AUDIO DESCRIPTION IN SCOTLAND: Notes

Another opportunity to catch Baz Luhrmann's outback masterpiece. Set in the Australian northern territories during WW2, Australia follows an English aristocrat (Kidman) who inherits an outback ranch the size of Scotland. Enter swarthy drover (Jackman) as the hero and love interest who assists Kidman in driving the cattle to Darwin. Prepare for a sweeping epic of a movie, with stunning cinematography and a marathon running time.

In an outstanding new adaptation by Ian McDiarmid, the the National Theatre of Scotland and the Donmar Warehouse bring Ayrshire novelist Andrew O'Hagan's gripping book Be Near Me to the stage.

Be Near Me is a Booker Prize nominated, captivating and moving story about love, morality and regret, told through the experiences of an Oxford-educated Catholic priest. Father David is assigned to a new parish in a crippled Scottish town on the Ayrshire coast, where sectarianism runs rife. He is a naïve and unworldly man, ill-suited to his new parish. Drifting away from his peers in the town, he is drawn to Mark and Lisa, a troubled teenage couple who attend the nearby school. Their everyday world of drunken nights and recreational drugs is as exotic and enthralling to him as his cloistered life is to them. As events take a perilous direction, Father David's infatuation splinters his life into pieces.

National Theatre of Scotland and Donmar Warehouse's outstanding new stage adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's Booker Prize nominated book, Be Near Me, stars celebrated Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid (Return of the Jedi, Sleepy Hollow, Gorky Park).

Be Near Me is a captivating and moving story about love, morality and regret, told through the experiences of an Oxford-educated Catholic priest. Father David is assigned to a new parish in a crippled Scottish town on the Ayrshire coast, where sectarianism runs rife. He is a naïve and unworldly man, ill-suited to his new parish. Drifting away from his peers in the town, he is drawn to Mark and Lisa, a troubled teenage couple who attend the nearby school. Their everyday world of drunken nights and recreational drugs is as exotic and enthralling to him as his cloistered life is to them. As events take a perilous direction, Father David's infatuation splinters his life into pieces.

Southern Light, the company which brought you The Wizard of Oz and The King and I, now bring you Lionel Bart's sensational story of Second World War London, BLITZ!.

In 1940 the East End of London is taking a terrible pounding from Hitler's bombs. Life, however, goes on, centring around Mrs. Blitztein and her large family. They all fight their own particular battles with neighbours and authorities alike, through many situations, many humorous, some tragic, and eventually find their own individual peace.

Features many hit songs, including The Day After Tomorrow and Mums and Dads.

Written by Willy Russell, the legendary BLOOD BROTHERS tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. The incredible score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True.

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as BLOOD BROTHERS, which, having opened in 1988 to tremendous acclaim continues to enjoy standing ovations at every devastating performance. No wonder BLOOD BROTHERS is now 'The musical for all time'.

From Walt Disney Pictures comes an animated comedy adventure featuring a super-dog named Bolt, whose days are filled with danger and intrigue - at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet - a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions - a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino - Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero.

See note for Aberdeen Vue Cinema above.

For super-dog Bolt, every day is filled with adventure and danger - at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the canine star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet - a cross-country journey through the real world.

The amazing adventures of a brave little dog who really believes he has super-powers!

Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is a four-legged action hero and the star of his very own hit TV show. Raised on the set, Bolt believes everything that happens in the show is real and that he actually has been genetically engineered to have astounding powers (including incredible strength, laser vision, and an earth-shaking super-bark). But when Bolt is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood sound stage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet - a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus), his beloved owner and co-star. With the help of two unlikely companions - a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voiced by Mark Walton) - Bolt eventually discovers that he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero.

Emma Rice, Artistic Director of the world renowned Kneehigh Theatre Company, has taken one of the most beloved films of all time, the stage play on which it was based and the music and songs of Noel Coward to create this brand new Brief Encounter.

