Last orders at Allotment

Last night we finally made it along to Allotment in Govan Cross Shopping Centre and had so much fun we are gutted that this is to be its last hurrah.

A series of events organised by the National Theatre of Scotland, "Allotment" takes place in an empty shop unit in Govan Cross Shopping Centre and is an incredible mix of bar, gallery, theatre, music, games and visuals. It’s slightly hard to describe, partly because there was so much going on, but also partly because to describe it might take away from the fun of discovering for yourself all that is to be found.

We were unsure what to expect when we first arrived - one slightly drunk and extraordinarily tanned wee man walking passed as we arrived at the front the door told us that “something shady must be going on in there” as we and all our the other people arriving “looked well dodgy”. Walking through the main entrance and along the mall you start to agree, its rather disconcerting to be inside a shopping centre out of hours, especially one which has obviously seen better days.

We entered the blacked out space and the firs things that hits you is how big it is and how many different things there are to see 17 in total plus 3 secret rooms which can only be reached by winning certain games or finding a golden ticket. We grabbed some drinks from the bar (supplied and manned by the local Brechin Bar) and were taking a nervous walk round when we were grabbed up and whisked into taking part in a mock gameshow. This level of audience participation is something which I normally dread, but rest assured there is not a single event in the place to fear. The “participation” is of the smallest amount and you ware not expected to sing, dance or speak on the microphone at all. All you have to do is complete a wordsearch, draw a picture of one of your friends or drive a remote control surf-board.

Not sure what our favourite things were, we enjoyed the roundabout bar, which you sit at while people push you or King Kahuna’s Totally Gnarly Wipeout with the aforementioned remote control surf boards. Our control wasn’t quite there and our blue team ended up going a bit robot wars on the poor red team by accident and totally trashing their board – all of which was accompanied by a guy sitting atop an old boat planning surf beats on a massive drum. The giant cardboard Love computer was also a highlight.

All in all we highly recommend getting along tonight for the last ever adventure, you won’t be disappointed. If you fancy a night with cheap drinks, surprises and a pile of imagination then pop along and join in the fun.

Allotment

Govan Cross Shopping Centre

795 Govan Road, Glasgow

Sunday 8pm – late tickets £3 on the door.