Latest news with #GaietyTheatre
Hans India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Army Training Command in Shimla commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas with grandeur
New Delhi: The Headquarters of the Army Training Command, located in the picturesque city of Shimla, is celebrating 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' with immense fervour and patriotic zeal from July 25-27, marking 26 years since the momentous victory in the Kargil War. The commemorative events were formally inaugurated in a solemn and dignified ceremony by Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command. A highlight of the celebrations was the felicitation ceremony for Kargil War veterans. These gallant soldiers were honoured in recognition of their valour and selfless service, inspiring the younger generation to emulate their courage and commitment. A wide array of events and attractions were meticulously organised for the visitors, paying homage to the gallantry and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. The celebrations featured a captivating photo and video exhibition that depicted the valour, heroism and personal stories of the Kargil War heroes. The Multi-purpose Hall at the historic Gaiety Theatre reverberated with the enchanting strains of patriotic music, which enthralled and mesmerised the audience, instilling a deep sense of pride and nationhood. Throughout the event, impactful video clips on Kargil Vijay Diwas and Operation Sindoor were showcased, immersing attendees in the realities, challenges and triumphs of the Nation. These presentations offered a moving tribute to the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of our soldiers, keeping the audience engaged and reflective. Senior officials, military veterans, school and college students, NCC Cadets and a large section of the local populace attended the ceremony, demonstrating a shared respect and gratitude towards the Armed Forces. The proceedings served as a poignant reminder of the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers, who, against all odds and in sub-zero temperatures, defended the nation's sovereignty on the daunting heights of Kargil. Kargil Vijay Diwas stands as a testament to the unyielding spirit and patriotism of the Indian Armed Forces. The Headquarters Army Training Command reaffirms its resolve to uphold the honour, bravery, and values exemplified by the heroes of Kargil, as India observes this symbolic day with reverence and pride.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Acclaimed play heading to East Kilbride as part of its upcoming Scottish tour
The Junkie Miracles is being taken on tour around small theatres in various locations mainly in the west central belt. An acclaimed play by one of Scotland's best writers is heading to East Kilbride as part of its upcoming Scottish tour. The Junkie Miracles, which premiered three years ago at the Gaiety Theatre, in Ayr, is being taken on tour around small theatres in various locations mainly in the west central belt. This innovative production tells the stories of four addicts from different walks of life who have hit rock bottom and are tumbling into the abyss. Only four miracles can save them. In an inexplicable coincidence each of them, on the same day, is hit by the realisation that all hope of getting back to some semblance of their previous existence, is gone, if they don't do something immediately. Some of the main performers are recovering from their own addiction – whether that's alcohol or drugs – and their stories reflect their own and others' roads to recovery. The play is the concept of highly successful Glasgow writer, Des Dillon, who said: 'I asked these people to tell me about the worst day of their lives, the day they hit rock bottom, and what made them want to recover. 'Here, they do that with great effect. Their stories are unique but also largely unheard because of the stigma around substance they got there in the first place, the depth to which they plummeted and how they tried to get onto the road to recovery and whether or not they succeeded.' He added: 'Coming back out of that in some way or another, doesn't mean they are all necessarily happy endings either.' When the play was premiered at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, in the late summer of 2022, one observer noted the empathy felt for the characters by the audience which was drawn from all parts of the community. Since then the production has been under self-scrutiny, development and planning. The tour opens at the Regal Bathgate, on Friday September 5. It then heads to Stirling, and venues in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire before closing at Dumbarton Civic Centre on September 27. The Junkie Miracles performers represent a large, but largely hidden, proportion of Scottish society whose voices have been stifled because of the stigmatic predicament in which they find themselves. Scotland's drug problem remains the worst in Europe with an estimated 60,000 people blighted by addiction – and an unknown number of regular users. The latest statistics from Public Health Scotland (June 2025) say that Scots are drinking 50 per cent above the safe limits, with those in more deprived areas six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from alcohol related causes compared to those in less deprived communities. The Junkie Miracles will be performed at the East Kilbride Village Theatre on Monday, September 22. For ticket information visit the South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture website.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Acclaimed play kicks off Scottish tour in West Lothian
The Junkie Miracles is being taken on tour around small theatres in various locations mainly in the west central belt. An acclaimed play by one of Scotland's best writers kicks off its Scottish tour in West Lothian in September. The Junkie Miracles, which premiered three years ago at the Gaiety Theatre, in Ayr, is being taken on tour around small theatres in various locations mainly in the west central belt. This innovative production tells the stories of four addicts from different walks of life who have hit rock bottom and are tumbling into the abyss. Only four miracles can save them. In an inexplicable coincidence each of them, on the same day, is hit by the realisation that all hope of getting back to some semblance of their previous existence, is gone, if they don't do something immediately. Some of the main performers are recovering from their own addiction – whether that's alcohol or drugs – and their stories reflect their own and others' roads to recovery. The play is the concept of highly successful Glasgow writer, Des Dillon, who said: 'I asked these people to tell me about the worst day of their lives, the day they hit rock bottom, and what made them want to recover. 