Brought to you by the award-winning producers of Calendar Girls, Brief Encounter has a company of ten actor musicians who switch seamlessly between theatre and film to recreate the world of Milford Junction in ways that have never been seen before to create a unique theatrical evening.

It has left both audiences and critics overwhelmed by emotion, laughter, tears and praise for the production in London's West End.

It's had audiences on their feet in every corner of the globe and now Buddy, 'The World's most successful Rock'n'Roll musical' is back and ready to explode on to the stage in a toe-tapping, hand-clapping extravaganza!

On 3rd February 1959, as the world was perched on the most exciting musical decade in history, the young genius who made it all possible was tragically killed, aged just 22, leaving behind a legacy of over 30 timeless hits.

With a phenomenally talented cast, Buddy tells his story, presents his music and features some of Buddy's greatest hits including That'll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, True Love Ways, Oh Boy, Heartbeat and many, many more.

With the Big Bopper's Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens's La Bamba taking you towards total music overload, this dazzling extravaganza will have the whole audience rocking and bopping in the aisles.

Since its Broadway premiere in 1966 and the famous movie version with Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey, CABARET has won a staggering number of stage and screen awards including 8 Oscars, 7 BAFTAs and 13 Tonys. This sensational double Olivier Award Winner and Variety Club Award's Best Musical, which enjoyed a record breaking run in London's West End, turns Weimar Berlin of 1931 into a sassy, sizzling haven of decadence ...

Samantha Barks, the hugely popular finalist from the hit BBC series I'd Do Anything, stars as the legendary Sally Bowles, who performs nightly at the infamous Kit Kat Klub in 'a shimmering masterpiece of a show, guaranteed night after night!'. She joins world renowned dancer and TV favourite Wayne Sleep, who reprises his role as the notorious Emcee.

From the creators of hit musical Chicago, CABARET features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre including Mein Herr, Maybe This Time and of course Cabaret.

Scotland's award winning national dance company brings two fiery and passionate pieces to the stage this spring.

A brand new Carmen, created on Scottish Ballet by one of the most inspiring and influential figures in British dance, Richard Alston, re-tells the famous story of a hot-blooded gypsy whose wild spirit lures a young officer into an obsessive love when she spurns him for the glamour of a handsome toreador with tragic results.

Performed by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, Rodion Shchedrin's Carmen Suite, skilfully highlights the glories of Bizet's original score.

Continuing with the evening's themes of control through sexuality and fear of loss, comes Cheating, Lying, Stealing. Made for The Royal Ballet in 1998 by Ashley Page, this virtuoso piece features a sofa engulfed in flames and a distinctive soundtrack played live, on stage, by electro-acoustic ensemble Icebreaker.

See note for Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre above.

In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping - a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine, but can't quite get her foot in the door until, ironically, she snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to extreme efforts to keep her past from ruining her future.

See note for Edinburgh Ocean Terminal Vue Cinema above.

See note for Edinburgh Ocean Terminal Vue Cinema above.

A chain reaction. You tell one painful truth and it leads to two more.

This intense, absorbing and powerful piece of theatre from Michael Frayn brings our 2008/09 Season to a pulsating end. Copenhagen is a gripping drama in which the mysterious actions of German physicist Werner Heisenberg in 1941 are pored over and questioned intensely. Frayn's piece is a fictional exploration of Heisenberg's real-life meeting with his old friend and mentor Nils Bohr, and the huge significance it may have held for the entire world. Years after the event, their ghosts debate the true meaning of the encounter, and try to understand exactly what happened that night.

This ill-fated meeting splintered their friendship, and provoked decades of speculation and debate. Having laid down the guiding principles of quantum physics in the 1920s, the two now found themselves on opposite sides of the Second World War.

Led by Heisenberg, German science rushed to develop a nuclear capability - both to generate power and to create a bomb. But were Heisenberg's motives so clear cut? Did he really want to put the atom bomb in Hitler's grasp? And if so, why did he come to Copenhagen and consult so freely with his half-Jewish teacher and colleague?

