What's On Scotland 12-19 May: Anna Karenina & more
A blistering new adaptation of Anna Karenina arrives on the Lyceum stage this week. Elsewhere, Brooke Combe plays Glasgow and Yuichi Hirako's The Modern Institute exhibition runs for its final week
All happy families might be alike, as Leo Tolstoy once told us, but all Anna Karenina adaptations definitely are not. This new version arriving at Edinburgh's Lyceum this week is one of the boldest yet, reimagining Tolstoy's classic for the modern age in a co-production with the Bristol Old Vic.
Running from 13 May-3 June, the play follows the fortunes of the tragic Anna Karenina, who - travelling across the country to save her brother's marriage after an affair - unravels her own desires and marriage. Writer Lesley Hart and director Polina Kalinina's production is a lavish and unflinching take on a world of manners and performance that feels anything but in the past.
Yuichi Hirako: The Nature
The Modern Institute, Glasgow. Until 20 May
Japanese mythology, figurative painting and sculpture come together in Yuichi Hirako’s ecologically minded exhibition, which draws on the figure of the kodoma, or “tree-man”, to stage an inquiry into our inconsistent and complex relationship with nature. Image: Photo Patrick Jamieson. Courtesy of artist/The Modern Institute.
Love the Sinner
Tron Theatre, Glasgow. 11-13 May, 7:30pm
Following the embodiments of the Seven Sins as they negotiate the contemporary world and their place within it, Love the Sinner melds writer Imogen Stirling’s lyricism with dynamic visual theatre and electronica for a mythic investigation into what it means to be human and flawed. Image: Mihaela Bodlovic.
TFEH: Dome Riders, Ash Reid & Jackson Burton, Off Brand
Fruitmarket, Edinburgh. 18 May, 8pm
TFEH's underground music collective arrive at Fruitmarket this coming week with a nomadic selection of weirdo music. Heading the evening's lineup are Glasgow experimental group Dome Riders, Ash Reid and Jackson Burton and noise band Off Brand. Image courtesy of artist.
La Cheetah Club presents... Anz
La Cheetah Club, Glasgow. 12 May, 11pm
One of the UK's most exciting dance music artists plays with the boundaries of genre, interweaving garage, electro, jungle and pop for an irresistible night on the dance floor. Support comes from rising star Wardy - early tickets are already sold out so be quick. Image: India Greenlaugh.
↪ Brooke Combe
Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow. 12 May, 7:30pm
Edinburgh-based singer Brooke Combe saw her star rise during the shut-ins of the pandemic, and is now bringing her irresistible brand of pop-soul - with influences as diverse as Whitney Houston and The Arctic Monkeys - out in the real world. Image: Jake Finnigan.
→ Uplands Roast presents: Mungo's HiFi + Ras Demo
The Bongo Club, Edinburgh. 18 May, 10pm
Big name in the Scottish reggae and dub scene, Mungo's Hi Fi return to The Bongo Club with a reggae-rave extravaganza. Joining them this evening is much beloved reggae singer Ras Demo.
→ Comfort
Conroy's Basement, Dundee. 12 May, 8pm
We're huge fans of Glasgow band Comfort (they're even in this month's issue!) and we couldn't be more hyped for their tour. Catch them this weekend at Dundee playing their brand of political power punk.