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Articles by Donald Stewart
The Seven Witches of Torryburn
The Seven Witches of Torryburn Headless Acting Genre: Fringe Theatre, New Writing Venue: The Cottier Theatre, Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland Based on real people within Fife, The Seven Witches of Torryburn attempts to tell their stories which are partly imagined due to historical records not being available. From being accused by a finger being pointed at them, this play with music manages to bring to the fore stories of the time.
These Are Our Neighbours
These Are Our Neighbours is the latest perspective on the events in Kenmore Street in 2021 when a Home Office Immigration Enforcement van arrived to take away two men from the southside of Glasgow. Over the course of a dramatic day, their neighbours and Glasgow turned out to stop them being taken away.
The Plot from theatregoose at Summerhall
"Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator." (Macbeth II iii) This is the fourth visit by theatregoose to the Fringe, having been here with Aether, Sisters Lee and Her Green Hell.
Houdini Speaks to the Living
It’s 1924 and Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are sharing a stage. In one corner there is Doyle who believes in spiritualism so much that he is willing to base his reputation upon it. In the other corner Houdini who as somebody who understands the black arts more than most is completely against spiritualism touring the country to expose mediums as frauds. What ensues is an argument between them which eventually leads to Doyle refusing to speak to Houdini ever again.
Scottish city theatre opens doors to artists with bold new support schemes
Bull/Fight brings Mythography into the spotlight with six on stage (Image: Bull/Fight) THERE is something stirring in Stirling. MacRobert Arts Centre chief Ed Robson outlined two initiatives to me when I recently caught up with him along with Edinburgh-based collective Mythography’s creative director Philo Cheynet.
The Duchess of Malfi
The Duchess of Malfi is a widow of means. Title and riches may be hers, however they come with overbearing brothers. When she marries beneath herself to Antonio, her steward, it is in secret. Once discovered, her brothers act to thwart her ambitions for happiness. The cold and icy brother, a cardinal, positions a spy in the Duchess’s household, Bosola, which hastens the tragedy of death as most are at her hands.
Lear from Pitlochry Festival Theatre at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Director Finn Den Hertog in his programme notes suggests that Lear is a family tragedy. Given that one sibling murders another before taking their own life, the third sibling is put to death by the lover of them both and their parent dies having seen all of her children lose their lives, it is hard not to agree with him. Den Hertog has given a Lear not just of our age but one to live long in the memory, in essence, for ages yet to come. Striding across all of that is Maureen Beattie.
Othello from Bard in the Botanics at Glasgow Botanical Gardens
As part of its Lovers and Madmen series, Bard in the Botanics has produced a stripped-back Othello, resplendent in the Kibble Palace. It is a fascinating take on Othello, given Gordon Barr the director and designer's look at how misogyny within the context of the play is investigated, challenged and delivered.
Twelfth Night from Bard in the Botanics at Glasgow Botanical Gardens
Bard in the Botanics celebrates its 25th season with “Lovers and Mad Men” and bring a raucous updating of Twelfth Night in a stripped-back production, not without challenges but it has the momentum of a committed cast to pull it through the vagaries of a Scottish summer. The adaptation works well, giving us the principal elements of the play, However, I do miss Feste's verbal joisting with Malvolio in prison, cast aside to keep things apace.
Bard in the Botanics celebrates 25th birthday with a Scottish summer of Shakespeare
Manasa Tagica as Othello and Esme Bayley as Desdemona at Bard in the Botanics (Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.) SUMMER in Glasgow is incomplete without Bard in the Botanics. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Bard team have programmed a “Lovers and Madmen” season of Twelfth Night, Othello, Jane Austen’s Emma and John Webster’s 17th-century The Duchess of Malfi. With no real funding from Creative Scotland, Bard in the Botanics took a risk with Scotland and its dodgy summers in 2002.
