The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to announce a new Staging the Nation event “Panto, Variety and the Scottish People” with Alan Cumming. A 90 minute front-of-curtain entertainment at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow on Saturday 26th November at 12.30pm.
Alan Cumming will be taking the audience on a whistle-stop tour of the history of music hall, variety and panto in Scotland.
Alan Cumming (photo by Francis Hill)
Alan Cumming says, “Being away from Scotland makes you question what it is that makes you Scottish, and when it comes to acting I realise that my performance style is very different to my colleagues elsewhere in the world. Our whole way of breaking through the fourth wall, indeed never even countenancing its existence, is all derived from our culture that is steeped in variety and music hall and panto. My Staging the Nation event on 26th November is an attempt to demonstrate that and to look back at where it might all have come from and to see its impact on theatre in Scotland today.”
Alan Cumming last appeared with the National Theatre of Scotland in The Bacchae, directed by John Tiffany, which took the Edinburgh International Festival by storm in 2007, subsequently touring to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and New York.
The event is FREE but ticketed
Venue: King’s Theatre, Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN
Time: Sat 26 Nov, 12.30pm
Tickets
You can reserve by telephone on 0844 871 7648 or in person from the King’s Theatre Box Office (Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm).
Tickets can be booked up to 1 hour before the event.
About Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming is currently appearing as Eli Gold on CBS’ The Good Wife, for which he has received Emmy, SAG and Satellite award nominations. Over the last couple of years he has also: sung at venues around the globe including the Sydney Opera House; appeared in films opposite Helen Mirren, Cher, James Franco and Christina Aguilera; voiced a Smurf, a goat and Hitler; sparred with Dianne Wiest in Chekhov; directed and starred in a musical condom commercial; written articles for Newsweek, Harpers Bazaar and Out; recorded an award-winning album of songs and a dance remix; made three documentaries; released a second fragrance (naturally named Second Cumming); hosted PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery as well as speaking out for LGBT equality and civil rights and going to Buckingham Palace to receive an OBE for all of the above. Time Magazine also called him one of the most fun people in show business.
About Staging the Nation
In its fifth year, the National Theatre of Scotland is resuming, provoking, and joining a nation-wide conversation about theatre with Scottish artists and audiences. Staging The Nation features a number of strands – lectures, debates, curated events, book clubs – and is open to everyone who cares about theatre-making in Scotland. The Staging the Nation online home, www.stagingthenation.com features regular live stream events, programme updates and box office details.
12 comments
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November 11, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Mrs Maureen Morton
as I write I have been holding on for 30 mins on the phone no. given, trying to book 2 tickets for Alan Cumming’s so-called free show on 26th November. How much have I spent on a 0844 no.? I have been told by a mechanical voice about 40 times that high call volumes are being experienced! This is interjected by beeping noises. Surely a theatrical line could find some decent music! I am about to give up at 32 minutes!!! Frustrated ‘Friend’ of the Theatre!
November 11, 2011 at 4:43 pm
nationaltheatrescotland
Hi Maureen – sorry to hear you’re having a bit of bother with the King’s box office. We’ll pass on your comments and let them know your frustration. Panto season is nigh upon us indeed!
November 11, 2011 at 4:54 pm
nationaltheatrescotland
Hi again, we understand that there are quite a few big events that have just gone on sale at the Kings, so it’s likely their box office is a wee bit busy at the moment. You can always pick up tickets in person if you’re in town. . .
November 11, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Linda Wardrope
Any idea what the waiting time will b 4 someone 2 answer the box office phone? been holding 4 what seems like 4ever!!!!!
November 11, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Linda Wardrope
Why oh Why – I am now on hold, no one seems to know anything about the event Panto and variety with Alan Cumming!!!
November 11, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Linda Wardrope
My apologies – as it turns out it was my mistake and the girl I spoke with on the phone was most helpful!!! Sorry .
November 12, 2011 at 9:57 am
G. Mitchell
My comment is exactly the same as Mrs. Morton’s. Every time I have called ATG I have been kept waiting for far too long. Surely it would be sensible to have more operators, unless of course the firm offering the deal gains financially from the telephone charges. However, having already paid to be a member of ATG I think it’s a poor show ~ excuse the pun
November 12, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Mary Probert
I tried last evening for tickets for Alan Cumming, held on for 40 minutes to be continually told we are experiencing high volume of calls followed by the most annoying bleeping sound. I have just held on for a further 20 minutes to finally be told all tickets have gone for this show. Life was so much simpler and more efficient when you dialled Glasgow 0141 direct rather than this 0844 number. As I don’t live in Glasgow it’s not so easy to pop into the theatre for tickets.
Extremely disgruntled friend of the theatre.
November 12, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Colette McLean
I agree with Maureen, why do these places that you have to go on hold for a very long time have to be the expensive 0844 no!! Are there still tickets available for this show or am I wasting my time holding?
Another frustrated friend of theatre!!
November 12, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Louise
Is anyone actually getting through to get tickets to this? I have been on hold for more than an hour over two calls. If you are experiencing such a high volume of calls can I suggest more phone lines or operators at this time rather than have people waiting for nearly an hour. Not very impressed.
November 12, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Ellen B
my dad has also been waiting over an hour for this and i have now been on hold for 40 mins. i went into the theatre today and they werent able to help me any further with this!!
November 14, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Stephanie
I got through straight away and managed to get two tickets in the grand circle with no problems! Can’t wait for the event as I am a massive Alan Cumming fan! Thanks for putting this on, very much looking forward to it!