Tickets for Capital Theatres Autumn/Winter Season 2019/20 go on general sale on Monday 2 September 2019.
Already on sale to ‘Friends’ since 26th August and on general sale from 10am on Monday 2 September, Capital Theatres are cock-a-doodle hoop about their eclectic, hectic and totally electrifying 2019/2020 performance/participation programme brochure.
It is the last season with Duncan Hendry as Chief Executive of Capital Theatres. Hendry has been at the helm for eight years and will be retiring in December 2019.
Stand by for breaking news of the new Chief Executive’ appointment in the coming weeks leading Capital Theatres into a new era.
With more highlights than a Priscilla Of The Desert convention in downtown Kirkcaldy, there is a giddy pallet of enticing, eclectic delights enough to whet even the jaded appetite of Professor Grumpy at St Andrews’ School of Sourpuss Studies for miserable misanthropes.
Revel in delights and Frankenstein frights, enchantments, bitter-sweet close, encounters in Dance, Drama, Cinema, Family, Comedy and Musical. Here are just some tantalising tasters – time to titilate your curiosities – give in the lark-side!
Frantic Assembly’s 25th anniversary production I Think We Are Alone, Ballet Black, ZOG, Scottish Ballet’s The Crucible, Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes, A Monster Calls, Dial M For Murder, Allan Stewart’s Big Big Variety Show, The Habit of Art, David Walliams’ The Slightly Annoying Elephant, Northern Ballet’s Geisha, BalletBoyz, Ten Times Table, Cirque Berserk, Scottish Dance Theatre and The Phantom of the Opera (opening 23 September 2020).
FAMILY
Stick Man
King’s Theatre
Fri 6 to Sun 8 September, Fri 2pm & 4pm, Sat & Sun 11am, 2pm & 4pm
Touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s STICK MAN is back! This award-winning production, from the team behind Tiddler and other Terrific Tales, Tabby McTat and Zog features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.
FAMILY
Stick By Me
The Studio
Fri 13 September, 1.30pm & 3.30pm
A “joyful and funny show” (The Guardian) about friendship and play, and the importance of treasuring little things. This “charming, delightful, inventive show” (The Wee Review)
is created by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron, co-creators of international hit show White
FAMILY
The Whirlybird
Level 1 Foyer, Festival Theatre
Sat 19 October, 11am & 2pm
An uplifting theatre show for children aged 3-7, featuring movement, music, bird song, puppetry and lots of things that spin! A funny, playful and moving piece of theatre about learning to fly, encouraging one another and finding joy and inspiration in nature.
FAMILY
SCOTTISH BALLET – Wee Hansel & Gretel
King’s Theatre
Fri 13 to Sun 15 September Fri 2.30pm Sat & Sun 11am & 1.30pm
Join Hansel & Gretel as they go on an adventure deep into the woods… Along the way you’ll meet a rather beguiling Witch and her mysterious raven, before arriving in an enchanted gingerbread house filled with dancing sweet treats and toys that come to life. This specially adapted show is the perfect way for young children and their families to discover the magic of ballet.
SCREENING
LIVE IN CINEMAS – Margaret Atwood
Festival Theatre
Tue 10 September, 7.30pm
Join us for an exclusive live cinema broadcast with the Canadian novelist.
SCREENING
Ocean Film Festival
Festival Theatre
Sat 14 September
Calling all ocean lovers! This carefully curated collection of short films features sublime footage from both above and below the water’s surface.
DRAMA
Eye Of The Storm
King’s Theatre
Thu 19 to Sat 21 September 2019
Meet Emmie Price. For the last 5 years her life has been a whirlwind. It’s a world torn between caring for her bipolar mum, pursuing a passion for tornados, and proving she’s got what it takes at school. But Emmie knows one day that’s all going to change. One day she’s going to become a storm chaser… in America.
Multi award-winning Theatr na nÓg present an unmissable original musical play that’s guaranteed to seize your heart and capture your mind. Guaranteed to inspire adults of all ages and families with children aged 8+.
DRAMA
A Taste Of Honey
King’s Theatre
Mon 23 to Sat 28 September 2019
The National Theatre presents Shelagh Delaney’s career-defining play A Taste of Honey. Directed by Bijan Sheibani (Barber Shop Chronicles), this British classic is an exhilarating depiction of working-class life in post-war Salford, starring Jodie Prenger as Helen.
