Brian Beacom

Eilidh Loan discusses Cathy, her new play about her grandmother’s grief after the sudden death of her husband, her crisis of faith and the challenge of rebuilding a life after decades of marriage. The dark comedy explores Cathy’s difficult personality, her work in a cancer charity shop and the friendships and purpose she finds there. Elaine C. Smith stars as Cathy, with Sally Reid and others in the cast, while Loan directs after developing the script with Smith and dramaturg Johnny McKnight. The play follows Loan’s acclaimed debut, Moorcroft, and reflects her wider ambitions across acting, writing and directing.

The review praises Dictator: The Hitler Interviews for showing how Hitler's friends, admirers and enablers helped create the conditions for his rise, emphasizing propaganda, nationalism, resentment after Germany's defeat and the manipulation of public anger. A Very Modern Odyssey, hosted by Richard E. Grant in Malta and Gozo, is judged meandering and dull, with no convincing evidence that Malta inspired Homer's Odyssey. Ricky Gervais's Netflix sitcom Alley Cats receives the strongest approval for its dark, foul-mouthed satire and distinctive characters, although the reviewer concludes that it still falls short of the classic Top Cat.

Actor Louise McCarthy’s long-standing connection to Tony Roper’s The Steamie has led her to co-produce and star in a national touring production with director and producer Ryan Dewar. After unsuccessful auditions in 2009, McCarthy finally joined the cast as Magrit in 2019 and is now helping bring the play to audiences across Scotland. The production features a largely female cast and reflects McCarthy’s effort to create work for herself and other actors while addressing the financial pressures of a career in theatre. The Steamie opens in Dundee on August 27 and tours Scotland before concluding at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre from November 2 to 14.