1 THE Edinburgh Outlander Experience
The hugely successful Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon have inspired an even more successful television show, which must surely be due to return to our screens soon. The Outlander Experience allows you to visit some of the locations in the story of time travelling nurse Claire and her Jacobite husband Jamie. Hear stories of the Jacobites, the Stuarts, witchcraft, clans and how the fictional story intermingles with history. This two-hour walking tour starts at Edinburgh’s Mercat Cross at 10.30 am next Saturday, October 16.
2 RONI Size and LTJ Bukem … two celebrated drum’n’bass pioneers co-headline what’s sure to be a thrilling show. Size won the Mercury Prize with Reprazent, his debut album way back in 1997. Bukem came to prominence with a remix of the James Bond theme for David Arnold that same year, although he didn’t release his first solo album until three years later. Together they’ll be a killer combination. The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Friday. Doors open 11pm.
3 SCOTTISH Ballet’s Starstruck is a glitzy revival of American dancer and choreographer Gene Kelly’s Pas de Dieux created for the Paris Opera Ballet 60 years ago. Artistic director Christopher Hampson worked with Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, to reconstruct the ballet by deciphering Kelly’s scribbled annotations on George Gershwin’s score and sifting through archive photographs and rehearsal footage. The story of the gods Zeus and Aphrodite in the south of France has been framed from within a rehearsal room of shiny, legging-clad men and star-struck ballerinas. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Thursday to Saturday. Evenings 7.30pm | Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
4 WITH Janey Godley’s Soup Pot Tour, the comedian at last gets the chance to take her new show on tour after dates were rescheduled back in March. It’s packed full of the characters which made her voice-overs such a joy, particularly during lockdown. Plenty to enjoy from the Sandras, Big Franks and Big Tereea in Torremolinos. Two dates this week followed by other dates around the country. Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock on Thursday and Friday.
5 IT’S been a long and strange journey for Dr Hook. From the heartbreaking tale of teenage love thwarted by Sylvia’s Mother, through the satirical cynicism of The Cover of Rolling Stone to middle of the roads hits such as When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman and Sexy Eyes. You’ll no doubt be able to hear them all when the band’s 20th anniversary world tour finally gets to Glasgow.
Second and final date tonight, Kelvingrove Bandstand.
6 THE Enemy. This contemporary re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play An Enemy of the People, switches the action to a once-proud Scottish industrial town. A big redevelopment project promises to bring money, jobs and new prospects to its forgotten population. A provocative and timely drama about corruption and the punishment doled out to a character who dares to expose an unpalatable truth. Dundee Rep Theatre, Tuesday, 7.30pm.
7 THE hits just kept coming for veteran Glasgow band Del Amitri after their formation in 1980. Kiss This Thing Goodbye (1989), Nothing Ever Happens (1990), Be My Downfall (my personal favourite for reasons too personal to tell) and Roll to Me (1995) are just some of the best loved tunes from Justin Currie and company.
At least some will be in the set, as well as some new music. Perth Concert Hall, Thursday, 7pm.
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