When her mother Helen runs off with a car salesman, feisty teenager Jo takes up with Jimmy, a sailor who promises to marry her, before he heads for the seas leaving her pregnant and alone. Art student Geoff moves in and assumes the role of surrogate parent until, misguidedly, he sends for Helen and their unconventional setup unravels.
DANCE
Richard Alston Dance Company
Festival Theatre
Fri 27 & Sat 28 September
Over the past 50 years, Richard Alston has played a major role in the world of contemporary dance, developing a unique and distinct dance language and shaping the art form in this country. His internationally renowned Richard Alston Dance Company will officially close in 2020.
This means that this visit is the company’s last chance to say thank you to its Edinburgh audience. They are determined to go out with flying colours so have put together a celebration of this company’s unflagging record of creativity – Richard Alston’s new Voices and Light Footsteps is set to the glorious music of Monteverdi, sensuous and expressive. The world premiere of A Far Cry by Martin Lawrance is set to the impassioned Introduction and Allegro by Edward Elgar. Pieces to live music include Mazur (Chopin) and, hugely popular when it premiered in Edinburgh last year, Brahms Hungarian.
DRAMA
A Woman Of No Importance
King’s Theatre
Tue 1 to Sat 5 October
An earnest young American woman, a louche English lord and an innocent young chap join a house party of fin de siècle fools and grotesques. Nearby a woman lives, cradling a long-buried secret. Directed by Classic Spring’s Artistic Director (former Artistic Director of Shakespeare‘s Globe), Dominic Dromgoole, and starring national treasure Liza Goddard (Bergerac) along with the much-loved Roy Hudd (Broadchurch), Isla Blair (House of Cards), Emma Amos, Katy Stephens (As You Like It) and John Bett (A Very English Scandal), this incredible production is sure to provoke laughter and tears wherever it goes.
SCREENING
One Man Two Guvnors
Festival Theatre
Wed 2 October, 7pm
Featuring a Tony Award-winning performance from host of the The Late Late Show, James Corden, the hilarious West End and Broadway hit One Man, Two Guvnors returns to Edinburgh.
COMEDY
An Audience with Elaine C Smith
Festival Theatre
Fri 4 October, 7.30pm
Elaine C Smith fresh from her BAFTA award winning performance as the unhinged Christine in the BBC2 hit sitcom Two Doors Down and her RTS award for the STV production Burdz Eye Viewreturns to the stage with her hugely successful one woman show. Smith presents a sparkling mix of intelligent stand-up, storytelling, music and occasional outbursts of communal singing with a couple of more than interesting guests plus there is even a chance to question the woman herself. Not to be missed!
DRAMA
The Stornoway Way
The Studio
Fri 11 & Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm
Adapted by Kevin MacNeil from his best-selling novel, The Stornoway Way is full of wit and wisdom, both a romantic evocation and a scabrous critique of the Isle of Lewis – “a great and symbolic chip off Scotland’s shoulder.” With a variety of voices from Lewis and a musical soundtrack featuring original and traditional songs in Gaelic and English, The Stornoway Way is irreverent, witty and honest, a bittersweet theatrical romcom, twisted, squeezed out and hungover, a story about the search for the ideal, the desire for happiness and the struggle to come to terms with who you are, versus who you want to be.
DRAMA
An Inspector Calls
King’s Theatre
Tue 8 to Sat 12 October
Stephen Daldry’s record breaking and multi-award-winning production for the National Theatre of An Inspector Calls returns after a sell-out London season and American tour.
Daldry’s visionary, radical, challenging version of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, hailed as the theatrical event of its generation, has been seen by more than 4 million people worldwide.
When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences. More relevant now than ever, this is a must-see for a whole new generation of theatregoers.
MUSICAL
On Your Feet!
Festival Theatre
Mon 7 to Sat 12 October
Her voice. His vision. Their story.
The Broadway and West End production of Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s smash-hit musical comes to Edinburgh this Autumn. On Your Feet! is the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria and charts their journey from its origins in Cuba, onto the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom.
DRAMA
The Night Watch
King’s Theatre
Tue 15 to Sat 19 October
The Night Watch is the thrilling and beautiful story from the award-winning, number one best-selling author, Sarah Waters (Tipping the Velvet, The Paying Guest and The Little Stranger).
