Thursday, December 19

Tag: Duncan McLean

Treasure Island – The Lyceum, Edinburgh
Scotland

Treasure Island – The Lyceum, Edinburgh

The Lyceum Christmas show has landed! And in the tradition of Lyceum Christmas shows passed it (thankfully!) takes a wide berth around the ‘panto’ genre and serves up its own idiosyncratic recipe; take a classic tale, give it an Edinburgh flavour, a sprinkling of humour, a seasonal twist, a large dollop of live music and action, and serve it firmly tongue -in-cheek and aimed squarely at the family market. For the most part, Treasure Island, adapted by Orkney based writer, Duncan McLean, achieves its objectives, and the production is hilarious, fast-paced and always wonderfully musical.   In a clever plot twist, we start our tale in a rest home for reformed pirates, no beards, no swashbuckling and absolutely no treasure hunts… Awwww! But old habits are hard to break, timbers req...
Edward Scissorhands – The Lowry
North West

Edward Scissorhands – The Lowry

There are very few certainties in life, or theatre. One is surely that a night with a New Adventures dance production is always magical. The latest revival of Edward Scissorhands definitely confirms the rule, even if this is far from stellar Matthew Bourne. Tim Burton’s classic movie was first reinvented as a ballet in 2005. As one would expect with this creative team, the show feels as fresh and spectacular as it must have been nearly two decades ago. The iconic score was made for movement and Danny Elfman’s composition marries beautifully with the newer music and arrangements created by Terry Davies. Enchanting is really the only word for it. Fans of the cult flick can be reassured. This is a faithful retelling of the story of the unfinished humanoid with scissors for hands. How...