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.

Cancelled and Rescheduled shows

The Festival Theatre has cancelled or rescheduled all performances until 29 June 2021. Tickets for cancelled events are being refunded. Tickets for rescheduled events will automatically be valid for the new dates.

Further details are available on the Capital Theatre’s website: www.capitaltheatres.com

Online and Still Booking

June 2021

In Conversation with the Sopranos
Monday 14 June 2021: Rescheduled to June 2022.

Anton and Giovanni – Him & Me
Friday 25 June 2021. Rescheduled to July 2022

The Donmar Warehouse Production of Blindness
Tue 29 June Sun 3 July
1pm, 3.15pm, 6.15pm, 8.30pm
Nobel Prize-winner José Saramago’s dystopian novel Blindness has been adapted as a sound installation, directed by Walter Meierjohann with immersive binaural sound design by Ben and Max Ringham. As the lights change at a major crossroads in a city in the heart of Europe a car grinds to a halt. Its driver can drive no more. Suddenly, without warning or cause, he has gone blind. Book here.

July 2021

Oti Mabuse – I Am Here
Sunday 11 July 2021. Rescheduled to 8 May 2022.

Zog
Friday 9 – Mon 12 July 2021
Fri – Sun early eve: 4.30pm; Matinees Sat – Mon: 11am, 2.30pm..
NB: seating for this production will be socially distanced at 2m.
Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Freckle Productions adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s book. Book here.

Caitlin Moran: More than a Woman LIVE!
Tuesday 13 July 2021
Evening: 7.30pm.
Caitlin will be discussing her new book More Than A Woman, a hymn to the women in their 30s and 40s and their supernatural ability to deal with the stuff you never thought would happen to you: grey hair; hangovers that last for days; ageing parents; having sex with the same person for years and years and still saying ‘thank you’ afterwards… Book here.

Rambert Summer Livestream 2021
Thursday 15 – Saturday 17 July 2021
Thurs: 3pm, Fri/Sat: 8pm.
Online livestream of two pieces.
First, Siblings Marne van Opstal and Imre van Opstal (company dancers NDT, Batsheva) unleash their fresh creative force on the Rambert dancers. Then Marion Motin’s Rouge is what happened when Rambert invited “pop’s coolest choreographer” to work with their daring dancers. Book here.

Burn the Floor
Thursday 15 July 2021. Rescheduled to 9 Jan 2022.
Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals
Mon 19/Tue 20 July 2021: Rescheduled to May 2022.
Fascinating Aïda
Fri 23 July 2021 Booking for this show has closed and the tour is being rescheduled.

Rosie Kay: Absolute Solo II
Sat 24 July 2021
Evening: 7.30pm.
A triple bill of solos looking backwards and forwards at award-winning Birmingham choreographer Rosie Kay’s personal experience as a female in dance. Please note: seating for this performance will be socially distanced 2m apart. Book here.

August 2021

Falstaff (EIF)
Sun 8, Tue 10, Thurs 12, Sat 14 Aug 2021
Evening: 7.15pm.
Scottish Opera returns to the EIF with a new production by Glasgow-born director Sir David McVicar, specially adapted from its outdoor presentation. His new staging gets to the bones of Falstaff, balancing the laugh-out-loud moments with a poignant tale of a childlike man who has outlived his own time – full of experience and regret, but ultimately a glorious celebration of life itself. Book here (via EIF).

September 2021

Paul Smith: Changed
Sat 4 September 2021
Evenings: 8pm.
A lot has changed for Paul in recent years. Join him for his 3rd and largest ever tour of the UK and Ireland as he once again mixes sharp, hilarious stories from his life with his trademark off the cuff wit. Book here.

BalletLorent: The Lost Happy Endings
Wed 15/Thurs 16 Sept 2021
Evening: 7.30pm
Deep in the forest lives Jub, a magical girl with six fingers on each hand. Her job is to guard the Happy Endings to stories and fairytales. But one day an otherworldly Witch steals them, and at bedtime the stories are destroyed… An original story by Carol Ann Duffy, retold as dance theatre for the family. Book here.

Yotam Ottolenghi: A life in flavour
Fri 17 Sept 2021
Evening: 7.30pm
Is flavour at the heart of your cooking? Do you dream of taking your food to the next level? Chef and cookery writer Yotam Ottolenghi discusses the tastes, ingredients, and flavours that excite him, and how he has created a career from cooking. Book here.

AJ & Curtis’ Big Night Out
Sat 18 Sept 2021: Tour cancelled.

In The Night Garden
Fri 24/Sat 25 Sept 2021 
Four shows daily: 10am, 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm.
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day! Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all!  Book here.

Grease
Mon 27 Sept – Sat 2 Oct 2021
Evenings: 7.30, Thurs, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
The world’s best-loved musical is back! Grittier and more glamorous than ever before. After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more? Book here.

October 2021

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.

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.

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…and this time he will be joined by his sister Joanne Clifton! The famous siblings will tour together for the very first time and will play on their individual successes in an ‘Anything You Can Do…’ inspired theme. 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.

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
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
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.

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.

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

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.

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.

June 2022

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.

September 2022

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.

 

ENDS