliners. HEADSET HOGMANAY NYE The Bongo Club, Mon 31 Dec, thebongoclub.co.uk Headset’s techno, house and UK garage Hogmanay party featuring Redstone Press, DJ Era, Skillis Wecht, Erin (Error 404) and more.

INTIMATE PERFORMANCES & NEW MUSICAL DISCOVERIES

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1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 117

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MUSIC | CLASSICAL

L A C I S AS

COLLABORATION

SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE: PRELUDE – SKYDIVING FROM A DREAM Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 9 & Sat 10 Nov; Dundee Rep Theatre, Tue 13 Nov; Eden Court, Inverness, Thu 15 Nov Increasingly recognised for its innovation in collaborating with other artforms, the Scottish Ensemble return to Swedish company Andersson Dance for their second project fusing classical musicians with dancers and blurring where the lines are drawn between the two. Taking the raw energy of Beethoven’s astonishing Grosse Fuge – great fugue – as its central point, the project presents the instrumentalists and dancers as equal partners on stage. The piece itself, lasting around quarter of an hour, initially divided opinion. Reviewed when first heard as being ‘incomprehensible, like Chinese’, it was originally scored for string quartet and works as a double fugue with rather a lot all happening at the same time. Following their first partnership, using the music of Bach, Jonathan Morton, the Ensemble’s artistic director, says: ‘It was an incredibly intense and rewarding experience for all of us, so it felt entirely natural to explore what another collaboration might look like. We wanted to build on the physicality of the musicians and push it further.’ Undoubtedly, Beethoven, plus the compositional company he keeps with Bach’s Art of Fugue and Lutoslawski’s Preludes and Fugues for 13 Solo Strings, will do as Morton envisages. Bringing together music and movement, the project explores how humankind needs to seek order from chaos and puts the musicians and dancers way out of any mainstream classical music comfort zone. ‘We experimented with the idea of the performers blurring their roles,’ says Örjan Andersson, who choreographs Prelude. ‘With this second piece, we want to challenge them to perform in a way they’ve never done before. I’m very much looking forward to breaking new artistic ground with these amazing artists.’ Apparently, Beethoven went off to the pub when his Grosse Fuge was first performed. Not a good idea then and definitely not a good idea now. (Carol Main)

CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS SEAN SHIBE Cairns Church, Milngavie, Glasgow, Fri 16 Nov, milngaviemusic.org Classical guitarist Sean Shibe is a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist who is very much another rising star of the moment. Music for Milngavie includes historic lute pieces by Scottish composers, plus Bach and more modern compositions from Mompou to Brett Dean for guitar. CENTENARY RECITAL: THE GREAT WAR St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, Edinburgh, Thu 15 Nov, thequeenshall. net Outstanding duo of Scottish violinist Michael Foyle and pianist Maksim Štšura from Estonia mark Armistice week with a programme of WW1 ˇ sonatas by Debussy, Jánacek and Respighi, linking to the launch of their latest CD on the Delphian label.

GLASGOW NAVIGATE THE BLOOD Glasgow Distillery, Fri 2 & Sat 3 Nov, seetickets.com World premiere of new opera composed by Admiral Fallow and Gareth Williams is performed by NOISE opera company in distilleries across Scotland. Starting off the series is Glasgow, where Sian Evans’ story of a boy going missing in a small family distillery is heard for the first time. Also Summerhall, Edinburgh, Wed 21 Nov. BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA City Halls, Thu 22 Nov, glasgowconcerthalls.com/cityhalls On the special day dedicated to St Cecilia, patron saint of music, the BBC SSO goes all French with Debussy’s shimmery La mer and Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, along with Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand.

EDINBURGH SCOTTISH OPERA: RIGOLETTO Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Fri 9, Sun 11, Thu 15, Sat 17 Nov, capitaltheatres.com Revival of 2011 production by top team of

PHOTO: KAUPO KIKKOS

HITLIST

director Matthew Richardson and designer Jon Morrell, Verdi’s popular masterpiece opens Scottish Opera’s 2018/19 season. MR MCFALL’S CHAMBER: AT HOME IN A FOREIGN LAND: MUSIC FROM POLAND Queen’s Hall, Thu 15 Nov, queenshall.net Continuing their theme of migration, exile and displacement, the ever innovative chamber group turns its attention to music by Polish composers, teaming up with guest artists from Poland as part of the line-up. WAR HORSE: THE STORY IN CONCERT Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 18 Nov, usherhall.co.uk Marking the centenary year of the end of WW1, the RSNO play a specially arranged score alongside War Horse author, Michael Morpurgo, reading from his emotionally charged tale celebrating the power of friendship in the most traumatic of circumstances. SUNDAY CLASSICS: ST PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Usher Hall, Sun 27 Jan, usherhall.co.uk What a way

Sean Shibe

to spend a January weekend afternoon – listening to the rich symphonic sound of the St Petersburg Phil in Rachmaninov and Mahler. Pianist Freddy Kempf is at the forefront of the romance for the second Piano Concerto and Yuri Temirkanov at the helm for Mahler’s glorious Symphony No 4.

118 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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THEATRE

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SCOTTISH BALLET: CINDERELLA Emotion and laughs in Christopher Hampson’s fairytale adaptation

From the sadness of a young girl losing her mother to a romantic pas de deux between two people in love, Christopher Hampson’s adaptation of Cinderella doesn’t skimp on sentimental moments. But it’s not tight with the laughs either, and when Scottish Ballet toured Cinderella in 2015, audiences were clearly loving the laugh-out-loud moments. ‘Comic timing is all about the pauses – how long you wait until the joke lands,’ says dancer Araminta Wraith, whose hilarious portrayal of the Tall Stepsister won over the crowds three years ago. ‘So that’s what we work on in rehearsals, but it keeps developing because once you see the audience reaction and what they find funny, then you can play around with it.’ With so many shows to perform, each dancer learns more than one role – and in a case of going from the sublime to the ridiculous, Wraith portrays the nasty stepsister some nights and the kind, supportive fairy godmother on others. She loves playing both, but clearly delights in taking on some of the nastier attributes the sister has to offer. ‘Obviously I’d like to say that the Tall Stepsister is nothing like me as a person,’ laughs Wraith, ‘she’s so horrible. But I love playing a villain – she’s mean and manipulative and it’s just such a fun character to play.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 8–Sun 30 Dec; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 4–Sat 12 Jan. 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 121

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THEATRE | PREVIEWS POLITICAL THEATRE

