The Saturnalia & Troop @ Traverse Theatre

Described by co-creator Gerard McInulty as “more like a happening than a play”, The Saturnalia is a rather unique event, typical of the Traverse's commitment to exploring new theatre. There is no fee, and audience members can come and go as they like, watching what is essentially a rehearsal. Don't underestimate it's worth, however; witnessing a piece in one of its vital stages of development can often be just as rewarding as attending its opening night. Lasting 10 – 15 minutes, The Saturnalia will be looped for the duration of an hour, and even McInulty and Carolyn Allen – the core members of production company 12 Stars – aren't sure what it will consist of yet. They just - quite rightly - knew they didn't want to turn down an invite by the Traverse “to develop a... piece for a multimedia night we're going to curate in Glasgow next year”. Called Skyline 9, and held at the CCA, the upcoming night will be a mix of performance, music and film, from a variety of artists. Add that together with the origin of The Saturnalia – one of the most popular Roman festivals commemorating the dedication of the temple to said god – and you should find something that is, as McInulty says, “something of an alternative to the usual Christmas fare.”

A description which could easily encompass another one-night-only event at the Traverse this December. Even the most culturally unaware have realised that burlesque has been making a large comeback in recent years; now the movement has taken the next step, acting as source and inspiration material for contemporary theatre. Troop is a new dance piece from choreographer Jane Turner, long drawn to exploring female “representations and expressions”, and herself a former showgirl at La Scala Ballet. Working with authour Andrea Stuart – who wrote the definitive guide and history of showgirls, entitled the same, and whose first editions now go for a tidy sum – Turner's Troop explores the illusionary world of these creatures, hugely confident but inevitably objectified. The piece is also interesting for its use of technology, particulary the Isadora software, which “enables you to capture live performance and project it back into the performance...creating live reinventions and exotic hybrid displays of live and projected dynamic images.” Translation: even without the geekery Troop will probably look pretty good; with, it's heading for amazing.