EdFringe 2023 Musicals & Opera
Edinburgh-made Musicals and Opera at #EdFringe 2023
As the Fringe returns from Covid, the number of Edinburgh-made musicals hasn’t quite reached the peak of 2018, but it isn’t far off with 25 productions.
As is so often the case, this section contains productions from student, amateur and youth companies across a variety of kinds of offerings – collections of show tunes, full blown musicals, opera, Savoy opera and youth versions of hugely successful shows.
A Chorus Line. EUSOG. Pic: Mathilde Duché
There are 169 shows Made in Edinburgh at #EdFringe this year. In order to make things clearer, we have divided the listing up into seven parts. On this page you can find an alphabetical listing of all the musicals and opera productions by Edinburgh companies.
Here are links to the other listings:
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Amateur companies.
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Grassroots companies.
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Youth and Student companies.
Theatre by Edinburgh’s Professional & Funded companies.
Theatre for children and young people.
Edinburgh-made Dance, Cabaret & Spoken Word.
We are also proud to work with EPAD to produce and publish their annual listing of shows “created, performed or produced by Edinburgh’s theatre professionals” which is here.
Listing
Absolutely Iconic
The Bohemians Lyric Opera Company
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
24/25 Aug: 19:30 (1 hour 45 minutes)
The Bohemians share their most iconic musical theatre songs. Featuring music from Priscilla, Rocky Horror, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, An American in Paris, Prince of Egypt, Bat Out of Hell, Sunshine on Leith and We Will Rock You. Further details.
Addams Family – A New Musical
Forth Children’s Theatre
Broughton High School (Venue 318)
5 – 12 Aug (not 7): 14:00, 19:00 (2 hours 30 minutes)
Award-winning Forth Children’s Theatre return for their 42nd year at the Fringe with their spooky, kooky production of The Addams Family. ‘Ludicrously talented young performers’ (AllEdinburghTheatre.com). ‘FCT has done it again’ (CorrBlimey.co.uk). Further details.
And They Played Shang-A-Lang
Edinburgh Little Theatre
Hill Street Theatre (Venue 41)
4 – 27 Aug: 20:10 (1 hour 10 minutes)
A jukebox musical of what life was like for Jim growing up in 70s Edinburgh. Lots of laughs and tears from this fantastic cast and production. 11 years of sell-outs can’t be wrong. Further details.
Another Afternoon at the Opera with Brian Bannatyne-Scott and Friends
Brian Bannatyne-Scott, Caroline Taylor, Catherine Backhouse, Laurie Slavin, Michal Gajzler
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
12 Aug: 16:30 (1 hour 15 minutes)
A delightful concert of operatic highlights with a fabulous line-up of singers, led by international bass Brian Bannatyne-Scott and accompanied by superb Polish pianist Michal Gajzler. Further details.
Anthems – EMT Does Pop
Edinburgh Music Theatre
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
9 – 12 Aug: 19:10 (50 minutes)
After two decades of bringing show-stopping musical numbers to the Fringe, Edinburgh Music Theatre brings you spectacular pop songs! Hear anthemic songs that you love, performed with EMT’s signature quality and style. Further details.
Anthems – New Generation Musical Hits
Edinburgh Music Theatre
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
9 – 12 Aug: 20:40 (50 minutes)
Edinburgh Music Theatre brings you a stunning collection of anthemic songs from newer musicals from recent decades, performed with a live band and by one of Edinburgh’s stand-out musical theatre groups. Further details.
Bugsy Malone
A-Team Productions
George Watson’s College (Venue 416)
7 – 12 Aug: 14:00 (2 hours)
A slapstick 1920s musical comedy set in Prohibition New York in a world of splurge-gun toting rival gangsters, showgirls and lots of singing, dancing and splurging! Further details.
A Chorus Line
Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
14 – 19 Aug: 16:50 (2 hours 30 minutes)
“Well, it would be nice to be a star… But I’m not, I’m a dancer.” Explore the bittersweet lives of performers’ gruelling audition processes, where the overly-devoted, under-paid dancers show the dedication it takes to keep going. Further details.
Come Die with Me: The Murder Mystery Musical Parody
Happy Sad Productions
Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre (Venue 27)
15 – 27 Aug (not 16, 23): 16:30 (1 hour)
The brand new murderous musical based on the beloved British classic is sure to have you giggling, gasping and gagging, and that’s before the choose your own ending! It’s a killer! Further details.
Cosi Fan Tutte
Aria Alba – Opera for All
Stockbridge Church (Venue 317)
17 – 20 Aug: 19:00 (3 hours)
Aria Alba presents Mozart’s high-energy farce, reimagined in modern downtown Edinburgh for contemporary audiences. Sublime music accompanies ridiculous plot twists, deception, hypocrisy and infidelity. We are left asking ‘is everyone like this?’ Further details.
