Listings Mon 9 – Sun 15 March 2020

Mar 9 2020 | By More

What’s on Edinburgh’s Stages This Week

It’s a big big week of variety for Allan Stewart, legendary panto dame at the King’s, who has announced both that this week’s Big Big Variety show will be his last – he’s turning 70, so little surprise there – and also that he will be taking on the role of Mother Superior when Sister Act comes to the Festival Theatre in May 2021.

Little surprise there, either!

If modern Edinburgh audiences know Stewart for his Auntie May persona whose on-stage interactions with Andy Gray’s daffy sidekicks and Grant Stott’s OTT villians make the King’s panto the success it is (and both of whom will be appearing with him this week), it is good to remember that Stewart made his name as an impressionist, and has a solid wealth of credits from a 60-year career.

Steven McNicoll and Joanne McGuinness in Mrs Puntill and her Man Matti. Pic: Mihaela Bodlovic

Stewart has hosted two TV game shows, appeared at two Royal Variety Performances and starred in five TV series for STV, including Hello Good evening and Welcome (The Allan Stewart Tapes). He started his career on stage at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom aged just 10, and shortly after he recorded the hit single Brain Beat produced by George Martin.

Over at the Festival Theatre Cirque Berserk return – again – while at the Lyceum Elaine C Smith is getting her Brecht on as she stars in Mrs Puntilla and her Man Matti, with Steven McNicoll as Matti in a new adaptation by Denise Mina.

Anyway, here it is, with something, surely, for everyone.

Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.

Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU
Pepper & Honey
Fri 13/Sat 14 March 2020
Evenings: 7.30pm; BYOB (Bring your own Baby) matinee, SatL 2.30pm.
So, what is “home”? As the era of post-Brexit Britain looms large, that question has never been more pertinent… And it is the question Ana, a young Croatian woman, poses as she settles in the UK but is haunted by the voice of her Grandma- calling for her to stay true to national identity. Book here.

The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Silence in Court
Sat 14 March 2020
Two shows: 12 noon & 6pm.
Charles Brand, a minister’s son is charged with the rape of Jennifer Lyons. As the events leading up to the alleged assault are explored, who will you believe? Immersive theatre inspired by the classic 70s TV series Crown Court. Includes meal, served by The Bistro taking place in Venue 2, with cabaret style seating. Book here.

Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Cirque Berserk
Tue 10 – Sun 15 March 2020
Tue – Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, 5pm & 7.30pm, Sun 3pm
Combining contemporary cirque style artistry with adrenaline fuelled stunt action, this astoundingly talented international troupe includes over thirty jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers, and daredevil stuntmen showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills. Book here.

King’s Theatre
2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Allan Stewart’s Big Big Variety Show
Tue 10 – Sat 14 March 2020
Evenings 7.30pm; Mats Wed, Sat: 2.30pm.
There I am, standing on stage at the Barrowland Ballroom, just 10 years old. 60 years, two Royal Variety performances, two TV game shows, my own TV series, one record produced by George Martin, countless gigs all over the world, and – can you believe it – 39 Pantos later, here I am. Book here.

Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
Mrs Puntila and her man Matti
By Bertolt Brecht, adapted by Denise Mina
Directed by Murat Daltaban
February 28 – March 21 2020
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Matinees Weds, Sat: 2pm.
Brecht’s classic master and servant comedy is given a gender-switched adaptation by award-winning novelist and playwright Denise Mina. When sober, landowner Mrs Puntila is a ruthless and avaricious capitalist overlord, but the minute drink is taken she becomes a kind and generous benefactor. Her shrewd chauffeur Matti divides his time between extricating her from drunken mishaps and wooing her wayward daughter Eva – a match which will only be possible if Mrs Puntila can get over the class divide. Book here.
LYT Curtain Raiser: Mrs Puntila and her man Matti
Friday 13 March. 5.30pm.
The Lyceum Youth Theatre with a short performance, created in response to Mrs Puntila and her man Matti. Free. Phone 0131 248 4848 to book.
Talkshow Mrs Puntila and her Man Matti: We Need To Talk About Capitalism
Monday 16 March, 7pm
David Greig and guests (tbc) share their response to the themes of the play. Book here.

Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
The Lion King
Thursday 7 Dec 2019 – Sun 29 March 2020
Evenings: Tue – Sat: 7.30pm.
Matinees: Weds, Sat/Sun: 2.30pm.

Æ Review: ★★★★☆ Visual feast.
In the majesty of the Serengeti, Simba takes an epic journey to fulfil his destiny as King of the Pridelands. Director Julie Taymor uses breathtaking theatrical magic to bring Disney’s original animated feature to life in a production which has thrilled over 95 million people around the world. Book here.

Safari Lounge
21 Cadzow Place, EH7 5SN
Dead White Anarchists
Thursday 12 March 2020
Evening: 7.30pm.
Paris, 1892. If you’re not rich, things looks bleak. Exploitation, starvation and disease are daily realities for many. Police crackdowns and political bombings tear the city apart. Out of this chaos emerges Emile Henry, a young anarchist preparing for his war against the State. But when he hears strange rumblings from the future, madness beckons… Book here.

Summerhall
1 Summerhall, EH9 1PL
Anatominis Early Years Cabaret
Sunday 15 March 2020
Matinee: 12 noon.
Anatomy’s special Sunday matinee for 0-5s (and everybody else) is back with a weird and wonderful line-up of performance made especially with the early years in mind, that can delight their adults too. Featuring laughter and dance, magic and music, Anatomy is on a mission to make wonderful art that can entertain and enthral every age of human. Book here.

Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404.

Songs Of Friendship: Team Viking
By James Rowland
Wed 11 – Sat 14 Mar 2020
Trav 2. Wed 11: 8pm, Sat 14: 6pm.
A revelatory three-part storytelling cycle about love, life, friendship, death – and the ridiculous, sublime muddles of everyday existence.
Eight years ago, James’ best friend was diagnosed with heart cancer. This is the story of how James and Sarah made has last wish happen. Book here.

Hotter
By Mary Higgins & Ell Potter
Thu 12 – Fri 13 Mar 2020
Trav 1: 7.30pm.
Hello, we’re Ell and Mary. We’re best friends and ex-girlfriends and we’re bored of playing it cool. So this is a show about what gets you hot. We asked women and trans people aged 11 to 97 what makes them flush, rub and gush. We made a sweaty verbatim dance party out of their answers. Book here.

Songs Of Friendship: A Hundred Different Words For Love
By James Rowland
Thu 12 – Sat 14 Mar 2020
Trav 2: Thur 12: 8pm, Sat 14: 7.30pm.
A revelatory three-part storytelling cycle about love, life, friendship, death – and the ridiculous, sublime muddles of everyday existence.
Five years ago, James met the love of his life. Then they broke up. A story about falling in love, landing brokenhearted, and weddings. Book here.

Songs Of Friendship: Revelations
By James Rowland
Fri 13 – Sat 14 Mar 2020
Trav 2: Fri13 : 8pm, Sat 14: 9.15pm.
A revelatory three-part storytelling cycle about love, life, friendship, death – and the ridiculous, sublime muddles of everyday existence.
Three years ago, Sarah and Emma asked James to help them start a family. A story about trying to do the right thing. Book here.

*NB: This is intended to be a complete listing of all public theatrical productions on in Edinburgh. If you are staging a show which is not listed, or a listing is inaccurate, please get in touch through the contact page, here.

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