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
The Festival Theatre. Photo © Thom Dibdin
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. Full details here: welcomeback.
2022
December 2022
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sat 17 Dec 2022 – Sun 22 Jan 2023
(Not Mons or Sun 25)
Tue – Sat: 2pm & 7pm; Suns, Sat 24 & Sat 31: 1pm & 5pm. No mats: Wed 4, Thurs 19, Fri 20.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall – our Panto is the most magical of them all! With the King’s closed for a major redevelopment, the King’s Panto is relocating to the Festival Theatre with Allan Stewart as Nurse May, Grant Staff as Henchman, Jordan Young as Muddles, Liz Ewing as Queen Malevolista and Clare Gray as Lavinia, daughter of Lord Lucifer. Book here.
2023
January 2023
Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show
Fri 27 – Sun 29 Jan 2023
Fri 10am, 2pm; Sat/Sun: 10am, 1pm, 3.30pm.
Featuring Duggee, the Squirrels and many more of your favourite characters! Betty wants to make costumes, Happy wants to sing, Tag wants to make music, Norrie wants to dance, Roly wants jelly and they all want you to join them at the Clubhouse. Book here.
Mind Mangler
Fri 27 Jan 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm.
The latest of the Goes Wrong franchise. Join the the ‘Mind Mangler’ as he returns to the stage following a disappointing two-night run at the Luton Holiday Inn conference centre, suite 2b. His new solo spectacular is predicted to spiral into chaos as he attempts to read your mind… Book here.
An Inspector Calls
Tue 31 Jan – Sat 4 Feb 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm, Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller returns. Hailed as the theatrical event of its generation, winning more awards than any other production in history, it has thrilled more than 4 million people worldwide. Book here.
February 2023
Janey Godley – Not Dead Yet
Sun 19 February 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinee Sat: 2.30pm.
Janey Godley is ‘still alive, by popular demand’ with a brand-new show for 2023 and can’t wait to be back doing what she does best! Janey will be supported by Ashley Storrie, the award-winning comedian best known for hosting BBC Radio Scotland’s Friday Nights, and a guest slot on Breaking The News. Book here.
The Yeomen of the Guard
Wed 22 – Sat 25 February 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinee Sat: 2.30pm.
Military hero Colonel Fairfax is imprisoned in the Tower of London and sentenced to death for treason. Appalled by Fairfax’s fate, Sergeant Meryll is determined to free the man who rescued him in battle. EdGAS with one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s finest works. Book here.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
Tue 28 Feb – Sat 4 March 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm, Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Rambert Dance with a new dance theatre event, delving into the story of Tommy Shelby and the Peaky Blinders, written by the creator of the global hit television series Steven Knight and directed/choreographed by Benoit Swan Pouffer. Dazzling, athletic dance and stunning dramatisation with iconic eclectic Peaky soundtrack from a live on-stage band. Book here.
March 2023
The Story of Soul
Sun 5 March 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Join the Love train, as we give you the best of our Love and show you there ain’t nobody who does it better. This powerful performance from our talented cast will showcase for you some of the biggest hits of a generation. Book here.
Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells
Mon 6 Mar 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the iconic masterpiece will be performed live with a full band at the Festival Theatre next Spring, conducted and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith. Book here.
Battle of Hastings: An Audience with Gavin and Scott Hastings
Tue 7 Mar 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
The ultimate evening for Scottish rugby fans, full of entertainment and banter as you can well expect, so sit back and enjoy! The event will be hosted during 6 Nations so expect full insight on the games played and upcoming fixtures and of course Rugby World Cup predictions. Book here.
Neighbours – The Farewell Tour
Wed 8 March 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Say goodbye to the long-running soap in person, as Ramsay Street hits the road in the UK! This will be the ultimate celebration of all things Ramsay Street with some of the biggest and best names from the show all the way from the other side of the globe. Book here.
Dada Masolo: The Sacrifice
Fri 10 – Sat 11 March 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Featuring live music on stage, The Sacrifice is inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, combining the European heritage of this monumental piece of music with the uniquely rhythmic and expressive movements of ‘Tswana’ the traditional dance of Botswana. Book here.
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
Tue 14 – Sat 18 March 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinees Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Experience the drama, passion and excitement as a multi-talented cast of actor-musicians tell Buddy Holly’s story, from his Texas rockabilly beginnings to international stardom and his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic death at the age of just 22. Book here.
Scottish Opera: Il trittico
Thurs 23, Sat 25 March 2023.
Sat, Weds: 6pm.
