Hogmanay 2008: 12.23pm
I'M IN THE MOOD FOR DANCING70s pop sensation Maureen Nolan is to appear in the much coveted lead role of Mrs Johnstone when the Blood Brothers returns to the Festival Theatre next month.
Nolan, best know
n for her success as part of Europe's first girlband The Nolans, reprises a role she performed for two years in 2005.
The Nolans success is legendary, with eight UK hit records and phenomenal record sales in Japan that outweigh even The Beatles, where the girls scooped an impressive six Number Ones.
More recently, Maureen has been carving out a successful solo career which, as well her two year stint in the West End with Blood Brothers, has included major UK tours of Mum's The Word, Stardust and Girl's Behind, as well as numerous performances in pantomime throughout the UK.
Maureen is the fourth of the Nolan sisters to play Mrs Johnstone – Linda, Bernie and Denise have already beaten her to it.
See her at the Festival Theatre from February 2-14. Tickets now on sale from www.festivaltheatre.org.uk
Christmas Eve 2008: 10.43am
A COVEN MEETS IN THE THEATRE ROYALCan't remember which of the elements were present. It was either earth and water, water and fire, fire and earth or fire and water. We're talking Witches of Eastwick here, well two of the three anyway.
Rebecca Thornhill and Poppy Tierney alias Sukie and Jane joined myself and the fabulous Rachel Izen, who plays battle-axe Felicia, in the Theatre Royal bar after last night's performance of the musical loosely based on the Jack Nicolson film.
Not knowing the show, I didn't really know what to expect, but have to admit to being pleasantly surprised.
Rebecca, Poppy and Ria Jones as the three ladies lusting after Darryl Van Horne – played with angular appeal and a unique approach to the craft of acting by Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow – boast phenomenal voices and a natural onstage chemistry which carries on when they are offstage.
Rachel, who I first met when she toured here with Hot Flush, manages to make her harridan likeable and find comic moments in her portrayal that a lesser actress could easily miss.
It might be saucy, suggestive and aimed predominantly at a female audience but guys, chances are you'll love it too.
Anyway, after the show, as I said, we ended up having a quick drink in the bar – sparkling water for Rebecca, Cranberry juice for Poppy and a G&T for Rachel – and a mince pie, Rebecca's home baking.
The cast are all off for Christmas now, but will be back for the final two weeks of the run. You have until January 3 to catch this great little show.
In the meantime, have a great Christmas.
Thursday December 18: 3.56pm
THE GUIDE... TOMORROWWell with the big day almost here – just six more shopping days left – when better than to do a Christmas issue of The Guide. Predictable and logical eh?
Tomorrow in The Guide, free with the Evening News, discover what Christmas means to funnyman Craig Hill; join Scotland's favourite panto Dame, Allan Stewart, for a trip down memory lane; and find out what makes Jimmy Carr tick.
Also, catch up with Hollywood star Matthew Broderick, Scots popsters Aberfeldy, and meet the X Factor stars set to go clubbing in the Capital. Finally, grab a chance to win a copy of White Crane Chronicles starring David Carradine and Darryl Hannah, reunited for the first time since Kill Bill.
Wednesday December 17: 2.40pm
SKIDSI'm back. Again. That's the last of the annual leave used up until next year.
Just had to share the following with you. Everyone (unless they have been living on Mars for the past few years) must have heard of High School Musical – or, if you are down with the kids, HSM.
The Disney films/TV series/stage musical have taken the world by storm... but High School Musical on Ice!?! I kid you not. Read on:
Fans of Troy and Gabriella are being urged to get their skates on so they don't miss the ice spectacular, Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour.
The stunning and energetic ice show, which tells the story of teenagers Troy and Gabriella, who meet at a karaoke contest and discover their mutual love for music, is on at Braehead Arena in Glasgow for four days only from December 18 - December 21.
Due to unprecedented ticket demand, an additional performance was added on Thursday, December 18 at 7.30pm and tickets for Friday, December 19, are entirely sold out. There are seven performances in total, including three on Saturday 20th December and two on Sunday 21st December. Ticket prices range from £11.50 to £33.50. As Braehead Arena is the only Scottish venue for The Ice Tour you'll have to take a trip through the west to see it. Visit ticketmaster for more details on www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
Friday December 5: 1.18pm
CATCH UPIt has been a bit of a mad week, hence the lack of entries, so let's play catch up.
