Much-loved TV detective takes to the stage but does it work?
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Art, money and murder are at the heart of this latest adaptation of thriller writer Peter James' Detective Roy Grace novels. Here, James, adaptor Shaun McKenna and director Jonathan O'Boyle here fling our hero into the cut and thrust world of art forgery, where greedy collectors salivate over reproductions of old masters that even con galleries into thinking they're showing originals.
Roy and his sidekick Bella are investigating a murder that leads them to master forger Dave Hegarty, who Roy got banged up back in the day. Dave may have given up knocking out counterfeit Lowrys, but he can still turn his hand to doing a classic or two when required.
Meanwhile, Harry and Freya Kipling might just have got more than they bargained for down at the car boot sale, and we're not talking the 1970s swivel chair they picked up as well as a work in oils that was going for a song.
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Cue predatory collector Stuart Piper and the gloriously named Roberta Kilgore, who spring petty thief Archie Goff from prison to do their dirty work. How anyone can spot the difference between reproductions the real thing, however, and which is worth more, becomes the crux of this fast moving yarn that crams an entire mini series' worth of intrigue into the show's two acts.
George Rainsford makes a solid Grace as he and Gemma Stroyan's Bella navigate their way through a rogues gallery of interested parties, from the seeming ordinariness of the Kiplings, played by Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade, to Mark Oxtoby's likeably geezerish Hegarty and Mark Oxtoby's hapless Goff.
It is the cartoon villainy of Ore Oduba's Piper and especially Jodie Steele's Cruella de Vil-like Roberta which steals the show, however. Played out on Adrian Linford's clever sliding doors set the end result is an archly realised detective story in which F is very much for Fake.
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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Much-loved TV detective takes to the stage but does it work?
Theatre Royal, Glasgow Art, money and murder are at the heart of this latest adaptation of thriller writer Peter James' Detective Roy Grace novels. Here, James, adaptor Shaun McKenna and director Jonathan O'Boyle here fling our hero into the cut and thrust world of art forgery, where greedy collectors salivate over reproductions of old masters that even con galleries into thinking they're showing originals. Roy and his sidekick Bella are investigating a murder that leads them to master forger Dave Hegarty, who Roy got banged up back in the day. Dave may have given up knocking out counterfeit Lowrys, but he can still turn his hand to doing a classic or two when required. Meanwhile, Harry and Freya Kipling might just have got more than they bargained for down at the car boot sale, and we're not talking the 1970s swivel chair they picked up as well as a work in oils that was going for a song. Read more Cue predatory collector Stuart Piper and the gloriously named Roberta Kilgore, who spring petty thief Archie Goff from prison to do their dirty work. How anyone can spot the difference between reproductions the real thing, however, and which is worth more, becomes the crux of this fast moving yarn that crams an entire mini series' worth of intrigue into the show's two acts. George Rainsford makes a solid Grace as he and Gemma Stroyan's Bella navigate their way through a rogues gallery of interested parties, from the seeming ordinariness of the Kiplings, played by Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade, to Mark Oxtoby's likeably geezerish Hegarty and Mark Oxtoby's hapless Goff. It is the cartoon villainy of Ore Oduba's Piper and especially Jodie Steele's Cruella de Vil-like Roberta which steals the show, however. Played out on Adrian Linford's clever sliding doors set the end result is an archly realised detective story in which F is very much for Fake.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Ballet Nights to make Scottish premiere in Glasgow this July
Ballet Nights will arrive at Glasgow's Theatre Royal on July 4, bringing a programme of classical ballet, contemporary dance, and live music performed by internationally acclaimed artists. The show has previously been performed on stages across the globe, including London, Brisbane, and Kuala Lumpur. Read more: Glasgow workshop aims to inspire potential community organisers Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, founder and artistic director of Ballet Nights and a former soloist with Scottish Ballet, will compère the evening. He said: "Glasgow holds a very special place in my heart and my creative soul. "In bringing my show concept to my old home, Ballet Nights offers me and many fellow returning Scottish Ballet stars the chance to reconnect with the audiences that made us. "I'm equally excited to showcase the global acts we've been growing the show with in London, alongside rarely seen Scottish voices—bringing our unique blend of artistry and innovation to Glasgow, and celebrating the magic of dance with audiences old and new." The line-up includes Scottish Ballet alumni such as Sophie Martin, Eve Mutso, and Constance Devernay-Laurence, as well as Royal Ballet principal Steven McRae and Birmingham Royal Ballet's former principal Tyrone Singleton. Glasgow-born dancer Andrew Cummings will also perform. Dancers Steven McRae and Constance Devernay-Laurence will perform at the event (Image: Mich Rose (L) and Deborah Jaffe (R)) The show will feature the world premiere of I Married Myself, performed by Constance Devernay-Laurence and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon OBE. Other highlights include Death of The Bachelors, choreographed and performed by BLACBRIK, and Elite Syncopations, featuring Constance Devernay-Laurence, Kevin Poeung, and Tyrone Singleton. Tickets for the Glasgow show are available to be purchased at Following the performance, Ballet Nights will host a day of masterclasses for young students on July 5 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Wallace Studios, led by Steven McRae. Read more: Portaloo transformed into mini-cinema puts spotlight on hidden health issue Megan Peasgood, course leader and ballet tutor at the Dance School of Scotland, said: "The Glasgow Ballet Nights Masterclasses are an exciting opportunity for the young aspiring dancers of Scotland to learn and develop their skills with prestigious industry professionals and Ballet Nights stars. "The day will provide a versatile mix of dance and coaching to inspire the students alongside their everyday dancing." The masterclasses are open to students in three age groups: junior (9–11), mids (12–14), and senior (15–16).
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Arrgh you joking? Tesco pensioner stuns shoppers by bringing his pet PARROT with him to buy groceries
On a balance of probabilities, parrots are more likely to be spotted walking the plank than walking down the ready meals aisle of a major supermarket. But that was exactly the scene that greeted one customer, who was left stunned after spotting a pensioner with a colourful parrot perched upon his shoulder in his local Tesco. Named Bella, the 12-year-old exotic bird prompted the stunned man to capture his unusual encounter on video. Posting the footage to X, the astonished man can't help but exclaim, 'That is something unbelievable. Oh my God,' as he spots the red-and-green macaw. 'See the parrot, man, in Tesco,' he continues. After approaching the otherwise unperturbed owner, the man says: 'How are we uncle, you OK? Lovely parrot, man. How old is it?' After being told the bird is aged 12, the curious bystander asks whether the bird speaks. 'She does when she wants,' replies her owner. Man brings his parrot along with him on his Tesco shop 🦜🛒 (TikTok: mr_w1cked1) — UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) June 6, 2025 He went on to add that she could fly off 'if she wants to', but remained firmly on the man's shoulder as he casually walked down each aisle to pick up his groceries. 'That is good man, you've trained her well,' the surprised customer told the bird owner, before bidding him farewell. Green-winged macaws are the second largest parrots next to the hyacinth macaw and can reach flight speeds of up to 35mph. They have a very powerful beak which can generate a pressure of 2000 psi (pounds per square inch) and have the ability to crack open incredibly hard-shelled nuts, such as Brazil nuts with ease. Parrots mainly eat seeds, fruits, blossoms, buds, leaves, berries, nuts and sometimes bark - and do indeed enjoy the occasional cracker as well.