MOUTHPIECE Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 1–Sat 22 Dec Kieran Hurley’s career as a playwright has been marked by a fiery engagement with serious issues that never lose the personal perspective within political theatre. Mouthpiece, the last production to be directed by Orla O’Loughlin as artistic director of the Traverse, takes a typically intriguing subject and challenges the creative process of art itself. An uneasy friendship between a working-class lad and a woman who wants to tell his story becomes a vigorous examination of how appropriation and exploitation threatens authenticity and authority. ‘Mouthpiece is essentially a story about two people, from very different worlds, who are both quite desperately lost in their own way when they meet,’ Hurley says. ‘For each of them, the relationship awakens something positive and new in their sense of self, in their own story – until what they need from each other becomes too much, and the power dynamics of the relationship begin to tear it apart.’ Established as a playwright capable of addressing both the personal and political by works such as Rantin’, Hitch and recent Fringe success Square Go, Hurley realises that the boundary between the two is rarely solid. ‘A lot of it really comes from me wrestling with my own class confusion in my own identity.’ Although he adds that Mouthpiece is a love story, Hurley is aware that the question of privilege and the right to make art has become a cultural preoccupation. ‘It's something which the theatre industry is beginning to tentatively address more I think,’ he says, ‘though it really does feel like the beginning of a conversation. There is a hell of a lot of work to do.’ Since Hurley is recognised as one of the leading new generation of writers – and performers – his fearlessness in bringing up the issue, however, suggests that, for the Traverse, theatre is still the place for the big ideas to be discussed. (Gareth K Vile)

PHOTO: DAVID MONTEITH HODGE

FESTIVAL

MUSICAL

PANTO

CHRYSALIS

KINKY BOOTS

MAMMY GOOSE

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 15–Sat 17 Nov

Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 10 Dec–Sat 5 Jan

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 27 Nov–Sun 6 Jan

A curated programme of work created by young people, Chrysalis is a festival that celebrates excellence within youth theatre and presents a series of examinations of contemporary society. From Junges Ensemble Marabu’s There is a Globe Stuck in my Throat, a look at the massive disparity between the rich and poor, to the use of nonbinary testimonials in 147 Hz Can't Pass, Chrysalis is a bracing reminder that engaged theatre is not only the domain of established companies. Shaking The Habitual, from Platform Young Company, is a new multi-faceted performance, integrating elements of language, sound and movement, which asks wider questions about how the audience perceive the world and if they can change their collective mindset in order to improve everyday living. Meanwhile, Noise from Camden Youth Theatre is a theatre gig which aims to provide an alternative to the city's constant noise and the bombardment of information in our 24-hour culture. These productions all promise to interrogate issues which impact on youth on a global scale. So much for the lazy stereotype of young people being apathetic, navel-gazing 'snowflakes'. (Lorna Irvine)

Despite an unlikely setting – Northampton – and its origins as a musical adaptation of the 2005 movie of the same name, Kinky Boots has become one of theatre’s surprise successes, charming audiences with its romantic tale of shoe-inspired glamour. Based on a true story, Charlie Price struggles to maintain his late father's success in the famous Price shoe factory, until inspiration strikes in the unlikely form of drag queen Lola. The result is a highly successful hit musical, with three Olivier Awards under its heels. Kinky Boots manages to bring an explicitly camp and queer sensibility into the mainstream musical, with songs from 80s legend Cyndi Lauper. Combining an aspirational storyline with massive pop hits, the musical returns for a huge UK tour that takes in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Starring Kayi Ushe as Lola, Joel Harper-Jackson as Charlie and Paula Lane (Coronation Street) as Lauren, it has a superb cast. With a book by Tony Award-winning Harvey Fierstein, direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell (a two-time Tony recipient) and sassy songs by the irrepressible Lauper, it's destined to sashay proud. More than just a jukebox singalong approach, it's a moving, life-affirming tale with a twist, and a message about tolerance at its core. (Lorna Irvine)

‘Every year the Tron panto brings with it something fresh and exciting,’ say musical director Ross Brown. With pantomime king Johnny McKnight on directing, writing and performing duties, 2018’s Mammy Goose continues the Tron’s run of pop-culture savvy, subversive and witty yuletide productions that manage to pay tribute to tradition while adding a contemporary sass and a gallus wit. The story is a familiar favourite – McKnight’s Mammy has to choose between eternal youth or friendship – and the cast includes familiar faces from previous years’ festivities. As composer and musical director, Brown is the presence in the pit that keeps the show swinging and the songs sparkling. Having been involved since 2009, and now on his sixth seasonal celebration as musical director, Brown admits he can’t wait for Christmas. ‘There is always a great atmosphere both on and off stage. I enjoy being a part of something original and working alongside a cracking team of people.’ But Brown knows that there is always a secret ingredient. ‘I love the enthusiasm and unpredictability of a Tron audience, some of whom you recognise year in, year out,’ he says. ‘Everyone gets into the Christmas spirit and is up for a good laugh. Bring on this year!’ (Gareth K Vile)

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29 NOVEMBER 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 JANUARY 2019

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THEATRE | PREVIEWS POLITICAL THEATRE

THE JOURNEY Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov With a cast that faces an uncertain future in the UK, and a script based on interviews with refugees, Badac’s The Journey is a tough examination of a subject that is too often left to headlines and tabloid controversy. Director Steve Lambert visited refugee camps in the Middle East to see the conditions of people as they try to escape violence and instability, before developing a play that follows the experience of a mother and child as they travel from their devastated homeland to what they hope will be safety. Lambert’s attitude towards theatre is bracingly passionate: Badac’s remit for politically engaged performance manifests in his intense research and an unflinching honesty. ‘Theatre can’t be effective if it’s tailoring work for the audiences taste and is designed to keep everyone happy and not offend,’ he says. By touring outside of the usual venues, into places where theatre isn’t a regular, and respectable, treat, Lambert wants to push the medium as a vehicle for debate. ‘We’re trying to take it to non-theatre spaces and make the production as basic as possible. I’m also – and this is a massive part of the project – trying to get in people who disagree with immigration and in helping refugees. No idea if it will work but I think it's worth a punt.’ Influenced by Artaud’s command that performance ought to have the intensity of a plague, Lambert strives towards a theatre that doesn’t just pander, but provokes. Grounded in the life experiences of the refugee, and filtered through Badac’s distinctive raw aesthetic, The Journey refuses to provide easy answers. ‘The vulnerability and honesty of the process,’ Lambert says, ‘does sometimes create an intense, brutal and cruel experience for both actors and audience. Through intimacy and testimony, we can hopefully do that on The Journey.’ (Gareth K Vile)

