A ‘red alert’ has been issued by the Met office for high winds and, as a result, Eastwood Park Theatre will be closed this evening.  If you have tickets for tonight’s performance of Sleeping Beauty please contact Harlequin on 07593 093028.

Services should return to normal tomorrow.  Follow us on twitter @eptheatre

eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/winter_weather

Thank you.

Rangers Legends Evening is on Thursday 17 November at 7.30pm with current Rangers Captain, David Weir discussing his autobiography ‘Extra Time’ along with Sandy Jardine who will also be discussing The Official Biography of Rangers.

David Weir says, “This is an exclusive event for die hard football fans that will bring up stories from Rangers incredible history as well as my own. Sandy Jardine is just as passionate about the sport as he is about Rangers and I think there will be a good few laughs on the night.”

We are Celtic Supporters is on Thursday 24 November at 7.30pm author of “We are Celtic Supporters” Lisbon Lions legend Bertie Auld and best selling author Des Dillon as they discuss just what it means to be ‘faithful through and through’.

Bertie Auld says, “Make it your goal to get a ticket because this will be the top night of the season.”

Tickets are only £8 for both events. Call 0141 577 4970. or you can book online at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/boxoffice

Described as “an orphan and a bit of a loner” who “finds it difficult to trust”, the character of “the girl” will be identifiable by most young people in the audience. Essentially this “girl” (for lack of an official name) sets out to be a personification of the politics of being a young adult.

So what exactly are the parallels between a young girl from a time long, long ago and the modern-day teenager?

“She is being told what to do by her society” says Stewart. Something we could all relate to at one point in our lives.

“Why do you listen to that god-awful music?” “Don’t you think that outfit is a bit… risqué?” “Get off the computer and get a job!” “You need to start thinking about your future…” “Why can’t you study something with better job stability?”

We have, literally all been there before. This time is no different. A girl craving to explore the world around her, to stray from the path and merely follow her heart, whatever the outcome. But no. Some adult, in this case “the elder” of the village who takes care of her, will always be there to tell her what she should do with her future. She will not be a hunter as she wishes; it is not a profession for a girl, for a child. And so she will follow “the hunter” into the woods as a means of escaping society’s expectations. Teenage Rebellion 101.

When asked about her own adolescence, Stewart opened up about the expectations put on her to follow a more mainstream career path.

“You were a black sheep if you were anything but normal.”

And yet, even under the pressure to be something “normal”, and a lack of artistic opportunities in her town, as a result, Stewart stepped out and revelled in her desire to be something more than ordinary. She would be part of the creation of something extraordinary.

And so, with less than two weeks to go till curtain up, what has Kirsty Stewart got to tell audiences about “The Hunted”?

“The hunter gives her the opportunity to put down her defenses” creating an interesting dynamic for audiences to watch. “The girl” is brought into the world she always wanted to be a part of. But what will happen when the hunter becomes the hunted?

“The Hunted” will be performed at EPT on Friday 30th September; 1pm and 8pm. Tickets £7/ £5 concession. Tickets for the production are available here or by phoning the Box Office on 0141 577 4970

Audiences are also invited to a live Wolf Hunt in Rouken Glen Park preceding the 8pm showing on the 30th. Click here for more information. 

Do your part. Join the Hunt.

Playwright Hamish MacDonald has been able to draw on family history in bringing to life this story of the Invergordon Mutiny.

Many Navy men lost their careers, and some were even reduced to begging. Staff on a communist newspaper which voiced their support of the uprising and were arrested for mutiny. Some became politicised and joined the communist party. The fallout from this time of political and industrial strife was to have far-reaching outcomes for everyone involved. The real stories of ordinary lives caught up in world-changing events have inspired this play. 

THE PLAY
A stylish, profound and moving play based on real lives and real events in Scotland and Russia in 1931. Connal MacNab comes home on leave to find Glasgow in the grip of political and industrial strife. When British authority is shaken by an uprising within the Atlantic Fleet at Invergordon, Connal and his revolutionary friends find the world changing beyond recognition. Caught in sweeping narrative, from the volatile streets of Glasgow, to Invergordon, Stalinist USSR and on to present-day Scotland, through riot, asylum, prison and gulag, this is a play about courage, identity, separation and loss, and shows what can happen when the high hand of authority is ultimately disobeyed.

