Scotland's first 'shopera' to debut at Buchanan Galleries
The 60-minute, two-act performance, titled Bertha, reimagines the story of Bertha Mason, the "mad woman in the attic" from Charlotte Brontë's classic novel Jane Eyre.
Read more: GoMA workshop turns asylum seekers' art into postcards and tote bags
The show is written, produced, and directed by Rachel Sullivan, a composer and student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Rachel Sullivan wrote, produced, and directed the show (Image: Supplied) Rachel said: "Having the opportunity to produce and direct this work has been a real privilege and joy.
"It's my aim for Bertha to reach those who may never have experienced a production in a traditional opera venue, and change the common perception that opera is for the select few.
"Buchanan Galleries has provided the perfect alternative venue, in Glasgow's most central shopping centre, for which I am particularly grateful.
"I'm looking forward to welcoming the centre's guests to come and experience Bertha, whether they are seasoned fans or being introduced to the art for the first time.
'I'd also like to thank the incredibly talented cast, orchestra, and my co-director, Hannah Siddiqui, without whom the production would not have been possible, and the outstanding musical director, Chloe Lu Ye.
"To have been blessed with such a dedicated and enthusiastic cast and crew is an experience is something I will never forget.'
Dress rehearsals for Scotland's first ever 'Shopera' (Image: Supplied) Dress rehearsals for Scotland's first ever 'shopera' (Image: Supplied) Bertha explores the emotional turmoil and cognitive decline of Bertha Mason, set in 1808 during a period when women with mental health conditions were often misunderstood and mistreated.
The opera unfolds through dramatic interactions and fragmented memories, revealing a story of survival, self-discovery, and female solidarity.
Set to take place at Buchanan Galleries on June 20, 21, and 22, the event will feature a chamber orchestra of 12 musicians, four singers, immersive staging, and a haunting original score.
The "shopera" will be staged at the Buchanan Street entrance of the shopping centre, opposite the Rolex store.
Read more: STV presenter 'brings the sunshine' to officially open Glasgow care home
Dress rehearsals for Scotland's first ever 'shopera' (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) Kathy Murdoch, centre director at Buchanan Galleries, said: "We're thrilled to be hosting Scotland's first ever 'shopera' right here at Buchanan Galleries.
"This is such a creative and original way to bring the arts to the high street and make opera more accessible to new audiences.
"Rachel and the team have created something really special with Bertha, and we're proud to support local talent and community-focused performances like this.
"We hope our guests enjoy the opportunity to experience opera in a whole new way right in the heart of the city."
Tickets are available via Eventbrite for a suggested donation of £5.
All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Clyde Climate Forest, a charity working to plant 18 million trees in and around Glasgow over the next decade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Period drama dubbed 'magnificent slop' finally streams all 8 episodes
Fans are obsessed with the third season of The Gilded Age after hailing it 'everything they could have hoped for'. The show, from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, immerses viewers in the upper echelons of New York society at the turn of the 19th century, where wealth, status and scandal ruled supreme. The Emmy-nominated series has had a rocky time since it was first announced in 2012. Almost eight years later, it had to shut down production just days before filming the first season when the pandemic started. Then, in 2024, one of the lead stars Carrie Coon (The White Lotus) admitted there was a strong sense that the HBO show may not even return at all – ultimately she credited the fans with saving the show. Reflecting on the time before season two, the actor told Deadline: 'We were on the bubble. We really didn't think we were going to come back. Our options had lapsed. It looked very unlikely, but it was the streaming. 'It was the number of people watching the show and loving the show.' Then, in February 2025, she reiterated that the show had been in perilous waters. 'The gays saved it,' Coon joked with Entertainment Tonight. 'Thank you, right now, you saved it. We would not have a season three without you.' After a one-and-a-half-year wait, fans finally sank their teeth into a brand new season and, with its rejuvented success, can look forward to a confirmed fourth season as well. As usual, we will see tensions boil as old and new money clash with Coon's character Bertha returning alongside Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Taissa Farmiga. The synopsis for the third season reads: 'Bertha sets her sights on a prize that would elevate the family to unimaginable heights while George risks everything on a gambit that could revolutionise the railroad industry — if it doesn't ruin him first. 'Across the street, the Brook household is thrown into chaos as Agnes refuses to accept Ada's new position as lady of the house. As all of New York hastens toward the future, their ambition may come at the cost of what they truly hold dear.' Aka… salacious drama, what's not to love? The eighth and final episode landed on Sunday night, with viewers who have been holding out until the end finally switch their brains off and binge all the episodes. And, you're in for a wild ride. 