Top things to do this week

The best sights and sounds around Scotland from 30 Nov to Dec 6

Top Hat

Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Tuesday until Dec 13

Alan Burkitt and Charlotte Gooch both return to Top Hat having previously performed these roles in the West End. Jerry Travers, the famous American tap dancer, arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart. Top Hat has won three Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, and is performed by a cast of 29 and accompanied by 11 musicians.

Slava’s Snowshow

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Wednesday to Saturday

Described as being like nothing you’ve ever seen before, Slava’s Snowshow made its Scottish debut at the Edinburgh Festival in 1996 and has been delighting audiences ever since. Influenced by artists such as Chaplin, Marcel Marceau and Engibarov, Slava and his company have taken clowning out of the world of circus, and brought it to theatre lovers, fellow practitioners and families worldwide. The show combines hilarity and poignancy with stunning, breathtaking spectacle, creating a world in which a cobweb envelops the audience and one tiny piece of paper begins a heart-stopping blizzard of snow. Recommended for children eight years and over and strictly no children under three will be permitted.

A Christmas Carol

Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

Until Jan 3rd

Charles Dickens’ eternal classic is brought to the Citz stage by critically-acclaimed director, Dominic Hill, in what has been described as a bold, theatrical adaptation captures the original spirit of the beloved tale that is guaranteed to appeal to young and old alike. Ebenezer Scrooge is a notoriously bitter old man who is determined not to let Christmas interfere with his miserly routine. A feared figure throughout the streets of London he is unmoved by any pleas for charity. But one Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives some unexpected supernatural visitors who are determined to show him the true spirit of Christmas and the error of his ways.

Deacon Blue

Aberdeen Music Hall, Clyde Auditorium Glasgow, Dundee Caird Hall, Inverness Leisure Centre

Sunday Tuesday, Thursday Friday

Buoyed by the success of recent albums The Hipsters and A New House, Deacon Blue play a series of dates in their home country. Formed in Glasgow nearly 30 years ago, Ricky Ross and Co went on to become one of the city’s most famous and successful bands, having now sold more than six million albums and with 12 UK Top 40 singles to their name. Ricky said: “It’s going to be great performing the new album live. As well as that we have a huge catalogue of songs from our other records we’ll want to play. Don’t expect to go home too early!”

Emily Mouse’s Christmas Tales

Dundee Rep

Thursday Saturday

Dundee Rep Theatre’s new Christmas Tales sessions are a fun event for all babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and, of course, their grown-ups. Join Rep Ensemble member Emily Winter and her friend Mouse, who will take children and adults on a journey through songs, rhymes and some specially written stories by children’s author Vivian French. Emily Mouse’s Christmas Tales also takes place From December 11-13 and 18-20, and is an ideal opportunity to share some Christmas fun, as well as beginning a lifelong friendship with Mouse and all the other friends at the Rep.

Celebrating Christmas with the Salvation Army

City Halls, Glasgow

Saturday

For many people, Christmas starts when they hear the Salvation Army band carolling in the street. This special and always popular concert is also becoming something of an annual event. So if you’re planning a day of Christmas shopping, why not finish your day in a more relaxing manner by joining in the celebrations at the City Halls in Candleriggs, where the Clyde Band brass band and Govan Songster Brigade will lead proceedings in an evening of carols.

Special guests include the children from Easterhouse Salvation Army children’s club and also the service users from George Steven’s Centre in Kilbirnie.

Beauty and the Beast

Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre

Tonight until Jan 4

The north east’s record-breaking panto returns, once again with one of Scotland’s most popular female comics and actresses, Elaine C Smith, at the helm. This much-loved old tale is filled with spectacular pantomime magic and unforgettable characters, as well as lavish sets and costumes and dazzling production numbers. Rab C Nesbitt star Elaine stars as housekeeper Mrs Potty, alongside former High Road and Taggart actor Alan McHugh (with whom Elaine wrote the Susan Boyle musical, I Dreamed A Dream) and River City regular Jordan Young.

Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators

Hydro, Glasgow

Thursday

One of the greatest and influential guitarists in rock history, super-cool Slash is back with his biggest solo tour to date. The former Guns ‘n Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist has had a new lease of life since teaming up with Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy, one of the greatest rock singers in the world, and new backing band The Conspirators. They’ve just released their second album together, World on Fire. They’ll perform tracks from that, as well as classics from Guns ‘n Roses and Velvet Revolver.