Call the box office on 0141 577 4970 or book online

Entering the rehearsal space- Govan Institute- armed with my notebook     and camera, I was met by an atmosphere that can only be described as serene as we interrupted the all important read through of the provisional script. Despite such interruption, one could tell that nothing could shake the impenetrable concentration of actor, director and playwright while they began to piece together the prose to create a drama which has not been “created in Scotland for a long time” says Irvine.

 The play, loosely based on the fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood follows the story of a young girl living in a time long ago, who feels that what she’s got is not enough and decides to take a risk and stray from the path chosen for her . When asked if he could relate to such a feeling of being stuck in one’s society’s expectations, Irvine simply told me that “everyone feels restricted by something” . For Irvine, the life of an actor stifled his ability to tap into his full creative potential, and so he took a risk by starting directing for Visible Fictions. As a result, Irvine can now “create work that is slightly different”.

“The Hunted” is undoubtedly something different. Combining elements of fantasy, romance, horror and even science- fiction, the play promises audiences something “scientific, superstitious, primal” as “The Hunted” attempts to “redefine that tale” and become a piece of theatre that questions the very world we live in.

Check out www.facebook.com/jointhehuntatEPT for more rehearsal pictures!

Friday 30th September 1pm and 8pm. Call box office on 0141 577 4970. Or, you can now book online.

Do your part. Join The Hunt.

Actor and director Grant Smeaton has worked extensively in theatre, TV and film.  Theatre credits include Valhalla, Bliss + Mud, Elysian Fields, The Celts in Seville, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Waiting for Godot, Accidental Death Of An Anarchist, The Devils, Inferno, Spend a Penny and Talking Heads. He has worked with theatre companies across the country and most recently co-wrote, directed and played the lead role in the Grant Smeaton Presents… sell out production of Whatever Happened To Benny Hill at the Tron Theatre.  He is the founder and has been artistic director of Hopscotch Theatre and Tangerine Productions directing more than 50 shows including Abigail’s Party, Spurt! and Torch Song Trilogy. TV work includes Scotch & Wry, Taggart, The Ferguson Theory, Rab C Nesbit and BBC Scotland’s Only an Excuse.

On his role as Bette Davis, Smeaton says: “Bette Davis was on dazzling form for this 1971 TV appearance,” “there’s a real chemistry between Davis and Cavett and she talks very bluntly about co-stars like Joan Crawford and Errol Flynn. But this is no drag act. I want to be true to the spirit of Bette Davis and convey something of the stature of the stars of Hollywood’s golden era.  Unlike most of today’s celebrities, Davis had nothing to sell in this interview with American chat show host Dick Cavett.  She’s there to talk about her philosophy on life.”

Gordon Munro, a graduate from RSAMD, has also worked extensively in theatre, TV, radio and film.  Theatre highlights include Still Life, One Flew over the Cookoo’s Nest, Macbeth, Torch Song Trilogy, Entertaining Mister Sloan and Diary of a Madman and he has worked with theatre companies across the country.   Radio work includes six series of the BBC sketch show The WHY Front, representing Scotland in the BBC Comedy Nations Cup, and he can be heard every Saturday on Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball.  TV and film credits include Hauns, Complicity, Taggart, Still Game, Hamish McBeth, Cracked and River City. 

On playing the role of Dick Cavett, Gordon says: “It was probably the most challenging role I’ve had in a long time but it was great fun researching the part as I was able to watch many of his interviews on youtube to get a handle on his character. In some of his interviews with people like David Bowie and Jimmy Hendrix he seemed really ill at ease but he also had a kind of inner confidence and downright ‘cheesiness’ that somehow pulls him through. He also has a very strange accent (born in Nebraska) and once I had done my best to master that it was a lot easier to put the components into place to play him. It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of a unique piece of theatre and I hope this won’t be the last time I put on Dicks wig and go on stage and say ‘That feels so good..’” 

Standard     £12
Concession  £10
Student         £8

www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/boxoffice

www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/boxoffice

Standard      £12
Concession  £10
Student           £8

An inspired stage remake of a classic 70s television interview comes to the Eastwood Theatre.

 Award winning Scottish actor and director Grant Smeaton brings his critically acclaimed, 5 star reviewed production of Bette/Cavett to Eastwood Theatre.

 Smeaton, who is used to playing the likes of Archie MacPherson and Ronnie the Corrie on the popular Hogmanay TV show Only An Excuse 2, is to play the part of screen legend Bette Davis in an hour long stage version of the Hollywood star’s most outspoken TV interview.