PHOTO: ROD PENN

PHOTO: DANIELA MATEJSCHEK

VAUDEVILLE SATIRE

RELIGIOUS REFLECTION

THE LAST DAYS OF MANKIND FEATURING THE TIGER LILLIES

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS, QUEEN OF HEAVEN

Leith Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 10–Fri 16 Nov One of the defining acts of the cabaret revival over the past 20 years, the Tiger Lillies straddle the divide between full-scale theatricality – Shockheaded Peter was a defining moment in the meeting of contemporary theatre and vaudeville – and the gig. Having written ten new songs for a new translation of The Last Days of Mankind by Viennese writer Karl Kraus, the group return to Scotland for a production that heralds the continued rebirth of the Leith Theatre, rescued from disuse by the Hidden Door Festival in the last couple of years. Director John Paul McGroarty sees Karl Kraus’ satire as ‘a docudrama 100 years before anyone had a thought of a docudrama’ and this revival aims to continue the rehabilitation of Leith Theatre as a vibrant venue, 30 years after its last major theatrical production. Last Days’ bleak humour about the horrors of WWI perfectly fits the Tiger Lillies’ distinctive sardonic wit, while representing the collaborative power of artists working across nations as opposed to governments plunging nations into war. With a cast from across Europe, co-director Yuri Birte Anderson comments that ‘Kraus perfectly manages to capture the war discourse of his time – the feverish war craze that seems over the top to us nowadays, but it was real. This will be truly European theatre.’ (Gareth K Vile)

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 13–Sat 22 Dec From its earliest performances almost a decade ago, Jesus, Queen of Heaven has been a constantly evolving, challenging and devotional take on Christian theology. Jo Clifford’s vision of Jesus as a trans woman has become an international success, surprising audiences with its sincerity while still capable of provoking violent resistance. ‘I wrote it because I was trying to find an answer as to why I was suffering so much abuse on the street when I first came out, and to discover and express my pride and self esteem,’ says writer and performer Clifford. Yet over the years, it has come to express both the advances in the rights of trans people and their continued persecution. ‘This is a work of devotion. Of devotion to ourselves and to being present with one another,’ adds director Susan Worsfold. ‘It is constantly evolving, changing and deepening. To witness this is an ongoing journey and a continuous barometer of where the personal present meets the politics of its time.’ The intimacy and intensity of Clifford’s performance ensures that the piece remains a fascinating interpretation of the Christian message, lending it a softly spoken power somewhere between a passionate sermon on compassion and a bold statement of political intent. Part of the Traverse’s Christmas season, more often a time for playful humour than spiritual meditations, it becomes a reminder of theatre’s potential as a vehicle for change and challenge. (Gareth K Vile)

124 THE LIST 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019

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DANCE | PREVIEWS

E C N DA

NARRATIVE DANCE

THE MOTHER Pleasance at EICC, Edinburgh, Fri 21 & Sat 22 Dec When it comes to blurring the line between acting and dancing, it would be hard to imagine a better dream team than the one behind The Mother. A former principal with the Bolshoi and Royal Ballet, Natalia Osipova is known worldwide for her strong characterisation. Contemporary dancer Jonathan Goddard has performed with Scottish Dance Theatre, Richard Alston Dance Company and Rambert, winning multiple awards including Outstanding Male Performance for his role as Dracula with Mark Bruce Company. Choreographer/director Arthur Pita moved from dancing with Matthew Bourne to creating his own, highly narrative works. Osipova and Goddard have already worked on several projects together, building an on-stage chemistry that will serve them well here. ‘I really enjoy dancing with her,’ says Goddard. ‘When you’re working with somebody who has that kind of dramatic ability it’s really exciting, because then it’s not just about technique, it goes to a different level.’ Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Story of the Mother, this new production won’t be your average Christmas fare. ‘Arthur has got quite a dark imagination, and this is very much in his territory,’ says Goddard. ‘Natalia plays a mother whose child is very sick and Death comes to the door and takes the child away. She chases after them, and along the way meets various incarnations of Death – some male, some female – who ask her to do different things. And I play all those incarnations.’ Swapping genders and identities throughout the show, Goddard has his work cut out – but will have a little help from his footwear. ‘I wear very high shoes for some of them,’ he says, ‘which completely changes the way you move. But there’s much more to it than that, the costumes definitely help but you find other ways to change your physicality.’ (Kelly Apter)

PHOTO: JOHAN PERSSON

BALLET / CONTEMPORARY

ESTONIA NOW

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Tramway, Glasgow, Tue 13 & Wed 14 Nov (contemporary), Fri 16 & Sat 17 Nov (ballet)

Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Thu 22–Sat 24 Nov

For audiences in Scotland, Eve Mutso is the former Scottish Ballet principal who brought elegance and drama to each role she danced. But to Estonian National Ballet, she’s a homecoming queen. Celebrating 100 years since Estonia first became an independent nation, Estonia Now will capture two sides of the country’s dance output. The contemporary dance show will feature Sigrid Savi’s Imagine There’s A Fish, Mart Kangro’s Start. Based on a True Story and Karl Saks’ State and design. The ballet triple-bill will feature Time by Tiit Helimets (pictured), Silent Monologues by the company’s artistic director, Thomas Edur and Echo, choreographed by Mutso. ‘It’s a truly exciting prospect and a very emotional one too,’ says Mutso of her return to Scotland. ‘Estonia retains such an important role as part of my identity and Estonian National Ballet was the company I grew up admiring and wanting to dance with. To see them perform my choreography at Tramway in Glasgow feels very special – like bringing parts of my different “homes” together.’ Mutso worked closely with the dancers during Echo’s creation, encouraging them to bring their own personalities into the piece. ‘I kept thinking about how individuality and commonality interact and exist together,’ she explains. ‘Ideas like leading and following, reacting, belonging, letting go and re-joining – being similar in some ways and different in others.’ (Kelly Apter)

RAMBERT: LIFE IS A DREAM It’s almost 40 years since Rambert performed a full-length narrative dance work. So when they set aside their staple diet of double and triple-bills to present one, you know it’s going to be for something special. Choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Kim Brandstrup, Life is a Dream is a two-act re-imagining of Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s 17th-century play, in which a prince incarcerated since childhood is freed for one day. Such sudden exposure doesn’t go well – enraged by all that he’s missed, he turns to violence and cruelty. ‘He is seized, put to sleep and returned to prison,’ explains Brandstrup, ‘and when he wakes up he thinks that everything he experienced was only a dream. So when he is pardoned and let out a second time, he approaches the world with caution and wonder, as if it were a dream that could evaporate at any time.’ Danish-born Brandstrup collaborated with innovative American filmmakers the Quay Brothers on Life is a Dream, who provided sets and projections. But it was the late Polish composer Witold Lutosławski and his turbulent score that gave Brandstrup his vision for the piece. ‘Black and white images of Polish actors rehearsing in dark and bare rehearsal rooms kept coming to me,’ he recalls. ‘And so the piece opens at dusk in a derelict rehearsal room, where the director is drifting off to sleep. Images of that day’s rehearsals of Life is a Dream are revisited, recast and replayed.’ (Kelly Apter)

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HIGHLIGHTS | THEATRE

THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

GLASGOW DRAG-OPTICON Britannia Panopticon, Fri 2 Nov, Fri 14 Dec, britanniapanopticon.org Monthly drag, cabaret and variety show that raises funds for the preservation of the music hall, featuring Alana Duvey and her drag pals. THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY Theatre Royal, Tue 6–Sat 10 Nov, glasgowtheatreroyal.org.uk Ocean’s Eleven meets the Marx Brothers in this smash-and-grab comedy about an escaped convict and a priceless diamond. Also touring, see list. co.uk/theatre for details. SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE: PRELUDE–SKYDIVING FROM A DREAM Tramway, Fri 9 & Sat 10 Nov, scottishensemble.co.uk Music and dance collaboration between Scottish Ensemble and Andersson Dance centred around a live performance

of Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue. See preview, page 118. Also touring, see list.co.uk/dance for details.