'It's slop, but it's magnificent slop,' Han T wrote in a five-star review for Rotten Tomatoes. 'This show continues to get stronger with each season. Aside from the excellent writing, the show's authenticity to the time period through production design, sets, and costumes is a nice touch. Many plot seeds that were planted before finally come to fruition,' Eddie S shared. 'The Gilded Age writers' room after writing line after line of impeccable dialogue for every single actor in today's episode… Absolute masterclass,' X user ShreyaPahwa wrote. 'Just finished the episode — it was so intense and uncomfortable. Some were happy, some were heartbroken. Such a powerful start. Now I can't wait for the next one. Every single scene had me hooked!' jxsecrett said. 'The Season 3 premiere of The Gilded Age was everything I could've hoped for. The emotions, the one-liners, the setup—all of it. We're in for such a ride for the next seven weeks,' Gissane Sophia added. 'The Gilded Age is back and it's still amazing,' Grumpyduck declared. 'The Gilded Age is truly terrific. Egos grow & power shifts in 1880s New York high society,' Anthony Shannon echoed. The new season had already raked in rave reviews ahead of its premiere. Variety has praised it as the 'best season yet'. 'The Gilded Age no longer feels torn between ogling the past and honouring its flaws. Three seasons in, it's on firmer footing than ever,' the review continued. Roger Egbert said the new season 'dazzles and delights', and Slate said the 'new season is peppered with twists and scandal, heartbreak and horror – and, of course, more extravagant hats than Churchill Downs has ever seen.' For those still needing to catch up, there are plenty of glowing reviews of seasons past from fans as well. 'Awesome interweaving of real-life events and characters make this show exceptional and the acting is stellar. The most sumptuous costumes and sets I have ever seen top it off; it is a veritable feast for the eyes,' Google reviews user Fleur Purdeu said. 'If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, Selfridges, or Poldark then this is absolutely a must-see. One of my favorite things about this show is the world-building and how it offers an intricately detailed glimpse into a period of American history that seems long forgotten, yet was an undeniably defining turning point in society,' Michael Swenson added. More Trending 'This show has a great build-up and gets so juicy!!' Angel Russell teased. Although some have also called it 'amateurish' and 'predicatable' so be warned that this may not be to everyone's taste. The Gilded Age seasons one, two and three are available to stream in full on Sky and NOW. A version of this article was first published on June 23, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Kay Burley's Sky News replacement finally revealed after months of intense speculation MORE: Murder framed as suicide: How a killer's lies were exposed MORE: Sky's Dermot Murnaghan 'mistakenly thought he was being tested for prostate cancer' before stage 4 diagnosis
The Herald Scotland
28-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
All-star cast join Ballad Lines musical for 18 track album
The album will be launched with a special one-off concert at Cottiers in Glasgow on Monday, September 15. The album features original songs alongside some reimagined traditional Scottish and Appalachian ballads. The music is from the Scottish folk musical Ballad Lines and will feature an all-female band made up of one of Scotland's foremost acoustic guitarists Anna Massie, renowned Highland fiddle player Laura Wilkie, electric guitarist Jenny Clifford, bassist Charlotte Printer and Scottish-Icelandic percussionist and drummer Signy Jakobsdottir. In the run-up to the album launch, a teaser EP will be released on July 18 with a single – Queen Among The Heather – to be released on August 29. Previously known as A Mother's Song, Ballad Lines is a five star-reviewed new musical that shines a light on how th songs and choices of our ancestor can change the course of our futures. The 18 songs will include new arrangements of Handsome Molly, The Four Marys and Let No Man Steal Your Thyme alongside 14 original songs by Finn Anderson. The musicians on the album come from a diverse range of folk, roots, pop, rock and alternative music scenes and draws on a range of styles. Read More The musical began in 2014 after being created by Anderson and Tania Azevedo and it was commissioned by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Northwestern's American Music Theatre Project. Anderson said: 'This has been one of the most challenging and exciting projects of my career so far - a culmination of everything I've learned working in music and theatre over the past decade. 'Our dream for this project was to create a true fusion of folk and musical theatre. For the album, we've brought together some of the most exciting folk and traditional musicians and singers from Scotland and North America, alongside some of the UK's best musical theatre performers. 'The result is an 18-track score that I hope captures both the authenticity of traditional Scottish and Appalachian ballad storytelling, and the dramatic emotional sweep of great musical theatre. Most of the musicians and folk singers on the album have not worked in theatre before, and the Scottish and Appalachian traditional styles are relatively untapped territory for a musical. 'As an artist who straddles the music and theatre scenes. it's so rewarding for me to cross-pollinate and blend these two worlds, bringing artists from the different sides of my work together in a way that feels really authentic to who I am and also just really right for this story. 'Ballad Lines explores how songs travel — how they evolve, shift, and change hands over time. So it feels especially meaningful to have assembled a cross-genre, cross-continental company to bring these songs to life.' Tania added: 'Ballad Lines places queer and female voices at the heart of an art form historically dominated by patriarchal narratives. 'By reinterpreting traditional ballads through the lens of a modern queer woman tracing her matrilineal line, we both hope this show reclaims folklore as a space for diverse, intersectional storytelling—something rarely seen in either folk or musical theatre.' Tickets to the special gig at Cottiers are on sale from
