Ten Things To Do This Week 16-22 March

By Ashleigh Gibbs -

Beth Macari Aberdeen Jazz Festival

The King’s Speech

Don’t miss the stage production of The King’s Speech at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow. The play, later adapted into the 2010 film, tells of the relationship between King George VI and his speech therapist Lionel Logue. Jason Donovan and renowned theatre and television actor Raymond Coulthard play the leading roles here.

Monty Python’s Spamalot

Monty Python’s madcap musical comedy gallops to The Edinburgh Playhouse from the 16-21 March. Based upon the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot comes with an (almost!) entirely new score for the new production. Expect a hearty dose of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!

Midge Ure Tour

Former Ultravox frontman and co-organiser of Band Aid, Scottish musician Midge Ure will perform four dates across Kirkcaldy, Inverness, Aberdeen and Strathclyde this week. The Breathe Again shows are an anniversary retrospective on his 1996 album.

Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema

Rare and classic films will be on show at the Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema, Bo’ness from 18-22 March. This year’s programme includes a very special Scottish focus with an opening night screening of Chaplin’s Goliath. Workshops are also running, such as the option to learn special effects make-up at Bo’ness Library.

Scottish Ballet: A Streetcar Called Desire

After the hugely successful UK world premiere tour of A Streetcar Named Desire in 2012, Scottish Ballet returns to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre with this award winning production from the 18-21 March. Expect a powerful infusion of dance and drama set in New Orleans complete with jazz infused score.

Hairspray – The Musical

It’s the musical that will have you singing and dancing into the night – Dundee Operatic Society presents Hairspray at the Whitehall Theatre from 19-21 March. Set in 1960s Baltimore, follow heroine Tracy Turnblad as she joins The Nicest Kids in Town.

Aberdeen Jazz Festival

One of Aberdeen’s top music festivals presents an exciting programme for 2015, including the city’s biggest free admission music event, Jazz on the Green. Be sure to catch a reunion between original Average White Band members, Hamish Stuart and Molly Duncan, and soul-funksters Nick Pride & the Pimptones perform at The Lemontree.

Celebration of Nina Simone

Join local musicians Warren McIntyre (The Starry Skies) and Stevie Jackson (Belle & Sebastian) for an evening dedicated to celebrating the music of Jazz icon Nina Simone at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This event includes the opportunity to request a song or receive a special dedication.

Niel Gow Festival

Musicians from across Scotland will descend on Dunkeld and Birnam for the 12^th Annual Niel Gow festival from 20-22 March. The event, which celebrates the life and music of Scotland’s famous fiddler, features performances from Blazing Fiddles, Brittany Haas & Lena Johnson and “Young Trad Musician of the Year” finalist Ryan Young.

The Magic of Masks and Puppets

From March 21, see new exhibition The Magic of Masks and Puppets at the John Gray Centre Museum, Haddington. It’s a fun family event that charts the history of masks and puppets with highlights including film animatronics and shadow puppets from Java, Indonesia and Greece.

For lots more ideas about things to do and places to go, pick up a copy of this month’s Scots Magazine. On sale in newsagents and supermarkets now or subscribe by clicking here.