Pantomime about the tale as auld as time, with a new Scottish twist and plenty of Glasgae banter.

ESTONIA NOW: CONTEMPORARY DANCE PROGRAMME Tramway, Tue 13 & Wed 14 Nov, tramway.org Showcase of works by Mart Kangro, Karl Saks and Sigrid Savi, three of the most exciting Estonian contemporary choreographers working today. See preview, page 126.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Tramway, Tue 4 Dec–Sun 6 Jan, tramway.org Bold adaptation of the ghostly Dickensian tale by Citizens Theatre, told through storytelling, music and puppetry.

RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY Theatre Royal, Thu 22 Nov, richardalstondance.com Richard Alston celebrates 50 years of dancemaking with a programme showcasing choreography from across his career to date. MAMMY GOOSE Tron Theatre, Tue 27 Nov–Sun 6 Jan, tron.co.uk Rollicking panto based on the Mother Goose nursery rhymes, which sees Mammy Goose choose between eternal youth or friendship and love. See preview, page 123. BRITNEY AND THE BEAST Websters Theatre, Sat 1 Dec–Sat 5 Jan, webstersglasgow.com

ST PETERSBURG CLASSIC BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sun 6 Jan, glasgowconcerthalls.com Festive tale of Clara and her nutcracker prince performed by the Russian ballet company, set to a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s magical score. WAR HORSE SEC, Tue 15–Thu 31 Jan, sec.co.uk Acclaimed National Theatre production based on Michael Morpurgo’s remarkable story about a young boy and his horse, set against the First World War.

EDINBURGH RAMBERT: LIFE IS A DREAM Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Thu 22–Sat 24 Nov, capitaltheatres.com

New full-length piece from Olivier Award-winner choreographer Kim Brandstrup, featuring lyrical dancing from the world-class dance company alongside a live orchestra score by Witold Lutosławski. See preview, page 126. WENDY AND PETER PAN Royal Lyceum Theatre, Thu 29 Nov–Sat 5 Jan, lyceum.org.uk Adaptation of JM Barrie’s enchanting tale about the boy who wouldn’t grow up, which follows his and fearless Wendy’s adventures in Neverland. MOUTHPIECE Traverse Theatre, Sat 1–Sat 22 Dec, traverse.co.uk Unflinching play about the class divide in Edinburgh and whether someone can tell another’s story without exploiting them. See preview, page 123. KINKY BOOTS Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 10 Dec–Sat 5 Jan, playhousetheatre. com Award-winning musical about a shoe factory that begins making sturdy stilettos for drag performers. See preview, page 123. Also touring, see list.co.uk/theatre for details.

PHOTO: JANE HOBSON

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS, QUEEN OF HEAVEN Traverse Theatre, Thu 13–Sat 22 Dec, traverse.co.uk Jesus is reinvented as a transgender woman in this work written and performed by Jo Clifford. See preview, page 124. THE MOTHER EICC, Fri 21 & Sat 22 Dec, eicc. co.uk Natalia Osipova and Jonathan Goddard star in this new narrative dance choreographed by Arthur Pita, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s wintry tale about a mother who must face down death itself to save her child. See preview, page 126. SPIRIT OF THE DANCE Edinburgh Playhouse, Thu 31 Jan, playhousetheatre.com Irish dance fused with sensual Latino rhythms of flamenco and salsa.

Richard Alston Dance Company

HITLIST

THE JOURNEY Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov, badactheatre.com Immersive theatre about the experiences of refugees around the world and the psychological and physical toll of fleeing conflict. See preview, page 124. CHRYSALIS FESTIVAL Traverse Theatre,

Edinburgh, Thu 15–Sat 17 Nov, traverse.co.uk Three days of bold and engaging works from young companies, featuring Junges Ensemble Marabu, Platform Young Company and more. See preview, page 123. ESTONIA NOW: ESTONIAN NATIONAL BALLET Tramway, Glasgow,

Fri 16 & Sat 17 Nov, tramway.org Estonian National Ballet celebrates its centenary with an exciting programme of three short works by renowned Estonian choreographers. See preview, page 126. SCOTTISH BALLET: CINDERELLA Edinburgh Festival

Theatre, Sat 8–Sun 30 Dec; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 4–Sat 12 Jan, scottishballet.co.uk Scottish Ballet performs Christopher Hampson’s reworking of the classic fairytale, alongside a live performance of Prokofiev’s sumptuous score. See preview, page 121. Also touring, see list.co.uk/ dance for details.

GLASGOW GIRLS King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 15–Sat 19 Jan; King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 23–Sat 26 Jan, capitaltheatres.com Powerful musical based on the true story of seven teenagers who rally around their friend when she and her asylum-seeking family are forcibly taken from their home to be deported.

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THE SELL-OUT 2014 SHOW RETURNS

Neil Bartlett 4 DEC '18 - 6 JAN '19 EDINBURGH’S FAMOUS FOSSIL SHOP

Recommended for 6+

5 Cowgatehead Grassmarket Edinburgh, EH1 1JY

0131 220 1344 www.mrwoodsfossils.co.uk

★★★★★ The Herald ★★★★★ The Telegraph ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Scotsman

citz.co.uk 0141 429 0022 Citizens Theatre Ltd. Registered in Scotland No. SC022513 and is a Scottish Charity No. SC001337.

