Spotlight on . . .

YOU wouldn’t believe the random items and emails that arrive on the desk of an entertainment editor. In Spotlight on... I’ll highlight the ones that might otherwise slip under the radar, have some cult value or simply just be worth mentioning again. This week ...

FILMS

Our Dynamic Earth

YOU’VE heard of surround sound, well why not try surround cinema? This weekend, Our Dynamic Earth launches two stunning new 360 degree Dome films - the most immersive movie experience you can imagine.

Sit back and look up as the action unfolds above and all around you.

With this week’s unexpected warm weather you might be forgiven for thinking that Earth’s weather can be extreme - freezing one day, basking in rays the next. Wildest Weather In The Solar System suggests not, and takes viewers on a dramatic journey around the planets to experience everything from methane rain, dust storms as high as Mount Everest and even diamonds raining on Neptune.

The other full dome projection, Natural Selection, tells the story of the young Charles Darwin’s voyage on HMS Beagle, circumnavigating the globe and unlocking the theory of evolution (pictured below).

Both films are must-see cinematic experiences, unique in Scotland, that give you the sensation of movement and 3D without actually moving or wearing 3D glasses.

The two, 30-minute titles will be screened from Saturday at the following times: Wildest Weather - 10am, 10.30am, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm. Natural Selection - 11am, 11.30am, 12 noon, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 5pm. Time your visit right and you could catch both.

The perfect outing for the school holidays.

Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 0131-550 7800 www.dynamicearth.co.uk

MUSICAL

I DREAMED A DREAM - THE SUSAN BOYLE MUSICAL

I WAS delighted to be invited to the world premiere of I Dreamed A Dream at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal earlier this week, and what a great show it turned out to be.

Written by Alan McHugh and Elaine C Smith, who also stars as the eponymous chanteuse, the piece is a good, honest, down-to-earth piece of theatre, telling the rags to riches tale of Britain’s Got Talent’s most famous contestant.

As Boyle, Elaine gave a tour de force performance, never once leaving the stage during the two-hour-plus running time.

She was ably assisted by a talented cast, including her old mucker Andy Gray, providing some hilarious comic cameos.

To top the night off Susan Boyle herself made an appearance and brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience with a spectacular performance of her favourite song from Les Miserables. It was a performance that sent a shiver down the spine, much as she did that first time on BGT.

The musical tours to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre in September, tickets are already on sale, but there’s no guarantee that Boyle will appear. In the meantime, if you want to relive that moment she first sang I Dreamed A Dream, you’ll need to get down to Newcastle by Saturday (www.theatreroyal.co.uk).

I Dreamed A Dream, Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, September 21-29, 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm), £17-£39.50, 0131-529 6000