MONDAYCASTING: Last call for local young actors to appear in Waiting For Godot opposite Ian Mckellen and Patrick Stewart.
The King's Theatre is looking for two boys to play alternate performances and will be auditioning for the parts in open auditions next Wednesday and Thursday. Playing age is 10 years but the auditions will be open to boys up to 15 of any ethnicity.
Day one will be open auditions. Day two will be recalls for the successful applicants. All auditioning need to be available for both days as well as the dates of the performances in April, and be on call for up to two weeks before opening night.
Successful auditionees will rehearse for the week before the production's arrival at the venue after which Ian and Patrick will then rehearse with the boys on the Sunday afternoon before the opening night.
If you are interested, download an audition pack from the Waiting for Godot website www.waitingforgodottheplay.com
Auditions commence at 3pm and last half an hour, with last auditions at 8pm. Each boy will audition in a group of up to 20 and are warned that there could be long waiting times due to the numbers auditioning. The auditions will be held in the Founders Room at the Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT.
TV NEWS: River City is to welcome a new cast members to Shieldinch in the shape of acclaimed Edinburgh-born actor Ewan Stewart – remember him as the doomed captain of the Titanic in the blockbuster movie?
Stewart will play Daniel McKee, a man who has served time in prison for culpable homicide and returns home to Shieldinch to rebuild his life, building a base in the community to help troubled youths.
Stewart, who will make his first appearance on screen at the end of December, says,
"Daniel discovers that not everyone is delighted to see his face again. When the police turn up to arrest him on his first day back in town, things get off to a rocky start.
"It's great to be back filming in Scotland again, and I've filmed some really exciting storylines which will be on screen next year."TUESDAYAWARDS: Found me catching a early morning flight to Manchester for the MEN Awards (that's Manchester Evening News Awards, in case you were wondering.
You can read all about my adventures there in today's edition of The Guide, free as ever, with the Evening News.
WEDNESDAYALADDIN: The press night of The King's panto found Grant Stott in growling form as the evil Abanazar – yes, the Leven Street theatre is presenting Paul Elliot's latest Aladdin, with newcomer Johnny Mac in the title role.
Allan Stewart dames it up again as Widow May Twankey and the 3D genie – time to put on your glasses – is a novel way of creating a bit of festive magic.
Most important of all however, the sweetie shower is back for the first time in five years. Oh yes it is... and all that.
EIF: Also on Wednesday came the news that the Edinburgh International Festival 09 will run from August 14-September 6. The programme will be announced on March 25 and will highlight Scotland's influence on some of the world's great artists and artistic endeavours while reflecting on the Scottish Enlightenment.
THURSDAYCINDERELLA: Another day, another panto. This time at the King's Theatre in Glasgow, where Gerard Kelly rules the roost with new side-kick Andy Gray. Both in sparkling form and with some clever word-plays and old Francie and Josie routines to keep the laughs coming.
Joining them on stage are my old mate Steve McNicoll and Boaby the barman from Still Game, Gavin Mitchell – a truly cracking pair of Ugly Sisters.
They do a great old traditional panto through the west, so much so that I even found myself liking Karen Dunbar's evil stepmother/Fairy Godmother.
TODAYPROMISED YOU A MIRACLE: The news is out. Jim Kerr, frontman of Simple Minds is to celebrate his 50th birthday with a gig at Edinburgh Castle on July 18, 2009.
The 30 Years Live show will also celebrate the band's longevity in the business and will be the band's first Scottish date to be filmed for a DVD release.
Kerr says,
"To play at Edinburgh Castle is more than a dream come true, and particularly since we have been looking for a sensational backdrop in which to film and record this tour where we play our landmark album New Gold Dream in it's entirety.
"The concert next July is bound to be among the highlights of 30th year anniversary and I am sure that many of our legions of fans will be travelling from all over the world to be with us on this very proud occasion."Want to be first to get a ticket? Well there will be a pre-sale of tickets at 9am next Wednesday in the member's area at simpleminds.com
Otherwise you will have to wait 48 hours for tickets to go on general release. Go to seetickets.com or call 0871-220 0260 from 9am next Friday.