London in the 1940s. A time when hearts beat faster and life burned more brightly. The Night Watch is a tender, tragic and beautifully poignant portrait of four ordinary people caught up in the aftermath of an extraordinary time. Olivier-nominated playwright Hattie Naylor creates a gripping and theatrically inventive adaptation of this great modern novel. From the team that brought you Birdsong, The Habit of Art and The Importance of Being Earnest this eagerly anticipated brand-new production is set to shine on tour for the first time.
COMEDY
Eddie Izzard
Festival Theatre
Sat 19 & Sun 20 October
Press Night: Saturday 19 October, 7.30pm
Eddie is back to his roots with an all-new show which expands on his own very unique, totally surreal view of life, love, history and his ‘theory of the universe’.
DRAMA
Frankenstein
King’s Theatre
Mon 21 to Sat 26 October
An eighteen-year-old girl, Mary Shelley, dreams up a monster whose tragic story will capture the imaginations of generations to come. A young scientist by the name of Frankenstein breathes life into a gruesome body. Banished into an indifferent world, Frankenstein’s creature desperately seeks out his true identity, but the agony of rejection and a broken promise push him into darkness. Dangerous and vengeful, the creature threatens to obliterate Frankenstein and everyone he loves, in a ferocious and bloodthirsty hunt for his maker. Rona Munro’s brilliant new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic masterpiece places the writer herself amongst the action as she wrestles with her creation and with the stark realities facing revolutionary young women, then and now.
DRAMA
Prism
King’s Theatre
Mon 28 October to Sat 2 November
Following a sold-out run at London’s Hampstead Theatre, don’t miss the astonishing true story of cinematographer Jack Cardiff. Robert Lindsay and Tara Fitzgerald star in Terry Johnson’s delightfully witty and poignant play based on the extraordinary life of double Oscar-winning cinematic master Jack Cardiff; ‘the man who made women look beautiful’ (Vanity Fair). The legendary Jack Cardiff has retired to the sleepy village of Denham, Buckinghamshire. His days of hard work – and play – on some of the most famous film sets in the world are now long behind him, as are his secret liaisons with some of the most famous women in the world… Surrounded by memorabilia from a lifetime of ‘painting with light’, the writing of an autobiography should be an easy matter – were it not that Jack would now rather live in the past than remember it.
DANCE
Acosta Danza
Festival Theatre
Fri 1 & Sat 2 November
Press Night: Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
International ballet superstar Carlos Acosta brings his critically acclaimed Cuban company to Edinburgh ahead of his exciting appointment as Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in January 2020. In this programme of new and existing works, Acosta himself makes a guest appearance in Christopher Bruce’s iconic Rooster. The Company also perform new works, Paysage, Soudain, la nuit by visionary Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg and Satori, by breakthrough Cuban choreographer Raúl Reinoso. Inspired by Vaslav Nijinsky’s L’après midi d’un faune, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui completes the bill with Faun, set to Debussy’s original score with additional music from Nitin Sawhney.
DRAMA
The Exorcist
King’s Theatre
Tue 5 to Sat 9 November
Press Night: Tuesday 5 November 7.30pm
When desperate mother Chris is unable to get any answers from a succession of doctors about her young daughter’s strange symptoms, she reluctantly turns to a local priest for help. But before Father Damien can tackle what’s before him, he must overcome his own shaken beliefs, as this fight is for more than just one girl’s soul… Inspired by true events, the two-time Oscar-winning movie of this story has thrilled generations the world over since its release in 1973. Now it’s your turn to experience The Exorcist live in this spine-tingling new stage production starringPaul Nicholas and Sophie Ward.
MUSICAL
Cabaret
Festival Theatre
Tue 5 to Sat 9 November
It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take to the stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub… Bill Kenwright presents the multi-award-winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical, Cabaret. Directed by National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris, the production has enjoyed two smash-hit West End runs at The Lyric and The Savoy theatres. Cabaret stars John Partridge, Kara Lily Hayworth and Anita Harris and features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and iconic songs ‘Money Makes The World Go Round’, ‘Maybe This Time’, ‘Cabaret’ and more.
COMEDY
Frank Skinner
Festival Theatre
Tue 12 November, 7.30pm
An unmissable opportunity to see comic legend Frank Skinner perform brand new stand-up.
