Theatre Royal is the oldest surviving theatre in Glasgow, the original building dating from 1867…read morewhen it opened as Bayliss' Coliseum before being renamed as Theatre Royal in 1869. Perhaps uniquely, it has been rebuilt twice by architect C J Phipps following major fires in 1880 and 1895. Although not as prolific a theatre architect as Frank Matcham, Phipps' style is splendidly represented in this building, regarded as the largest and best surviving example of his work. But don't judge the building from its bland exterior; you have to see the wonderfully ornate auditorium to really appreciate Phipps' work. The building was home to STV's studios for many years, before being sold to Scottish Opera in 1975, and it has been their home stage ever since, and is also the main home to Scottish Ballet's productions as well as being a main-scale house on the UK touring circuit. The stage is not huge by today's standards, but it's still larger than many London theatres and is the largest Glasgow can offer at the moment. The theatre is currently run and programmed by ATG (as is the Kings), so Glasgow is well served by the big touring shows. Currently the building is having a new foyer added at the corner of Hope Street and Cowcaddens in the form of a round tower, which has been a major feat of engineering to fit in with the existing architecture. As part of this refurbishment parts of the auditorium have been altered to something closer to the original design, with old entrance arches and the seating layout restored to improve audience flow and sightlines. Like any theatre, this one has a few ghosts, and like the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, there was a fire-related incident here that resulted in new legislation coming into force. In 1969, when STV moved out of the building into their new premises next door and the theatre was being restored, there was a major fire in the sub-stage area. The fire department tackled this with the then relatively new technique of pumping suppressant foam into the fire. One of the fire officers Archie McLay, working in the darkness of the stage area, fell through the stage floor into the sub-basement of the building - this extends about 20m underneath the stage floor and is carved out of solid bedrock (it was a former quarry), so it was full of foam. He was not reported as missing until the fire was under control, by which time it was too late. Resulting from this dreadful accident, the fire department introduced a 'deadman switch' device to be worn by all officers, which would radio an alarm signal if the officer was stationary for more than a few minutes. This incident is now marked by a stone plaque in the pavement of Hope Street. There have been a few reported sightings of Archie in the sub-basement, and most staff who have occasion to be down there late at night when the building is quiet will report a spooky atmosphere and a feeling like they are being watched by ghostly eyes...

I'm fairly certain I've seen things here prior to the refurb, but for the life of me I just can't…read moreremember. However, since the refurb I've been several times: some plays and operas. And i like it. Vanilla Black's has moved from Sauchiehall St, and is now the resident café for the theatre - and it's turned out to be a handy place for me to pop in for a quick work lunch. The foyer itself is open, spacious, and very welcoming - the spiral staircase is awesome, and is becoming an iconic feature of the theatre. Beyond that, it's functional and does what you expect, and you'll tend to find quite a lot of less populist productions here. The only downside is the extreme pricing at the bar. Seriously, £11 for 2 bottles of cheap lager is disgustingly extortionist.

I love, love, love the Citz - as Nicola C says, it's a Glasgow institution and is probably the best…read moreplace to start your theatre-going-life if you've never been before. It's relaxed and welcoming and you don't need to get dressed up if that isn't your thing. I've been to the Citz a few times over the years - ages ago to see A Clockwork Orange, and on Friday to see Trainspotting. Buying tickets online is really easy, and if you're a local you can get 50p tickets which I think is such a brilliant idea. In the foyer there's a bar and seating so you can have a drink while you wait for the show to start - we decided to just have water but they have the usual bar selection you'd expect. And there's a bar upstairs. Inside the theatre is comfy and cosy - we were in the third row and had an amazing view of the stage (at points, almost *too* amazing). I don't want to give away much about Trainspotting aside from saying if you don't have tickets already, you really need to get them as it's an amazing stage production and the cast are truly brilliant. The building itself is worth a visit alone - they have tours which are worth booking onto as I learned so much and really appreciated the behind-the-scenes perspective. They also offer acting classes for kids and adults, and have a range of other ways of getting involved with the theatre. I'm definitely going to be visiting more often - I really enjoyed doing something a bit different for a night out and still can't stop thinking about how good Trainspotting was, days later!

