Lyceum extends Xmas
Xmas shows available through January
The Lyceum has extended the on-demand availability of its twelve Christmas Tales through to the end of January.
In a separate development, the #SaveASeatForSam fundraiser, organised in appreciation of actor Sam Heughan, has sent the theatre a cheque for £57,632.17.
Lyceum Christmas Tales
The first eight of the Lyceum’s dozen Christmas Tales are free to view. The final four tales, presented and recorded live from the theatre, cost £10 to view. All the tales are now available to view until 11.59pm on Monday 1 February 2021.
The Lyceum Christmas Tales received a universal four star rating from our critic Hugh Simpson, who reviewed them in groups of four.
The first four: A Fairy Tale by Morna Young told by Cal MacAninch; Nyanya and the Mighty Whizz! written and performed by Mara Menzies; The Stage’s Door written and performed by Andy Cannon; and A Wee Bird Was Watching written and performed by Karine Polwart, were a ★★★★☆ Tasty selection.
Tales V to VII: Tiny Tim by Robert Softley Gale told by Garry Robson; Santa is a Superhero by Denise Mina told by Neshla Caplan; Miracle In Muirhouse by Tony Cownie told by Tam Dean Burn and Bobby and Rabia by Hammaad Chaudry told by Shyvonne Ahmmad, were ★★★★☆ Fresh.
Creative Joy
The final four, performed live: The Christmas Ghost by Louise Ironside, performed by Ryan Hunter; Christmas with Angela Davis by Jackie Kay, performed by Helen Katamba; The Returning of the Light by Lynda Radley, performed by Kirsty Findlay and A Cold Snap by Shona Reppe, performed by Irene Allan, were a ★★★★☆ Creative Joy.
Sam Heughan
The fundraising effort from #SaveASeatForSam was prompted by Heughan’s Letter to the Lyceum – you can read it and listen to him reading it here – outlining the defining influence the theatre had on his performing career, starting out at the Lyceum Youth Theatre and working as an usher.
The fundraiser, organised by Savannah M and Tash P – who are US-based fans of the Highlander actor – allowed participants to buy seats for a virtual Christmas Show, featuring Sam Heuighan’s friends and colleagues.
Thanking Savanah and Tash in particular for their efforts, Sam Heughan wrote on Twitter: “Huge thank you to everyone that took part and helped such a worthy cause. Really thankful you supported my favourite theatre, a place that is close to my heart. Especially during these tough times.”
The final letter to the Lyceum – from performer Karine Polwart – has now been added, bringing the total to 30. Karine’s letter takes the listener back from the Lyceum stage to former plague times, via the birds that visited her Midlothian garden during lockdown.
Listings
Lyceum Christmas Tales
Online stream ends Mon 1 Feb 2021
Tales I to VIII available free and individually.
Tales IX to XII filmed live, available for £10.
Links and booking here.
Letters to the Lyceum
Listen and read thirty letters from performers, writers and actors, detailing their relationship to the Lyceum.
Listen here.
ENDS
