EdFringe Musicals

Jul 30 2019 | By More

Musicals made in Edinburgh

There’s a whopping 27 different offerings made in Edinburgh in this year’s Musicals and Opera section of the fringe programme.

Which might be one down on last year, but is still a more than credible number, with the city’s amateur, youth and student companies making their usual strong showings.

Islander Preview. Pic Jassy Earl

The two grassroots companies are of particular interest with two returning shows. Helen Milne Productions is bringing back Islander: A New Musical, which had a short run in September 2018 and we reviewed here: ★★★★☆ Etherial.

Conceived and directed by Amy Draper, with a book by Stewart Melton and music and lyrics by Finn Anderson, this slightly shortened production also sees the return of performers Bethany Tennick and Kirsty Findlay. It will play Paines Plough’s ROUNDABOUT at Summerhall and certainly deserves a wide audience.

The second returnee is MacPherson’s Rant, which we reviewed ten year’s ago in its very first and, then, slightly tentative outing. Now it returns in a production being staged by Blackout Productions down at The Old Dr Bells Baths.

Robert Moyes will be reprising the role of James MacPherson which he originated in John Ward’s bold and earthy musical which plays heavily on its roots. It will be fascinating to see how the show has matured over the last ten years and, hopefully, the production will also provide it with something of a shop window for future productions.

The rest of the Made in Edinburgh productions are listed here:
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 companies

These distinctions are sometimes slightly arbitrary, and professional companies also mentor youth companies so do look through the different sections. Also, don’t forget to look at what is on in the Musical Theatre, Children’s and Dance sections.

Amateur Company Listings

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Room 29
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
12 – 17 Aug: 18:35 (1 hour 45 minutes)
Award-winning Room 29 Theatre return with this fast-paced Tony Award-winning musical, following an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents that vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Book here.

Addams Family
Bare Productions
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
2 – 10 Aug: 18:30, 19:00 (2 hours)
Bare Productions return following a sell-out run with one deliciously wicked musical. The Addams Family is an all-singing musical comedy which would put a smile on even the most macabre face. Must-see for both adults and children. Book here.

Anthems – From West End to Broadway
Edinburgh Music Theatre
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
6 – 10 Aug: 19:10 (50 minutes)
An evening of musical theatre anthems from the shows you know and love, with songs from We Will Rock You, Matilda, Hairspray, Singing in the Rain and other classic musicals. Book here.

Bohemian Fairytale
The Bohemians Lyric Opera Company
Stockbridge Church (Venue 317)
9/10 Aug: 16:00, 19:30 (1 hour 10 minutes)
Follow us down the rabbit hole to discover heroes and villains, witches and more in The Bohemians’ take on a classic theme. Featuring songs from Shrek, Witches of Eastwick and Brave, where everyone lives happily ever after. Book here.

Bonnie and Clyde
Thistle N’ Thorn Productions
Sweet Grassmarket (Venue 18)
5 – 17 Aug (not 13): 20:15 (1 hour 45 minutes)
Two infamous bank robbers turned killers: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Covering their two year- long crime spree and ill-fated love affair, Frank Wildhorn’s score combines gospel and blues inspired music to tell their tragic story. Book here.

Here’s a How-De-Do
The Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
3 – 4 Aug: 19:30 (2 hours 30 minutes)
An evening that ‘bubbles with wit and good humour’, celebrating the timeless Savoy operas of the Victorian masters, WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Come and revel in some of the most singable words and music ever written. Book here.

Iolanthe
Cat-Like Tread
theSpace @ Venue45 (Venue 45)
19 – 24 Aug: 20:25 (1 hour 45 minutes)
Expulsion, electioneering, enchantment. Iolanthe takes Gilbert and Sullivan into parliament. Strephon loves Phyllis, but dubious heritage obstructs their happiness. Can his suspiciously youthful aunts win the girl? Cat-Like Tread return for the Fringe 2019 to elect a fairy member. Book here.

La Sonnambula
Aria Alba – Opera for All
Stockbridge Church (Venue 317)
22 – 25 Aug: 19:00 (2 hours 30 minutes)
The wedding looms. The ghost’s not invited. Elvino’s ex steals him back when his fiancée dances with the returning laird who fancies his chances. Will this 1950s Highland village ever recover? Book here.

Movie Music
Edinburgh Music Theatre
St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St (Venue 111)
6 – 10 Aug: 20:40 (50 minutes)
Join us on the red carpet for the big premiere of this concert featuring hit songs from the silver screen, including The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia, James Bond, La La Land and more. Book here.

Grassroots company Listings

Islander: A New Musical
Helen Milne Productions
ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall (Venue 26)
31 Jul, 1 – 25 Aug (not 6, 13, 20): 10:00 (1 hour)
See Æ’s 2018 review: ★★★★☆ Etherial.
Eilidh dreams of a life beyond her island. Myth and reality collide when the tide brings a mysterious stranger, changing her life forever. Epic storytelling, intimately staged with a contemporary Scottish score. www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com Book here.

MacPherson’s Rant
Blackout Productions
The Old Dr Bells Baths (Venue 177)
13 – 18 Aug (not 16): 14:30, 19:00 (2 hours 30 minutes)
See Æ’s 2009 review of the original production: New Musical Hits the High Notes.
The tale of Scottish outlaw James MacPherson and the tragic love story that led to his hanging. Set to iconic Scottish music, including songs by Burns and original pieces, this musical takes you on an epic historical journey. Book here.

