7 theatre shows to see in Scotland this spring

A night at the theatre should always be a magical thing and, across springtime, Scotland hosts a number of dramatic delights. Here is a selection of some glittering stars and dark horses to catch over the next few months

Prima Facie

And stars don’t come much more glittering right now than Jodie Comer who’s taking a step back from appearing in movies about bikers and zombies to take on the demanding role, one last time, of a barrister at the top of her game who suddenly has to reassess everything after a troubling instance of abuse.
Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Tuesday 3–Saturday 7 February.

The Events

Inspired by the killing spree of Anders Breivik in Norway, David Greig’s play was a sensational hit when first performed in 2013. The story of Claire, a vicar who survives a mass shooting of her community choir and attempts to renavigate her way back into a world that has irrevocably altered, is produced here by Wonder Fools.
Cumbernauld Theatre, Thursday 12 February; Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thursday 19–Saturday 21 February; Dundee Rep, Wednesday 25 February; Traverse Theatre, Friday 27 & Saturday 28 February.

Murder Trial Tonight

Each audience is the jury in this immersive theatre piece which covers the slaying of a horrible landlord and the trial of a tenant with mental health issues who had a strong motive for wanting the man to get his comeuppance. But is he actually guilty?
EICC, Edinburgh, Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March; Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, Friday 3 April; Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April.

The Bacchae

After a successful run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Company Of Wolves take Euripides’ Greek tragedy out on the road. Adapted and performed by Ewan Downie, this solo retelling of Dionysos’ myth is dubbed as a ‘hymn of rebirth for our shattered selves’.
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Wednesday 4–Saturday 7 March; The Studio, Edinburgh, Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 March; then touring until Friday 29 May.

Woman In Mind

Starring Sheridan Smith, Romesh Ranganathan and Louise Brealey, this is an adaptation of Alan Ayckbourn’s 1985 play about a straitjacketed housewife who revels in a hallucinatory dreamworld after she receives a bump on the head from a garden rake. This dark comedy flies off into fantastical zones.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tuesday 10–Saturday 14 March.

Crimes Of The Heart

Grassroots theatre company Strawmoddie have been operating since 2015, producing shows varying from immersive pieces to large-scale ensemble works. They’re doing a spot of Terry Pratchett in the summer, but here they lay on a Mississippi-set Pulitzer-winning noir from Beth Henley about three sisters awaiting news of their grandfather who is edging towards his end.
Assembly Roxy, Thursday 19–Sunday 22 March.

The Shawshank Redemption

Joe McFadden plays Andy Dufresne who receives a double life sentence after the killing of his wife and her lover. While continuing to maintain his innocence, he settles down to focus on surviving the notorious prison that is now his home. A story of friendship, courage, survival and injustice, it showed once again that the original novel’s author Stephen King was more than just a horror merchant.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tuesday 24–Saturday 28 March; His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Tuesday 7–Saturday 11 April.

Main picture: Prima Facie/Helen Murray.

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