1. Gail Porter, Kirkcaldy
What a life this woman has had. From presenting The Big Breakfast to having (without her consent) a naked photo of herself projected onto the Houses of Parliament, Porter has a lot of stories to tell, also losing her hair, becoming homeless, being involuntarily sectioned and appearing on Celebrity Big Brother. Judging by the enthusiastic reception this show, Hung, Drawn and Portered, got when she debuted it at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, she doesn’t hold back on detail or insight. Expect an evening of laughter, warmth, openness — and a fair amount of vulnerability. She might even talk about the fact that she has recently started experimenting with wigs.
Details Mar 1, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, Fife; onfife.com
2. Glasgow Film Festival
There’s a UK premiere at this year’s festival for Late Bloomers, a coming-of-age comedy drama starring the Inverness-born actor Karen Gillan. Turning 20 this year, the festival also features a hallucinogenic dark drama, Tummy Monster, with the rising Scottish star Lorn Macdonald. If you’re into road movies, check out Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara in Bleeding Love, while Big Yin fans should treat themselves to a new restoration of Billy Connolly: Big Banana feet, shot during his 1975 tour of Ireland.
This packed festival opens with the UK premiere of Love Lies Bleeding, starring Kristen Stewart, and closes with the world premiere of Janey, which follows the Scottish comic Janey Godley on her final live tour after her cancer diagnosis.
Details Feb 28-Mar 10, various venues, Glasgow; glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-film-festival
3. Jerry Sadowitz, on tour
Yearning for a quiet evening of meditation, reiki and a chance to open up in a safe space? Well, keep moving because you won’t find any of that here. The notorious American-born Scottish stand-up is on tour, and he’s no stranger to being cancelled (his 2022 Fringe show was pulled after just one night because venue staff members said his act was too offensive, following complaints). With customary self-awareness, the Glasgow-raised controversialist has called this outing Britain’s Favourite Comedian. There’s a line above the gig list on his website that reads: “Please note that if your area is not on the list, it’s because the venues there won’t book me. And rightly so.” You have been warned.
Details Feb 28, Howden Park, Livingstone; Feb 29, Mac Arts, Galashiels; Mar 1, Concert Hall, Troon; Mar 2, Albert Halls, Stirling; Mar 3, Town house, Hamilton; Mar 5-6, Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen; Mar 7, Whitehall Theatre, Dundee; Mar 8, Alhambra, Dunfermline; Mar 9, Beacon Arts, Greenock; jerrysadowitz.com
4. Fiona Allen, on tour
Smack the Pony was a game-changing sketch show on Channel 4 around the millennium, but in the years that followed, one of its stars, Fiona Allen, focused more on straight acting (such as in Coronation Street) and parenting than making audiences laugh. After lockdown, however, she got back on the comedy bike, bringing her first solo show, On the Run, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. If you didn’t get a chance to see it then, now’s your chance.
Advertisement
Allen does some entertaining moaning about the characters from the domestic world that has enveloped her for so long, from other mothers at the school gates to members of her own family.
Details Feb 27, Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh; Feb 28, Breakneck Comedy, Aberdeen; Feb 29, Grangemouth Town Hall, Falkirk; Mar 14, Oran Mor, Glasgow; fionaallencomedy.com
5. Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Edinburgh and Glasgow
Mischief Theatre, the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong, know what they’re doing when it comes to putting on slick productions that look like they’re falling apart. In this one, which was nominated for an Olivier award, the fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are working hard to do justice to JM Barrie’s classic story, but technical hitches, interpersonal issues and inexperience combine to derail their attempts. Will they ever make it to Neverland, or will actors be stuck dangling in the air? It’s all very funny, and great entertainment for adults and kids over the age of eight.
Details Feb 27-Mar 1, Edinburgh Playhouse; Mar 4-9, Theatre Royal, Glasgow; mischiefcomedy.com
