Mary Baillie

Author Paul Tinto performed his original work 'Trouble in Spiritland' as a work-in-progress show at the Traverse this week. Adapted from the mythic epic poem of the same name, Tinto's theatrical spoken-word presentation delves into difficult themes including the wealth divide, capitalist corruption, the attainment gap and questions of morality.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's musical theatre students showed off their talent in 1930s musical She Loves Me last week. Set in a Budapest perfumery, the piece follows feuding coworkers Georg (Nathan Muwowo) and Amelia (Ailsa Graham) who are unknowingly anonymous penpals, falling in love through their letters. As their romantic correspondence and work conflicts intersect, secrets are revealed catalysing a heartfelt ending. It's giving a slightly adapted You Got Mail. 

The Royal Conservatoire’s ‘Performance in British Sign Language (BSL) and English' students presented a beautiful silent adaptation of Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' last week. Combining both BSL and English, this performance ensured accessibility and enjoyment for both hearing and hearing-impaired audiences.

David Greig's 1999 play 'The Cosmonaut's Last Message to the Woman he Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union' is inspired by the real-life story of Sergei Krikalev, a cosmonaut stranded on the Mir space station as the Soviet Union disintegrated. Sounds fascinating in principle. The actors and designers did an impressive job with what they were given - unfortunately, the writing was even more longwinded than its title.

Jack Thorne's adaptation of Hirokazu Kore-eda's award-winning 1998 film presents an interesting premise at the Royal Conservatoire this week. Set in a waystation between life and death, recently deceased souls face a challenging conundrum - which single memory will each select to relive for all eternity? The piece delves into the beauty and artificiality of recreating a memory, presenting a metaphysical exploration of how we view our own lives. It is a meditation of what it is to live - and die.

Southern belle Blanche DuBois (Kirsty Stuart) arrives at her sister Stella’s (Nalini Chetty) run-down apartment in New Orleans. Almost immediately Blanche starts butting heads with Stella’s abusive husband Stanley (Matthew Trevannion) catalysing a whirlwind of events toying between naturalism and magical realism. The play touches on themes of female ageism, misogyny, beauty standards, queerness and the darker side of the ‘American Dream’.

Watching the Blue Man Group is how I imagine a halluncinatory drug trip. From spitting out neon paint to hanging an audience member upside down to an intense rave, the blue men challenge the limits of theatre in an absurd combination of clowning, theatre and performance installations.

A train passenger is murdered - Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Michael Maloney) must find the culprit. Suspects are portrayed as amusing caricatures, ranging from a shrieky missionary to a mansplaining gangster and a bold American actress. The exposition drags a little as we are slowly introduced to everyone, but the second showcases an imaginative, quirky take on the acclaimed mystery.

After Party promises a satirical bash but feels more like an awkward hangover. Though advertised as a personal autobiography exploring the New Labour era, it comes across as a blend of political diatribes, lengthy news segments, and sporadic audience interaction.

We discover the chances of perishing in a commercial plane crash are 29.4 million to one. Comforting—unless you’re that one. Visible Fictions presented the world premiere of original work 'Up' at the Tron in Glasgow last week, which will continue to tour Scotland until the 5th of October. The piece follows lucky Jay and unlucky Jayme, who meet on a plane as it crashes towards Earth. 

A pizza express menu. A birthday card. A birth certificate. A note. A shopping receipt. In a world so overtaken by technology, this play beautifully uncovers the quiet power of paper, revealing how much of our lives—birthdays, milestones, even dinner plans—are still shaped by what’s printed on single sheets.

Who knew dissecting global politics could be such a riot? In his latest show, Nish Kumar (best known for The Mash Report and Taskmaster) proves we need punchlines to survive punch-ups. Blending sharp political commentary with razor-sharp wit, the left-wing comic delivers a cleverly crafted set that walks the fine line between entertainment and thought-provoking social reflection.

Who doesn't love a fun chick flick? Playwright Frances Poet delivers a playful adaptation of one of the oldest love stories, Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. If you're expecting a deep, meaningful exploration of intense themes, you might be disappointed. But if you're looking for a feel-good night out, you're in for a treat.

Harry Mould's play debut zooms in on a fascinating, lesser-known historical tidbit. In the 70s and 80s, UK-based charity The Samaritans ran a telephone line helping those in need. However, these needs extended beyond traditional advice-giving. Known as the 'telephone masturbators', men who asked for 'Brenda' would receive an ear to listen to their darkest sexual fantasies. The play has promise, but lacks impact.

In total transparency, I was apprehensive about this one because I’ve always associated opera with being outdated and inaccessible. However, director David Douglas has completely changed my mind.

Reinventing popular movies as stage musicals is a tricky road to navigate, but this Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shifts into high gear, potentially overtaking the original.

Des Dillon's award-winning Glaswegian play centres around a Rangers fan and a Celtics fan locked in a prison cell together. If you're a football fan, you'll love it. If you're not a football fan (like me), you'll also love it.

Presented by the EG Musical Company of South Korea, You & It feels like a haunting Black Mirror episode disguised as a Disney fairytale. The piece starts with happy-go-lucky couple Mina and Gyujin, whose love story seems almost too perfect. But as the narrative unfolds, a dark twist changes the trajectory of their lives, revealing a much more complex and unsettling reality beneath the surface.

After a sold-out 2022 show at the Traverse, celebrated comedian ALOK returns to Edinburgh with an introspective solo show challenging traditional ideas of beauty, gender and identity. 

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland brings Tasha Gordon-Solomon and Faye Chiao's new play Fountain of You to the Fringe, diving deep into the perils of female ageism. The plot follows Kristen (Matrya Wróbel), a once-thriving actress deemed 'too old' for Hollywood after her 35th birthday. In a desperate bid to reclaim her youth and career, she encounters enigmatic spa-owner Angelica (Lucy McClure) who promises a bizarre rejuvenation treatment.