There emerges a fascinating portrait of the lives and work of these two men. Driven to explore the boundaries of science, they were also placed by history in a time when their work could and would cause unthinkable suffering and horror. With Bohr's perceptive wife Margrethe alongside them, the two scientists try to decipher what Heisenberg hoped to achieve, and the full implications of their meeting in Copenhagen.

See note for Edinburgh Festival Theatre below.

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart;
Sung in Italian, with English supertitles.

Set in the Bay of Naples in the 18th century, Così fan tutte is an amusing story of pretence, seduction, disguises, flirtatious alliances and the 'fickle' nature of the female sex. This traditionally delivered story beautifully captures the Mediterranean setting with sun-washed imagery and stunning costumes, and features a score full of impeccable richness and variety.

Ferrando and Guglielmo are two officers engaged to Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Whilst in a coffee shop, the men state that their soon-to-be brides will always be faithful to them but a friend lays a bet with them claiming he can prove otherwise. An hilarious plan is concocted to test the true feelings of the betrothed.

Tobias Ringborg, Joel Prieto and Ville Rusanen make their UK opera débuts.

See note for Edinburgh Festival Theatre above.

See note for Edinburgh Festival Theatre above.

I'm going into crime. It's the only thing that pays these days.

Sam Shepard presents a comic dissection of the corruption of American values. On a run-down Californian farmstead, at the edge of the desert and within migrating distance of the Mexican border, an alcoholic husband and a philandering wife are each scheming to sell off their family home without the other's knowledge, whilst their children struggle to come to terms with the harsh reality of the world they've been born into. Debt, stolen dreams and a fear of the future fuel the family's self-destructive behaviours, as they sacrifice their meagre values, and each other, to attain something of the better life they envision for themselves.

Behind Shepard's exploration of the corrupting power of money and the all-consuming lure of corporation is a wickedly funny portrait of a family in decline, unsure whether to reject or embrace the label of America's 'starving class' whilst teetering on the edge of poverty, sanity and society itself.

Shepard's work explores many similar themes to playwrights such as Arthur Miller and Eugene O'Neill, but through more contemporary eyes, and with a brash, raw energy. The drama is underpinned by a scathing sense of humour, ensuring these characters never become simple archetypes, but are instead living, breathing contradictions of themselves, deranged and uncivilised, hysterical in the face of tragedy, and doomed despite their best efforts to survive the world.

Featuring some the most famous and inspiring stage music ever written, including the classic songs Don't Cry for Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, Oh What a Circus, You Must Love Me and Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Tim Rice and Andrew Llyod Webber's extraordinary musical embarks on a spectacular national tour.

Bringing to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita tells the story from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood.

With more than 20 major award to its credit, not to mention an Oscar-winning film adaptation starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, and featuring one of the most coveted roles in musical theatre, this brand new production of the smash-hit show truly promises to be the theatrical event of the year

The boy had had enough. Turning his back on it all, he started walking home.

An army lawyer steps forward to defend a young private charged with desertion during World War One. Hearing the prisoner's devastating experience of the front line, the lawyer's sense of obligation to spare the boy from the firing squad becomes a passionate compulsion that ultimately changes his own outlook on war.

In today's world, where conflict is rife and ideas of duty and sacrifice carry such weight, the tale of this unlikely hero cannily exposes the impact of war past and present.

A timeless classic by one of the world's great playwrights.

Helene Alving is about to dedicate an orphanage she has built in memory of her dead husband. For years she put up with his infidelity for fear of being shunned by the community. Now her beloved son has returned home from Paris, but he brings with him a deadly secret and her carefully constructed façade is in danger of being destroyed.

Ibsen puts society under the microscope in this fascinating portrayal of a family haunted by revelations of the moral corruptions in its past.

One of his most powerful and controversial works, Ghosts is still hauntingly relevant today.