“But this is no drag act.” says Smeaton.  “I want to be true to the spirit of Bette Davis and convey something of the stature of the stars of Hollywood’s golden era.  Unlike most of today’s celebrities, Davis had nothing to sell in this interview with American chat show host Dick Cavett.  She’s there to talk about her philosophy on life.”

Smeaton has created a 1970s retro TV studio feel for his show Bette/Cavett, where theatregoers become the live TV studio audience – even cutting to some very un-PC 70s commercials advertising things like cigarettes, denture cleaner and a slimming plan called Ayds.

“Bette Davis was on dazzling form for this 1971 TV appearance,” says Smeaton, “there’s a real chemistry between Davis and Cavett and she talks very bluntly about co-stars like Joan Crawford and Errol Flynn.”  There’s even the story of Davis being attacked by wasps in Scotland and how she lost her virginity.

The production is now on tour across Scotland having previously performed at The Tron Theatre, The 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe (winning a Bank of Scotland Herald Angels Award) and the 2011 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. 

www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/boxoffice

***** “a triumph and a delight…a hilarious camp response (to Frost/Nixon)…some of the most relaxed, naturalistic acting I’ve ever seen” The Herald

**** “beguiling…Smeaton and Munro are endlessly entertaining” The Scotsman

**** “this show deserves the movie treatment” Big Issue

Sun 11 September, 4pm
Mon 12 September, 10.30am

The legend returns!

Only 3 more days until the fantastic Wee Stories arrive at Eastwood Park Theatre with their brilliant new show “Arthur, The Story of a King”

This new production brings Wee Stories’ unique storytelling style and acclaimed sense of humour to the legendary tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.  

So, travel back in time to the Dark Ages (called that not because it was dark, but because it’s a time we don’t know much about) and join three (almost) grown men armed only with several boxes of cornflakes as they set out on a quest to discover the real Arthur, the man behind the mask. 

Suitable for ages 6+

Standard      £7
Concession   £5

www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/boxoffice

“Not since Monty Python has King Arthur been this much fun. Absolutely top class theatre, whatever age you are.” The Sunday Herald

“A roaring success and a breathtaking triumph” The Scotsman

WINNER Theatrical Management Association (TMA) Award for
 ‘Best Show for Children and Young People’

WINNER Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) Award for
‘Best Show for Children and Young People’

Food Festival: 30th August 4th September

Whiskey Tasting Evening; Tuesday 30th August, 7:30pm

                 Tasting Scottish whiskey is an experience involving all five senses. Join us as we sample fine malts from across Scotland.

Tickets £12/ £10 concession

18+ only

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The Cook Show Scotland; Thursday 1st September, 7:30pm

Phil Lewis, Head chef at the award-winning Cook School Scotland, is a fast rising star of the culinary world. Phil will be using seasonal food to cook different dishes from the cook school menus and will be giving away spaces in the very popular demo and dine classes during his demonstration.

Goodie bags for everyone courtesy of Whole Foods Market Giffnock.

Tickets £5/£4 Conc.

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The Foodies Present…Ready, Steady, Cook; Friday 2nd September; 7:30pm

Seumas MacInnes, restaurateur and owner of Café Gandolfi will host a ready, steady, cook challenge for two of Glasgow’s best known chefs

Red Onion’s John Quigley, renowned private chef to rock stars, will go head to head with Ian Brown, of Ubiquitous Chip fame, who has recently opened his own restaurant in Williamwood.

Both chefs will wow the audience with their signature dishes and later in the evening will cook food heaven and food hell for Seumas.

On arrival, guests will be offered a glass of wine (Can’t complain about that!). During the show you will have the opportunity to ask the experts for their top tips (great for those pesky Christmas dinner problems!) and will vote to choose your favourite dish. Goodie bags for everyone courtesy of Whole Foods Market Giffnock.

Tickets £10/ £8 Conc.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005); Sunday 4th September, 2pm

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter star. A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual candy maker.

Approx running time 115 minutes; PG

Goodie bags for everyone courtesy of Whole Foods Market Giffnock

Tickets £4/ £3 Conc. 

Join us at the art workshop before the film for readings and re-enactments from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and other short works! And don’t forget to check out our chocolate stall to grab yourself a tasty treat before seeing the film!

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Family Fun: 11th- 13th September

Wee Stories Theatre presents… Arthur, The Story of a King; 

Sunday 11th September, 4pm

Monday 12th September, 10:30am

Approx running time: 120 mins

Who was King Arthur? A real King, or just a legend?