Scotsman
23-07-2025
- Scotsman
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 official mascot
Finnie was imagined with the help of 76 children from 24 schools across Glasgow. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has been revealed - marking a year to go until the event. Finnie, a Glaswegian unicorn, was unveiled on Wednesday morning at the top of the city's famous Finnieston Crane, which is also her namesake. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The unicorn could be seen alongside a special banner on top of the Clydeside landmark to announce her arrival and symbolically mark 365 days to go until the Games. Finnie was imagined with the help of 76 children from 24 schools from communities across Glasgow - known as Mascot Makers. The mascot's aerial entrance marks the start of a day of events celebrating the one-year countdown during which she will meet Scottish athletes. She will also be introduced to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Glasgow's Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren alongside the Mascot Makers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Make sure you keep up to date with news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here. Finnie is a unicorn due to its unique and proud place as the national animal of Scotland. | Craig Watson Finnie's signature feature is a horn inspired by the famous traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside Glasgow's Gallery of Modern of Art (GOMA). As well as her horn, Finnie has a silver flash in her shoes in homage to the Clyde's shipbuilding history and she got her earring from the Glasgow Coat of Arms. Her purple mane is inspired by the bright lights of Games-time venue The Hydro and the world-famous Barrowland Ballroom gave her sparkling stars on her arms and nose. She also wears a friendship bracelet created by the Mascot Makers and will be spotted making a heart-shaped gesture as her signature move. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a statement released alongside the launch, Finnie said: 'I'll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance. 'I'm here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city.' The Mascot Makers wanted Finnie to be a unicorn due to its unique and proud place as the national animal of Scotland. Earlier this year, they took part in a creative workshop at Glasgow City Chambers where they worked in groups to design their ideal mascot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A unicorn emerged as the clear favourite. Their mood boards inspired Finnie's final look, and a focus group of pupils later reviewed design drafts, with their feedback helping to shape the final mascot who was brought to life by Glasgow creative agency 999 Design, Scottish actor Libby McArthur and Impact Arts. The mascot Finnie was revealed on Wednesday. | Craig Watson Maskeen Bhullar, 11, attends St Patrick's Primary School in Anderston and helped to create the mascot. 'It has been an extraordinary experience being part of the Mascot Maker team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games,' he said. 'The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow I was one year old. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I want to be an athlete one day and take part in a future Commonwealth Games. Being involved in creating the mascot has inspired me even more to work towards that dream. 'To me, the mascot represents my city, Glasgow, and stands as a symbol of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It's something I'll always feel proud to have contributed to.' Games to see more than 3,000 athletes in Glasgow The Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 2026, are expected to welcome more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories. The competition will feature a packed programme of 10 sports and six Para sports across four Glasgow venues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More than 200 medals will be awarded during the 11-day event. Finnie will now begin a busy schedule of appearances at schools, sporting events and community celebrations across the country ahead of the Opening Ceremony next July. Finnie is preparing to entertain crowds during Glasgow 2026. | Craig Watson Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty OBE said: 'Finnie represents everything Glasgow 2026 is about – fun, friendliness and of course that little bit of magic! 'She'll be at the heart of everything that's exciting about these Games, from building up the crowd to hyping the athletes. She'll visit communities across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond, and bring them all together next summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It means so much that she comes from the imaginations of Glasgow's young people.
