The Southside Group – Past Productions
Another Nice Mess
June 1947… the widely-anticipated return of Stan Laurel – one time resident of Glasgow’s Southside – with his partner, Oliver Hardy, for a run at The Glasgow Empire.
Also, June 1947… The Laurel & Hardy Club (Battlefield branch) are threatened with eviction from their beloved, bomb-damaged cinema. The Lords Bannatyne have plans to turn it into a ‘motor vehicle tenement parking’ facility.
Performed at Tramway, Glasgow, June 29th to July 1st 2023.
Photographs by Tim Morozzo
This is one of the best pieces of theatre I have seen for some time. In the shadow of the latest CATS awards which did highlight the work of disabled artists, this would rank up there in terms of both process and performance – for disabled arts to thrive and flourish it needs depth. It needs more and not less. This is just a perfect example of why.
A strikingly well-made show that succeeds in transporting us not only to the Glasgow of 75 years ago, but also into a world of joyful ensemble work that lifts the heart, and inspires as much as it entertains.
The Snow Queen
On Thursday 1 December & Friday 2 December 2022, in Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church, The Southside Group brought Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic tale vibrantly to life.
Photographs by Stewart Ennis
This is a group, as in any ensemble, of diverse talents and abilities, and were The QR interested in handing out stars for effort, this would warrant a solid 5. However, this is a cast aiming at making objectively good theatre, bringing their hearts and minds to offer a unique perspective on the story. With more experience as a live cast, they can surely aim higher still. Directors Clerke and Catherine Gillard are to be congratulated for enabling such a terrific showing from The Southside Group.
The choice of material brought opportunities for nice set pieces, and I particularly loved the skating, the shadow work, the introduction and development of the Snow Queen and the big bang! … One Friday night, in panto time, I saw a terrific piece of theatre. Full. Stop.
The Peabody Chronicles
The complete story
Spanning a 30-year period, from 1887 to 1917, ‘The Peabody Chronicles’ is a tale of villainy, skulduggery, kidnap, heroism, war, love, heartbreak, revenge, injustice, come-uppance…
I loved this, have told plenty of people all about it and would thoroughly recommend you take your creatively critical eye and go and learn what it is like to emerge from lockdown with your art intact.
The Night Before Christmas
An online Christmas card to everyone
Based on Clement C. Moore’s iconic poem… featuring night caps, reindeer and beards, one Glasgow street waits excitedly for Christmas Day…
The Peabody Chronicles
The Southside Group’s first public performance online – The Peabody Chronicles.
This development piece was part of the overall This Fire programme, with support from Creative Scotland. We plan to develop it into a full length performance in 2021.
A melodramatic feast full of villainy, tragedy and heroic deeds. The year is 1917. With Philip Snr. away, fighting in the war, his penniless family confront their avaricious landlord, Lord Stroke. Suspicion, sensation, intrigue and humour combine.
To watch The Peabody Chronicles – Episode 1 please click below:
Thank you for all your patience and hard work. It was just superb. Everyone was fantastic.
This was truly delightful, heartening and playfully and artfully played by the Southside Group! Nice going with these elegant boxes of sweet delights – better than Cadbury’s! Really fine job of direction, fitting all the individuals and the poem together. Loved it!
Just wanted to write and thank you for all your work with the Southside Group this year. I think what you have produced in both films has been brilliantly creative and great fun, especially given the challenges we’ve faced this year.
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