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TELEVISION FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /TV

AN EVENING WITH DAVID RUDOLF Lawyer at centre of true crime series The Staircase heads out on UK tour The startling image of Kathleen Peterson lying at the bottom of a staircase at her home in Forest Hills, North Carolina, leaves a lasting impression. Soon after her death in 2001, her husband Michael Peterson was arrested for her murder and French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade documented behind the scenes of his trial with defence lawyer David Rudolf. The Staircase observes the inner workings of the American justice system, leading the viewer on a thorny investigation that has lasted for 16 years. Rudolf has specialised in high-profile criminal and civil rights cases for more than 25 years and is touring the UK over the next few months to speak about the case. What were his worries about allowing a crew to film him? ‘My concerns were pretty much attorney / client privilege concerns and about the prosecution being able to get a hold of our strategies before the trial,’ Rudolf explains. ‘We took certain steps to protect ourselves against that. We agreed that any of the film would be sent immediately over

to France, so the prosecution would have to go through international procedures to get that footage back.’ The Staircase has now officially wrapped but features a revelatory interview with the presiding judge. Rudolf explains how he felt watching that footage, saying, ‘I thought it was very courageous for Judge Hudson to admit on camera that he may have made a mistake in his legal rulings and at least the way I heard it was that he had a reasonable doubt about Mr Peterson’s guilt. I think both of those things were both unusual. I had never seen a judge so candidly talk about a case that he had presided over. On the other hand, I sat there and thought to myself, this is a little bit late for me and for Michael. Why didn’t you listen to our arguments 15 years ago when they really would have mattered?’ (Katherine McLaughlin) ■ The Staircase is available on Netflix now. An Evening with David Rudolf, O2 Academy, Glasgow, Mon Nov 26; Queens Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 25 Nov.

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TELEVISION | PREVIEWS

HIGHLIGHTS THE FIRST Channel 4, Thu 1 Nov, 9pm New sci-fi drama created by Beau Willimon (House of Cards) about the first manned trip to Mars. Starring Sean Penn, Natascha McElhone and Melissa George.

The Christmas Chronicles

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Henry Northmore rounds up the TV highlights to look out for this festive season

itting round watching TV in your pyjamas is one Christmas tradition we can all get behind. Thankfully there's always a load of old movies, a few perennial favourites, the odd premiere and a ton of specials to keep you entertained. So if you need a break from the family festivities, settle back, relax and stick on the telly. DRAMA

Why do murders in country manors feel like the perfect Christmas TV? There's a new Hercule Poirot in town as BBC turn to The ABC Murders for their annual Agatha Christie adaptation. A three-part murder mystery with John Malkovich making his debut as the idiosyncratic Belgian detective, the cast of suspects includes the likes of Rupert Grint, Andrew Buchan, Tara Fitzgerald and Freya Mavor. New Year is always a let-down. And Ben Wheatley (Sightseers, Kill List) taps into that schadenfreude in Happy New Year, Colin Burstead on BBC Two over Hogmanay. In this dysfunctional drama, NYE celebrations take a dark turn when Colin's (Neil Maskell) estranged brother (Sam Riley) arrives unexpectedly. Wheatley is also planning on using the same characters for a new TV series later in 2019. Jodie Whittaker has well and truly proved herself in Doctor Who (BBC One), so it’s no surprise to see a Christmas special on the calendar. Staying with sci-fi, there's a new version of HG Wells' classic The War of the Worlds (BBC One) starring Eleanor Tomlinson, Rafe Spall and Robert Carlyle. 'The version of The War of the Worlds that I wanted to make is one that's faithful to the tone and the spirit of the book,' explains writer Peter Harness, 'but which also feels contemporary, surprising and full of shocks: a collision of sci-fi, period drama and horror. There is nothing cosy or predictable about Wells’ novel, and that’s what I want to capture in the show.' Meanwhile, Kurt Russell dons the furry red suit for his take on Santa in Netflix brand new movie The Christmas Chronicles which looks like good clean family fun with a cheeky

twinkle in its eye, and will be available from November 22. COMEDY

There’s loads of Christmas specials from all your favourites. Announced so far we have episodes of Mrs Brown's Boys (BBC One), Still Open All Hours (BBC One), Upstart Crow (BBC Two), Not Going Out (BBC), Bad Move (ITV) and The Keith and Paddy Picture Show (ITV). And, of course, the panel shows get in on the action with festive editions of Would I Lie to You (BBC One), QI (BBC Two) and Mock the Week (BBC Two). ENTERTAINMNENT

Two series in and The Great British Bake Off feels totally at home on Channel 4. Prue, Paul, Noel and Sandi return for a Christmas special that's sure to be packed with cakes, puddings and all manner of indulgences. Popular family favourites Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One), The Chase (ITV) and The Crystal Maze (Channel 4) all return with special episodes. KIDS

Is Watership Down (BBC One) for kids? The 1978 movie was pretty scary stuff. This new animated miniseries, based on Richard Adams book about rabbits searching for a new home, features an impressive voice cast including James McAvoy, Ben Kingsley, John Boyega, Gemma Arterton and Olivia Colman. And it wouldn't be Christmas without an adaptation of one of David Walliams’ much-loved children's books and this year we get The Midnight Gang (BBC One). There's also a brand new Julia Donaldson animated short, Zog (BBC One) starring Lenny Henry, Tracey Ullman and Kit Harington. 'The story has a lovely lyricism to it and it's been really good fun seeing the beautiful animation come together,' says Henry. 'There's a cast of brilliant actors and the story is silly, and outrageous, and surreal, and I like all of those things'.

HOUSE OF CARDS – SEASON 6 Netflix, Fri 2 Nov As one Willimon series begins, another finishes. Frank (Kevin Spacey) won't be back so Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) steps to the fore for the final series. HOMECOMING Amazon Prime, Fri 2 Nov Julia Roberts headlines this new psychological thriller about a case worker at a secret government facility. Based on a podcast and adapted for TV by Mr Robot’s Sam Esmail. LOUIS THEROUX'S ALTERED STATES BBC Two, Sun 4 Nov, 9pm Another series of challenging docs from Theroux; this time he turns his eye on adoption, polygamy and euthanasia. Not always the easiest watch but fascinating and insightful. OUTLANDER – SEASON 4 Amazon Prime, Mon 5 Nov The timetravelling period action moves from Scotland to the British colony of Georgia. MARS– SEASON 2 National Geographic, Sun 11 Nov Two Mars-based series in one month. Science fact and fiction mix in this space colony drama. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT DVD/Blu-ray, Mon 3 Dec The sixth instalment in Tom Cruise's espionage series was one of the most thrilling and exciting action movies of 2018. PLAYSTATION CLASSIC Sony, Mon 3 Dec Nostalgic gaming at its best. Following on the heels of the Nintendo Minis, a shrunken version of the console that launched back in 1994 with 20 games built in (including Final Fantasy VII, Ridge Racer Type 4 and Tekken 3). WESTWORLD – SEASON 2 DVD/Blu-ray, Mon 3 Dec The second season plays with time frames and ideas of consciousness and perception as the cyborgs of Westworld continue to gain sentience. TIN STAR – SEASON 2 Sky Atlantic, Jan (date tbc) Bloody revenge thriller set in the Rocky Mountains, starring Tim Roth. STAR TREK: DISCOVERY – SEASON 2 Netflix, Fri 18 Jan Continuing to boldly go with weekly episodes of the Star Trek prequel series.

Check list.co.uk/tv for regular updates.