The Long Drop from Citizens Theatre Company at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Scotland's infamous serial killer Peter Manuel sits darkly in the minds of those who lived through the dark postwar years. Even before Bible John stole the headlines in the 1960s, The Beast of Berkenshaw, The Bedroom Killer kept Glaswegians awake at night. One of the last to be hanged in Barlinnie Prison, Manuel was sent down for seven murders in Scotland. One set of murders for which he was hanged, the Watt family, has always been in doubt. Did he take the drop for other people?
My Romantic History
Tom and Amy work in the same office. On a drunken night out, they both end up in bed together. Their histories, their romantic histories include an infatuation from their past which haunts each of them. This is their story of how they unhinged those shackles whilst trying not to unhinge themselves, leading to them finding a form of a future; or at least they might have.
Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans sit-in
In 1981, a group of female factory workers were informed by the American owners that their clothing factory was no longer viable. Having made the decision to move part of their process to Northern Ireland, the shop steward in charge of the workers, Helen, recognised that this decision taken had led to her factory becoming unprofitable.
Breakin’ Convention
This was an exceptional evening of unity. Going for 23 years this is Breakin’ Convention’s first visit to Glasgow and was emceed by the hippity hoppity, OG, boy-b of positivity Jonzi D. This is a powerful reminder that though hip-hop is now mainstream, it still retains that verve and vitality that makes it a community event as well as a political force.
Baby Mashup, What on Earth are you Doing?
Baby Mashup, What on Earth are you Doing? is odd. But it is meant to be. A flight of fancy, where a child has grown up during some pretty challenging times and is now questioning their existence and its memories. A 90-minute performance piece, it is episodic and the ensemble cast take us from a birthday party to a conclusion. I'm not quite sure what the conclusion was, but that's okay.
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil
As I settled myself into the plush seats of The Royal Lyceum, the irony of being there on the very evening Heart of Midlothian could have won the Scottish Premiership whilst I was about to watch the story of a relegation season was not lost upon me. As somebody who follows football regularly, fitba in Edinburgh had other huge issues with which to concern itself. Would Edinburgh City use home advantage in their second leg playoff final against Brora Rangers and stay in the SPFL?
Sweat from Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh Production at Citizens Theatre Glasgow
As I sat in my seat for the performance, I was struck by the irony that I was doing so in the midst of elections across mainland UK. Politics looms large in Sweat; not the politics of parties and manifestoes, but of the deindustrialisation of communities and their subsequent demise. Sweat takes us back to early 21st century Philadelphia, to a town with a prominent employer about to reduce its workforce, that could be anywhere in the deindustrialising world. Rather than everyman, it is everywhere.
Reflections – 2025 was an annus horribilis for BOXXER
Reflections – Will BOXXER ever fit in? BBN’s columnist Donald C Stewart reviews BOXXER’s last year, public spats and ongoing beefs in this week’s Reflections column I have never met Ben Shalom. I do have some sympathy for the chap. I have no idea if he is a young man sitting on piles of cash or struggling to pay his Council tax, but 2025 was an annus horribilis for BOXXER. Shalom founded it, built it, and then took it into a deal with Sky Television that saw them on Sky Sports for four years.
The Whole Routine
Through repetitive movement, and through song, six performers create a question, which is, should we behave differently in our daily space. It’s a physical joy of asking, moving and harmonising between six performers with exquisite presence. It speaks to tropes of theatricality to use the recognisable to innovate and challenge. We begin with one performer using their voice to set us off. Afterwards the lights are up an off we go.
A Home for Hamish
A Home for Hamish Just Us Genre: Children's Theatre, Physical Theatre Venue: Platform Easterhouse Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland Deaf dance artist Clare Adam and autistic dance artist Lesley Howard present a wonderful piece of imagined dance theatre using BSL in a very creative manner for young people. The stage is set out in the round with children invited to sit round the outside whilst five suitcases are opened.
