Festival Theatre Listings

Upcoming shows at the Festival Theatre

Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

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

NB: The Festival Theatre has now re-opened in line with Scottish Government advice. Patrons will be asked to check in to Scotland Test and Protect on arrival and everyone over the age of 5 will have to wear a mask while in the theatre. Full details here: welcomeback.

Tickets for productions which were cancelled or re-scheduled because of Covid should have now been either refunded or re-allocated to the new performance. Patrons who have to cancel tickets due to Covid should call Box Office on 0131 529 6000 to arrange a refund. Details of how to do this are here: welcomeback.

October 2021

Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck
Thurs 14 – Sat 16 Oct 2021
Evenings: 7.30, Thurs, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
See news: Gene Kelly Ballet for SB
Gene Kelly’s jazzy, joyful 1960 ballet Pas de Dieux has been lovingly revived by Scottish Ballet in collaboration with Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, and a delightful new twist has been added as it transports you into the world where jazz meets ballet, and the stars align. Book here.

Tim Minchin: Back
Sunday 17 Oct 2021
Evening: 7.30pm.
“Old Songs, New Songs, F*** You Songs”, with a set list of material from all corners of Minchin’s eclectic – and often iconoclastic – repertoire. First performed in the UK in 2019, BACK was Tim’s first UK tour in 8 years and the long-awaited return to the stage received rave reviews.  Book here.

Scottish Opera: The Gondoliers
Thurs 28 Oct – Sat 6 Nov 2021
Thurs – Sat Evenings (not Fri 5): 7.15pm; Sun 31, Sat 6: 2.30pm.
Two happy-go-lucky gondoliers discover that one of them is, in fact, heir to the throne of a distant kingdom in Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera. True to their (adopted) Republican roots, they set off together to rule in idealistic, if somewhat chaotic, style… Book here.

Scottish Opera: Utopia Limited
Fri 5 Nov 2021
Evening: 7.15pm.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s penultimate opera, Utopia, Limited, was written immediately after The Gondoliers. Here, with an updated libretto by director Stuart Maunder and a revised musical version by Scottish Opera’s Head of Music Derek Clark, it is given its Scottish Opera premiere in a concert performance. Book here.

Dirty Dancing
Mon 8 – Sat 13 Nov 2021
Evenings (not Fri): 7.30pm; Fri: 5pm, 8pm; Sat mat: 2.30pm.
The classic story is back on stage, exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing. Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Book here.

An Evening of Eric and Ern
Mon 15 Nov 2021
Evening: 7.30pm
Olivier Award nominated duo Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens create an homage to Morecambe and Wise crammed full of those famous comedy sketches, from Grieg’s Piano concerto, Mr Memory…’Arsenal’, to the paper bag trick. Book here.

Alexander McCall Smith
Tue 16 Nov 2021
Evening: 7.30pm
One of the world’s most prolific and most popular authors, Alexander McCall Smith, joins Fiona Lindsay in session to discuss the new instalment in his much-loved Scotland Street series, Love in the Time of Bertie. Book here.

Ballet Black
Thursday 18 November 2021
Evening: 7.30pm.
The professional ballet company for international dancers of black and Asian descent returns to Edinburgh following their hugely successful visit in June 2019 and mindblowing performance with Stormzy at Glastonbury. Book here.

Janey Godleys Soup Pot Tour
Friday 19 November 2021
Evening: 7.30pm
Grab the soup pot and get ready for the Queen of Scottish Comedy with live voice over’s and stand up like you’ve never seen before. Check out some hilarious patter from Big Tereeza in Torremolinos, Boris and his bawjaws and see Nicola up on the big screen with all the latest patter. Now, where’s my clicky pen… Book here.

Lost in Music
Sat 20 Nov 2021
Evening: 7.30pm.
Recreate the Magical 70’s on a musical journey straight to the heart of Disco with some of the greatest songs of all time. This show boasts a sensational live band, incredibly talented cast and stunning vocals, so dress to impress. Book here.

