Scottish Theatre Highlights: May 2023
In May, catch a wide variety of theatre for all ages across Scotland, from interactive ghost hunts to sweeping adaptations of literary classics
From Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery (Lament for Sheku Bayoh) comes Protest (until 2 Jun), a story of marginalisation and solidarity for children and their parents. This exciting collaboration will open at Northern Stage in Newcastle and tour Scotland, including a stop at the Edinburgh International Children's Festival (29-31 May). The Children's Festival offers nine days of family-friendly theatre and dance from 27 May to 4 June.
Glasgow's Tron Theatre presents Ross Willis's award-winning Wolfie (4-13 May). This innovative fairytale follows the story of twins separated at birth in an irreverent look at life in and after the care system. At Tramway, the Citizens Theatre Young Company will stage the premiere of PAL: Your AI Care Companion (11-13 May), a new play by Sara Shaarawi (Sister Radio).
Scottish Opera hosts the return of acclaimed director John Fulljames with Bizet's Carmen, sung in English and set in 1970s Spain. Carmen will visit Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh (12 May-11 Jun). This month also sees the world premiere of Lesley Hart's highly-anticipated adaptation of classic story of love, betrayal, and patriarchal oppression Anna Karenina at Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum (13 May-3 Jun).
This year's Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival (20-28 May) sports a tantalising lineup of theatre, music, and cultural events, including Scottish Opera's Pop-Up Opera and A Play, A Pie, and A Pint's Leopards Ate My Face.
Fred Deakin will debut his immersive show, Club Life, at Edinburgh's Summerhall (25-28 May). The piece is described as a riotous joyride through the club scene of the 80s and 90s – a cast of dancers invites the audience into this unique experience.
Glasgow will be haunted by Visible Fictions' new event, Ghosthunter. Designed for older teens and young adults, this interactive show is described as "part immersive theatre, part expansive escape room" in which audiences will assist a team of paranormal experts as they investigate a haunted house. Audiences can access transport to the space from the Tron Theatre (30 May-17 Jun).