VARIETY
Edinburgh Gang Show 2019
King’ Theatre
Tue 19 to Sat 23 November
It’s November… it’s the King’s Theatre… it’s GANG SHOW time! Over 250 young people from Scouting and Girlguiding return to the King’s with their spectacular production – the 60th Edinburgh Gang Show. As always there will be show-stopping musical numbers, fabulous choreography, stunning individual performances and hilarious comedy routines.
OPERA
SCOTTISH OPERA – Puccini Tosca
Festival Theatre
Thu 14, Sun 17, Thu 21 & Sat 23 November
Passion, glamour, love worth dying for – Anthony Besch’s Tosca has it all. In 1940s Rome, in the shadow of Mussolini’s tyrannical rule, the ill-fated lovers come to life against a backdrop of political corruption and intrigue. This superb production is beloved the world over – don’t miss it as it comes home to the Scottish Opera stage.
MUSICAL
How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Festival Theatre
Tue 26 November to Sun 1 December
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic story How the Grinch Stole Christmas as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs ‘You’re A Mean One’, ‘Mr. Grinch’ and ‘Welcome Christmas’, The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming and hilarious musical. Join in the Christmas spirit with the show critics have called “A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults”.
PANTO
Goldilocks And The Three Bears
King’s Theatre
Sat 30 November to Sun 19 January
The King’s Panto is back, reuniting Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott as they run away to the circus for the ultimate pantomime spectacular! Joining them this year in his first Kings’ Panto is River City’s Jordan Young. Packed full of hilarious comedy routines, laughter, dazzling special effects and hair-raising displays, Goldilocks and the Three Bears will blend the worlds of circus and pantomime featuring magic, music, mayhem and plenty of porridge.
DANCE
SCOTTISH BALLET – The Snow Queen
Festival Theatre
Sat 7 to Sun 29 December
(Please contact Joy at Scottish Ballet directly: joy.parkinson@scottishballet.co.uk)
Scottish Ballet’s 50th year will come to a spectacular close with the world premiere of The Snow Queen. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s much-loved tale – which was also the basis for Frozen – this glittering new production will be set to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. Choreographed by Christopher Hampson and designed by the award-winning Lez Brotherston, this story of love and friendship is sure to delight the whole family.
FAMILY
Flutter
The Studio
Wed 11 to Tue 24 December (not Mondays) 10.30am & 1.30pm
Join two sisters and their mischievous penguin as they discover the magic of a back garden in winter. Flutter is an interactive, immersive performance that takes its audience on a multi-sensory journey through a world of winter snow. Part installation and part performance, Flutter will transport you to a world filled with snow drifts, winding paths and twinkling stars. A rich palette of materials, puppetry and music combine to create a tactile and multi-sensory show for small hands, eyes, ears and noses.
SCREENING
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Festival Theatre
Sat 25 January, 2.30 & 7.30pm
Get ready for a collection of the world’s best new adventure films.
MUSICAL
Oor Wullie
King’s Theatre
Tue 28 January to Sat 1 February
Jings, Crivvens, Help Ma Boab! Scotland’s cheekiest, spiky-haired scamp is back! Only question is; where’s his bucket?! Join Wullie, Fat Boab, Soapy Soutar, Wee Eck, and the rest of The Sunday Post gang, in a brand-new musical adventure celebrating their 80th anniversary as Scotland’s most beloved comic strip. Continuing their collaboration with Dundee Rep, and in partnership with internationally acclaimed Selladoor Worldwide; award-winning writing partnership
Noisemaker are delighted to bring this iconic character to the stage and prove that even at 80 years old he’s still Oor Wullie! Your Wullie! A’body’s Wullie!
DANCE
Scottish Dance Theatre
Festival Theatre
Wed 29 January, 7.30pm
Join Scotland’s leading contemporary dance company in this extraordinary programme by two of the most internationally acclaimed choreographers of our times.
Process Day, by choreographer Sharon Eyal, and music producer Gai Behar is a sensory experience that transforms the dancers into sleek, nocturnal beings veiled by haze and shadow.
Emanuel Gat’s The Circle literally emerges in front of the audience’s eyes as 11 outstanding dancers collectively weave together intricate choreographic patterns live onstage, driven by a hypnotic score by electronic guru, Squarepusher.