December 2021

The Nutcracker
Weds 1 – Fri 31 Dec 2021
Evenings: 7.30; Matinees: 2.30pm.
Costumes plucked from the most gorgeous chocolate box; Tchaikovsky’s score to transport you to a land of dreams; and a story lifted straight from the pages of a classic fairy tale. Scottish Ballet with founder Peter Darrell’s sumptuous choreography. Book here.

2022

January 2022

Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years
Fri 7 Jan 2022
Evening: 7.30.
Critically-acclaimed as one of the greatest tribute shows in the world, Dan Haynes and Pete Richards – collectively known as Bookends – recreate the unmistakable sound of Simon & Garfunkel. Their show features all the iconic songs, including The Sound of Silence, Mrs Robinson, The Boxer and the smash hit Bridge Over Troubled Water. Book here.

Burn the Floor
Sunday 9 January 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Kevin Clifton is back with the Burn the Floor cast in 2022. This fiery, energetic and revolutionary Ballroom production will, once again, set stages alight and show audiences why it is still the world’s leading Ballroom show after more than two decades. . Book here.

Ross Noble: Humournoid
Saturday 15 January 2022
Evening: 8pm
What happens when pure comedy takes human form? What happens when a creature is created and bred to do stand up? Nobody knows because that isn’t a thing. What is a thing is Ross Noble doing a show. You can come and see it. This is it. Book here.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Wed 19 – Sun 23 January 2022
Eves Wed – Sat: 7.30pm; Mats Thur, Sat: 2.30pm; Sun: 1pm & 5pm.
Enter a world of magic and fantasy as Disney’s classic movie makes its world premiere as an exciting new musical with the original Sherman Brothers’ songs, new music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and abook by Brian Hill. Directed by Glasgow’s own Vox Motus: Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison. Book here.

The Addams Family
Tue 25 – Sat 29 January 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Everyone’s favourite kooky and spooky family are back in this spectacular and hilarious musical comedy from the writers of multi award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, with music and lyrics by Tony-nominated Andrew Lippa, starring Samantha Womack as Morticia and Cameron Blakely as Gomez. Book here.

February 2022

Paul Carrack: GOOD and READY tour
Sunday 6 Feb 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Paul Carrack, one of the most revered voices in music and a figurehead of soulful pop for decades, will return to the delight his legions of admirers, performing 24 dates across the UK on the GOOD and READY tour 2022. Book here.

Dick & Angel: Dare to Do It ‘So much more to say’
Mon 7/Tue 8 Feb 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Dick & Angel Strawbridge, the stars of Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau are on the road again on their ‘Dare to do it’ Tour with so much more to say. During this highly entertaining evening, the duo explains who they are, where they have come from, how they met and why they dared to do it! Book here.

Rambert: Aisha and Abhaya
Thurs 10 – Sat 12 February 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm.
An intense, intoxicating theatrical rush, fusing dance, film, sound and music. Rambert’s fearless dancers take centre stage performing Sharon Eyal’s fierce, pulsating choreography to an original soundtrack of driving techno from Ori Lichtik and GAIKA. Book here.

Bring It On The Musical
Tue 15 – Sat 19 February 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Campbell should be embarking on her most cheertastic senior year at Truman High School as  cheer-royalty and newly crowned Squad Captain. But when she’s forced to move to the neighbouring hard-knock Jackson High, Campbell fears her life is over. Book here.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Tue 15 – Sat 19 February 2022
Two shows: 2pm & 4pm.
The National Theatre’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning production returns to Edinburgh (See review of previous tour: ✭✭✭✭✩ Spectacular). Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at maths, yet everyday life presents barriers. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world. Book here.

Northern Ballet’s Pinocchio
Sun 27 February 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
In a far away land, a hard-working and lonely carpenter wishes for his puppet Pinocchio to come to life. By the magic of a wishing well his dream comes true. Northern Ballet’s original ballet is based on The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.  Book here.

