Theaters

There is nowhere better to enjoy a show in Glasgow than at the Kings Theatre.

The Kings is one of Glasgow’s oldest theatres and it holds fond memories for me as it was the place where I saw my first pantomime as a child – Cinderella. I remember being amazed by the size of the place, probably because I was so small, and enthralled by the fairytale story being acted out on stage. Pantos are still a big part of the theatre calendar today with many of the theatres in Glasgow competing to put on the best show.

As well as Christmas pantos, The Kings has had many famous faces perform on its stage since it first opened in 1904. Actors such as Laurence Olivier and Katharine Hepburn have previously graced the stage in productions of Shakespeare, but nowadays you are more likely to find stand up comedians and the latest shows from London’s West End.

The Stand Comedy Club is a bit of an institution in Scotland. It was first established in in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, before setting up its sister venue in the basement of an old Victorian School in the west end of Glasgow.

Tables in a good spot are quite hard to come by if you arrive late, so it’s worth coming early and getting a drink first. It’s all quite dark and dingy inside, but the atmosphere is always great.

Many top comedians including Frankie Boyle and Stewart Lee have performed at the Stand. You could be lucky enough to see “The Next Big Thing” or maybe just cringe your way through someone’s 5 minutes of fame, but the one thing you can be guaranteed of, is that there’s something new every night! It’s a great place to go out on a date or with friends, just don’t sit too near the front if you are not too comfortable with being part of the act.

Comedy lovers can get their fix of laughs every night of the week, and with tickets starting from as low as £2 it’s a great alternative to pubs or clubs. It’s presence as Glasgow’s only full-time comedy club has helped The Stand be one of the key venues at the Magners Comedy Festival (held in March every year).

Tuesday nights host “Red Raw” show with around 10 beginner acts getting the chance to showcase their talents (or lack thereof), and a seasoned headliner act to finish off the evening.

Tucked away on Glasgow’s Southside, the Tramway venue is renowned as both an avant-garde art gallery and performing arts theatre. The building started out life as a tram depot in the late Victorian era. With the end of the trams in the 1960′s the building was then used as the museum of transport until 1988 when the Tramway Theatre opened its doors to the public.

There are so many interesting exhibitions to discover here, with the venue showcasing the works of new Scottish artists and commission works. The Tramway was revamped in 2001 and now it is one of the largest individual exhibition space in Europe.

The venue also fits in a community cafe serving up fresh sandwiches and coffee, and if you head through the cafe you will find the Hidden Gardens. A peaceful and tranquil outside space, designed by artists. It’s a great place for kids as well as being an inspirational horticultural art space.

Recently the Scottish Ballet moved into the derelict building next to the Tramway and with an exciting new programme of performances on the agenda, it is worth checking out the Tramway as there is always something going on.