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VISUAL ART FOR THE LATEST NEWS, LISTINGS AND REVIEWS, GO TO LIST.CO.UK /VISUALART

PIN-UPS: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND WTHE ART OF CELEBRITY Rewarding exhibition of work from the chronicler of Montmartre night-life This new exhibition – which takes as its basis the poster works of Toulouse-Lautrec, with much more historical detail besides – might only be in the basement, but it’s surely one of the most rewardingly curated events the Scottish National Galleries will present this year. As much as Toulouse-Lautrec is an important figure in the world of post-impressionism and pop art-predating lithograph posters, he is shown here to be almost a supporting character in his own story; and the lead, if there is one, is the city of Paris itself. The son of French aristocracy, whose legs were foreshortened by a combination of genetic disorder and childhood illness, he was an enthusiastic consumer as well as a chronicler of the night-life of Montmartre, chiefly through his addictions to wine and absinthe and his frequent use of the services of sex workers. The 20th century wasn’t even two years old when Toulouse-

Lautrec’s vices killed him, yet this show bears a celebratory edge of Montmartre nights in full swing. The famed 1891 advertising poster for Moulin Rouge which made his name is here, as are an advertisement for the writer Victor Joze’s social satire Reine de Joie (Queen of Joy) and the frontispiece for ‘Elles’, Toulouse-Lautrec’s collection of studies of women who work in brothels; each bears a unique combination of the glamorously alluring and the faintly disturbing. There are also generous sections on influences on imitators, and on subjects and contemporaries like the dancers Loie Fuller and the singers Yvette Guilbert and Aristide Bruant, adding up to a packed and densely curated show which gives a rich storytelling sense of place and time. (David Pollock) ■ Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, until Sun 20 Jan. ●●●●●

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VISUAL ART | TABLOIDARTHISTORY

ST GUE URE T A FE

Flickoftheswitch As TabloidArtHistory launch their ﬁrst series of talks, co-founder Mayanne Soret tells us how their cult online art history mash-ups started

created in November 2016 on Twitter by (then) Edinburgh University students Elise Bell and Chloe Esslemont, reading respectively Art History and English Literature. Over the course of the following year, we created a zine, TAH VOL.1, gave our first interviews and talks, extended our platform to Instagram, and built a community of over 70,000 followers. Yet, it wasn’t until a few months ago, when we were asked in two different interviews about the impact of social media on contemporary art discourse, that the memory of my teacher struggling to piece together visual resources resurfaced. From then on, I could not stop thinking about the impact the internet has had on the practice of art history, on the art world and on the evolution of art discourse, and how little this is accurately represented in the field’s debate on the topic. I found little to no reading on the matter before the rise of social media and the radical changes it brought about, only condescending comments about young women taking selfies in museums by established figures in the art world who seem to think that anything that happens outside of the auction room is ‘democratisation’. Interviews and features on young online creatives focus on how much of our life is spent online, giving the impression that all of our cultural production must centre exclusively around the internet. While this is not only inaccurate, it shows a great lack of awareness of what is actually being made and discussed on the contemporary art scene, and the wider issues that affect us as a generation of art producers. Work produced today approaches a wide range of ‘offline’ issues – some that may have concerned our predecessors, some that may be contingent to our time – but the real question, when it

comes to the internet, is how the digital is influencing our perception, engagement and our artistic process, and how it is reforming our methodologies all together? What exactly are the changes the internet brought to the art discourse? What does it mean to engage with art in the digital era? How do we practice art and discuss art on and offline, when the internet is no longer limited to a single device but infiltrates every aspect of our daily lives, in all shapes and forms? Failing to find this dialogue anywhere other than sporadically throughout our Twitter and Instagram timeline, we decided to initiate it ourselves. We invited the most interesting new art voices on our social media feed to talk about the specificities of their art practice, both on and offline, and how they think the digital era has influenced art practice and cultural discourse. ON / OFF: The evolution(s) of the art discourse in the digital era, will be a series of discussions produced and chaired by TabloidArtHistory, featuring art critic duo The White Pube, curator, educator, and co-editor of online magazine Dardishi, Samar Ziadat, and Black Blossoms’ creator, curator and writer Bolanle Tajudeen.

PHOTO: BASTIAN BIRK THUESEN

ome time in my second year at Edinburgh University, during one of my art history classes, a lecturer told the class about her struggle to put together a course dedicated to the history of women artists when she arrived at the university in the early 1990s. While she had already gathered a strong back catalogue of artists and collectives to discuss, she found herself stuck with no teaching material as the library had almost no presentation slides of works by women artists. At that time, Linda Nochlin had already published Why have there been no great women artists? (1971), Griselda Pollock and Rozsika Parker had published Old Mistresses: Women, Art and Ideology (1982), and the Guerrilla Girls had been formed (1985). Yet my professor still struggled. Specifically, her obstacle was material, and as she told us about researching and scanning images to turn them into slides, she highlighted the pivotal place visual resources, archives and library collections hold within the development of art history. When I started university in 2013, my first lecture used a Powerpoint presentation. When I graduated in 2016, the last class presentation was on Google Slides. All images obtained could be sourced online, and while I widely used public libraries and ‘analogue’ resources to quench my thirst for art as a teenager, digital resources are now my first – and often only – stop. This story may sound anecdotal to many, but it was the first time that I experienced first-hand the importance material resources have over the practice of art history, and art discourse at large. Specifically, it was the first time I truly questioned how new technology impacts both methodologies and research. A little over a year later, I joined the social media platform TabloidArtHistory,

ON / OFF: The evolution(s) of the art discourse in the digital era, Stills, Edinburgh, featuring The White Pube, Fri 2 Nov; Samar Ziadat, Thu 8 Nov; Black Blossoms, Tue 13 Nov; tickets £6 (£5), stills.org

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PREVIEWS & REVIEWS | VISUAL ART

list.co.uk/visualart GROUP EXHIBITION

NOW Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One), until Sun 28 April ●●●●● Incredibly, the National Galleries of Scotland’s three-year series of NOW exhibitions has passed the halfway mark. The ground-breaking shows, each radiating out from a body of work by one contemporary artist to connect to others via themes and commonalities, have never failed to provide surprises and fresh perspectives. The fourth NOW is no exception. The central artist is Monster Chetwynd and, as with many artists who work principally in performance, it’s unusual to see her work in a public gallery. This is a revelation: props turned into monumental reliefs and sculptures, custom-designed wallpaper, photographs and paintings, as well as film documentation of five performances. Her paintings, from a series called ‘Bat Opera’, are a reminder that however energetic, homespun and spontaneous her work appears, it is underpinned by an exacting aesthetic. Chetwynd’s work manages to be playful, irreverent and unsettling, splicing together influences from art history and popular culture, and these elements strike common chords with the other artists in the show. Edinburgh-based painter Moyna Flannigan has recently started working in collage, which has opened up fresh avenues of exploration for her. Henry Coombes’ 2009 film ‘The Bedfords’, with a collaged wallpaper made from his drawings and storyboards, paves the way for his anticipated feature-length film on the same subject. The other artists compound surprise upon surprise. Veteran AfricanAmerican artist Betye Saar has her debut presentation in Scotland with a 1987 work, ‘Mojotech’, a voodoo-style altar to the power of technology. Egyptian artist Wael Shawky’s ‘The Cabaret Crusades’ creates a reenactment of the Crusades with marionettes – proof, if any were needed by this point, that you can be playful and deadly serious at the same time. And prints from Goya’s ‘Los Disparates’ series remind us that irreverence was invented long before any of these artists were born. (Susan Mansfield)

PHOTO: IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHS: RENATO GHIAZZA. COURTESY THE ARTIST AND THE SUNDAY PAINTER.