March 2022

Fat Friends – The Musical
Mon 7 – Sat 12 Mar 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Created and directed by award winning Kay Mellor, the musical based on the hit TV show returns with Lee Mead in the staring role. Our favourite foodie friends are put through their Zumba paces at their local slimming club, whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams.  Book here.

Hannah Gadbsby – Body Of Work
Sun 13 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
In 2018 the ground-breaking Netflix special, Nanette, changed things for Hannah, but she stuck with stand-up comedy, writing and touring the critically acclaimed Dougla – and recording it for Netflix just in time for well…the rest of 2020. Since then she’s been bunkered down in Oz, sheltering from a global pandemic and pondering what was next.
 That ponder is now a show… Book here.

Six
Tue 15 – Sun 26 March 2022
Tue- Thu: 8pm, Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Sat 2.30pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm
From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red. Book here.

Oi Frog & Friends
Thurs 17 – Sun 20 March 2022
Thu 1pm & 4pm, Fri 10.30am, Sat 10am & 12noon, Sun 10am
It’s a new day at Sittingbottom school and FROG is looking for a place to sit, but CAT has other ideas and DOG is doing as he’s told. Little do any of them know that chaos is coming… Based on the bestselling books by Kes Gray and Jim Field.  Book here.

Remembering The Oscars
Sunday 27 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Aljaz and Janette will be returning with their brand new show. Celebrate the Oscar-winning songs in this exhilarating new dance spectacular with Strictly’s favourite couple and a cast of amazing dancers and musicians and stunning stage designs, costumes and huge LED screen. Book here.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Tue 29 Mar – Sat 2 Apr 2022
Evenings 7.30pm Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. Book here.

April 2022

Northern Ballet’s The Great Gatsby
Thurs 21 – Sat 23 April 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby has a penchant for lavish parties and beautiful women. As the sparkling façade of his world begins to slip, the loneliness, obsession and tragedy that lies beneath is revealed in one of Northern Ballet’s most treasured productions. Book here.

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny
Sunday 24 April 2022
Evening: 8pm.
Mr Carr has some jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they are not the terrible things. Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo. Book here.

Singin’ in the Rain
Tue 26 – Sat 30 April 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Weds, Fri, Sat: 2.30pm.
A smash-hit at Chichester and in the West End, Jonathan Church’s acclaimed production is back to make a splash. Andrew Wright’s high-energy choreography and Simon Higlett’s sumptuous set design combine with the charm, romance and wit of one of the world’s best- loved films. Book here.

May 2022

Trixie Mattel
Sunday 1 May 2022
Evening: 8pm
Major pop culture figure, stand up comedian and musician with talents that defy classification. Trixie’s tour is an exciting electro-folk reinvention. Expect to feel that you’ve landed in a PeeWee Herman video, with some surf rock and a love for 60’s country music. Book here.

Oti Mabuse – I Am Here
Sunday 8 May 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
A a whirlwind celebration of the influences and inspirations that took Oti on a journey from growing up in South Africa to following her dream. From mesmerising Jives and pumping Sambas to South Africa’s exhilarating Kwaito, this is an explosive night of dance and music that will set your heart racing. Book here

The Scandal at Mayerling
Thurs 25 – Sat 28 May 2022
Evenings: 7.30, Sat Mat: 2.30pm.
Scottish Ballet, re-imagine MacMillan’s iconic ballet. The year is 1889 and, in the woods outside Vienna, the Empire must hide a terrible secret. At the royal Mayerling hunting lodge, Crown Prince Rudolf is found shot dead alongside his teenage mistress. Book here.

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals
Sun 29 May 2022
Two shows: 2.30pm & 7.30pm.
Direct from BBC One’s award-winning prime time TV show Strictly Come Dancing, this glamorous production will bring together some of the much-loved Strictly Professional dancers as they take to the stage to dazzle with their dance prowess. Book here.