H.M.S. Pinafore was one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas when first presented. It is brought to the King's by the Gilbert and Sullivan Society in conjunction with another much-loved work, Patience. In H.M.S. Pinafore, share the excitement of the sailors as they welcome Sir Joseph Porter and his 'sisters, cousins and aunts' aboard ship. The satire of G&S never fades - and the melodies are simply glorious.

Small Town, Fife.

Andy and Vicky were going to get married tomorrow.

Trouble is, Andy's stag weekend was so epic, so legendary, he didn't make it to his own wedding. The finest pleasures that Amsterdam and Hamburg can offer finally put paid to him getting to the altar. Drink, drugs and a final Mile High fling with a budget airline stewardess bring him down to earth with a bump.

Now it's time for the postmortem as Vicky, her sister Nikki and his mates Tony and Stevie piece together what happened then and where they go now.

Gregory Burke's Hoors is a wickedly black comedy about a group of twenty-thirtysomethings who wake up and find the party's over.

The unforgettable music and songs of the world's greatest entertainer Al Jolson are brought to life in this spectacular new musical starring King's Theatre favourite Allan Stewart leading a sensational company and orchestra.

From his humble beginnings to the toast of Hollywood and Broadway, Al Jolson wowed audiences with his legendary songs such as California Here I Come, I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, You Made Me Love You, Sonny Boy, Swanee and, of course, My Mammy.

Jolson and Co - The Musical is the perfect way to spend an evening in the theatre. As Al Jolson said himself, You ain't seen nothing yet!

Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright's 'Amazing', 'Superb', 'Wonderful' and 'Brilliant' production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance.

Newcomer Craig Chalmers, one of the most popular finalists in the recent hit BBC series Any Dream Will Do (watched by millions every Saturday night) takes on the title role, having delighted TV audiences week after week with his vocal talents.

Re-telling the Biblical story of Joseph his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Ev'ry Door To Me and One More Angel.

With the liveliest, most energetic company of actors, singers and dancers you'll ever see, JOSEPH is brimming with non-stop action, laughter and infectious fun that is sure to delight the young and the young at heart.

St Andrews Amateur Operatic Society presents Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate. This musical is based around Fred Graham who is the director of a Broadway-bound musical version of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. He and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi star opposite each other in the roles of Petruchio and Katharine. The pair argue backstage as only people in love can argue. Meanwhile, Fred's girl, Lois Lane, who plays Bianca, is romantically interested in Bill Calhoun, the actor playing Lucentio. Bill loves to gamble, and it turns out that he has signed Fred's name to a big IOU. To collect the IOU a pair of gangsters is sent to come after Fred to collect the gambling debt.

Only a successful show will provide the money that Fred needs to avoid getting his fingers broken.

Marooned in Madagascar, the New Yorkers hatch an escape plan so crazy it just might work. The penguins repair an old crashed plane and the escapee crew escapes to Africa ... where our zoo crew encounter their own kind in the wild for the very first time.

See note for Glasgow Theatre Royal below.

Sung in French with English Supertitles;
A Scottish Opera première and a new production.

First performed in 1884 at the Opéra Comique in Paris, this 19th century tragedy is Massenet's most famous opera and is a passionate and compelling account of one woman's turbulent life.

Manon, a beautiful young girl, is travelling to a convent. En route she stops at an inn where she makes the acquaintance of Chevalier des Grieux. The couple fall in love and elope to Paris but are soon tracked down by her cousin and his friend, the nobleman de Brétigny. Seeking to procure Manon's affections for himself, de Brétigny persuades her to leave des Grieux with promises of wealth and luxury. Later, having realised that she cannot be without her former lover, Manon seeks him out and they are re-united. However, de Brétigny ensures that there will be no happy ending and takes his revenge with devastating consequences.

This large-scale production is a Scottish Opera première and includes fully choreographed ballet scenes and an impressive chorus adding maximum dramatic impact to Massenet's moving score.

Anne Sophie Duprels makes her Scottish Opera début playing the part of Manon and Scottish Opera welcomes back internationally acclaimed tenor Paul Charles Clarke. Scottish Opera Music Director Francesco Corti conducts.