P R E V IE

MIXED MEDIA

DOCUMENTARY FICTION

INSTALLATION

EMMA HART: BANGER

LUCY BEECH: REPRODUCTIVE EXILE

MARGARET SALMON: HOLE

Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, until 3 Feb

Tramway, Glasgow, Sat 1 Dec–Sun 27 Jan

An artist who titles her works things like ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Suckerz’ would seem to have an ear for the subversive, and Emma Hart doesn’t disappoint with BANGER, her first show in Scotland, opening at the Fruitmarket just in time for Bonfire Night. London-based Hart, the most recent winner of the biennial Max Mara Art Prize for Women, often makes work which is ‘badly behaved and messy, challenging assumptions and stereotypes in her quest to make art to which everyone can relate.’ Hart initially studied photography, but now works in a range of media including ceramics, where she relishes the handmade aspects while subverting the medium with customary panache. One of the works coming to the Fruitmarket is ‘Mamma Mia!’, made in response to a residency in Italy funded by the Max Mara Prize on which she studied ceramic techniques, as well as spending time observing the work at a special family therapy clinic in Milan. Drawing on aspects of both, she has made ‘families’ of giant ceramic heads, lit from inside and colourfully painted with ‘modern hieroglyphics’. Work made since focuses on the car and how we use it to shape and navigate the world. That might be a clue to the title. But I think we can still expect to be surprised. (Susan Mansfield)

Lucy Beech takes real-life scenarios and subtly twists them to wring out anxiety in many aesthetically appealing forms. Her films often centre around groups of women and present relationships that feel disconcertingly slippery; women’s relationships to their bodies, to each other, to corporations that have similar rights to human bodies but no flesh or vulnerability. In previous films such as Cannibals (2013), she deals with consumption, using food as a lavish tactile metaphor for the feminine body, and in Pharmakon (2016), a seductive marketing ploy evokes an evasive desire for health, vitality, fertility – it’s not clear exactly what, only that its persuasive delivery by a corporatesounding actress seems pernicious and evasive in equal measure. Beech’s latest film, Reproductive Exile, on the theme of trans-national assisted conception, extends this exploration. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, ‘the time has come to rethink the language of reproductive tourism and to replace it with a new vocabulary’ that captures ‘the considerable travails encountered in the global quest for conception.’ With adverts for fertility fairs now visible across London’s tube network, coinciding with Frieze, the international contemporary art fair, there is no better time to examine the outsourcing of human fertility. (Jessica Ramm)

Dundee Contemporary Arts, Sat 8 Dec–Sun 24 Feb Salmon’s show at DCA will centre on a new 16mm film that ‘uses a female erotic gaze to look for places where love might be found in contemporary life’, as well as incorporating new ideas about sound, light and temperature that follow on from her recent survey show at Tramway in February. For the past few years, Salmon has been making single-screen works that convey a curious sensation that time has slowed down to match the ordinary, everyday rhythms lived out by the people she observes. According to Salmon, ‘what you see is what I see’ since everything she’s made has been facilitated by her body holding the camera. Her subjects seem unaware or unfazed by her presence, allowing her to present subtle relationships unfolding between people, places and situations as though they are taking place in realtime outside the celluloid frame. Stretches of waiting are punctuated by moments of activity or intimacy, reflecting the mundane but universally recognisable experiences that make up life. Salmon has also been shortlisted for this year’s Jarman Award, and will take part in an associated screening and discussion at DCA on Mon 29 Oct. (Jessica Ramm) 1 Nov 2018–31 Jan 2019 THE LIST 133

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VISUAL ART | HIGHLIGHTS

VISUAL ART HIGHLIGHTS GLASGOW LIGHTWAVES Street Level Photoworks, until Sun 25 Nov, streetlevelphotoworks.org A collaboration with VU Photography Centre in Quebec City, featuring new photographic work by Josée Pedneault, Bertrand Carrière, Mat Hay and Melanie Letoré. BRUSHES WITH WAR Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, until Sun 6 Jan, glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/ venues/kelvingrove-art-galleryand-museum Drawings and paintings of WWI from soldierartists who experienced it. Booking essential. ROSENGARTEN Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 20 Jan, gla.ac.uk/ hunterian Installation by Anne Bevan and Janice Galloway, taking obstetrical tools and pairing them with water, light, human hands and garden plants. AMANDA ROSS-HO: HURST WORST Mary Mary, Sat 10 Nov–Sat 19 Jan, marymarygallery.co.uk Work by LA-based artist inspired in part by the Pain Rating Scale, which used cartoon facial ideograms as a way of helping child patients indicate how much pain they were in. LUCY BEECH: REPRODUCTIVE EXILE Mary Mary, Sat 10 Nov–Sat 19 Jan, marymarygallery.co.uk A documentary fiction on the theme of transnational assisted conception, following the story of a woman whose bodily processes are facilitated by a chain of human and non-human bodies. See preview, page 133.

HITLIST

PIN-UPS: TOULOUSELAUTREC AND THE ART OF CELEBRITY Scottish National Gallery, until 20 Jan, nationalgalleries.org Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec gets his debut solo show at the National Gallery of Scotland, only 117 years after his untimely death. Toulouse-Lautrec’s prints and posters immortalised

EDINBURGH

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

Events are listed by city, then date. Submit listings for your event at list.co.uk/add