Stewart Lee: Snowflake/Tornado
Sun 19 June 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Tornado questions Stew’s position in the comedy marketplace; Snowflake questions Stew’s worth in a society demolishing the liberal values he has been keen to espouse in a fairy-tale landscape of winter wonder. Book here.

Fascinating Aïda
Mon 20 June 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
With a selection of old favourites, songs you haven’t heard before and some you wish you’d never heard in the first place. The songs are hilarious and topical – the glamour is unstoppable. Book here.

In Conversation with the Sopranos
Tue 21 June 2022
Evening: 7.45
Get the real story behind what Vanity Fair called “the greatest pop-culture masterpiece of its day” when three of The Sopranos’ most iconic cast members sit down for a chat. With  Steven Schirripa (Bobby ‘Bacala’), Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti), and Vincent Pastore (‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero). Book here.

Al Murray The Pub Landlord: Gig for Victory
Thurs 23 June 2022
Evening: 7.30
As the dust settles and we emerge blinking into the dawn of a new era, the men and women of this great country will need answers. Answers to questions they never knew existed. And when that moment comes, who better to provide those answers, than the people’s man of the people, the Pub Landlord? Book here.

Sandi Toksvig Live! Next Slide Please
Mon 27 June 2022 
Evening: 7.30pm.
In an evening of warmth, love and laughter, Sandi will explore reasons to be cheerful after many long months of coronacoaster gloom. Expect fascinatingly funny facts, silly jokes, a quick-fire Q&A and possibly a game of Covid Lingo Bingo. (Don’t expect handstands, ministerial behaviour or impressions of Chris Whitty). Book here.

July 2022

Anton and Giovanni – Him & Me
Friday 1 July 2022
Evening: 7.30
Strictly Come Dancing professionals Anton Do Beke and Giovanni Pernice join forces. The Ballroom King and the two-time Guinness World Record holder will be joined by a world class cast of dancers and singers. Book here.

Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler
Sat 2/Sun 3 July 2022
Evenings: 8pm.
Sarah is back on tour with a new stand-up show. In this, her sixth international tour, you’ll learn about what happens when your mouth seals shut, how to throw poo over a wall, trying to lose weight but only losing the tip of your finger, a surprisingly funny smear test, and how truly awful a floatation tank can actually be. Book here.

Zog and the Flying Doctors
Sat 9 – Wed 13 July 2022
Sat 4.30pm, Sun 11am, 2pm & 4.30pm, Mon, Tue & Wed 11am & 2pm.
Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a crash-bang-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. Book here

September 2022

Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey
Saturday 3 Sept 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
The story of Reggae music: the Windrush Generation and how their music took the world by storm. Narrated by comedian John Simmit the show features ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, lovers rock, dancehall and Reggae played live by the JA Reggae Band. Book here.

Sister Act
Tue 6  – Sat 17 September 2022
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Mats: Thu & Sat 2.30pm, Sun: 3pm
Brace yourselves Sisters! The Broadway and UK smash-hit musical Sister Act is coming to Edinburgh immediately following its record-breaking London run, reimagined for the 21st century. Book here.

The Osmonds – A New Musical
Tue 20 – Sat 24 September 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm;
Matines Wed, Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
See news: Osmonds for Edinburgh.
Jukebox musical telling the official story by Jay Osmond about the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on with their younger siblings to create smash hits decade after decade.  Book here.

The Cher Show
Tue 11 – Sat 15 October 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matines Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
See news: Cher Show for Edinburgh.
From a young kid with big dreams, to the dizzying heights of global stardom, The Cher Show uses 35 of her hits to tell the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame, flying in the face of convention at every turn. Directed by Arlene Phillips and choreographed by Oti Mabuse.  Book here.

Martin Bayfield’s Rugby Legends
Wed 19 Oct 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
From the police beat to the Hollywood movie screen to a Five Nations Grand Slam and MasterChef final, Martin Bayfield has had a varied life!
Join former England international and true giant of the game Martin Bayfield as he embarks on his ‘Rugby Legends’ UK tour. Book here.

ENDS