Great things to do in Scotland this week: May 17-23

Our list of top entertainment events for the week ahead.

Peter James’ Dead Simple Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Monday to Saturday

This is the stage adaptation of James’ most popular book to date and the first to feature the character of Detective Roy Grace.

When Michael Harrison’s stag night prank goes wrong, he finds himself alone, buried alive and staring death in the face. As time runs out, Roy Grace tries to solve his disappearance, but begins to fear Michael won’t be found in time.

Eastenders’ Jamie Lomas, Emmerdale’s Rik Makarem and Gray O’Brien, award-winning star of Coronation Street, Peak Practice and Casualty, are among the cast.

Pitch Perfect 2 (12) Out now

Surprise hit and sequel are two things that follow each other in Hollywood like dinner and dessert.

So when choir competition comedy Pitch Perfect became one of the unexpected hits of 2012, it was only a matter of time before we were served up a second movie.

With an all-female cast of Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Hailee Steinfeld, it doesn’t hit quite as many high notes as its predecessor but they haven’t made a pudding of it either.

Kurt Elling Swings Sinatra From Thursday at Dundee Caird Hall, Aberdeen Music Hall, Edinburgh Usher Hall, Glasgow City Halls

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra is joined by Kurt Elling, as they turn the pages of the Sinatra songbook and pay homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes’ centenary celebration.

A multi Grammy winner, Elling is the most powerful jazz vocalists of his generation while Scotland’s award-winning national jazz orchestra, led by Tommy Smith, is one of the finest jazz ensembles in Europe. Together they’re the ideal partners to explore the music of Frank Sinatra.

Moomins on the Riviera (U) Out Friday

There’s family fun aplenty as the Moomins bring their special brand of adventures to the big screen.

Leaving Moominvalley behind, the Moomin clan set sail for the French Riviera. On their arrival, however, Moominpappa and Snorkmaiden are dazzled by their surroundings and become snobs.

An exasperated Moominmamma retreats to their trusty old boat to wait for her family to come to their senses and remember the motto: “Live in peace, plant potatoes and dream.”

Derren Brown: Miracle Edinburgh Playhouse, Monday to Saturday

The multi-award winning acknowledged master of psychological illusion is back with a brand new one-man show. Having terrified and amazed his audiences over the years, the dark manipulator of magic and mind control says performing live on stage gives him the greatest pleasure.

This will be Derren’s seventh show since 2003. He has toured every year and been seen by an estimated audience of over 1.5million people.

This production is not suitable for children under 12.

The Francie and Josie Show Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, Tuesday and Wednesday

Liam Dolan plays Francie and Johnny Mac is Josie as they pay tribute to their comedy heroes and impersonate the two legends to a tee.

With the seal of approval from Jack Milroy’s widow Mary Lee, who says: “it’s as close to the originals as you’re ever going to get”, this promises to be a fantastic evening of Scottish entertainment. Suitable for the whole family, it features original routines and songs, providing a trip down memory lane. Special guest star is Brenda Cochrane.

Into That Darkness Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Monday to May 30

Former Taggart star Blythe Duff and Cliff Burnett star in a dramatisation of interviews with Nazi war criminal, SS-Obersturmfhrer Franz Stangl, who oversaw the deaths of nearly one million people in Nazi extermination camps.

Following his conviction in 1970, journalist Gitta Sereny interviewed Stangl to understand how an individual rationalises their actions in the face of a crime of such magnitude.

Into That Darkness asks how, 70 years after the war, we can prevent atrocities of this scale happening again.

A Little Night Music Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Friday

In an effort to resolve a tangled web of romantic complications, glamorous actress Desire Armfeldt invites a group to a country estate house party.

But as the wine flows and the midsummer night casts its spell, just who will end up with whom?

Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece is a funny exploration of love lost, found and rediscovered.

With a beautiful score including Send in the Clowns, this 1973 Broadway classic promises to be the most elegant and romantic Pitlochry Festival Theatre musical yet.

An Evening with Al Pacino Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow Tuesday

The Oscar-winner comes to Scotland for the first time in an evening that will celebrate his career.

One of the greatest actors of his generation, Pacino will give an insight into his passion for acting in films like The Godfather trilogy, Dog Day Afternoon and Serpico.

The evening will explore his time off-Broadway in the ’60s right up to the present day, and will include some personal stories

and unseen clips. There will also be the rare chance to speak directly with Pacino.