By Tracy Mukherjee
Spring already, but as you read this the wind and rain of storm Isha are battering against my window on a miserable January day. Not a bad time to look forward to the brighter days ahead, with some fantastic events to see us through early Spring. So here is Westender Magazine’s roundup of what’s on in Glasgow this Spring.
Top for Comedy
A year since the fully revamped Glasgow Comedy Festival arose from the embers of Covid. If we thought 2023 was a belter, hold on to your hilarity hat! Celebrating it’s “all grown up” 21st birthday, the festival returns for three weeks this March. With over 500 events across 45 venues, the event is set to be one of the largest in the festival’s history.
There are big names on the programme like Frank Skinner, Elaine C Smith, Stewart Lee and Frankie Boyle. Look out too for some of the best names on the comedy circuit. In particular, Luisa Omielan’s Bitter. The woman who asked What would Beyonce Do is back. She’s SO over the haters and is rewriting the rule book. Don’t miss the monumentally talented Luisa at Oran Mor.
Another highlight is the king of the bored expression Stuart McPherson. Probably best known as the IT expert cop on Scot Squad, Stuart is also the co-host of Some Laugh podcast. Stuart is bringing his one hour stand up Stuart McPherson: More of the Same TBH to Van Winkle West End. As well as a talented actor, Stuart’s stand up has been critically acclaimed with both The Times and Rolling Stone lauding his hysterical performance.
A full review of this fabulous festival is impossible to do in this column. But in summary – it’s enormous, it’s on in our town and it’s hilarious!
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Various Venues,
Wed 13th– Sun 31st March 2024
w:glasgowcomedyfestival.com
Top for Classical
This Spring sees some absolute musts in the world of classical music and ballet. The RSNO are pulling out all the stops with a season of concerts that are simply exquisite. At the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the magnificent Nicola Benedetti will perform with the RSNO for the Scottish premiere of a concerto specially written for her by composer Mark Simpson. Nicola Benedetti Plays Simpson is a masterful work. Plus, the orchestra will close the evening with the thrilling fifth symphony by Shostakovich.
Later in the season the behemoth that is Holst’s The Planets suite really does take you on a monumental journey. From Mars the bringer of war, ferocious and menacing, to the uplifting lyricism of Jupiter (the world in union for us philistines), it is quite astonishing that one composer could put such diverse compositions together in one beautiful union.
If we saunter across to The Theatre Royal, another classic glides into Glasgow this Spring: this time in classical ballet. Swan Lake will be performed by The Scottish Ballet in April. To the stirring notes of Tchaikovsky’s unmistakable score, Odette and Siegfried fall in love, only for the seductive Odile to lead him mistakenly astray. If you’ve never been to a live ballet performance, this is the one to make you fall in love with the art form. Breath-taking choreography, exhilarating performances combine with a perfect musical backdrop for the most famous ballet of them all.
Nicola Benedetti Plays Simpson
with the RSNO
Sat 23rd March
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Holst The Planets Suite
RSNO
Sat 20th April
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Swan Lake
The Scottish Ballet
Thurs 4th – Sat 6th April
Glasgow Theatre Royal
Top for Lecture Series
Here’s a left fielder for top things…education! But these are lectures with an edge. To start off the utterly glorious Ben Fogle. The nation’s favourite nature lover (and my fantasy husband) brings his show Wild to The Pavillion Theatre this March. Ben says regarding the ethos of the show “Adventures, expeditions, and journeys have helped shape and mould me. They have strengthened me emotionally, physically, and mentally and armed me with the skills for life.” Well, need I say more? But obviously I will. This show is inspiring and uplifting, not only for lovers of the natural world, but his tale of self-discovery is good for the soul.
Over at The Armadillo real life superhero Bear Grylls brings his show Never Give Up to Glasgow. Adventurer, host and author, Bear is known for his survival shows and books. Bear takes us through his early life in the SAS, to being one of the youngest ever climbers of Everest and looks at what it takes to overcome adversity and developing a relentless determination to reach your goals. Hold tight for a hair-raising show!
Ben Fogle – Wild
Fri 22nd March
Pavillion Theatre
Renfrew Street
w:pavilliontheatre.co.uk/shows/ben-fogle-wild/
Bear Grylls – Never Give Up
Thursday 18th April
SEC Armadillo Exhibition Way
w:sec.co.uk/events/detail/bear-grylls
Top for Easter Events
Nothing says Spring more than a joyous Easter Egg hunt in five degrees, with the rain running off the end of your nose. And so it is that we head to Mugdock Country Park for the poppets to engage in some outdoor fun. Wildlife Weans, Mugdock presents The Great Egg Hunt for one – six year-olds. The rangers will lead some fab activities as you search for some treasure. The birds in the park have lost their golden eggs and the kids will have to search the woodland and meadows to find them. With fingers crossed for some pleasant weather, this is a lovely day out for the kids.
In the Easter Holidays The Box Hub Warehouse in South Street is holding the Glasgow Toy and Collectables Fair, with 120 tables full of absolute must-have toys. From vintage to modern, it’s a lovely way for the family to spend the day perusing the stalls.
Wildlife Weans: The Great Egg Hunt,
Fri 29th March
Mugdock Easter Activity Day
Sun 31st March
Mugdock Country Park
Milngavie
Click for details
Glasgow Toy and Collectables Fair
Sat 13th April
Box Hub Warehouse
South Street
Click fo details
Best of the Rest of What’s on in Glasgow this Spring
A Play, a Pie and a Pint have launched their Spring programme. Running from Feb till June, check out the afternoon delights at –
w:playpiepint.com
Websters Theatre also have some brilliant productions coming our way this Spring. For a preview visit – webstersglasgow.com/whats-on-2/
And for young and old alike, the always fantastic ACME Comicon hits the SEC for the Spring event on Sat 9th and Sun 10th of March.
Prepare for some of the most devoted fans around. For information and tickets visit –
w:acmecomicon/home
Return to Culture and Arts for more ideas on what’s on in Glasgow this Spring.