Measure for Measure is a story of passion and power, lust and restraint, sin and virtue and finally forgiveness and mercy.

After 14 years of lax governance Vienna has become a place where moral and social corruption are rife. The Duke announces that he is to leave on pilgrimage and hands over power to the cold and puritanical Lord Angelo.

Angelo immediately embarks on a ruthless mission to restore order and virute to a city out of control. He condemns Claudio to death and his sister Isabella pleads with Angelo for her brother's life.

Although perhaps one of the least performed of Shakespeare's plays, Measure for Measure is one of his most rich and complex, and explores issues of morality, justice, and the abuse of power with bawdy humour, keen intelligence and a relevance to life in Britain today that is extraordinary.

From acclaimed director Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho) comes the powerful, inspiring story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk (Penn). With an armful of Oscar nominations, including one for Penn's performance in the lead role, one for Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) in a supporting role and a host of others, this unforgettable story will be one of the most significant movies of 2009.

Music by Richard Rodgers;
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Specially selected by popular demand as The Bohemians' Centenary production. After an absence of twenty-four years since it was last produced by the Bohemians in 1985, Rodgers and Hammerstein's all-time great musical will be performed at the King's Theatre.

Patience was one of the most popular G&S operas when first presented. It is brought to the King's by the Gilbert and Sullivan Society in conjunction with another much-loved work, H.M.S. Pinafore. In Patience, experience the anguish of the Dragoon Guards who are spurned by the rapturous maidens who spend their days hero-worshipping two celebrity poets. The satire of G&S never fades - and the melodies are simply glorious.

This raucous and radical interpretation of Ibsen's classic play takes the audience on a truly wild and theatrical journey. An exhilirating tale of a life lived on the edge, this production is a mix of trolls, madmen, dancing girls and live music.

Peer Gynt is a dreamer, a liar and a serial womaniser. Cast out of his home town, Peer embarks on a thrilling and astonishing adventure in search of fame and fortune that takes him from Norway to Africa and eventualyl back home again.

Be prepared for a theatrical rollercoaster ride through one of the most renowned works of modern literature.

This exciting co-production brings together two of Scotland's most acclaimed theatre companies, the Dundee Rep Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland.

See note for Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre above.

MUSIC, LYRICS AND CONCEPT by PETE TOWNSHEND
Stage adaptation by Jeff Young, John O'Hara and Tom Critchley

Set in London and Brighton at the height of the Mod era, Quadrophenia is told through the eyes of Jimmy, a hedonistic style conscious teenager searching for a place to belong and a girl to love. Misunderstood by his parents and stuck in a dead end job, he sets off on a trip to Brighton that will change his life forever.

This compelling coming of age story is brought to life in this original stage adaptation of the legendary album. The evocative world of sixties Britain provides a colourful backdrop to Jimmy's journey. Pete Townshend's stunning score pulsates with life and brilliantly captures the excitement of a nation on the brink of change.

The album Quadrophenia was released by The Who in 1973 followed by the iconic film in 1979. Rolling Stone magazine and VH1 have named it one of the 100 Greatest Albums of all time.

An exhilarating theatrical experience for rebels and adolescents of all ages!

When Kym (Hathaway) returns to the family home for the wedding of her sister Rachel, she brings with her personal crises, family conflict and tragedy. The wedding couple's party of friends and relations have gathered for a joyful weekend, but Kym - with her biting one-liners and flair for drama - is a catalyst for tensions within the family.

Voted the third most popular musical of all time by BBC Radio 2 listeners, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a glorious romp, with a brimful of hand clapping effervescent energy, dazzling dance routines and sixteen smash hit showstoppers including Bless your Beautiful Hide, Goin' Courtin' and Wonderful Wonderful Day.

Set in Oregon in 1850, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is the story of Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, who goes to town to get a wife. That same day he convinces Milly to marry him!

