Picasso is taken out of the gallery and on to the stage as the Ramshorn presents two plays focusing on the turbulent life behind the canvas. Yo! Picasso! opens with the artist’s death, as he enters into a state of limbo and is met by Sabartés, his long time friend, who leads Picasso through a ruthless recollection of the artist’s controversial behaviour. ‘It’s very intense,’ says director Andy Moore, ‘but it’s very true to the history of it – all the paintings, all the dates and times and places … but it’s quite arty and it’s very funny as well.’

A fierce sparring match told from the male perspective, the play is matched with its partner production, also penned by Brian McAvera, which reverses the viewpoint, offering an entirely female portrayal. Picasso’s Women is a series of monologues told by the artist’s various wives and lovers. ‘Picasso famously once said women should be either goddesses or doormats – and art historians have very much gone down that line when writing about his female companions,’ says director Sara Harrison. ‘However, this play explores what the women really thought and fills out their characters, because that’s never been done before.’

Both plays are able to stand alone as complete productions but, just like a cubist painting, Harrison suggests, ‘The theory is that in order to see the whole picture, if you like, then you have to see all of the angles from which the story comes.’

Yo! Picasso
Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 19, Tue 23, Thu 25 & Sat 27 Nov

Picasso’s Women
Sat 20, Mon 22, Wed 24 & Fri 26 Nov