The Citz is one of the things that makes Glasgow what it is, and the city would definitely be a…read moreworse place without it. It puts on varied, interesting, and locally focussed plays both new and old, and does a great work promoting upcoming artists and playwrights. It's a great, comfortable theatre, not too big, and with good, comfortable seats. The legroom is pretty good, and the views are solid as well. There is a good (and relatively cheap) bar and cafe in the main foyer, as well as a smaller bar upstairs. The foyer can be a little crowded at the start of a sold out show, but it does generate a good atmosphere. It also does lots of cool stuff - backstage tours, acting classes, and discounted tickets for people that stay in the local area. I suppose my only negative is the parking, which can be a little chaotic on the way out, especially if your fellow theatre-goers are a little rude (I'm looking at you, the couple in the white Renault Clio at Trainspotting!). In many ways, a theatre is only as good as the plays it puts on, and in this the Citz excels: new runs of classic Scottish plays like Trainspotting, Slab Boys, and Lanark; interesting versions of classic plays, and first runs of new, local plays. There really is something for everyone, even a great alternative pantomime at Christmas. Keep an eye on the schedule, find something you like, and give it a go! You'll definitely come back!

Oh no I didn't! Oh yes I did! Yup it was that time of year again, panto time!! Yaaaay!…read more To be honest I haven't been to a panto in a long time well the last one I actually starred in as a good fairy back in 2006 in Blantyre. It was a last minute thing when my friend text to say they had some spare tickets to see Snow White. Now this wasn't just going with friends, oh no, this was going with half the brownies and guides from High Blantyre. Yelp! So when heading down to Blantyre train station it had been taken over by lots of little girls in yellow hats. What a sight?! So we made it to Glasgow, alighting at Anderston station, which therefore makes it only a 10min walk up to The Kings. So with a bunch of excited girls, I think I may have reached their level by now. Our seats were in the Gods, the Gallery if you want to be technical. Eep! Not my favourite part of the theatre but it's the cheap seats of the theatre. So the entrance is at the side of the building. After several flights of what felt like never ending stairs we made it to the top. We then headed down the aisle steps to our seats at a 45 degree angle to keep yourself upright, as it's soooooo steep. The Kings is a beautiful theatre that's many many years old. I always enjoy going but I normally pay a little bit more to get a better seat, normally Upper or Grand Circle, sometimes Stalls depending on the prices. One day I'll be I'll in the box seats. The stage is large and the sets were amazing. The costumes were stunning, so much detail from the principles characters right down to the chorus and dancers. The actors did a fine job and I did have a wee sigh of how much I do miss performing in the ol' pantoland. I think sitting in with the kids made it even more fun. I didn't realise though that Darius was in it though. Meh! Not a fan and could they mention Pop Idol, Colourblind, or Pop Star to Opera Star anymore times?! Shoooosh! Gavin Mitchell did a great job, he tastefully mentioned Gerald Kelly in the show and they dedicated the show at then end and had a minute clapping. The toilets were a bit of a nightmare though, as it's an old building it doesn't have as many toilets. The gents toilets were out of order at first so they had made the ladies a temporary gents. Then out of the two ladies toilets one was broken. So little girls being little girls, (whiny voice) "I need the toilet.", one goes they all go. So the queue went up the stairwell backing up to the entrance to the Gods. So a poor member of staff had to keep filling up the cistern with a bucket of water to get the other toilet working. At least the staff tried. Over all it was a great day out and The Kings always guarentees to have great shows on. I'm just waiting for Wicked to come to Glasgow. Hurry up London, fly up that Wicked Witch of West to us.

Panto is impressive here It's an old and traditional theatre…read more Seats could be a little more comfortable and could do with a little more space

I spent a few hours here on Monday night with some friends, being taught how to play a couple of…read morecarsd games. The CCA is somewhere that i periodically hear people talking about, but I've never quite made it there myself. But I'm glad I have now. In many respects it reminds me of The Arches (RIP) - there's a reception / box office thing as you go in, then the actual bar is all exposed brickwork. The CCA is basically the space inbetween 2 buildings. So you have the original external sandstone walls becoming the internal walls of the CCA - i love this kind of use of space. The roof is one giant skylight, which makes this place really light and airy. We couldn't eat as the kitchen was closed for work to be done on it - but it has a reputation of doing really good food, so we'll be trying it out soon. It's fairly moderate/bordering on expensively priced - the beer we had was £4.50 a pint. They also do a table service when it's quiet. Overall I enjoyed our evening here and would like to go back on the weekend or for one of their events.

