Citizens Theatre Glasgow: A new act for 2026
Welcome to George's Theatre Reviews! We're thrilled to bring you our thoughts on the Citizens Theatre Glasgow in 2026. This iconic venue has undergone a magnificent refurbishment, and we're excited to explore its new chapter, complete with its tempting Pizza and Cafe Bar. Join us as we delve into the performances and the overall experience this revitalised Glasgow gem has to offer.
I Daniel Blake Review Glasgow Citizens Theatre (2026)
It seems fitting that I Daniel Blake previews at the Citizens Theatre on the anniversary of the death of the Evil Witch Margaret Thatcher.
She started the right to buy council houses which mainly were snapped up, however the money disappeared and council house building ground to a halt.
Many, many people becoming the working poor unable to pay the rent on terrible properties owned by rogue landlords.
Daniel Blake finds himself out of work, he has had a heartattack, the job centre refuse his allowance as he doesn't have enough points, He can put on a hat, walk 50 metres and boil a kettle, some of the ridiculous questions asked. He is not disabled just unable to work due to his heart.
In the job centre he meets a young woman and her child forced to move to Manchester from London as it's the first house offered.
Their spiraling existance is acted out wonderfully by the cast, many taking on dual roles. ( there was no cast list tonight so I don't have names)
The final speech is heartbreaking, given just too late to make a difference to Daniel but hopefully the message will carry on to the polling stations.
Always remember, any one of us could end up in a similar situation.
This film to stage adaptation is as powerful now as it was when it was first filmed.
The Bacchae Review Glasgow Citizens Theatre (2026)
The Bacchae by Ewan Downie - after Euripedes, tells the story of Dionysos the son of Zeus, King of the Gods. His mother dead and he born from Zeus's thigh he is given to his Aunt Agave to raise. Sent away, he returns to Thebes to find his cousin Pentheus the King.
Pentheus and Agave can't stand for him bringing change and Dance to the women of Thebes. With shapeshifting between human and animal, male and female, the story ends in gruesome reality of Agave killing her only real son. Don't give me a hard time on spoilers the play was first performed in 406BCE.
Ewan Downie gives a magnetic performance as the story teller and characters in the play. His use of movement, dance and song brings us closer to Dionysos.
His description of the violence, dismemberment, death and rebirth is genuinely gorey.
This play is an excellent way to hear and understand the ancient work of Euripedes.
Waiting for Godot Review Glasgow Citizens Theatre (2026)
Wating for Godot was superbly acted, Matthew Kelly and George Costagan as Estragon and Vladimir. Samuel Beckett's world famous play about two men. Tramps are never mentioned, indeed Vladimir is embarrassed Estragon asks for money and a chicken bone. Estragon eluded to being a poet hence the shabby clothes.
Like Kelly and Costagan Vladimir and Estragon have known each other for over 50 years allowing for the conversation to flow, bickering, complaining of ailments, boots that are sore, prostate that makes it difficult to piss. They have been alone for a very long time, on a barren road with a dead tree, just waiting for Godot. About 25 mins in to the first half enters Pozzo and Lucky, Lucky is lead on a rope tied round his sore and bloody neck, carrying Pozzo's bags and stool, he only listens when he is called pig. Pozzo enjoys being the big man, the centre of attention, he is going to the market to sell his slave, lucky. However we feel this will never happen as like Vladimir and Estragon they seem tied to each other literally and figuratively. They go.
Enter the boy who works for Godot, he says he won't be coming tonight but tomorrow.
Act 2 although slightly different, the tree has 6 leaves Pozzo is now blind and Lucky a mute it carries on in much the same vein they continue to wait on Godot. Is it the next day or months later? We don't know.
The boy re-appears and although he denies speaking to them before he indicates that Godot will come tomorrow.
Vladimir does get some info from the boy. When asked what Godot does, the boy said nothing.
Vivian Mercier famously described Wating for Godot as a play where nothing happens, twice!
I'm not so sure, I think it's a play about the deep loving friendship two men have, it's possible that one, I think Estragon, has Dementia and the other man helps him through his days of confusion and flashes of actual memory.
It could be about power, Pozzo needs power over his slave Lucky, he wants people to look at him like a pompous preening politition does.
He ultimately needs Lucky more in Act 2 when he has become blind and can't carry on alone.
I found the play very funny, very bleak and ultimately heartwarming.
That's just me though, if you stopped 10 people after the play and asked what they thought, I bet no two people would say the same!
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