Scotsman critics’ choice: Five must-see shows on this week

THE Scotsman’s arts critics round up their must-see films, theatre and concerts for the next week.

Martyn Brabbins conducting the BBC SSO Orchestra

CLASSICAL: BBC SSO & Martyn Brabbins

Martyn Brabbins, above, conducts the BBC SSO in an all-British programme with Walton’s Cello Concerto (soloist Nicolas Altstaedt) and Elgar’s Enigma Variations as its main events. But there’s also a nostalgic little nugget – Sorrowful Dance – by Cecil Coles, the Scots-born composer who died in action in the First World War. Ken Walton

City Halls, Glasgow, 19 November, 0141-353 8000

THEATRE: King Charles III

Does a great age of soul-searching British political drama always begin with the monarchy? Not sure; but hot on the heels of Moira Buffini’s excellent Queen-and-Thatcher play Handbagged, here comes Mike Bartlett’s acclaimed five-act drama – entirely written in blank verse – about the crisis that might ensue when the present monarch is succeeded by her eldest son – who, by coincidence, celebrates his 67th birthday today. Robert Powell plays the ageing Prince of many opinions who finally inherits the job he has waited for all his life; and Rupert Goold, director-designate of the National Theatre in London, co-directs one of the most hotly-debated shows of London’s 2014 season. Joyce McMillan

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, 16-21 November, 0131-529 6000

ART: Four Women Artists

The Scottish Gallery is complementing Modern Scottish Women, the major show at the Gallery of Modern Art (see review page 18), with an exhibition devoted to four contemporary women artists. It is a big exhibition with a wide selection of work including a range of Elizabeth Blackadder prints, below, a number of important paintings by Victoria Crowe, landscapes by Alison McGill and works on paper by Emily Sutton. Duncan Macmillan

The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, until 25 November, 0131-558 1200

POP: Garbage

It’s not every day that Shirley Manson pops up on a stage in her native city. The occasion is the 20th anniversary of Garbage’s self-titled debut album, a streamlined pop/rock beast with a touch of industrial flint about it. Home to some of their biggest hits, the album has just been re-issued and will be played in its entirety at this 20 Years Queer concert, plus b-sides recorded at the time and, presumably, some engaging, opinionated chat from the band’s expat frontwoman. Fiona Shepherd

Usher Hall, Edinburgh, tonight, 0131-228 1155

FILM: Fokus: Films From Germany

A useful showcase for exploring cutting edge German cinema both contemporary and classic, Fokus kicks off with the Scottish premiere of Sebastian Schipper’s audacious, single-take heist movie Victoria. Other highlights include B Movie: Lust and Sound in West Berlin, a documentary about Berlin’s post-punk art scene; hacking drama Who Am I; Beloved Sisters, about the ménage a trios between 18th century writer Frederick Schiller and the aristocratic sisters who made a secret pact to share him; and a retrospective on Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who would have been 70 this year. Alistair Harkness

Various venues, nationwide, 20 November until 15 December, www.filmsfromgermany.co.uk