Only then does she discover he has six brothers - all living in his cabin and anxious to get wives of their own. Whilst she sets out to change their uncouth ways, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness - kidnapping the women they want to marry!

With colourful costumes, fabulous sets and sassy performances this breathtaking production starring Steven Houghton (Bugs, London's Burning) and Susan McFadden winner of ITV1's Grease is the Word is guaranteed to put a spring in your step and a tune on your lips. It's toe-tapping good!

What´s the plot?

From the director of Trainspotting, Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of Jamal Malik - an 18-year-old orphan living on the streets of Mumbai whose life suddenly changes when he finds himself one question away from winning 20 million rupees. Arrested on suspicion of cheating and desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the powerful and dramatic story of how his life on the streets has provided him with each of the answers.

Winner of three British Independent Film Awards, 4 Golden Globes, 7 BAFTAs including Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography, and nominated for 10 Oscars!

Jamal Malik (Khan) is an 18 year-old from the slums of Mumbai. With the whole nation watching, he is one question away from winning India's 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' When the show ends for the night, police arrest him for cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum, of encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost.

Winner of the best film award at the Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes.

Danny Boyle returns after his elegant sci-fi epic, Sunshine, with a story that's a little more down to earth, but in many respects, no less jaw-dropping. We open on the Indian version of the popular game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionare?, and young Jamal is one question away from the big prize. Something seems wrong, and it's up to Irfan Khan's police inspector to find out if Jamal has been cheating. Then, we're treated to a huge flashback to Jamal's tortured upbringing in the slums of Mumbai, and how his constant mistreatment and bad luck have helped him gain the knowledge and experience to answer the questions correctly.

Take a look at what's surfacing on stage at the Festival Theatre, direct from the hit television show SpongeBob SquarePants - The Sponge Who Could Fly! Join SpongeBob, Patrick and their zany Bikini Bottom pals in a new musical as SpongeBob embarks on his dream to fly with the jellyfish.

Will he take flight, or will his dream come crashing down to the ocean floor? It's a tale too exciting to be kept undersea! So dive in to the UK stage premiere of the exciting musical about dreams, friendship and soaring to new heights, SpongeBob SquarePants - The Sponge Who Could Fly!

When little orphan Sophie is snatched out of her bed in the dead of night by the BFG she fears the worst. His grisly neighbours the Bloodbottler and the Fleshlumpeater like nothing more than swalloping human beans, especially nice little childers, but the Big Friendly Giant is a dream catcher and not a man-eater and he's about to take Sophie on a journey she never expected!

An undisputed national treasure and the world's favourite children's author, Roald Dahl has enchanted young minds for more than twenty five years with stories that fire the imagination, bring dreams to life and release squeals of both terror and delight.

The BFG is classic Dahl and this brand new stage show promises to mix up heart-pounding adventures with life-long friendships, jumbly words and even some whizzpopping in front of the Queen!

Bill Nighy heads up the cast in this light-hearted rock rom-com as Quentin, station manager of the anarchic Radio Rock - a pirate radio station situated somewhere in the North Sea. Battling against closure by stuffy government minister Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh), Quentin is joined by a motley crew of DJs including 'The Count' (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Gavin (Rhys Ifans) and Dave (Nick Frost). From the makers of Notting Hill and Love, Actually.

Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born in an old man's shrivelled body and ages backwards, growing younger and healthier as his mind grows older and wiser. His entire history is told through a diary which is read to the love of his life, Daisy (Cate Blanchett), as she slowly slips away in a New Orleans hospital.

An epic tale that contemplates the wonders of life - of birth and death and, most of all, love - which could easily have been overly sentimental but, thanks to David Fincher's intelligent direction and the superb performances at its heart, is richly satisfying and, quite simply, magical.

Adapted from a story by Great Gatsby author F Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tells the tale of a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. We follow his life from the end of World War I in 1918 and into the 21st century, following a journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be.