Dogfight
Thistle N’ Thorn Productions
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
5 – 12 Aug: 17:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
1963: A group of American Marines devise a cruel bet. The rules are simple: pay $50 to throw a party and the man with the ugliest date wins. But then Eddie picks Rose as his date. Further details.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Captivate Theatre
The Edinburgh Academy (Venue 70)
4 – 15 Aug: 20:00 (2 hours 15 minutes)
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and the songs from the Disney film with new songs by Menken and Schwatrz. A truly unforgettable musical with a sweeping score and a powerful story. Further details.
Les Misérables School Edition
Captivate Theatre
The Edinburgh Academy (Venue 70)
4 – 13 Aug: 13:45 (2 hours 15 minutes)
Captivate’s student production has been performed to thousands, with sell-out crowds, standing ovations, and five-star reviews. Don’t be put off by School Edition – ‘blows every musical at the Fringe completely out of the water.’ (TheReviewsHub.com). Further details.
Little Women
Bare Productions
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
14 – 19 Aug: 20:00 (2 hours 15 minutes)
Bare Productions return to Edinburgh following a string of sell-out runs, with the rousing and heartfelt musical, Little Women. Four sisters grapple with exploring their identities, falling in love, and what it means to be family. A must-see! Further details.
One Week in Magaluf
ERA Theatrical Productions
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall (Venue 53)
4 – 19 Aug (not 13): 18:35 (50 minutes)
Set during a girls’ holiday to Magaluf in the late 00s, this is a familiar fable about friends on the verge of becoming foes when paths change directions, sometimes in the opposite direction you wanted. Further details.
Ordinary Days
Edinburgh Little Theatre
Hill Street Theatre (Venue 41)
14 – 18 Aug: 10:00 (1 hour 10 minutes)
Adam Gwon’s song cycle, Ordinary Days, is an amazing show with a beautiful plot. You meet four characters all with their own quirks and flaws, so no matter who you are, there’s someone to relate to. Further details.
The Pirates of Penzance
Cat-Like Tread
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
21 – 26 Aug: 20:25 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Cat-Like Tread present Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, a rollicking tale of pirates, policemen and poor young orphans. A musical delight from an energetic cast, this is an exciting show perfect for audiences of all ages. Further details.
RENT
Bare Productions
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
4 – 12 Aug: 19:40, 20:00 (2 hours 15 minutes)
Bare Productions return to Edinburgh following a string of sell-out runs, with the revolutionary rock-musical, RENT. This modern reimagining of Puccini’s La Bohème is a cultural phenomenon about finding your voice and living for today. A must-see for all! Further details.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Jr
Captivate Theatre
The Edinburgh Academy (Venue 70)
4 – 15 Aug: 11:30 (1 hour 15 minutes)
The story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Further details.
School of Rock
Captivate Theatre
The Edinburgh Academy (Venue 70)
4 – 15 Aug: 17:00 (2 hours 15 minutes)
The iconic story of Dewey Finn and his prep-school rock band. ‘If you are looking for not just a musical, but one of the best comedy shows at the Fringe, look no further’ ★★★★★ (DeadlineNews.co.uk). Further details.
Singing in the Rain Jr
Edinburgh Youth Theatre
theSpace @ Niddry St (Venue 9)
4 – 11 Aug: 12:55 (55 minutes)
Behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they appear! The story of a great moment in movie making history. Hilarious situations, devious deception, singing, dancing and a hit-parade of Hollywood singalongs for all the family. Further details.
Songs for a New World
Thistle N’ Thorn Productions
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
14 -19 Aug: 20:25 (1 hour 30 minutes)
A stunning song cycle by Jason Robert Brown centring human relationships in all their messy beauty. This moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the imprint one person can leave on the world. Further details.
Sunday in the Park with George
Edinburgh University Footlights
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
21 – 26 Aug: 11:55 (2 hours 30 minutes)
Following a five-star sell-out run at the Fringe 2022, EU Footlights return. This contemporary take on Sondheim’s hilariously witty and beautiful tale about love, art and chasing success promises to resonate today. Further details.
Sunshine on Leith
Captivate Theatre
Assembly Rooms (Venue 20)
3 – 26 Aug: 15:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Captivate Theatre’s five-star, vibrant, energetic, emotional, sell-out production is back. Book early to avoid disappointment. ‘If there’s one theatrical group that can coax the sunshine out, it’s Edinburgh’s grassroots Captivate Theatre’ (Skinny). Further details.
Young Frankenstein
AT2
George Watson’s College (Venue 416)
7 – 12 Aug: 19:30 (2 hours 30 minutes)
Young Frankenstein is a hilarious take on the classic horror story, combining zany antics, a witty script, and high-energy comedic performances for one unforgettable, hilarious adventure in Transylvania. Further details.
ENDS
