At the Lyceum soon
At The Royal Lyceum Theatre in October a darkly comic reimagining of Anton Chehov’s widely loved masterpiece, The Seagull will grace the stage.
This version is adapted by Tony and Olivier award-nominated writer Mike Poulton (Fortune’s Fool, Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, Imperium), and will be the first production to be directed by the award-winning James Brining since taking up the position as The Royal Lyceum’s artistic director (A Little Night Music, My Fair Lady, Into the Woods, (the fall of) The Master Builder).
Stage and screen star Caroline Quentin (The Provoked Wife for Royal Shakespeare Company, Jack Absolute Flies Again for the National Theatre, Men Behaving Badly, The Life of Riley, Jonathan Creek, Strictly Come Dancing and Bridgerton for TV), will lead the production with “biting wit and deeply felt drama”, and will be joined by an ensemble still to be announced.
Quentin takes on the pivotal role of Arkadina, a once-celebrated actress who dominates every room she enters. Her son, the tormented young playwright Konstantin, yearns to escape her shadow, revolutionise theatre, and win the heart of Nina – a luminous young woman with dreams of the stage. But when Nina’s gaze turns to Arkadina’s lover, the celebrated writer Trigorin, egos and passions collide with truly devastating consequences.
The Seagull blends sharp-edged comedy and emotionally rich drama into a timeless story of vanity, creative hunger, and the cost of dreams.
Artistic Director of The Lyceum James Brining commented: “I am delighted to bring this exciting new version of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull to the Lyceum stage – my first as Artistic Director. To work with the incredible Caroline Quentin and a great cast of Scottish actors on such a theatrical classic is thrilling. The play is an examination of theatre itself, which is why it felt like such a perfect introduction for myself as a director in this new role.”
Artist’s talk
Mike Nelson will give an Artist’s Talk at Fruitmarket on 17 September from 6.30–8pm. The event is free, but you are advised to book a place. Mike Nelson will be in conversation with Fruitmarket Director, Fiona Bradley, about his exhibition, Humpty Dumpty, a transient history of Mardin earthworks, low rise.
www.tickettailor.com/events/fruitmarket/1775034
Fruitmarket Director Fiona Bradley with Mike Nelson
Pic Neil Hanna
Peak fares abolished from Monday
From today ScotRail is scrapping peak rail fares for good. The Scottish Government which owns the railway announced the news in May this year and aims to make fares simpler and better value.
Removing peak fares will mean significant savings for customers across the country, with some journeys set to reduce by almost 50 per cent – including those between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
From Monday, 1 September, customers will pay the same fare no matter what time they travel, or the day of the week.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: “Public ownership has created the opportunity to deliver a railway which is run for the benefit of the nation. ScotRail is one of the fastest growing operators, with one of the best passenger satisfaction rates and we are building even further on this success by removing peak fares for good.
“We want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure but we know that many are still struggling with cost-of-living pressures. By removing peak fares, we are making ticketing more simple and more straightforward while at the same time supporting a shift towards sustainable public transport, protecting the climate, and saving people money.”
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, said: “This is fantastic news, not only for our existing customers, but for everyone across the country considering rail travel for their commute or leisure journeys.
“Travelling by train remains one of the most convenient ways to get around, and with simpler, more affordable fares, we hope to see many more people choose ScotRail.”
Wester Hailes Herbal Clinic – 10th birthday
Grass Roots Remedies will be celebrating the 10th birthday of the Wester Hailes Herbal Clinic at an event in the Greenway Garden on Saturday 13 September.
Buzz along to Dalkeith Country Park
The Hive at Dalkeith Country Park | A Brand-New Glass Observation Hive is now open.
Dalkeith Country Park has opened The Hive, a new glass observation hive located at the Fort Douglas entrance. The immersive walk-in space invites visitors of all ages to witness hundreds of honey bees at work, safely behind glass, and to discover more about the vital role these pollinators play in our world.
At the heart of The Hive is the park’s resident expert, known affectionately as The Bee Man – a third-generation beekeeper with nearly 80 years of experience. His knowledge and dedication have made it possible to relocate a local colony to their new home, offering a rare opportunity for guests to watch these remarkable creatures up close.
To mark the grand opening, Dalkeith Country Park is releasing a special first batch of limited-edition estate honey, crafted by the very bees you can see inside The Hive. Jars will be available directly from The Hive between Thursday 28 – Sunday 31 August, before moving to The Store at Restoration Yard from Monday – while stocks last.
The Hive is open daily, 9am-5pm. No booking required – simply drop in and explore the buzz!