Youth & Student Company Listings

All Shook Up
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
2 – 11 Aug: 13:00 (2 hours)
Crowd-pleasing musical inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. A feel-good musical that’ll have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, and Don’t Be Cruel. Book here.

American Idiot
Edinburgh Little Theatre
Hill Street Theatre (Venue 41)
2 – 25 Aug: 18:40 (2 hours 10 minutes)
Follow Johnny’s life as he moves from small town America to the bright lights and party life of Tinseltown. Green Day’s iconic musical will blast you out of your seat as this superb cast cast their spell. Book here.

Avenue Q
Edinburgh Little Theatre
Hill Street Theatre (Venue 41)
2 – 25 Aug: 21:00 (1 hour 45 minutes)
Featuring puppets and singers, this musical comedy set in New York bounces along at a great speed with some fantastic songs to help it along its way. This adult-themed musical will have you laughing your head off. Book here.

Bugsy Malone
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
2 – 11 Aug: 15:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Join Bugsy, Fat Sam, Tallulah, Blousey and Dandy Dan for a fun time full of laughs, songs and lots of splurge! A great show for all the family! Book here.

In Space…
Napier University Drama Society
Greenside @ Infirmary Street (Venue 236)
2 – 17 Aug (not 11): 18:25 (55 minutes)
…No one can hear you sing! Napier University Drama Society returns with an original sci-fi comedy musical. Hilarious chaos ensues when the passengers of the StarShip Unsinkable II unexpectedly wake up and find themselves stranded in space. Book here.

Jekyll and Hyde
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
14 – 25 Aug: 13:00 (2 hours)
Based on Edinburgh-born Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, this evocative tale of a brilliant doctor and his murderous counterpart has become a modern classic. Will Jekyll find a cure for the demon he has created? Book here.

Jesus Christ Superstar
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
13 – 25 Aug: 15:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Jesus is back and will once again be rocking the main stage at the Rose Theatre. This modern, fast-paced, energetic, electric production tells of the last days of Jesus through the eyes of Judas. Book here.

Oliver!
Edinburgh Little Theatre
Hill Street Theatre (Venue 41)
2 – 11 Aug: 09:45 (2 hours 30 minutes)
Come along and indulge yourself in Lionel Bart’s original Oliver! This youthful cast brings his songs and dialogue to life as they sing and dance their way through Dickens’ squalid London. A great family show for all to enjoy.  Book here.

Oliver!
The Brunton in association with Tommie Travers
The Brunton (Venue 191)
8 – 10 Aug: 14:00, 19:30 (2 hours 15 minutes)
Lionel Bart’s Oliver! remains one of the most-loved British musicals ever, combining Dickens’ classic story and characters with a sensational and unforgettable score. Classic songs brought to you by the some of the best local performers, supported by a live orchestra. Book here.

Oliver!
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
13 – 25 Aug: 17:30 (2 hours)
Captivate Theatre brings Lionel Bart’s timeless musical back to the Rose Theatre. Everything you want it to be and more in an adaptation of Oliver! which carries enough energy to overflow from the stage and infect the audience. Book here.

Once on This Island
Forth Children’s Theatre
Edinburgh Tabernacle (Venue 120)
2 – 10 Aug (not 4): 14:30, 19:30 (1 hour 30 minutes)
FCT returns with its 41st Fringe show following five-star reviews and sell outs for Sister Act and Jesus Christ Superstar with a beautiful Caribbean Broadway smash hit Once On This Island by Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime). Book here.

RENT
Edinburgh University Footlights
Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14)
8 – 14 Aug: 12:00 (2 hours 10 minutes)
This revolutionary rock musical follows a year in the life of a group of bohemians living in New York. In a powerful story of modern-day life, these friends must navigate the battles of love, loss and HIV/AIDS. Book here.

Sister Act
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
2 – 11 Aug: 17:30 (2 hours)
A feel-amazing, disco, gospel extravaganza chock full of amazingly talented women! And a few bad guys too… ‘ Captivate Theatre brings a lively and contagious enthusiasm to the Fringe’ (AllEdinburghTheatre.com). Book here.

Sweet Charity
EUSOG
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152)
2 – 10 Aug: 21:10, 21:40 (2 hours)
Join eternal optimist Charity Hope Valentine and the zany characters she meets in her search for happiness. This classic musical boasts well-loved songs such as Big Spender and Rhythm of Life together with Bob Fosse’s iconic choreography. Book here.

Thirteen
Captivate Theatre
Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre (Venue 76)
2 – 11 Aug: 11:00 (1 hour 30 minutes)
What a show! With a new cast of talented teens, this fast-paced, hilarious musical with an unforgettable rock score is back at the Rose Theatre. ‘Captivate Theatre – a reputation for energetic, witty performances’ (AllEdinburghTheatre.com). Book here.

Understudies
Magic Door Productions
Wee Red Bar (Venue 506)
13 – 24 Aug (not 14, 21): 12:30 (1 hour)
The Understudies is a completely improvised comedy musical that premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. Based entirely on audience suggestions, this long-form improv is an hour of energetic, animated and hilariously frivolous comedy. Book here.

Click the following links for listings of:

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 companies
Musical Theatre by Edinburgh-based companies
Children’s Theatre by Edinburgh-based companies
Dance, Cabaret and Spoken Word by Edinburgh-based companies

If your show should be in this listing but isn’t, or you feel it has been put in the wrong heading, please do contact us.

ENDS

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