Rutherglen Town Hall schedule for 2010

Jan 20 2010 by Jonathan Geddes, Rutherglen Reformer

CLASSIC MUSICALS, tributes to punk rock bands and opera are coming up at Rutherglen Town Hall.

The hall’s recently released programme of events crams in a wide variety of events, staring tonight with a production of Chess.

With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Benny and Bjorn from ABBA, Chess is one of the most popular musicals of all time.

The story is based around a romantic triangle that develops between two chess players and the woman who manages one of them and yet loves the other.

With one chess player an American and the other a Russian, a Cold War backdrop is the setting as the romantic struggle plays out.

This production will be performed by final year degree students from the University of Western Scotland.

It runs from tonight until Saturday, with tickets priced at £10 or £6 for concessions. The show starts at 7.30pm.

That production is just the start to the 2010 Town Hall line-up.

On Saturday January 30, a special Burns Ceilidh will be taking place, with the Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band on hand to ensure that a great night of dancing is guaranteed.

Lead accordionist Allan Smith joins dance caller Ian Murray on mandolin to create the full ceilidh atmosphere.

For this special Burns ceilidh, the band will be joined by a guest singer for a performance of some of the Bard's best-loved songs and a buffet of traditional Scottish fare will be provided, including haggis, neeps and tatties

Tickets are £18.50.

Tuesday February 2 then sees something completely different arrive, when Scottish Opera arrives at the Town Hall.

Four fantastic young singers and a pianist perform excerpts from a variety of opera favourites along with some interesting surprises from lesser known works, which should ensure there’s something for everyone, from seasoned fans to opera first-timers.

A pre-theatre meal will be available for this performance, and tickets are priced at £10 or £5 for concessions.

Back by popular demand on February 5 is Singin I’m No a Billy He’s a Tim

Des Dillon’s classic tale of a Celtic and Rangers fan locked up together on the eve of an Old Firm has been hailed as witty and provocative, and stars Rutherglen actor Scott Kyle.

In addition to the February 5 show, there will be performances on February 15, 23 and 24.

Tickets are £12 or £10 for concessions.

There will be fireworks of a different kind on February 6, when the Counterfeit Clash arrive.

Paying tribute to arguably Britain’s greatest ever band, the Counterfeit Clash are highly regarded, and will be pogo-ing the night away with classics like White Riot, Complete Control and Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Tickets for the all standing show are £8.50 or £7.

Music of a more sedate kind will be provided on February 19, when Maeve O’ Boyle takes the stage.

The Glasgow songstress has toured with acts as diverse as former Velvet Underground man John Cale and Sandi Thom, and won a Danny Kyle award at the 2006 Celtic Connections

Tickets are 8:590 or £7.

The Town Hall Cafe then adds laughs to the menu with the HaHa Comedy Evening on Thursday February 25.

John Gavin, the winner of the Scottish Comedian of the Year in 2009 tops the bill, with support from Teddy and Gus Tawse on a mirth-filled evening with tickets at £8 or £6.

There’s more punk on March when the Underground Jam play, rattling through a selection of classics from Paul Weller’s old band, including chart-toppers like Going Underground and Start!

Tickets are £8.50.

There’s a treat for kids on March 17 when Tall Stories present their production of Something Else.

Promising a lot of laughs and suitable for ages three and upwards, Something Else is the story of Something Else, who lives on a small house on a windy hill and is lonely.

But when Something shows up, has Something Else met his match?

Based on the award-winning picture book by Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell, this production comes from the company that made the Gruffalo.

Tickets are £4.

There’s more magic in the air on March 19 and 20, when the Good, the Cats and the Wicked returns by popular demand.

After a premiere in 2007, this new musical review will go on a journey through some of the most loved West End and Broadway numbers from Cats to Wicked to Mary Poppins.

It will be performed by students from Stow College, and tickets are £10.

Then the Young At Heart festival will arrive, with a full run of events taking place from March 21 to March 28.

Among the events lined up include Quattro McJazz, a Dixie jazz group with a combined experience of 175 years!

There’s also a theatre production of the play the Tenement, while A Century of Music And Laughter will take you on a trip down memory lane, with everything from rock n’ roll classics to the swinging 60s to classic theatre numbers.

Once the Young At Hearts festival ends, there’s still more entertainment in store as spring arrives.

Women Behaving Madly sees award winning actress Fiona Knowles play three different characters, who are all about to encounter each other.

Tickets are £8.50.

There’s an Easter fun day for kids on April 3, and then more drama on May 1 when the 34th Time takes place.

It’s a grim one-woman show about a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship.

That night there will then be a performance of live folk music, offering a tribute to the country singer Billy Stenhouse.

Another comedy night arrives in town on May 20, headlined by the former Scottish Comedian of the Year Mark Nelson.

Finally, May 25 sees Des Dillon’s gritty, moving drama The Blue Hen.

Charles Lawson (Jim McDonald in Coronation Street) stars as John, who sees a scheme launched with his friend Paddy to make a quick profit fall apart, and tensions rise.

Tickets are £10.

And, of course, the ever-popular tea dances will be taking place on one Thursday of every month, from 1.30 to 3.30pm.

The next one will be January 28, with John Findlay providing the live music as always.