Ah, the CCA. Often forgotten but perhaps that makes it one of Glasgow's better-kept secrets. It's…read morean interesting space as it's difficult to put a stamp on. They run a number of different events and activities, making it difficult to recommend unless you have something specific to tell people to visit. The space itself is brilliant, very modern in the front with a bar and café/restaurant, and an additional bar upstairs that very much fits the art scene feel. In the middle is one of those exterior interiors, with outdoor walls and bannisters. If you enjoy any type of arts and culture from literature, art, and performance art, to music, give their website a glance over and see what interests you. They have so many projects and exhibitions it's difficult to keep up, but you can usually find something really wonderful. Last time I was there I saw some interesting work in digital media and photography. Even if you just fancy a coffee and a nibble, it's a great change from your typical coffee shop or gastropub. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.

The Old Fruitmarket is, without a doubt, in my top 5 favourite music venues…read more You'll find it hidden away within the City Halls venue, where it's been restored over the years to show the space in its original glory. Above the bar, wrought iron supports hold up an awesome balcony where you get a super view of the main stage. I've been to many gigs in here - it's the perfect intimate venue where there's also enough space to dance (not me obv!). There's always some great Celtic Connections events held here. Great place! Can't wait for my next gig here!

The Old Fruitmarket is a gorgeous venue in the heart of Merchant City, that you may not yet have…read morediscovered. I went here for a jazz concert, and the combination of the musical talent and the atmospheric surroundings was quite amazing. There were round tables scattered across the floor, in a jazz cafe style, which created a lovely ambiance that complemented the musical backdrop. The lighting was low and the walls were decorated with fairy lights, which was a charming touch to this beautiful big building. With its original wooden beams and cobbles, this place reeks of history and is a truly amazing venue for any occasion.

First on my doors open day list as a trip to Scottish Opera's HQ. The building was built for the…read moresociety of engineers and it is very grand. If you're into stained glass windows then please try to get in to see it. The windows celebrate Glasgow's industrial past and notable engineers. The grand staircase is marble and there are some rehearsal spaces. I made a wee video of my adventure http://ktch.tv/2ly7 and you can hear their youth choir in bits of it. One of the saddest bits was the plaque near the entrance in memory of all the engineers who died on the Titanic. I believe they stayed on the ship keeping the lights etc working (if you've seen the film you'll have seen the lights stayed on but not realised why) while it sank. A beautiful, living building.

From small scale tours across the country, to the major productions that crowd Scotland's large…read moretheatres, Scottish Opera remain dynamic and innovative. Having introduced short opera as part of their 5:15 programme, and reinterpreting classics with a determinedly contemporary spin, the company is fighting to make opera accessible, especially for the youth market. The large scale of their productions has threatened their financial security in the past, but their ambitions are admirable. They offer regular discounts, link up with other businesses to offer night out packages and tour almost relentlessly. Despite the modern settings, they never compromise on quality, and guarantee a sophisticated evening's entertainment. http://www.scottishopera.org.uk/

Was with a group of friends and was not allowed in because I was wearing athletic-style shorts…read more This was despite the fact that many of the women were wearing skimpy clothing. Would have appreciated a publicly posted dress code but I guess that would be too much effort.

Why step into a place with one genuine bartender, well theres no reason. The live music is there…read morebut there is no kindness or appreciation upon being served. We as customers must understand that beer/ale is overpriced at bars but we are there for the enviroment. I do not think that there is a manager in place and if there is please rid of the unhappy employees, its a bit of a drag seeing subpar workers.

This type of art installation becomes back to a time before computers became so popular and…read morewidespread and affordable. If you are into automata timed with music and lighting in which the art moves and tells a story of itself by its movements and items used, this is for you. You won't find this anywhere else. What a unique creation and a must see!

