Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Queen Margaret Union
22 University Gardens
T
0141 339 9784,
W
qmu.org.uk; map pp.184-185.
Hosts indie and dance-oriented acts, plus the Revolution
club night on a Tuesday.
ENTERTAINMENT
On the
performing arts
scene, Glasgow is no slouch: it's home to Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish
National Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. All told, the city's cultural programme offers a range of
music
,
from contemporary to heavyweight classical, plus
dance
,
theatre
(both mainstream and experimental
performance art), as well as
cinema
.
Most of the larger theatres, cinema multiplexes and concert halls are in the city
centre; the West End is home to one or two venues while the Southside has the Citizens, a much-loved theatre noted for
cutting-edge drama.
companies, such as Glasgow's Vanishing Point. Also has folk
music performances in the theatre bar.
THEATRES AND COMEDY VENUES
Arches Theatre
253 Argyle St
T
0141 565 1000,
W
thearches.co.uk.
Home to its own avant-garde
theatre company, reviving old classics and introducing
new talent in this hip subterranean venue.
Citizens' Theatre
119 Gorbals St
T
0141 429 0022,
W
citz.co.uk.
The “Citz” has evolved from its 1960s
working-class roots into one of the most respected and
innovative contemporary theatres in Britain. Offers three
stages, concession rates for students and free preview
nights.
Cottier Theatre
93-95 Hyndland St
T
0141 357 3868,
W
thecottier.com.
This performance space in the old
Dowanhill church hosts touring shows, dance performances
and gigs. An adjoining bar with beer garden is a favourite
on warm summer evenings.
King's Theatre
297 Bath St
T
0844 871 7648,
W
ambassadortickets.com,
W
kings-glasgow.co.uk.
This theatre has gorgeous interiors within an imposing red-
sandstone Victorian building; the programme is good
quality, if safely mainstream.
Ramshorn Theatre
98 Ingram St
T
0141 552 3489,
W
strath.ac.uk.
Another church conversion, this Merchant
City venue features student and other productions at
bargain prices.
The Stand
333 Woodlands Rd
T
0870 600 6055,
W
thestand.co.uk.
Sister to the first-rate comedy club
in Edinburgh, booking local, national and international
acts.
Theatre Royal
282 Hope St
T
0844 871 7648,
W
ambassadortickets.com.
This late nineteenth-century
playhouse was revived in the mid-1970s as the opulent
home of Scottish Opera. It also plays regular host to visiting
theatre groups, including the Royal Shakespeare Company,
as well as orchestras.
Tramway
25 Albert Drive, off Pollokshaws Rd
T
0845
330 3501,
W
tramway.org.
Based in a converted tram
terminus, whose lofty proportions qualified it as the only
suitable UK venue for Peter Brook's famous production of
the
Mahabharata
in 1998.
Tron Theatre
63 Trongate
T
0141 552 4267,
W
tron
.co.uk.
Varied repertoire of some mainstream, as well as
more challenging, productions from leading local
CONCERT HALLS
City Halls
Candleriggs
T
0141 353 8000,
W
glasgowconcerthalls.com.
Completely renovated
Victorian halls and old fruit market, this Merchant City
performance space is home to the BBC Scottish Symphony
Orchestra and hosts many of the annual Celtic Connections
concerts.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
2 Sauchiehall St
T
0141 353 8000,
W
glasgowconcerthalls.com.
One
of Glasgow's less memorable modern buildings, though
with great acoustics, this is the venue for big-name
touring orchestras and the home of the Royal
Scottish National Orchestra. Also features major rock and
r'n'b stars.
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre & Clyde
Auditorium
Finnieston Quay
T
0870 040 4000,
W
secc.co.uk.
The SECC is a gigantic aeroplane hangar-like
space with dreadful acoustics that, unfortunately, is the
only indoor venue in Scotland for world-touring megastars
from Bob Dylan to McFly. The adjacent Clyde Auditorium -
better known as the Armadillo - is smaller but more
melodic.
St Andrews in the Square
1 St Andrew's Square
T
0141 559 5902
,
W
standrewsinthesquare.com.
Hidden away in the East End, this is a magnificent temple-
like Georgian church, topped with a slender tower. It is now
the Centre for Traditional Scottish Music, Song and Dance:
check the website for event details.
CINEMAS
Cineworld
7 Renfrew St
T
0871 200 2000.
A gigantic
multistorey cinema with first-run Hollywood
mainstream movies, plus a few art and independent
films as well.
Glasgow Film Theatre
12 Rose St
T
0141 332
6353,
W
gft.org.uk.
Dedicated art, independent and
repertory cinema house in an Art Deco building; it's
also home to the Glasgow Film Festival in February.
The in-house
Café Cosmo
is an excellent place for pre-
show drinks.