The truth is no-one really knows. One fact that is true, however, is that the fantastical tale of King Arthur, the hero warrior, is one of the great stories of the world. Steeped in chivalry and romance, it is an epic tale of a King and his exploits, involving magic and magicians in an age where good conquered evil.

The multi award winning Arthur, The Story of a King encapsulates Wee Stories’ love of literature, high comedy, visual games and imaginative stagecraft. For ages 6+

Tickets £7/ £5 Conc.

http://www.weestoriestheatre.org/

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Andy Manley with Starcatchers presents… My House

Neilston Community Library; Thursday 15th September: 10:30am, 12 noon, 1:30pm    

Approx running time 35 mins

Come visit a very special house- where all is not as it seems. Watch the rooms and chimneys grow, and see how many shapes and textures you can spot. For children aged 2-3 and their grown ups

Tickets £4

www.starcatchers.org.uk

(There will be free workshops available for nurseries. Please contact Janet Forry for details)

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Lorna Pickford presents… Wriggle, Shake and Groove

Tuesday 13th September;

10am and 1pm- Baby Wriggle

 11:30 am and 2:30 pm- Families

Approx running time 40 mins

Baby Wrigglers (4-18 months)

A stimulating and enjoyable creative movement class for parent and baby. A fun and fully interactive session for all!

Families (up to 5 years)

An exciting, energetic and creative movement and dance class for all the family!

Tickets £6 (Parent and Baby) / £4 Standard

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Theatre: 19th- 30th September

EROS Musical Society presents… Return to the Forbidden Planet

Monday 19th- Saturday 24th September;

7:30pm each evening, 2:30 pm Saturday matinée

Blast off on this intergalactic journey on board a spaceship, with Captain Tempest and his crew. This exciting comedy, described as “Shakespeare’s forgotten musical” will have you laughing and tapping your feet to well-loved songs like “Young Girl”, ”Good Vibrations”, “Born to be Wild” and many more as you soar through the space/ time continuum.

Tickets £8- £12

www.erosmusicalsociety.co.uk

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Grant Smeaton presents… Bette/Cavett

Tuesday 27th September, 8pm                             

Approx running time 60 mins

It’s 1971.

She’s the 63-year-old Queen of Hollywood. He is the host who gets the guests his rivals can’t get near. Meet Bette Davis. Meet Dick Cavett.

Using verbatim text, Bette/Cavett re-imagines one of the most candid TV meetings of all time- sliding down the rose-tinted sunglasses of our perception of “the old days” and challenging our tendency to glamorize the past.

Tickets £12/ £10 Conc./ £8 Student

www.wix.com/gsmeaton/gspresents

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Visible Fictions presents the première of… The Hunted                                    

Friday 30th September; 1pm and 8pm

Approx running time 70 mins

                                                                                     There are paths you should not leave.

                                                                                                   There are dreams you should not dream.

                                                                                                        There are beasts in the forest that know your name.

A lone girl dares to be something nobody has been- in a place nobody dares to go. The path is long, there will be trouble ahead and there are things out to get her…

Take a deep breath, step into the unknown, and be prepared for your world to turn upside down.

Join the hunt. Ages 11+

Tickets £7/ £5 Conc.

www.visiblefictions.co.uk

Look out for promotions by our own Young PromotERs team on the run up to this exciting event at EPT!

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Gallery:

Exposure 11 Open Exhibition

19th September- 23rd October

Entrants are from a wide range of artistic practice and all share a passion for their art form. Look out for the Exposure 11 brochure which gives details for the entire festival including satellite exhibitions and a full programme of talks and demonstrations.

Well, that’s just a brief overview of our September programme, which my colleagues and I feel will be an electric kick off to EPT’s Autumn/ Winter season. Remember that tickets can be booked at Eastwood Park Theatre’s Box Office, or alternatively, you can call them on 0141 577 4970. Make sure to check out our Facebook page for more details on the events for the rest of August and http://www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk for more contact information/ directions/ further details. Thanks everyone for reading and watch this space for more in depth and exclusive details about our exciting new programme. From me, your Drama Queen, and the rest at EPT, enjoy the rest of  (fingers crossed) a sunny summer and we hope to see you soon!

Updates in the next week or so will bring you sneak previews into what’s happening in September- Lost kings, family fun, glamourised Hollywood and much, much more! So keep yourself posted here, on EPT blog, on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/EastwoodParkTheatre and our theatre website  http://www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/ from me, your new Drama Queen, and our team for the the most up-to-date info on the exciting events at your East Ren theatre!

-Andrea Preston, Young PromotER