Joyce McMillan
@joycemcm.bsky.social
Theatre critic, social and political columnist, campaigner for democracy and human rights, based in beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland.
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
Yes,
I went to my workout.
It helps me release the anger and negative energy after nights of attacks.
Now I’m having a warcoffee.
Just glad to be alive.
I went to my workout.
It helps me release the anger and negative energy after nights of attacks.
Now I’m having a warcoffee.
Just glad to be alive.
November 14, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Yes,
I went to my workout.
It helps me release the anger and negative energy after nights of attacks.
Now I’m having a warcoffee.
Just glad to be alive.
I went to my workout.
It helps me release the anger and negative energy after nights of attacks.
Now I’m having a warcoffee.
Just glad to be alive.
And second, we need to shift the window of debate back to a place where we waste much less time on 'talking points' that are based on myths and lies, and are therefore incapable of producing solutions to any real-world problems. 2/2 www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...?
How far-right lie that asylum seekers are criminals and sex predators is taking hold in Britain
The current moral panic about immigration is tinged with an element of sexual hysteria often associated with racially oppressive societies of the past
www.scotsman.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM
And second, we need to shift the window of debate back to a place where we waste much less time on 'talking points' that are based on myths and lies, and are therefore incapable of producing solutions to any real-world problems. 2/2 www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...?
Yesterday's The Scotsman column, with two main takeaways. First, those who oppose the hysteria about migrants and asylum seekers that now pervades UK political debate need to become much sharper, smarter and more resolute about resisting it. 1/2
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
How far-right lie that asylum seekers are criminals and sex predators is taking hold in Britain
The current moral panic about immigration is tinged with an element of sexual hysteria often associated with racially oppressive societies of the past
www.scotsman.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Yesterday's The Scotsman column, with two main takeaways. First, those who oppose the hysteria about migrants and asylum seekers that now pervades UK political debate need to become much sharper, smarter and more resolute about resisting it. 1/2
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
November 7, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK
2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc
3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today
Reviews at Scotsman Arts of the thrilling and much-debated Aaron Sorkin version of To Kill A Mockingbird - at the King's Theatre, Glasgow from tomorrow - and Kenny Boyle's Righ Iasgair: The Fisher King, at A Play, A Pie and A Pint and the Traverse Theatre. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: To Kill a Mockingbird | Righ Iasgair: The Fisher King
Aaron Sorkin’s much-debated stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird takes Harper Lee’s narrative and crams it full of the language of US politics in the age of Trump and MAGA, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reviews at Scotsman Arts of the thrilling and much-debated Aaron Sorkin version of To Kill A Mockingbird - at the King's Theatre, Glasgow from tomorrow - and Kenny Boyle's Righ Iasgair: The Fisher King, at A Play, A Pie and A Pint and the Traverse Theatre. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
October 31, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
anti-fascist
today.
tomorrow.
always.
today.
tomorrow.
always.
October 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
anti-fascist
today.
tomorrow.
always.
today.
tomorrow.
always.
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
I brought you light from Kyiv –
a city russians want
to drown in darkness.
No way.
a city russians want
to drown in darkness.
No way.
October 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I brought you light from Kyiv –
a city russians want
to drown in darkness.
No way.
a city russians want
to drown in darkness.
No way.
Review at Scotsman Arts of new artistic director James Brining's opening production at the Lyceum Edinburgh, a & strong, lyrical & absorbing version of Chekhov's The Seagull; last week's engaging A Play, A Pie and A Pint drama Flick & Pie Go Fishing, by Laila Noble. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: The Seagull | Flick & Pie Go Fishing
With powerful acting and a nuanced script for today, this Seagull is a gem, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Review at Scotsman Arts of new artistic director James Brining's opening production at the Lyceum Edinburgh, a & strong, lyrical & absorbing version of Chekhov's The Seagull; last week's engaging A Play, A Pie and A Pint drama Flick & Pie Go Fishing, by Laila Noble. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
As this year's Take Me Somewhere festival in Glasgow roars into its final weekend, here's my Monday review of its first few days, including a fabulous Last Supper from Brazil.... www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: The Last Supper | Selkie | Handle With Care
The Last Supper is just one tasty bite from this year’s Take Me Somewhere festival, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
As this year's Take Me Somewhere festival in Glasgow roars into its final weekend, here's my Monday review of its first few days, including a fabulous Last Supper from Brazil.... www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
A great many of the (wonderful) stories about Ireland's (wonderful) UBI plan for artists tend to bury if not duck completely the hard cold fact that it was funded largely by Google's billion-euro settlement of tax-evasion charges.