In The International, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering illegal activities including money laundering, arms trading, and the destabilisation of governments, Salinger and Whitman's investigation takes them from Berlin to Milan to New York and to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as the bank will stop at nothing - even murder - to continue financing terror and war.

Far below the crashing waves of the ocean's surface, and into its deepest depths is where our story begins. The Little Mermaid finds herself out of her depth as she battles with storms and witches to find her one true love.

Celebrated children's writer Mike Kenny weaves a magical tale of love, loss and adventure where two fishy characters take us on a journey with the ever-curious Little Mermaid who is enthralled with the unknown world above the sea's shell and the humans that inhabit it. The Little Mermaid longs to leave her beautiful world and chase happiness as a human. But transformation - and love - come at a price.

Directed by Sarah Brigham, Dundee Rep's Associate Director, this enchanting story promises to be a theatrical experience that will thrill children and adults alike. Suitable for everyone aged five and over and packed with music and charm this classic tale will transport you to another world where magic, passion and seaweed collide.

It's a terrible thing to marry an Egyptologist and find he's hung up on his mummy...

Subtitled 'A Penny Dreadful' and taking its lead from tales of gothic romance, The Mystery of Irma Vep is a fast-paced and wickedly funny parody of the genre, mixing in references to a whole host of novels and films, from Rebecca and The Hound of the Baskervilles to The Mummy, Frankenstein and Dracula. If Daphne du Maurier had written a post-modern episode of Midsomer Murders starring the Marx Brothers, this might very well be the blood-curdling result!

Eminent Egyptologist Lord Edgar Hillcrest has happily re-married after the violent death of his first wife, Irma. But her memory still lingers in the house, as does the mystery of the demise of their son Victor at the hands of a suspected werewolf (also named Victor). And what hope does the new Lady Hillcrest have of shaking off the curse of Mandacrest when her husband returns from his latest trip to Cairo with an ancient mummy in tow?

This deliciously irreverent romp employs just two actors to play the upstairs and downstairs residents of Mandacrest, as well as a ghoulish supporting cast of vampires, werewolves and Egyptian goddesses. No cliché is left un-mocked, from portraits with moving eyes to secret passages behind the bookcase - ready yourself for a night of ribald punnery, glorious over-acting and unbridled silliness, the perfect antidote to the midwinter blues.

A quick-change act in which two male actors perform all eight roles - and both genders - requiring constant costume, wig and personality changes! A sympathetic werewolf, vampire and an Egyptian princess brought to life when her tomb is opened, combine to make this the play that has everything.

A veritable Carry On Screaming, no cliché is left un-mocked, from eerie portaits with moving eyes to secret passages. A wickedly funny take on theatrical and film styles from Hitchcock's Rebecca to Wuthering Heights and the Universal horror movies of the thirties. Ready yourself for a night of ribald puns, glorious over-acting and unbridled silliness!

Advisory: sudden noises, flashing lights (werewolves!)

Casey Beldon hated her mother for leaving her as a child. But when inexplicable things start to happen, Casey begins to understand why she left. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her waking hours, she must turn to the only spiritual advisor, Sendak, who can make it stop. With Sendak's help, Casey uncovers the source of a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany -- a creature with the ability to inhabit anyone or anything that is getting stronger with each possession. With the curse unleashed, her only chance at survival is to shut a doorway from beyond our world that has been pried open by someone who was never born.

Marti Pellow stars as the devilish Daryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick, a bewitching musical based on the Warner Brothers motion picture starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher.

When three desperate housewives in small town America wish for the man of their dreams they get far more than they bargain for. All hell breaks loose - quite literally - when Daryl Van Horne arrives in their sleepy town.

After leading Wet Wet Wet to a plethora of multi-platinum singles and albums, peaking with Love Is All Around's fifteen week stint at the top of the charts, Marti has gone on to a successful solo career as well as West End and Broadway seasons in the hit musical Chicago.

