Ne’er cast a clout ’til May is out so they say. Well until June rolls around and the clout-casting  season gets into full swing, why not kill some time by taking yourself and whatever clouts you possess along to one of Glasgow’s many fine theatres and enjoy what May has to offer?

With Scotland gripped by election fever – ok gripped might be taking it too far – the Tron has gone all political this month with Mayfesto: a season of productions, readings and events looking at parties, propaganda and electioneering. Included in the season is King of Scotland, Iain Heggie’s comedy about unemployment and hopelessness, Tinderbox Theatre’s production of David Ireland’s Everything Between Us, a jet black comedy about Northern Ireland, and also featured is a reading of Alexander Gatlin’s play Stars In The Morning Sky, a satire on the preparations for the 1980 Moscow Olympics last performed in Glasgow in 1990 and very timely with London 2012 just around the corner.

It’s not all politics with a big P. The venue also offers a raft of dramas and comedies dealing with the human condition including Pat Kinevane’s Forgotten from Fishamble, where the writer and performer conjours up four characters from 80-100 years old to tell their stories. It also features Gary Owen’s South Wales set début play Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco .

At The Arches there’s not a lot of straight theatre going on – with a concentration this month on poetry including performances from Drew Taylor with Time After Time/Bird. The only theatre show on the books is Rekindle‘s brutal double bill of damaged family dynamics One Good Beating and My Child.

Over at Eastwood Park they continue to provide entertainment for all ages and types with Oops a Daisy, a show of music and moment for under fours combining with two musicals: Eastwood Entertainers’ take on Hello Dolly and Runaway Theatre Company’s version of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Added to that: Des Dillon’s black magic comedy Six Black Candles and the Visible Fictions/Scottish Opera co-production of Philip Pullman’s Clockwork (and it’s as busy as ever at this great little theatre).

David Hayman, one of Scotland’s best exports, comes back home to Oran Mor with Rony Bridge’s play of dysfunction and lost opportunity Six and a Tanner. Based on a true story this is a powerful and often hilarious tale of guilt, redemption and anger – and a rare chance to see Hayman on home soil.

Back in the town centre, The Theatre Royal offers its own diverse package with Scottish Opera’s production of Verdi’s dark, obsessive Rigoletto followed by the Wiggles. Also taking the stage this month is the world renowned Richard Alston Dance Company performing to three very different musical pieces – and a touring production of Keith Waterhouse’s Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell with Robert Powell

Over at the Royal’s sister theatre The Kings it’s all Alps and Nazis with Lord Webber’s rejigging of The Sound of Music, featuring Jason Donovan as Captain Von Trapp, taking over for the month.

The Citizens have four shows with Paine’s Plough’s Love, Love, Love following one couples’ journey from the freewheeling sixties to the age of austerity whilst Dublin’s Abbey Theatre present the disturbing and extraordinary Fringe First-winning play Terminus. Equally disturbing is the Citizen’s own company’s production of Dennis Kelly’s After The End. And the theatre combined with the Youth Music Initiative have created Divided City, a show dealing with Glasgow’s sectarian divide which couldn’t be more topical.

The Tramway has contrasting dance styles on offer:  firstly the energetic, hip-hop influenced shape-throwing of Compagni S’poart with their new show Na Grani. Later in May, Wayne McGregor and Random Dance combine to produce Entity, a show which has been thrilling audiences since its premiere in 2008 with its mix of high-tech and brawny, athletic movement.

Those looking for a a good laugh (not to mention a little bit of sauce with their nights entertainment) should head to The Pavillion for a host of familiar TV faces in Dave Simpson’s pole dancing comedy The Naked Truth.

Finally Strathclyde University’s currently under threat theatre The Ramshorn hasn’t let fear of closure stop it from putting on two great shows. From Strathclyde Theatre Group, a production of Rona Munro’s Bold Girls, a tale of three empassioned Belfast women and from Glasgow Music Theatre, Sondheim’s razor sharp musical Company.

So there you have it; another full and diverse programme of theatre, dance and performance from the wide range of great venues Glasgow has to offer. So get out with or without your clout – preferably with since it means clothes – and enjoy the imagination and talents on display.

FULL LISTINGS:

King of Scotland: Tues 10th  – Sat 14th May @ 19:45

Everything Between Us: Wed 11th  – Sat 14th May @ 21:30

Stars In The Morning Sky: Sat 7th May @ 20:30

Forgotten: Thurs 5th – Sat 7th May @ 19:45

The Naked Truth: Frid 13th – Sat 14th May @ 19:30

Bold Girls: Mon 2nd – Sat 7th May @ 19:30

Company: Tues 10th – Sat 14th May @ 19:30

Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco: Tues 24th – Sat 28th May @ 19:45

Time After Time/Bird: Wed 11th – Thurs 12th May @ 19:00

My Child/One Good Beating: Wed 4th – Fri 6th May @ 19:00

Oops A Daisy:Fri 6th May @ 10:30, 12:30, 14:00

Hello Dolly: Tues 3rd – Sat 7th May @ 19:00 & 7th @ 14:00

The Drowsy Chaperone: Wed 11th – Sat 14th @ 20:00 & 14th @ 15:00

Six Black Candles: Wed 18th May @ 19:30

Clockwork: Sun 22nd May @ 14:00

Six and a Tanner: Sun 22nd, Mon 23rd & Thurs 26th May @ 19:30

Love, Love, Love: Wed 11th – Sat 14th May @ 19:30

Terminus: Tues 17th – Sat 21st May @ 19:30

After The End: Tues 17th – Sat 21st @ 19:30 – Tues 24th – Sat 28th @ 19:30 Sat 28th @ 14:30 – Tues 31st – Sat 1st June @ 19:30

Divided City: Wed 25th & Fri 27th @ 19:30

Na Grani: Fri 13th – Sat 14th May @ 19:30

Entity: Fri 27th – Sat 28th May @ 19:30