TAX BILLIONAIRES
RUN THEM DOWN
LOOT THEM
IT WORKS
TAX BILLIONAIRES
RUN THEM DOWN
LOOT THEM
IT WORKS
October 23, 2025 at 2:10 AM
A great many of the (wonderful) stories about Ireland's (wonderful) UBI plan for artists tend to bury if not duck completely the hard cold fact that it was funded largely by Google's billion-euro settlement of tax-evasion charges.
TAX BILLIONAIRES
RUN THEM DOWN
LOOT THEM
IT WORKS
TAX BILLIONAIRES
RUN THEM DOWN
LOOT THEM
IT WORKS
62 years after it was founded as a New Town community initiative, Cumbernauld Theatre faces closure, after Creative Scotland rejected its multi-year funding application. But why is such a successful and much-loved theatre having to fight for its life? www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...?
Joyce McMillan: Cumbernauld Theatre shouldn't be forced to close because of an admin fail
The crisis at Cumbernauld Theatre raises some important questions, writes Joyce McMillan. In particular: should an otherwise successful arts organisation ever be put at risk simply because of a failur...
www.scotsman.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
62 years after it was founded as a New Town community initiative, Cumbernauld Theatre faces closure, after Creative Scotland rejected its multi-year funding application. But why is such a successful and much-loved theatre having to fight for its life? www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...?
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
Another day under a Labour government.
Higher education must remain open to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Tuition fees saddle young people with decades of debt that many will never pay off.
Scottish Greens will always oppose their introduction in Scotland.
Higher education must remain open to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Tuition fees saddle young people with decades of debt that many will never pay off.
Scottish Greens will always oppose their introduction in Scotland.
October 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Another day under a Labour government.
Higher education must remain open to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Tuition fees saddle young people with decades of debt that many will never pay off.
Scottish Greens will always oppose their introduction in Scotland.
Higher education must remain open to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Tuition fees saddle young people with decades of debt that many will never pay off.
Scottish Greens will always oppose their introduction in Scotland.
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
"Farage is as guilty as fellow Leaver Boris Johnson for the latest travel red tape and all the other costs, burdens and inconveniences of quitting the European Union that have been put upon us, without meaningful gains."
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'Farage could never be trusted to run Britain after getting Brexit so wrong'
No Brexit champion, particularly Nigel Farage, is worthy of high office after proving so conclusively wrong on such a seismic issue, says Mirror Associate Editor Kevin Maguire
www.mirror.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 6:41 AM
"Farage is as guilty as fellow Leaver Boris Johnson for the latest travel red tape and all the other costs, burdens and inconveniences of quitting the European Union that have been put upon us, without meaningful gains."
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Theatre reviews at Scotsman Arts. The Citizens Theatre Young Company open the theatre's beautiful new Studio with a celebration of the legendary Close Theatre, on the same spot, 1965-73. And A Play, A Pie and A Pint offers another showbiz story, with less success... www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: Close | Maybe Tomorrow
Close offers a timely reminder that theatre is an art-form that’s meant to question and disturb, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Theatre reviews at Scotsman Arts. The Citizens Theatre Young Company open the theatre's beautiful new Studio with a celebration of the legendary Close Theatre, on the same spot, 1965-73. And A Play, A Pie and A Pint offers another showbiz story, with less success... www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Friday's Scotsman column, on Margaret Thatcher's 100th anniversary. The sad recent history of the UK shows her to have been wrong about almost everything. But in an age of
failing politics, we now need leaders who can do as she did, in one crucial way....
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
failing politics, we now need leaders who can do as she did, in one crucial way....
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
On her 100th birthday, there’s one lesson the left needs to learn from Thatcher to avoid disaster
Progressive political parties need to find leaders who are able, as Margaret Thatcher once was, to change the political weather and usher in a new age of better lives for ordinary people
www.scotsman.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Friday's Scotsman column, on Margaret Thatcher's 100th anniversary. The sad recent history of the UK shows her to have been wrong about almost everything. But in an age of
failing politics, we now need leaders who can do as she did, in one crucial way....
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
failing politics, we now need leaders who can do as she did, in one crucial way....