Medea from Bard in the Botanics, produced by Raw Material with support from The McRobert Arts Centre at Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Euripides' classic is a well-worn tale of a woman scorned. Medea, whose husband, Jason, returns back after chasing a Golden Fleece, with a new woman in tow. Medea, furious at the slight, decides that the only thing that she can do is to exact revenge. The nature of that revenge is all Greek tragedy. Medea takes revenge by murdering King Creon, the new beau, and taking knives to her two children, thus causing Jason, her husband, intense and furious pain.
Flight from Vox Motus at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
In the week I saw Flight, a heart-wrenching story of two young refugees travelling from Afghanistan into London, Reform UK launched its manifesto. Most of the vox pops taken during that launch talked about immigration being their number one issue. And so it should be, Flight makes that absolutely clear. Instead of shaking my head in defeat at prejudice in vox pops, I left shaking my head in frustration at the way people who are desperate are demonised.
The Trials from Tron Theatre Company at Tron Theatre
Defendant one, two and three, all adults or “dinos”, are put on trial, not in front of a jury of their peers, but twelve young people who are gathered to judge the responsibility they have for the ruination of the world the young people have inherited. Defendant one tries the “I was no worse than anyone else” tactic, defendant two tries to push their artistry—we all need artists, after all—whilst the last accepts their fatal judgement, even requests it.
The Bacchae from Company of Wolves at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Greek God Dionysus, born from the thigh of Zeus, has been refused entry to Thebes. Dionysus sets about taking his revenge in the most appalling of manners. The king, Pentheus, watches his mother Agave become enthralled by the followers of Dionysus, The Bacchae. Off they dance into the forest, and Pentheus decides that he wants to follow to find out what is happening. Pentheus adopts the garb of womenfolk to infiltrate. Of course, it is all Dionysus' revenge.
The Legend of Davie Mackenzie
The Legend of Davie Mackenzie A Play, A Pie, A Pint, with Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Genre: Fringe Theatre, New Writing Venue: Òran Mór Festival: FringeReview Scotland Davie and Sean lived next door to each other growing up. The relationship begins with one asking the other out to play, until eventually the shy Sean and the gallus Davie become firm friends.
World's Evolution
World's Evolution began in 2022, and was then developed at Platform, Easterhouse. Here it comes for its third iteration, and it is an astonishing feat, not just of hip hop and African rhythms, but the theatricality with which it has been developed. We begin with a film of ethnically diverse young people playing in a forest, giving us a connection to nature.
Waiting for Godot
A masterclass. The temptation is to finish the review there, given the history behind this classic text. But it is. And I write this as someone who has spent almost all of his life hating Beckett. And here are the reasons I was wrong. Imagine being born to play something and having to wait 70 years for the right partner, who has been your close friend for over 50 years, to be cast alongside you. And that he was equally born to play the part opposite you.
Auntie Empire from Disaster Plan at Tron Theatre
Auntie Empire is a grotesque character that represents Empire. Part Queen, part Iron Lady, she is a depiction of the pride that people felt when they saw our flag planted throughout the world. Now a comic figure finding life increasingly difficult, she has called us all together as she prepares for her last will and testament, and ultimately her own funeral.
Samadhi The Birth of Kabandha
Samadhi The Birth of Kabandha Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Emergence Festival 2026 Genre: New Writing, Short Plays, Theatre Venue: The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland Indra has taken over from his father and drawn in his greatest rival, Vishvasu, to ask for support. The twist is that he has sent the woman his rival loves, Leela, out into the real world from their heavenly kingdom.
The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven
The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Emergence Festival 2026 Genre: LGBT, LGBTQIA+, Theatre Venue: The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland Reimagining Jesus as a transgender woman is less of a bold step now than it was at the time that Jo Clifford wrote it, however … Given the number of attacks that have increased against transgender people it has returned to being a topic worthy of all of us paying attention.
The Prince of the Underground
The Prince of the Underground Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Emergence Festival 2026 Genre: New Writing, Theatre Venue: The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland A man enters with a pot plant and is asked by another for his letter. Taking and unfolding it from his pocket, the first man hands it over. Having had his invitation checked, the first is taken by the second to a sole chair centre stage, from which he addresses the audience.