I'm really surprised more Yelpers haven't been here, as it's definitely a Yelpy type of place!…read moreIndependently run, this varied and unique display of surreal kinetic art/sculptures can't be found anywhere else. What to expect: -The full session takes about 75 minutes, starting with a sit-down 20 minute display set to music -You then walk around the rest of the exhibits, watching them come to life, again to music (if you can't stand for long there are chairs available) -It's all very surreal! I'd also suggest that if you don't like ballet (i.e. you need words/lyrics to appreciate stories being told) then you probably won't like this too much, but just for its sheer uniqueness you should give it a visit. Perhaps start with the 40 minute show and work your way up.

Sunday mornings and Royal Conservatoire Coffee Concerts are a match made in heaven. What an…read moreinspired idea, and at just £10 for coffee, cake and a concert (£7.50 concessions) an absolute bargain! I was lucky enough to make the very first Coffee Concert of the season and it was a useful introduction to the venue and what it might offer to the general public. Coffee and cake was served in the cafe post-concert where the performers and organisers mingled and chatted with an enthusiastic audience. Nice touch. Aside from an varied programme of concerts and performing arts staged by students past and present and visiting world-class talents, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (previously known as RSAMD) has a Box Office and large cafe at its main entrance up those imposing steps. The corridor between the cafe and the Stevenson Hall (where the coffee concert was held) is lined with photos of the college's alumni - a veritable who's who of the arts, music and theatrical world. I was absolutely blown away by the acoustics at the Stephenson Hall which really did justice to the singers and musicians who provided us with a terrific show. The seats in the auditorium were very comfortable with ample leg room but then I'm a bit shorter than the average person! Tip #1: If you need more leg room in the Stevenson Hall then select an end of aisle seat (at the stairway) in one of the blocks of stalls either side of the main block of seating. Hope that makes sense? Tip #2: If you are looking for somewhere very inexpensive to eat, drink and/or meet up in town the cafe here may be just the ticket. Geared mainly for students but also open to the public the daily specials included vegetarian and vegan dishes (hurrah). A generous cup of tea cost 80p and a Dear Green Coffee cost £1.40 (in a lidded cup so you can take it away if you want). Tip #3: Ample sockets available for charging phones and laptops (and possibly free wifi but don't quote me) Pop in and check it out for yourself if you haven't already done so and keep an eye out for their events programme.

Today I had the privilege, along with my fellow rock choir members of singing in the Stevenson…read moreHall, what an experience. We were accompanied by the Scottish Opera Orchastra, wow!! I can honestly say this awesome experience will stay with me for a long time. As for the Conservatoire it's a lovely building. It had a box office, shop and cafe on the main floor.the staff I encountered today were fab.

The Dance House is Glasgow's most vibrant centre for adult dance classes. It offers everything from…read morecontemporary styles to tap, taking in a few of the more esoteric international techniques, and even having regular butoh classes. It brings together the working artists and the enthusiastic amateurs, and even offers weekly rehearsal space to companies looking to hone up a particular work. It also serves as a hub for Glasgow's creative communities, distributing opportunities, connecting artists and giving them the chance to share their works-in-progress. With a new space now open near the Tron, they look set to expand their operations in the near future, and bring dance to even more people.

The Dance House is bloody brilliant! I really wished I had taken dance lessons as a child but…read moreunfortunately I never did and was dying to get into dancing as an adult. However I had visions of myself in a beginners dance class, in a tutu surrounded by 3 year olds doing perfect pirouettes! That was until I found out about Dance House which specialises in adults dance classes (although kids classes are available). I went along with the idea that I would learn some traditional dance styles like ballet and tap but that was until I saw the much cooler classes on offer! I ended up signing on for the "Strike a pose" taster class which let you try Fosse Listation, Burlesque and Music Video Moves, oh man, I made Beyonce look like an amateur! I can not recommend Dance House highly enough! I was really worried when I saw the posh exterior that the classes wouldn't be any fun and everyone would take themselves too seriously but I was so wrong! It was such a good laugh and the atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed. The Dance House does also teach professionals though if you are wanting to get into dancing as a career. Dance House also offers private tuition and choreography for wedding dances and can work with either the bride and groom on their own or they can include the bridesmaids, best man, parents and others! I think next I'm going to try West African dancing to drums and Musical Mania!