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Scotsman reviews of the new Dundee Rep production of The Glass Menagerie, also heading for the Citizens Theatre and the Lyceum this autumn; & Katy Nixon's Play Pie Pint two-hander Cheapo, at the Traverse Theatre from tomorrow, and the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, next week. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: The Glass Menagerie | Cheapo
Tennessee Williams’ 1944 classic The Glass Menagerie gets a memorable 21st-century makeover in Andrew Panton’s new Dundee Rep production, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Scotsman reviews of the new Dundee Rep production of The Glass Menagerie, also heading for the Citizens Theatre and the Lyceum this autumn; & Katy Nixon's Play Pie Pint two-hander Cheapo, at the Traverse Theatre from tomorrow, and the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, next week. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
NUJ welcomes introduction of journalist safety officers in every police force
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
NUJ welcomes introduction of journalist safety officers in every police force
Journalists now have a dedicated safety officer in every UK police force, providing direct access to support when faced with abuse and threats of violence.
www.nuj.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
NUJ welcomes introduction of journalist safety officers in every police force
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj...
Reviews at Scotsman Arts of Mull Theatre's new touring show Night Waking; Tenterhooks's jolly family show Hercules The Bear also on tour; & the tap-dancing joy of Top Hat at Edinburgh Playhouse, just 90 yrs on from the opening of the Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire film. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...?
Theatre reviews: Night Waking | Hercules The Bear | Top Hat
Nicola Jo Cully gives a remarkable solo performance as a sleepless young mother in Night Waking, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reviews at Scotsman Arts of Mull Theatre's new touring show Night Waking; Tenterhooks's jolly family show Hercules The Bear also on tour; & the tap-dancing joy of Top Hat at Edinburgh Playhouse, just 90 yrs on from the opening of the Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire film. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...?
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
The Times newspaper. Now reduced to arguing in its editorial that is "unacceptable" that people who came here legally & have been living & working here should be allowed to stay.
What a sad decline of a once impressive paper into racism, xenophobia & fear. archive.ph/TFZY9
What a sad decline of a once impressive paper into racism, xenophobia & fear. archive.ph/TFZY9
October 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The Times newspaper. Now reduced to arguing in its editorial that is "unacceptable" that people who came here legally & have been living & working here should be allowed to stay.
What a sad decline of a once impressive paper into racism, xenophobia & fear. archive.ph/TFZY9
What a sad decline of a once impressive paper into racism, xenophobia & fear. archive.ph/TFZY9
Reposted by Joyce McMillan
Horrified and heartbroken by the attack on a synagogue in Manchester, on Yom Kippur, the holiest time in the Jewish calendar.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all Jewish communities.
Antisemitism is an evil we must confront and stand resolutely against.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all Jewish communities.
Antisemitism is an evil we must confront and stand resolutely against.
October 2, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Horrified and heartbroken by the attack on a synagogue in Manchester, on Yom Kippur, the holiest time in the Jewish calendar.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all Jewish communities.
Antisemitism is an evil we must confront and stand resolutely against.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all Jewish communities.
Antisemitism is an evil we must confront and stand resolutely against.
My Scotsman reviews of Jen McGregor and Tom Cooper's brilliantly witty new @playpiepint.bsky.social musical The Glasgow Poisoner, about the notorious Madeleine Smith case. Plus WonderFools intense 2024 Fringe hit Oran, now on a 19 date tour across Scotland. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: The Glasgow Poisoner | Oran
Madeleine Smith’s infamy still resonates today, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
My Scotsman reviews of Jen McGregor and Tom Cooper's brilliantly witty new @playpiepint.bsky.social musical The Glasgow Poisoner, about the notorious Madeleine Smith case. Plus WonderFools intense 2024 Fringe hit Oran, now on a 19 date tour across Scotland. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
My Scotsman review of Len Pennie's controversial new Canongate poetry collection Poems Annaw. Not guilty as charged on plagiarism, and unfashionably fond of cantering rhythms and rhyme, but with plenty to entertain and challenge, too.
www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
poyums annaw, by Len Pennie review: 'hugely entertaining and intelligent'
In her latest poetry collection Len Pennie achieves an impressive variety of rhythms and a memorable intensity, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
My Scotsman review of Len Pennie's controversial new Canongate poetry collection Poems Annaw. Not guilty as charged on plagiarism, and unfashionably fond of cantering rhythms and rhyme, but with plenty to entertain and challenge, too.
www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Reviews at Scotsman Arts of Uma Nada-Rajah's fine new play Black Hole Sign, set in a crumbling NHS A&E dept - Tron Theatre until 4 October, then at the Traverse Theatre; and of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Story, seen at the Festival Theatre last week. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...
Theatre reviews: Black Hole Sign | The Lightning Thief
Idealism and harsh reality collide in a portrayal of today’s NHS, writes Joyce McMillan
www.scotsman.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Reviews at Scotsman Arts of Uma Nada-Rajah's fine new play Black Hole Sign, set in a crumbling NHS A&E dept - Tron Theatre until 4 October, then at the Traverse Theatre; and of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Story, seen at the Festival Theatre last week. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...