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Brian Beacom

Brian Beacom

Herald Scotland

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Is poor Scottish theatre criticism part of our cultural decline?

Is poor Scottish theatre criticism part of our cultural decline?

A news story in theatre industry bible The Stage this week reads like a call to arms. The artistic director of London’s Yard Theatre warns that cuts...

latest 4

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

Yee-hah! Hit Scottish musical Wild Rose shows why we will always love country music

Yee-hah! Hit Scottish musical Wild Rose shows why we will always love country music

Why in tarnation is Scotland so fascinated with country music? What makes Caledonian hearts seemingly beat in perfect four/four time on hearing...

31.03.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

I've never been so glad to see the curtain fall on any play in my life

I've never been so glad to see the curtain fall on any play in my life

A friend texts. We had met briefly at the recent Arthur Miller revival Death of a Salesman at the Glasgow Pavilion, and she wants to compare notes on...

17.03.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

We don’t cover the classics enough in Scottish theatres, says Alan Cumming

Let’s begin at the end of the conversation with Alan Cumming. Looking back on his career, what’s the work he’s most proud of? Is it his Macbeth?...

12.03.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

Pushed aside by the posh people, whatever happened to our working class stars?

No one is saying that Mikey Madison didn’t deserve warm congratulations on achieving Oscar success with Anora, although Demi Moore’s face...

10.03.2025 7

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

Poor old James Bond, nudged aside by a woman

The end of James Bond as we know him is almost assured. The licence to kill, albeit in film terms, hasn’t exactly been revoked, but it’s clearly...

03.03.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

David Tennant - Ignore carping critics and carry on camping it up

What’s going on with David Tennant? Did he spend too long Time Lording across the universe - in the process turning his brain to space dust? This...

24.02.2025 3

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

This lovey-dovey Scots couple could teach reality star Katie Price a lesson in life

Here's what we have to do, if we have any sense of social conscience and care about the fragile individual. We need to stop watching reality...

09.02.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

Stanley Baxter: The Spy Who Wisnae - and how M15 got it so wrong about Scots star

Your mission, should you choose to except it, is to keep on reading. Now, the following won’t strike your leg like a ricin-tipped umbrella - but...

03.02.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom

‘Plays about Covid? It’s escape we need’ Elaine C Smith on scaring the weans

Where is Elaine C. Smith at this moment in life? Well, she’s more than happy to be scaring the bejesus out of weans, offering up a creature that’s...

15.08.2024 2

Herald Scotland

Brian Beacom