Cinema previously celebrated an ageing Queen Victoria with Mrs Brown, but this delightful costume drama, written by Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park), looks at the monarch's early life, replacing the abiding image of our longest-reigning monarch as a dour, strait-laced widow with a portrait of of a joyous and passionate young woman.

Victoria became queen aged just 18, and the film follows the early, often turbulent, years of her reign and her marriage to Prince Albert. Emily Blunt puts healthy vigour and sexuality into the role of Victoria, while Rupert Friend catches just the right nuances of a man who must figure out how to be a second fiddle.

Packed with drama, romance and political intrigue, and featuring meticulous set and costume design, breathtaking cinematography and an outstanding cast, this is a truly captivating film.

What´s the plot?

Written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes and produced by Martin Scorsese, The Young Victoria charts the rise to power of Queen Victoria (Emily Blunt), crowned at the age of 18. Following Queen Victoria through her turbulent years, the film focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) - whose death prompted the queen to spend her remaining years in mourning.

Thriller Live is a spectacular, high octane show celebrating the career of the world's undisputed King of Pop - Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5. Fully backed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment UK, it marks the first Jackson dedicated live theatrical experience ever!

Moonwalking its way around the UK after three acclaimed UK tours and standing ovations across Europe Thriller Live brings to life the sensational dancing and distinctive sound of the Jackson's greatest hits. The show includes eye-popping multi-media effects and dazzling choreography by the award-winning director Gary Lloyd (who has previously worked with artists including Leona Lewis, Will Young, Robbie Williams, Kelly Clarkson and Girls Aloud), plus additional choreography by five time MTV award-winning LaVelle Smith Jnr.

In a career spanning 40 years, Michael Jackson has sold an unparalleled 750 million records worldwide with the Thriller album still the world's best-selling recording of all time.

Expect your favourite Jackson songs delivered by an exceptionally talented cast and live band, including the smash hits: I Want You Back, I'll Be There, Show You The Way To Go, Can You Feel It, Rock With You, She's Out Of My Life, Beat It, Billie Jean, Earth Song and Thriller plus many more!

When Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot exploded on to the London stage 50 years ago, it shocked as many people as it delighted. There had never been a play like it. Two tramps clowning around, joking and arguing, repeating themselves, as they wait through one day and then another for the mysterious Godot. The combination of music hall, poetry and tension redefined what is possible in theatre making Waiting For Godot one of the most significant plays of the 20th century.

Beckett's characters have lost none of their power to fascinate and amuse and this production, directed by the acclaimed theatre and film director, Sean Mathias, has attracted the sort of great actors that the play deserves. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are both renowned Shakespearean actors at Stratford-upon- Avon, in the West End and on Broadway. Their new partnership with Beckett will be the theatre event of the year.

What´s the plot?

The long awaited film of the renowned graphic novel, Watchmen. Set in an alternative 1985 America, Watchmen is an action packed, multi-layered adventure that follows the investigation by a vigilante named Rorschach into the murder of a superhero. As the investigation unfolds, Rorschach discovers a conspiracy that may change the course of history.

See note for Ayr Odeon Cinema above.

See note for Ayr Odeon Cinema above.

With groundbreaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre for ever.

Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America and I Feel Pretty, West Side Story has been described as 'a masterpiece of musical theatre' (The Daily Mail) and 'a musical landmark' (The Guardian). The movie version went on to win an incredible 10 Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and further cemented the reputation of this undoubted masterpiece.

Now in 2008, 50 years after the show made its London debut, Joey McKneely's vibrant new stage production of the classic dance musical arrives after wild critical acclaim in Tokyo, Paris and Beijing.

With groundbreaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre for ever.

Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America and I Feel Pretty, West Side Story has been described as 'a masterpiece of musical theatre' (The Daily Mail) and 'a musical landmark' (The Guardian). The movie version went on to win an incredible 10 Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and further cemented the reputation of this undoubted masterpiece.

Now in 2008, 50 years after the show made its London debut, Joey KcKneely's vibrant new stage production of the classic dance musical arrives in Edinburgh.