ANDREW CRANSTON: BUT THE DREAM HAD NO SOUND Ingleby Gallery, until Fri 21 Dec, inglebygallery.com The largest exhibition of the artist’s work to date, accompanied by a 164pp book. GRAEME TODD: STREET HERMIT Summerhall, until Sun 23 Dec, summerhall.co.uk Drawings and paintings exploring landscape in its broadest sense. JESSE JONES: TREMBLE TREMBLE Talbot Rice Gallery, until Sat 26 Jan, ed.ac.uk/talbot-rice Work touching on issues of gender inequality by Dublin-based artist, which featured at the Venice Biennale, and consisting of a film featuring the Irish actress and performer Olwen Fouere performing a script devised by Jones and herself, plus studio pieces. EMBROIDERED STORIES: SCOTTISH SAMPLERS National Museum of Scotland, until Sun 21 Apr, nms.ac.uk/nationalmuseum-of-scotland This exhibition gives a unique and piercing insight into the lives of Scottish children in the 18th and 19th centuries, by displaying samplers: pieces of needlework created mostly by girls and depicting things as diverse as biblical scenes, episodes from history, animals and even a multiplication table. ANDY WARHOL AND EDUARDO PAOLOZZI: I WANT TO BE A MACHINE Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art Two, Sat 17 Nov–Sun 2 Jun, nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottishnational-gallery-modern-art Pop art works by Warhol and Paolozzi, showing how they used found and captured images. CHARLES II: ART AND POWER The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Fri 23 Nov–Sun 2 Jun, rct.uk/visit/the-queens-gallerypalace-of-holyroodhouse Charles

the nightlife of late 19th century Paris, and this show features 75 works by him and his contemporaries. See review, page 131. EMMA HART: BANGER The Fruitmarket Gallery, until Sun 3 Feb, fruitmarket.co.uk New work in ceramics from the London-based artist,

Andres Serrano

II liked a good time, and that included having himself painted. This exhibition shows the extent of his patronage of the arts and the resurgence of statesponsored art that happened under the Restoration. ROBERT BLOMFIELD: EDINBURGH STREET PHOTOGRAPHY – AN UNSEEN ARCHIVE City Art Centre, Sat 24 Nov–Sun 17 Mar, edinburghmuseums.org.uk/ venue/city-art-centre Exhibition of work by Robert Blomfield, who worked as a street photographer in Edinburgh from the 50s to the 70s. ANDRES SERRANO: TORTURE Stills, Fri 30 Nov–Sun 3 Mar, stills.org Images of torture from the photographer, who photographed more than 40 subjects in humiliating and stressful positions based on documented cases of torture. BP PORTRAIT AWARD 2018 Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Sat 15 Dec–Sun 10 Mar, nationalgalleries. org/visit/scottish-national-portrait-

exploring her interest in the car and urban landscape. See preview, page 133 NOW: MONSTER CHETWYND, HENRY COOMBES, MOYNA FLANNIGAN, BETYE SAAR, WAEL SHAWKY Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, until Sun 28 Apr, nationalgalleries.org

gallery Annual portrait painting competition. ROBOTS National Museum Of Scotland, Fri 18 Jan–Sun 5 May, nms.ac.uk/nationalmuseum-of-scotland New major exhibition developed by the Science Museum that looks at our 500-year quest to make robots human.

OUT OF TOWN LORNA MACINTYRE: PIECES OF YOU ARE HERE Dundee Contemporary Arts, Sat 8 Dec–Sun 24 Feb, dca.org.uk The artist’s first solo exhibition in a major UK institution, featuring new work specially commissioned for the gallery. BOW GAMELAN ENSEMBLE: GREAT NOISES THAT FILL THE AIR Cooper Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, until Sat 15 Dec, dundee. ac.uk/djcad A retrospective of work by the artist collective.

The latest in a series of contemporary art exhibitions foregrounds the Turner-nominated Monster Chetwynd, known for her exuberant and theatrical performances. See preview, page 133. ARTIST ROOMS: LAWRENCE WEINER The McManus, Dundee, Sat 3 Nov–Sun 17 Feb,

mcmanus.co.uk Textbased work from the New York artist. MARGARET SALMON: HOLE Dundee Contemporary Arts, Sat 8 Dec–Sun 24 Feb, dca-org.uk New work from the Glasgowbased American artist and filmmaker. See preview, page 133.

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BACK PAGE FIRST&LAST GARY LIGHTBODY The Snow Patrol leader takes some time out to tell us about Belfast, bags, Bill Burr, burgers and Bad First film you saw that really moved you

Star Wars: A New Hope. I’ve watched it over and over. And over. Still do. I know you were probably asking about a ‘weepy’ but Star Wars has everything. I cry at the opening crawl, for crying out loud. Last lie you told

It wasn’t me that ate your sandwich. First record you ever bought

Michael Jackson’s Bad. I was ten. I mean, I had albums for Christmases and birthdays before that but I think the first record I went into the store and bought was that one. Last extravagant purchase you made

A Gretsch Country Gent guitar. Last book you read

Stephen Fry’s Mythos. A work of genius. First great piece of advice you were given

Always carry your own bag. My dad told me that and I never forgot it. A good tool to keep you grounded. If you ever get to the stage where someone else is carrying all your shit while you’re Instagramming your small dog, then all is pretty much lost. First thing you’d do if you ran the country

Have a ‘shouting at each other’ embargo so we can try and sort some things out with some goddamn kindness! First time you realised you were famous

I’m only famous in certain places. In most places in the world, no one knows who I am. Suppose

I’ pretty I’m tt well-known ll k att hhome iin Ireland so sometimes when I go home I get asked for pictures quite a lot. Other than that, I live a fairly normal life off stage. Last time someone criticised your work

Ha! I don’t read reviews anymore and haven’t for a long time. My advice to any artist anywhere would be not to. I promise it’ll be one of the best things you do for your health. Harder to avoid on social media though. Someone said we were terrible on there yesterday so it’s not like you can ever completely avoid it. Ha!

note t never to wear that jacket again. And I never did. First concert you ever attended

Red Hot Chili Peppers in the Ulster Hall, Belfast. My second gig was Nirvana, Teenage Fanclub and The Breeders (what a bill!!!!!) also in Belfast.

NEXT ISSUE FRI 1 FEB

First object you’d save from your burning home

Depends if my niece was in there or not. If she was, her. If not, I dunno: a guitar in each hand probably. Last funny thing you saw online

First three words your friends would use to describe you

Bill Burr on Conan.

‘Dumb as fuck’.

Last thing you think of before you go to sleep

Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it

I’m a giant ball of anxiety so it’ll likely be something I should have done that day but never got around to.

I bought the first leather jacket I’ve ever owned about five years ago when I was in LA. I went out later that night wearing it to meet some friends and when I arrived they were chatting to Stephen Merchant (the fantastic comedian, writer and actor). I’d never met him. As I approached the group and before he even said hello to me, he looked me up and down and said ‘well, Mad Max is here then’. Everyone laughed and I made an immediate

First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning

The thing I was supposed to do yesterday but never got around to. Snow Patrol play SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Thu 31 Jan. The band’s new album Wildness is out now. See more of this Q&A at list. co.uk

Once the Yuletide celebrations have wound down, it’s time to prepare for some more world-class festival action coming straight out of Glasgow. Film buffs will flock to the city for 12 days and nights of new movies, retrospective seasons and guest appearances galore while comedy fans will be spoiled with almost three weeks of stand-up, sketch, films, quizzes and kids shows. Among those already scheduled to appear are Limmy, Julian Clary, Janey Godley and Jerry Sadowitz.

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