Stop messing about! There’s bubble gum pop, a Dickens’ classic, the World Premiere of a brand new musical and an audience with a Carry On icon to look forward to this February.
‘God help us everyone…’ probably the most fitting tagline Mischief, the producers of Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, could have come up with for their show’s visit to Edinburgh…. in February! Ah, well, only 39 weeks to go until Santa returns once the month is out. If you’re still missing the twinkling lights and decorations and need a little bit of the festive season back in your life, then the Festival Theatre is the perfect place to be when the Cornely Amateur Dramatic Society (they’re not really amateurs) bring tidings of, if not comfort, then chaos and joy as they tackle Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, in a brand new production, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (10-15 February), direct from London’s West End.
As is usual for the Cornely crew’s theatrical endeavours (you may have already seen The Play That Goes Wrong or Peter Pan Goes Wrong), they once again find themselves battling miscommunication, delays to their set, actors missing in action, and a growing feud over who will play the lead. One thing is for certain, their misfortune riddled take on the festive tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim is sure to have hysterical consequences. So, just when you thought that Christmas was past, it’s still present and, if you read this before opening night, it’s yet to come.
Running time 2 hours, including 20 minute interval, tickets here https://www.capitaltheatres.com/shows/christmas-carol-goes-wrong/
On the other hand, if you never want to see another turkey dinner until Christmas Day, the Playhouse relies on the bubblegum pop hits of Steps to have you stomping through the winter courtesy of the band’s new jukebox musical, Here And Now (24 February-1 March).
Set in Better Best Bargains, a coastal supermarket where the staff have more personal problems than you’d find in a dozen agony aunt’s inboxes, at the heart of the action is Caz whose husband has decided to move on just as their application to adopt has been greenlit. Then there’s Neeta who is in love with Ben but doesn’t know how to tell him, and there’s Lesley and Val who are growing apart together, and Robbie who can’t commit to a relationship but is desperate to find love. Will any of them take a chance on a happy ending?
I saw Here And Now early on in its tour and it proved a fun night out with a show stealing turn from Drag Race star River Medway, who was quite brilliant as Jem. There have been cast changes since then, most of which I’m sure will have strengthened the production, so I’m expecting it to be on fire by the time it stops off at the Greenside Place venue. The other good news is, River Medway is still there.
Even if you weren’t the biggest Steps fan back in the day, you’ll find it hard not to get caught up in their pop anthems, songs that defined a generation including, Tragedy (albeit The Bee Gees’ originally) One for Sorrow, Better The Devil You Know, Deeper Shade of Blue, 5, 6, 7, 8 and so many more. The big question is, will you remember all the moves?
You can find my original review of Here And Now on MustSeeTheatre.com (just type Steps into the search bar). My take on the new cast will be with you soon too, via a link on theedinburghreporter.co.uk
You can find my original review of Here And Now on MustSeeTheatre.com (just type Steps into the search bar). My take on the new cast will be with you soon too, via a link on theedinburghreporter.co.uk
Running time 2 hours 27 minutes including interval, tickets here https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/here-and-now-the-steps-musical/edinburgh-playhouse/
My last Edinburgh Must See for February is at the Royal Lyceum, where you can be amongst the first to experience the World Premiere of One Day: The Musical (27 February-19 April).
Based on the story which has touched millions as one of the most popular British novels this century, One Day has already had its opening run in Edinburgh extended by two weeks due to popular demand.
The production, which will see the Lyceum transformed with a stage placed in the middle of North and South banks of stalls seating, is billed as ‘a celebration of love, fate, and the moments that define us forever’. It’s the story of Emma and Dexter, who first meet on the night of their graduation, 15th July 1988 – St. Swithin’s Day. Over the next 20 years the piece returns to them on the same day each year, charting their joy and heartbreak, missed opportunities and second chances, as they navigate love, ambition, and the unpredictable twists of life.
Adapted by the Lyceum’s former artistic director, David Greig, with music and lyrics by Abner and Amanda Ramirez, and with additional material by Freya Catrin Smith, it’s directed by Max Webster. Part of The Royal Lyceum’s 60th anniversary season, it’s the first musical to be programmed by new Artistic Director, James Brining.
Running time TBC, tickets here https://lyceum.org.uk/events/one-day#dates-and-times
Finally this month, a theatre break a little closer to home than normal, indeed, you could make it a day trip if you wanted. We’re heading to Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre where Carry On legend, raconteur and eccentric comedy genius Kenneth Williams will be brought back to life by award-winning actor, David Benson.
Celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of Williams’ birth and the 30th anniversary of Benson’s legendary portrait of the outrageous comedy star in Think No Evil of Us, which took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm in 1996, Benson will once more deliver an unsparing portrayal of the tormented star. It comes some five decades after Williams’ read a story written by Benson, then a 13-year-old schoolboy, on the BBC’s Jackanory.
My Life With Kenneth Williams (7 February) finds the actor reprising his classic performance in a new version of the smash-hit one-man show that has been called, ‘a dazzling display of impeccably honed stage craft’. In this revised edition, Benson includes extracts from the only recording that exists of the 1975 broadcast of his Jackanory story, The Rag-And-Bone Man as he recalls the day a BBC researcher came to visit and by chance captured on tape the terrifying truth of the teenage Benson’s home-life; his mother’s dangerous descent into paranoid psychosis.
Running time 2 hours including interval, tickets https://www.macrobertartscentre.org/shows/757427AJCPSTCHLKRKTKHJBKVCKGTBBPVUntil next month, happy theatre going and please do check out MustSeeTheatre.com for reviews of Edinburgh shows and much more.
Bests
Líam
