And just like that, 2023 is over. Once again we have had a busy year, reviewing theatre made in and visiting Scotland, with this we have been invited to more theatres and more productions, meaning that the scale of our reviewing has never been greater.
In 2024, Theatre Scotland will turn five years old, in preparation for that we will look to grow our platforms even further to bring more content and initiatives for our followers and collaborators. Without you, our followers and readers, none of this would have been possible, so we really thank you for the support you have given us over the past four-plus years.
2023 has provided a year of diverse, complex, engaging and creative theatre. Our reviewers have been hard at work ensuring we deliver quality reviews that accurately represent Scottish audience’s opinions. Below is our five star shows of 2023.
‘Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby’ (Rambert Dance) – Edinburgh Festival Theatre
“The cast and creatives of this production deliver a breathtaking visual feast, featuring some of televisions most iconic characters.” – Lewis C. Baird (January 2023)
‘Kidnapped’ (National Theatre of Scotland) – Beacon Arts Centre
“‘Kidnapped’ is a piece of theatrical brilliance from National Theatre of Scotland, overseen by one of the country’s most ingenious playwrights and directors, featuring Scotland’s best performers.” – Lewis C. Baird (April 2023)
‘Stornaway, Quebec’ (Theatre Gu Leòr in association with An Lanntair) – Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
“Stornoway, Quebec is a fierce piece of work that riots its way through the western genre. Complimented with its refreshing use of lighting, this production grips you until the fiery end.” – Hannah Cook (April 2023)
‘Ayetanic’ (Aberdeen Student Show) – His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen
“Aberdeen Student Show continues to be a love letter to the North-East. Creating a space for young people to experience theatre at its most intense while raising an admirable amount of money for local charities.” – Hannah Cook (April 2023)
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ (Scottish Ballet) – His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen
“With staggering design and sensational dance, A Streetcar Named Desire shows the ugly history of equality.” – Hannah Cook (April 2023)
‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ (UK Tour) – Edinburgh Festival Theatre
“It provides refreshing takes on life as an elderly person and reminds us that it’s never too late to discover ourselves or begin anew. It is the ultimate piece of feel-good theatre.” – Katie McNulty (June 2023)
‘Kinky Boots’ (The Lyrical Musical Theatre Society) – His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen
“The Lyric has showcased the raw talent of Aberdeen Theatre, rivalling productions on a professional level. The company has captured the true essence of Kinky Boots, with glitter, glam and a whole lot of sole.” – Hannah Cook (June 2023)
‘Holly Spillar: Hole’ – Edinburgh Fringe – Underbelly Bistro Square
“A mixture of humour, musicality and an endless array of brilliant facial expressions brings a new type of comedy that can only be experienced and enjoyed, and what a pleasure it would be to interact with our main character Hole more to embrace more of the community feeling!” – Saskia Werkhoven (August 2023)
‘What Girls Are Made Of’ (Raw Material Arts) – Edinburgh Fringe – Assembly Rooms Music Hall
“What Girls Are Made Of is an extraordinary autobiographical piece of theatre which at its core inspires women to take matters into their own hands.” – Rebecca Donati (August 2023)
‘Pitch’ (November Theatre) – Edinburgh Fringe – Pleasance Courtyard
“November Theatre has produced a heartwarming community felt production, which directly challenges today’s war on the trans community as well as the conversation around sports and the queer community following on from the Qatar World Cup in 2022.” – Rebecca Donati (August 2023)
“The Real William Shakespeare… As Told by Christopher Marlowe is a must-watch this Fringe! Matchmaker Theatre Productions have done a phenomenal job of telling some history with a musical, conspiracy twist.” – Stacey Brown (August 2023)
‘How To Bury A Dead Mule’ (Richard Clements) – Edinburgh Fringe – Jackdome, Pleasance Dome
“Richard Clements and his team have really done his story justice and created a
piece of theatre that anyone could – and would – love to experience.” – Keiran McLean (August 2023)
‘Ed’ – Edinburgh Fringe – Zoo Playground
“This show made me feel as if I had dropped acid, some parts were completely bonkers but I believe this type of show is what makes the Fringe. Imperfect yet genius, intimate and such a good time- before the Fringe was a large-scale capitalism event it was about finding diamonds in the rough, this show is a diamond.” – Marcus Lundie (August 2023)
‘24,23,22’ – Edinburgh Fringe – Iron Belly, Underbelly
“24,23,22 is a whirlwind of heat of the moment decisions that cause hilarious moments, dramatic turning points and clever, creative storytelling that is brought to life in front of you by some excellent acting.” – Keiran McLean (August 2023)
‘Sofa, So Funny, So Fringe’ (PBH Fringe) – Edinburgh Fringe – Kilderkin
“As this is a compilation show there is a new featured comedian every show, on this particular night it was ‘the comedian’s comedian’ Stuart Goldsmith. He was brilliant he took the mick out of the venue but it was all in good jest, he made some fantastic jokes about family, fatherhood and the daily joys of the fringe. All round just a professional at his craft.” – Marcus Lundie (August 2023)
‘Nobody’s Talking About Jamie’ (Jamie Finn) – Edinburgh Fringe – Iron Belly, Underbelly
“Finn was incredibly entertaining. The originality of the piece was very fresh and from start to finish his storytelling had the audience hooked and bent over laughing.” – Keiran McLean (August 2023)
‘Continental Comedy’ (PBH Free Fringe) – Edinburgh Fringe – Kilderkin
