What's on today

Published on Thursday 19 June 2008 20:50

The top 10 cultural events in Scotland today

1

FESTIVAL: GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

Glasgow’s annual jazz festival kicks off this weekend. Today’s highlights include The Blessing, a “wonky jazz rock” band formed by Portishead’s rhythm section (at Stereo, 8pm) and the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra (at CCA, 7:30pm). There’s also a weekend of jazz at Lomond Shores, near Balloch.

&#149 Various venues, Glasgow, tonight until 29 June. Full programme at www.jazzfest.co.uk

2

FESTIVAL: ST MAGNUS FESTIVAL

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’s annual arts jamboree returns to Orkney, with a programme of concerts, workshops, films, poetry readings and exhibitions. The Oxford Singers and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra are among the performers at tonight’s opening night. They are joined later in the festival by pianist Paul Lewis, left, organist Dame Gillian Weir, the Hebrides Ensemble, who will play the closing concert.

&#149 Various venues, Orkney, tonight until 25 June, 01856 871445

3

THEATRE: THE BACCHAE

Thebes, he’s back. Alan Cumming stars in the National Theatre of Scotland’s blockbuster show from last year’s Edinburgh International Festival, directed by John Black Watch Tiffany. It’s by no means a perfect show, but it’s certainly spectacular.

&#149 His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, 7:30pm, 01224 641122

4

MUSIC: HEBRIDES ENSEMBLE

The Ensemble stage a full production of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’s The Martyrdom of St Magnus. This is the opening night of a brief, three-date tour, which will take them to Edinburgh tomorrow and the St Magnus Festival (see above) next week.

&#149 Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, 7:30pm, 01463 234234

5

THEATRE: OLD PEOPLE, CHILDREN AND ANIMALS

A show that gives you exactly what it says on the tin, sort of, as theatre company Quarantine present a show created and performed by over-65s, under-18s and their pets. Dancing, music, difficult questions and unpredictable animal behaviour are promised from its unconventional cast.

&#149 Tramway, Glasgow, 8pm, 0845 330 3501

6

THEATRE: SWINDLE AND DEATH

Peter Arnott’s new play promises an exploration of our national identity, via a story about a Scottish theatre company that has been peddling the same tartan nostalgia for years and a Scottish Arts Council spy called Marjorie who is sent to investigate what’s going on.

&#149 Byre Theatre, St Andrews, 7:30pm, 01334 475000

7

FILM: IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS

This low-budget comedy does that rare thing in cinema: it treats romance with the awe and respect it deserves. Set in LA on New Year’s Eve, it throws together an aspiring screenwriter and a wannabe actress, and sends them on a rambling romantic odyssey around a secret Los Angeles

&#149 Selected release.

8

THEATRE: EVITA

Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s smash-hit musical is back on the road in a new production. If it’s a history lesson you’re after, look elsewhere, but their account of the life and legend of charismatic political leader Eva Peron has plenty of memorable tunes, particularly Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina.

&#149 Playhouse, Edinburgh, 7:30pm, 0844 847 1660

9

COMEDY: JIMMY CARR

The hardest working man in comedy is on the road pretty much solidly until his run at the Edinburgh Fringe in August. At some point along the journey, his current show Repeat Offender becomes his new show, Joke Technician. We’re not exactly sure how these things work. He just tells funny jokes, doesn’t he?

&#149 Eden Court, Inverness, 8pm, 01463 234234

10

MUSIC: GLASVEGAS

Helped along by the noisy endorsement of Alan McGee, this Glasgow band’s blend of kitchen sink drama and epic Phil Spector pop is winning a bigger audience by the month. This is the second of two homecoming gigs, ahead of what looks set to be a festival-stealing appearance at this year’s T in the Park.

&#149 ABC2, Glasgow, 7pm, 0141-332 2232