... The Nutcracker GLASGOW UNLIKE many choreographers who have imbued The Nutcracker with an adult psychology, the late Peter Darrell retained the ballet's simple scenario for his production for the Scottish Ballet, and with it, its magical essence. The ballet, which is about a young girl's dream, works best when the roles of Clara and her friends are played by children, as opposed to shorter ...

... FSA defends working practices FOUNDATION for Sport and the Arts representatives this week defended their organisation from claims that its methods are random and quixotic, writes Brian Attwood. FSA Secretary Grattan Endicott spoke out after recent warnings from Sports Council director general David Pickup that the planned National Lottery should not imitate the Foundation's grant giving. ...

... Bambert Dance, 2nd Programme ROYALTY CENTRAL to this programme by the Rambert Dance Company was the unveiling of Touchbase, the new work commissioned from Merce Cunningham, made possible by the prized 1990 Digital Premier Award. At first sight Touchbase does not belong among Cunningham's master pieces, which pull together so tightly that the images have a lasting clarity, but it is nonetheless ...

... Cinderella COLISEUM IT'S not a great work, Ben Stevenson's Cinderella--the poetry is mild and the comedy grossly excessive so that the imagination is never stretched--but as these things go it has its moments. In its favour is the simplicity of the story-telling,so that the heroine's rise to fame is because of her encounter with archetypal charac ters, and this is enhanced by the ele gance ...

... Welcome Back St Petersburg ROH IT WAS evident that April's Royal Gala at the Opera House, given the title Welcome Back St Petersburg, was going to be a sentimental affair. And our expectations of what we might expect from this celebration of a rediscovered homeland were not let down. 1 o the magnificent accompaniment of the Orchestra of the Maryinsky Theatre, dancers and singers of the ...

... Butterfly's flight ends despite Davidson's help By HELEN GOULD NEW children's touring musical The Butterfly Children has been pulled off the road, despite efforts to re-finance the production which were helped by comedian Jim Davidson. Davidson was among those who temporarily waived his bill while producers, Wiltshire company Scope, attempted to raise enough funds to keep the show on the road. ...

... Luff in Mercia takeover deal MAJOR UK stage equipment supplier Luff Light and Sound has taken over East Midlands hire and sales firm Mercia Theatre Services. Sydenham-based Luff now reveals that the move marks the stan of its UK expansion pro gramme. But it is also part of a growing trend of mergers within the technical branch of the enter tainment industry. And this week Mercia chief and ...

... NE leads a merger bid EQUITY AGM EQUITY should merKe with other unions to ease cash problems and fortify it against further erosion of trade union powers. The union's ruling council attempted to vote down two calls for amlagamation with other unions at this year's A(iM, but were defeated by the membership who backed the proposals. The merger bid was led by the North Hast variety branch which ...

... New links forged to protect performers EQUITY AGM By HELEN GOULD IN an attempt to stamp out violent attacks on performers and poor working conditions, fresh links are to be established between pub and club bosses and Equity regional variety representatives. The union variety department has announced a new 'loose' partnership with members of major pub manag- ment bodies, the National ...

... Tiebele and Her Demons LIBRARY THEATRE ONE OF the most striking theatrical events of Manchester's year as City of Drama was the visit of the Maly Theatre Company from St Petersburg which brought two stunning productions to the city. The company's director, Grigorii Dityatkovsky and designer Emil Kapelusch have been persuaded to work at the Library Theatre on the British premiere of Teibele and ...

... Brothers of the Brush GLASGOW WISEGUISE'S Scottish premiere of Jimmy Murphy's play bristles initially with lavatorial humour and acerbic wit before developing into more serious issues. The 'Brothers' are three Irish house painters exploited by their cost cutting boss Laurie Ventry a role played with cool assurance and sophistication, until he gets his come-uppance. Wages are low and Heno (Matt ...

... Galaxy of Welsh talent PREPARATIONS are well under way for Llandrindod Wells' tenth Victorian Festival, which takes place throughout the spa town between August 18 and 26. A galaxy of events to suit all tastes will include a carnival procession, (Caribbean Evening, bandstand con certs, Old Tyme Music Hall, puppet theatre, jugglers, lire caters, a Gilbert and Sullivan night, Viennese gala ball ...