“The show as a whole is well organised with an obviously seasoned show woman at the helm, the acts are precisely picked with a diverse cast of funny people that hold wonderfully individual views and humour.” – Marcus Lundie (August 2023)
‘Garage Warriors’ (Raw Toast Productions) – Edinburgh Fringe – TheSpace at Surgeon’s Hall
“It feels obvious that the bond between the four lads in the play mirrors the bond between the actors, and this closeness helps bring together this silly, fun, yet worryingly relevant show.” – Sam Eastop (August 2023)
‘Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back’ – Edinburgh Fringe – Assembly George Square Gardens
“‘The Butch Is Back’ is a must-see at this year’s Fringe. Reuben Kaye is a born performer who creates the perfect escapism and safe space for all those who dare to be different in this mundane world.” – Lewis C. Baird (August 2023)
“‘Divas: From Stage To Screen’ is a stunning piece of cabaret theatre that showcases incredible local performers, singing some of the most iconic hits of all time. This is a show you don’t want to miss.” – Lewis C. Baird (August 2023)
‘Little Women’ (Bare Productions) – Edinburgh Fringe – Paradise in Augustines, The Studio
“The company’s love and appreciation for the story they’re telling is so wonderfully clear in every scene. It’s a true gift to watch a performance where everyone is wholeheartedly devoted to embodying these beloved characters and honouring the famous narrative.” – Katie McNulty (August 2023)
‘Adults’ (Traverse Theatre) – Edinburgh Fringe – Traverse Theatre
“‘Adults’ is a hilarious and yet poignant play that features a stellar cast and a superb book written by one of Scotland’s most talented playwrights.” – Lewis C. Baird (August 2023)
‘Concerned Others’ (Tortoise In A Nutshell) – Edinburgh Fringe – Summerhall, Demonstration Room
“Concerned Others’ is a thought provoking piece of theatre which uses extreme creativity to impact its message on audiences. There is an air of humility which truly lets the participants’ stories be the focus of the performance despite all of the inspiring multimedia and visual elements.” – Rebecca Donati (August 2023)
‘In Memoriam’ (BossyB*tch Productions) – Edinburgh Fringe – TheSpace Surgeon’s Hall
“Navigating through themes of death, family, pain and time, BossyB*tchProductions have produced a type of comfort theatre that unites everyone and anyone from all backgrounds and reinforces the fact that funerals are indeed for the living. A production that is a must-see with performers who have great stage presence and snappy to watch.” – Saskia Werkhoven (August 2023)
‘A Working Title’ – Edinburgh Fringe – TheSpace on The Mile
“It offers a wonderful perspective on what Art can still be and in a festival like the Fringe, welcomes and delights us that all story telling is unique as long as it fits your voice. The writing is fast, comedic and incredibly emotional, tone of the piece varies but is well balanced.” – Saskia Werkhoven (August 2023)
’42nd Street’ (UK Tour) – Theatre Royal, Glasgow
“‘42nd Street’ is one of the most carefully considered pieces of theatre in our current industry. It is a masterpiece which should be celebrated and shared with everyone you know.” – Rebecca Donati (August 2023)
“‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ is a behemoth of a production. With captivating lighting, bewitching set and outstanding movement, the National Theatre never fails to stun with its storytelling. This horror-filled production pulls you out to the edges to question what is reality and what is imagination.” – Hannah Cook (August 2023)
‘God Catcher’ – Edinburgh Fringe – Ermintrude, Underbelly Bristo Square
“God Catcher’ is one of the best productions not only have I seen at the Fringe, but one of the best productions I have seen in 2023. This cast and creative team have utilized the source material of Greek Mythology and created a legend of their own. This is Fringe and Musical Theatre at it’s best.” – Lewis C. Baird (August 2023)
‘A Perfectly Average Glimpse into a Perfectly Average Day‘ – Edinburgh Fringe – Zoo Playground
“A Perfectly Average Glimpse into a Perfectly Average Day reminds us that the ordinary is often the source of the extraordinary. In a festival that can be filled with spectacle and tech, this show proves that less is more.” – Stacey Brown (August 2023)
‘JM Coetzee’s Life & Times Of Michael K’ – Edinburgh Fringe – Assembly Hall
“This performance is thought provoking, bringing up feelings of privilege, simplicity, spirituality and our place on earth. A truly emotive, eye capturing piece of theatre which should be seen by all.” – Rebecca Donati (August 2023)
‘Romeo + Juliet’ (Matthew Bourne) – Edinburgh Festival Theatre
“Matthew Bourne’s: Romeo + Juliet takes and reframes the expected themes of love, lust, trauma and coming of age in a brilliant reimagining. Audiences will leave having the air knocked out of them and contemplating the scenes of the institute for days. This is not a production to be missed.” – Erin Munro (September 2023)
‘Battery Park’ (Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company) – Beacon Arts Centre
“This high energy, highly captivating show delivers everything that you would want and more, from the live music to the engaging storytelling. Sleeping Warrior smashed it out of the Battery Park with this one.” – Keiran McLean (September 2023)
‘2:22 – A Ghost Story’ (UK Tour) – Glasgow King’s Theatre
“2:22 delivers a captivating, hilarious and chilling story, showcased by an elite cast performance. A ghost story that definitely leaves you haunted – craving more.” – Keiran McLean (November 2023)
‘Wicked’ (UK Tour) – Edinburgh Playhouse
“‘Wicked’ is a mesmerizing theatrical experience, this is the best musical production touring the UK currently. The cast of this production are the best in the business and work in tandum to bring audiences a spectacular experience. Twenty years on, ‘Wicked’ continues to Defy Gravity.” – Lewis C. Baird (December 2023)
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