Finnish duo Riikka Palonen and Satu Lankinen present heartfelt narratives honoring extraordinary cows and the women who care for them. Their performances blend storytelling, music, and ancient cattle calls, portraying resilience and connection to tradition. These works aim to highlight the significance of stories and foster a vibrant storytelling community.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival celebrates the Year of the Horse with performances by storytellers Tony Bonning and Allison Galbraith, sharing tales of horses, including kelpies and Clydesdales. Bonning's journey of storytelling, combining adventure and resilience, aims to inspire audiences to embrace their heroic journeys in life.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF 2026) presents "Rewilding Scotland's Epics," featuring performances of the Ossian and Columba cycles. Led by Donald Smith, a team of storytellers and musicians bring Scotland's ancient tales to life, emphasizing nature's role. The festival highlights storytelling's cultural significance amid contemporary challenges.
The inaugural Inverness Fringe Festival, taking place from September 28 to October 4, 2026, aims to spotlight northern creatives through workshops, performances, and community engagement in the Highlands. With a focus on accessibility, the festival promotes local talent while offering diverse events, enhancing Scotland's cultural landscape beyond the Central Belt.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns from October 21 to 31, 2026, embracing a Bird and Beast theme with 15 new performances. Celebrating storytelling's role in cultural heritage, the festival features collaborations from international storytellers, highlights myths and legends, and includes community events across Scotland, fostering creativity and cultural exchange.
"Parasocial Activity" is a dark comedy about Jenny McGuire, who falls for her A-list celebrity crush, James McAvoy, in Costa. Written by Briony Martha and directed by Megan Brewer, the play explores themes of loneliness and connection in the digital age. It showcases an all-female team and personal reflections on isolation.
PALS is a female-led Scottish adventure-comedy play premiering at Dundee Fringe. Following four chaotic friends on a camping trip, it explores themes of female friendship and mental health. Written by Mirren Wilson, the show emphasizes authenticity and relatability while offering humor and heartfelt moments. Performances run on September 13-14.
The musical theatre production "The Trollogy" explores a romance between a Gnome heir and a working-class Troll, challenging societal norms in Gnomeville. With a unique blend of a powerful score and an absurdist script, it showcases local talent and aims to redefine perceptions of Gnomes and Trolls. Performances run from September 18-20.
The San Francisco Ballet's AI-inspired production, under Tamara Rojo's artistic direction and Aszure Barton's choreography, captivates with vibrant dance and striking visuals. Although the plot is abstract, the performance excels in sensory engagement, showcasing a talented ensemble and innovative musical elements. A stunning display of contemporary ballet artistry.
By foregrounding their vibrant humanity, humour, and flaws against a backdrop of unspeakable violence, the piece strikes a poignant chord. Minor pacing hitches and deliberate narrative opacity do little to dull its visceral punch. The result is a profoundly chilling, intellectually dark hour of theatre that lingers.