MUSIC
Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years In Concert
Festival Theatre
Fri 24 January, 7.30pm
Critically acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest tribute shows, Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years returns in 2019 with an all-new production.
MUSICAL
SIX
Festival Theatre
Tue 4 to Sun 9 February
Nominated for 5 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, SIX, “the most uplifting piece of new British musical theatre” (The Evening Standard) is the phenomenon everyone is losing their head over! From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a 75-minute celebration of 21st century sisterly sass-itude.
Think you know the rhyme, think again….
Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE!
FAMILY
ZOG
King’s Theatre
Wed 12 to Sat 15 February
Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school. He tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great!
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved Zog has been imaginatively adapted in this magical production, featuring live musicians and promises to be roaring fun.
COMEDY
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Festival Theatre
Tue 11 to Sun 16 February
Press night: Tuesday 11 February, 7.30pm
Following their multi award-winning success with The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Mischief Theatre return with their riotous spin on a timeless classic, the West End smash hit Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
The members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are back on stage, battling technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes as they attempt to present J.M Barrie’s much-loved tale. But will they ever make it to Neverland?
Fast becoming a global phenomenon, currently performing in 5 continents and 35 countries, Mischief’s unique brand of hilarious, ‘gut-busting’ comedy (The New York Times), has found universal appeal. Catch them in Edinburgh and brace yourselves for an awfully big adventure!
DRAMA
I Think We Are Alone
King’s Theatre
Tue 18 to Sat 22 February
Press night: Tuesday 18 February, 7.30pm
Frantic Assembly are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a brand new production, I Think We Are Alone by Sally Abbott, co-directed by Kathy Burke and Scott Graham.
From those electric moments of discovery and connection to the dark hours of isolation, we all seek connection and resolution. But sometimes what connects us is what we need to escape from.
I Think We Are Alone is a delicate and uplifting play about our fragility, resilience and our need for love and forgiveness. From the award-winning company behind Things I Know To Be True and The Unreturning, the movement direction for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the hit Channel 4 TV series Humans, don’t miss this must-see show!
DANCE
Rambert
Festival Theatre
Thu 20 to Sat 22 February
Press night: Thursday 20 February, 7.30pm
Wayne McGregor. Marion Motin. Hofesh Shechter.
All great dance artists start somewhere… The British experimenter, discovering the extended lines, razor-sharp angles and musical sensibility that became trademarks. The hip-hop battler from France, with hundreds of millions of YouTube views for her videos for Christine and the Queens. The folk musician from Israel, handed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and grabbing it in unique style, blending the personal and political with heart-stopping intensity.
Fans know them as great, distinctive choreographers.
Rambert’s new show brings together their moments of breakthrough:
TALK
Dare To Do It – Dick & Angel
Festival Theatre
Sun 23 February, 7.30pm
Dick & Angel, the stars of Escape to the Chateau, embark on their first ever theatre tour, with love in their hearts and a story to share about how they ended up in a beautiful castle, with a beautiful family, in a beautiful part of France.
DANCE
Tango Fire
Festival Theatre
Mon 24 February, 7.30pm
Starring internationally renowned Argentinean tango superstars German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi, this is a fiery and explosive journey through the history of authentic Argentine Tango.
DRAMA
Dial M For Murder
King’s Theatre
Mon 24 to Sat 29 February
A brand-new production of the blueprint for the modern thriller, Dial M for Murder is back.
TV and stage favourite, Tom Chambers (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the “perfect crime”.
OPERA
SCOTTISH OPERA -NIXON IN CHINA
Festival Theatre
Thu 27 & Sat 29 February 2020
John Fulljames – Director of Opera at The Royal Danish Theatre – directs John Adams’ iconic work. Inspired by Nixon’s much-publicised visit to China in 1972, this ground-breaking piece explores the reality behind the hype. It is as much about the private moments as the public, about the wives as much as the husbands, and about what we choose to remember as much as what actually happened.
FAMILY
David Walliams’ The Slightly Annoying Elephant
The Studio
Fri 6 & Sat 7 March
One day Sam gets a very big surprise as a tired, hungry, antique-loving, cycling enthusiast elephant turns up on his doorstep. Adopting an elephant at the zoo turned out to be a lot more than he bargained for.
Little Angel transforms David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book into a funny, thought provoking and larger than life puppetry production.
