Joyce McMillan

Edinburgh

Columnist and Theater Critic at The Scotsman

Columnist and Theater Critic at Scotland on Sunday

Columnist and theatre critic writing mainly for The Scotsman, living and working in Edinburgh and around Scotland. Interested democracy, human rights.

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Articles

Theatre reviews: Frankie Stein | John Roy Stuart - Latha Chuilodair

3 days ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Frankie Stein, Lochgelly Centre, Fife ★★★★John Roy Stuart – Latha Chuilodair, Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh ★★★There’s a content warning on the programme for Frankie Stein, the first show created by Scotland’s feminist theatre company Stellar Quines since its recent move to Fife. “Death, misogyny, flashing lights, swearing,” it says, sounding like an unintentional advert for everything that has been thrilling or compelling about theatre these last few thousand years.
Theatre reviews: Calamity Jane | Jocasta

6 days ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Calamity Jane, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh ★★★★Jocasta, Oran Mor, Glasgow ★★★At a moment when the face America presents to the world is changing at frightening speed, those anxious for insight into what the heck is going on could do worse than cut along to the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, currently playing host to Nikolai Foster’s sparkling touring production of Calamity Jane.
A Stellar start for new era in women-led theatre

1 week ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Having left Edinburgh for Fife, Stellar Quines gives Frankenstein new life in the age of AI, writes Joyce McMillanWhen Scotland’s women-led theatre company Stellar Quines take to the stage at the Lochgelly Centre this weekend, they will be celebrating not only the opening night of a brand new show, but their first full production since last autumn, when the company made the momentous decision to move from Edinburgh to a new base in Fife.
Theatre reviews: Ivor | Alas Poor Yorick

1 week ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Climate change, the ethics of activism and empty nest syndrome make for a potent mix in Ivor, writes Joyce McMillanIvor, Oran Mor, Glasgow ★★★★Alas Poor Yorick, The Studio, Edinburgh ★★★It takes some nerve to write a play that tackles the climate crisis, the ethics of activism, and the extremes of empty nest syndrome, in just 50 minutes.
Theatre reviews: Night, Idiot | Little Women

2 weeks ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Accepting change and moving on is the key to Zoe Bullock’s Night, Idiot, writes Joyce McMillanNight, Idiot, Oran Mor, Glasgow ★★★★Little Women, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh ★★★★Like last week’s Play, Pie and Pint smash hit Dancing Shoes, Zoe Bullock’s new lunchtime play Night, Idiot begins by arousing some conventional expectations.
Theatre reviews: Through the Shortbread Tin | Nessie

2 weeks ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Through The Shortbread Tin, Corn Exchange, Melrose ★★★★Nessie, The Studio, Edinburgh ★★★★Scotch myths eh? Back in the 1980s, Murray Grigor made a brilliant film of that name that was supposed to have nailed the whole business, laughing to scorn every last shred of Scotland’s tartan-trimmed, tammy-wearing tourist image.
Graffiti Girls, by Elissa Soave review: 'feminism lite'

1 month ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

Although driven by a recognition of the reality of everyday sexism, Graffiti Girls eventually begins to seem more like a 21st century fairytale than a story rooted in real lives, writes Joyce McMillan
Wonder Fools explore Traveller history in The Kelton Hill Fair

1 month ago | msn.com | Joyce McMillan

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Wonder Fools explore Traveller history in The Kelton Hill Fair

1 month ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

The latest show from Wonder Fools takes as its theme the celebrated Dumfries & Galloway gathering, The Kelton Hill Fair, writes Joyce McMillanIt’s not Scotland’s highest hill, at just under 400 feet; but for centuries, Kelton Hill - just outside Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway - was the scene of one of Scotland’s greatest annual Traveller gatherings, a magical time for horse-trading, merrymaking, striking deals, and finding love.
Jackie Wylie on the National Theatre of Scotland's new season

1 month ago | scotsman.com | Joyce McMillan

With the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2025 season about to begin, its artistic director Jackie Wylie talks to Joyce McMillan about the ethos behind the workIt’s eight years now since Jackie Wylie was appointed artistic director and chief executive of the National Theatre of Scotland, and one aspect of her job that she still finds completely thrilling is the sheer range of experience it covers.