More than Conquerors The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow
More than Conquerors The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Emergence Festival 2026 Genre: New Writing, Theatre Venue: The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland We begin with an abandoned child in a church being rescued by a concerned passer-by.
Deep Blue by Lola Rose Wood
Deep Blue by Lola Rose Wood Scottish Youth Theatre Trajectories Genre: New Writing, Theatre, Youth Theatre Venue: Oran Mor Festival: FringeReview Scotland Two workers and a supervisor are responsible for the cutting up of a whale that has been beached. Discovering that it is still alive, one of the two workers slaughters it. They discover a baby whale, still alive, during the murder of this magnificent beast. Redemption is hoped for by one of them trying to take that whale off to the sea.
Stop Look Listen by Elliot Scott
Stop Look Listen by Elliot Scott Scottish Youth Theatre Trajectories Genre: New Writing, Theatre, Youth Theatre Venue: Oran Mor Festival: FringeReview Scotland There is pandemonium on the road with sheep all over the place as our protagonist tells her tale in sections. Her introduction tells of her responsibility for safety on this part of the road. She also watches Mr Semple coming in and out of the school with his daughter. She takes the same route home every day, which happens to pass his house.
Doon Hill - An Inaccurate Retelling by Poppy Hope Smith
Doon Hill – An Inaccurate Retelling by Poppy Hope Smith Scottish Youth Theatre Trajectories Genre: New Writing, Theatre, Youth Theatre Venue: Oran Mor Festival: FringeReview Scotland It is spring 1660 and Moira Kirk is about to give birth to her first child, that of her and her husband Rab Kirk. Meanwhile, Rab, the expectant faither, is in the pub listening to his friend Willie regale him of tales of how he has seen the fairies up Doonhill.
Scottish Theatre 2025: Wha’s Like us?
The standard retort frae Scotland is: gie few and they’re aw deid. And so as 2025 comes to a close, what of the year that was—because a few arts organisations nearly had their last rites and most are still suffering in intensive care. The year that is leaving us reminds me of the maxim in sport that if a media report fixates on the role played by a referee, then something has gone wrong. In 2025, Scottish Theatre’s big media story from beginning to end? Creative Scotland.
Beauty and the Beast
The Citz is back with its traditional Christmas offering. This was always something midway between a panto and a Christmas story. Here we return to the original fairy tale without any of the Disneyfication that we have suffered from over the years. This is the story of a Baron Aaron (Tyler Collins), who believes himself to be an absolute prince when it comes to business but loses all his ships at sea, taking his family and two daughters from richness to abject poverty.
Jack and the Privately Owned Beanstalk
Jack and the Privately Owned Beanstalk Theatre 118 Genre: Comedic, Theatre Venue: Theatre 118 Festival: FringeReview Scotland Living in Trongate, Jack and Silly Billy and their maw, Dame Trott, are facing eviction due to the rents being increased by the local tyrant, King Stefan. Both siblings go aff tae sell their coo. So far, so good.
Weans in the Wood
An adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, Weans in the Wood translates it into deepest, darkest Stirlingshire. Not one witch but two competing magical characters, Magic Merlina (Johnny McKnight), faces the Sheriff of Stirling, Stella-Ham, (Robert Jack). Once a year, they do battle to prove who is the better of the two. Also in Magic Merlina’s household are Hansel No Solo (Helen McAlpine), a young man who ended up in her care alongside his stepsister, Gretel, (Kara Swinney), who is besotted by Hansel.
Baltic from Ginger and Jester Productions at Cumbernauld Theatre
Given that Cumbernauld Theatre faces closure, you could be forgiven for expecting them to give panto the chilblains… but instead, they have embraced panto with gusto. Without a frown in the house before, during and after the coolest panto of the year, this is a triumph: a worthy successor to what Cumbernauld have done for decades—entertained their homegrown crowd.