'Here, they do that with great effect. Their stories are unique but also largely unheard because of the stigma around substance they got there in the first place, the depth to which they plummeted and how they tried to get onto the road to recovery and whether or not they succeeded.' He added: 'Coming back out of that in some way or another, doesn't mean they are all necessarily happy endings either.' When the play was premiered at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, in the late summer of 2022, one observer noted the empathy felt for the characters by the audience which was drawn from all parts of the community. Since then the production has been under self-scrutiny, development and planning. The tour opens at the Regal Bathgate, on Friday September 5. It then heads to Stirling, and venues in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire before closing at Dumbarton Civic Centre on September 27. The Junkie Miracles performers represent a large, but largely hidden, proportion of Scottish society whose voices have been stifled because of the stigmatic predicament in which they find themselves. Scotland's drug problem remains the worst in Europe with an estimated 60,000 people blighted by addiction – and an unknown number of regular users. The latest statistics from Public Health Scotland (June 2025) say that Scots are drinking 50 per cent above the safe limits, with those in more deprived areas six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from alcohol related causes compared to those in less deprived communities. The Junkie Miracles will be performed at the Regal Theatre in Bathgate on Friday, September 5. For ticket information visit the Regal's website.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ayrshire actor brings legendary American writer to life in new one-man show
Performing a solo show lasting over an hour is no mean feat. However, that is exactly what Ken O'Hara will be doing this summer at Ayr's Gaiety Theatre and Harbour Art Centre, Irvine with his new play, Mark Twain in Person. Ken presents his plays through his own company MAD Productions and has previously toured with his solo performances, supported by The Gaiety, including Catherine Czerkawska's The Price Of A Fish Supper, about the demise of the Ayrshire fishing industry, and Greg Oliver Bodine's adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Ken says: 'I love solo performance. It's terrifying, yes, but the creative aspect is so challenging and rewarding. Like Rab and Dickens in my previous productions, Mark Twain is telling stories and this demands interaction with the audience. 'I love the buzz of working with an audience at this level: watching them, listening to, and riding the waves of reaction.' The play is conceived by Ken, showing Mark Twain during one of his lecturing tours of the USA in 1900, using Twain's own material. Ken transforms himself into the character of Twain with great aplomb, donning the famous white suit, with cigar and whisky in hand, and has a remarkable resemblance to the man. The play will premiere at Ayr's Gaiety Theatre on August 21 and 22, and at the HAC, Irvine on August 30. Tickets are available from both venues' box office. The play is directed by Isi Nimmo. Get ready to be entertained by Twain's boyhood memories, his experience of the American Civil War, and many other stories from his life, including a strange-looking dog, his observations on humanity and his time as a River Boat pilot on the Mississippi. The play contains Twain's one-liners and witticisms with which he has become celebrated. Please be aware there is use of a racial epithet in the context of Twain's writing.
Irish Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Joe McFadden to lead cast in new tour of Shawshank Redemption
ACTOR Joe McFadden has been announced as the leading man in a new British tour of The Shawshank Redemption. Adapted from a novella by Stephen King, the acclaimed stage production from Bill Kenwright Ltd returns with a string of shows later this year, including seven performances in Belfast. Second-generation Irish actor McFadden will star as Andy Dufresne, who was first played by Tim Robbins in the acclaimed 1994 movie that garnered seven Oscar nominations. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, who starred as Andy Dufresne and Red in the 1994 big screen adaptation, speak about the film ahead of a screening in Hollywood last year (Image: Presley Ann / Getty Images for TCM) Glasgow-born McFadden rose to fame in the acclaimed 1996 BBC miniseries The Crow Road, an adaptation of Iain Banks' novel of the same name. He also had prominent roles in both Heartbeat and Holby City, while in 2017 he won the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing with partner Katya Jones. However, he is no stranger to the stage, having played Caractacus Potts in the British tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2006-07 and the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show in 2023. Last year, he starred alongside second-generation Irish actress Stacey Dooley in the sixth West End production of Danny Robins' acclaimed play, 2:22 A Ghost Story. Friendship and hope Based on King's Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption from his 1982 collection, Different Seasons, the stage production examines friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum-security facility. In the story, Andy is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murders of his wife and her lover, despite his protests of innocence. Incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone. Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer, Red — played by Morgan Freeman in the 1994 movie — and things start to take a slight turn for the better. However, when the warden decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched. Reg E. Cathey (Red) and Kevin Anderson (Andy) perform pieces from the show the night before its world premiere at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin on May 19, 2009 (Image: Sasko Lazarov / As well as McFadden, the forthcoming tour also stars Ben Onwukwe as Red, Bill Ward as the warden and Graham Elwell as Hadley. It has been adapted by Dave Johns and Co. Tyrone native Owen O'Neill. The pair originally adapted the story more than 15 years ago, when it had its world premiere at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin in 2009, presented by Lane Productions and directed by Peter Sheridan. In that production, Kevin Anderson (Sleeping With the Enemy) played Andy and the late Reg E. Cathey (The Wire) took on the role of Red. The latest Bill Kenwright Ltd production — directed by David Esbjornson — begins its tour at the Theatre Royal in Windsor on September 5 and concludes at the Grand Theatre in Leeds on May 23, 2026. It will run at the Grand Opera House in Belfast from September 30 until October 4. For full tour dates and to book tickets, please click here.