The Big Day from Pure Class Theatre at Theatre 118 Glasgow
1990. City of Culture. Glasgow. The emergence of a post-industrial landscape that was struggling to cope with itself, where the city fathers decided that to get their people connected with this big idea of a city having a cultural heart, that they would bring together some of the best of Scottish bands and put them on in a free concert across the centre of the city for everybody to enjoy.
Gallus in Weegieland
Johnny McKnight pantos are something to behold. Gallus in Weegieland may be a retread from 2017, but it has been thoroughly updated with the cultural references that take swipes at other pantos as well as topical swipes at the political classes, including a former Prince who should never attend a panto, yon Andrew (and naw, it’s no too early). McKnight knows his stuff, and this is a rip-roaring, beautiful piece of pantomimic joy.
The Red Lion
The Red Lion Theatre 118, Glasgow Genre: Drama, Theatre Venue: A brave attempt to deliver a modern theatrical classic. Festival: FringeReview Scotland The Red Lion tells the tale of a prospective professional footballer in the non-league, semi- pro set up. Better than his contemporaries, he is soon seen as a cash cow who can save the club, get the money for new players to get promoted and line the pockets of the manager.
An evening with Will and Tess.
An evening with Will and Tess. Will Ford Turner; Tess Outdoors Genre: character comedy, Poetry-Based Theatre Venue: Theatre 118, Glasgow. Festival: FringeReview Scotland Taking the first half, Will Ford Turner performs his own specially written material, which begins theatrically with him hiding behind the backdrop and introducing himself before he launches in to pop culture related poetry with great vigour.
Because We Said We Would
Because We Said We Would Fox and Hound Theatre Company Genre: Drama, Theatre Venue: Theatre 118, Glasgow Festival: FringeReview Scotland It’s 1976 and Jeannie and Tam meet in a barn somewhere in Scotland. They make the promise that every five years at the same time in the same place, they will meet up.
DUSSSKK
DUSSSKK is a blend of artistic adventure and narrative vocal structure which combines to engage an audience in a very unique and moving way which changes in every single performance. Aimed at and developed along with neurodivergent teenagers, DUSSSKK uses voice as a means of communication but with movement and costume completely integrated allow the experience to be enjoyed by its target audience.
The Seagull
The Seagull Royal Lyceum Theatre Company Genre: Classical and Shakespeare, Drama, Theatre Venue: The Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh. Festival: FringeReview Scotland Written in 1895, first produced in 1896, though not seen onstage by the playwright, Anton Chekhov until 1899, The Seagull tells the tale of fading actress Irina Arkadina, her radical playwright son, Konstantin and their romantic and artistic conflicts.
Arlington from Shotput Theatre at Tron Theatre
Structurally cut into three, Arlington takes us through a dystopian event beginning with Isla in her room talking to a new member of staff in a control room. Initially vacant, the control room sits between us and the stage upon which Idla’s room is established. We begin with the audio from a radio programme before Isla is soon talking with the Young Man in the control room.
The Glass Menagerie
Premièred in 1944, The Glass Menagerie is a memory play by Tennessee Williams which was his first real hit. Catapulting him onto a writing career, he wrote what he knew—about an overbearing mother and fragile sister. Telling the story of Tennessee Williams's own life and his escape from a very overbearing mother and sister stuck at home, it holds a mirror up to an American society that was coming to terms with itself.
Hercules the Bear: Story of Legendary Bear Adopted by Scottish Family Delights and Entertains (Theatre review **** 4 Stars)
Hercules the Bear is the story of how a family in Sheriffmuir adopted a bear cub. He grew to ten-foot tall, and this grizzly bear became famous across the whole of Scotland. In the 1980s, whilst filming an advert on Benbecula, Hercules went missing. It sparked a 24-day bear hunt, which began with the army involved and ended with Maggie and Andy Robin alone searching until he was found, alive and well.
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