World-renowned director Sir David McVicar returns to Scottish Opera with Puccini’s epic triptych – Il tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchia – in a first both for him and the Company. Book here
Swan Lake (Birmingham Royal Ballet)
Wed 29 Mar – Sat 1 April 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm, Mats Thurs: 2pm, Sat: 2.30pm.
The greatest of all romantic ballets returns in “one of the world’s finest productions” (The Observer). BRB revives Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s glorious Swan Lake – with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s superb music alongside BRB’s spectacular dancers. Book here.
April 2023
Wish You Were Dead
Tue 4 – Sat 8 April 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinees Wed, Sat: 2.30pm.
The next stage adaptation of a Peter James novel sees Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and Cleo Morey take their first holiday together. Cleo hopes she will finally get Grace to herself for a few days but dream escape turns into holiday from hell, as the past comes back to haunt them. Book here.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty
Tue 11 – Sat 15 April 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm, Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty reawakens, celebrating 10 years since its premiere, when it became the fastest selling production in the company’s history. Book here.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Tue 18 – Sat 22 April 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Wed, Thurs, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
Neil Gaiman’s thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and friendship, is a five-star spectacular from the English National Theatre which blends magic with memory in a tour-de-force of storytelling that takes audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it. Book here.
Ugly Duckling
Sun 23 Apr 2023
Two shows: 2pm & 4pm.
Northern Ballet’s hugely popular retelling the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairytale is the perfect opportunity for little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre for the first time. Follow the duckling on her journey as she overcomes her troubles and learns to love herself and those around her. Book here.
The Shawshank Redemption
Mon 24 – Sat 29 Apr 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm, Thurs, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, this thrilling stage production starring Joe Absolom and Ben Onwukwe examines desperation, injustice, friendship, and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security facility. Book here.
May 2023
Scottish Ballet’s A Streetcar Named Desire
Wed 3 – Sat 6 May 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Scottish Ballet’s hugely popular, award-winning production returns to Scotland for the first time since 2015. This astonishing take on Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece is narrative ballet at its very best, with stunning dance, devastating drama, pitch-perfect period design and a sizzling score used to tell the iconic story. Book here.
Johannes Radebe – Freedom Unleased
Sun 7 May 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Following his sell-out debut tour in 2022, TV dancing sensation and international champion Johannes Radebe is hosting a party like no others in this electrifying brand-new production for 2023. Book here.
The Stamping Ground
Tue 23 – Sat 27 May 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinees Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
An uplifting new musical, featuring the songs of Runrig. Together-forever couple Euan and Annie return home, seeking a fresh start for their teenage daughter. But there’s a heatwave in the Highlands and they soon find themselves lost in this once familiar place. Book here.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Tue 30 May – Sat 3 June 2023
Tue – Sat 7.30pm; Matinees Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Based on the bestselling book and beloved film. An eclectic group of British retirees journey to India to embark on a new life. The residence is far from the opulence they were promised, but as their lives begin to intertwine and they embrace the vibrancy of modern-day India, they are charmed in unexpected and life-changing ways. Book here.
June 2023
Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book
Sun 4 June 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Actress, author, vlogger and award-winning West End sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher is heading out on her first ever UK tour. Performing songs from her career, expect fan favourites including hits from Heathers, Les Miserables, The Addams Family and many more interspersed with chat about Carrie’s life and career. Book here.
Motionhouse – Nobody
Wed 7 June 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Motionhouse’s renowned dance-circus style combines with mesmerising choreography to tell this emotional and ultimately uplifting story, full of twists and turns. Packed with visual magic, the world on stage is transformed before our eyes. Nothing is quite what it seems… Book here.
Scottish Opera: Carmen
Fri 9, Sun 11, Tue 13, Thu 15 & Sat 17 June 2023.
Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat: 7.15pm; Sun: 3pm.
Georges Bizet’s classic opera of jealousy, lust, and life outside the dictates of society gets a boldly updated new production, translated and performed in English, to conclude Scottish Opera’s 60th Season. Book here.
Titanic The Musical
Mon 19 – Sat 24 June 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats: Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own. All innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them. Book here.
Ballet Black
Wed 28 – Thurs 29 June 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black return to the Festival Theatre for a moving and inspiring double bill by Olivier Award-winning choreographers, Will Tuckett (Then Or Now) and Mthuthuzeli November (NEW Nina Simone). Book here.
July 2023
Mania – The ABBA Tribute
Sat 1 July 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
The show previously known as ABBA Mania is a special concert presentation celebrating the music of ABBA in a respectful and enjoyable way, reviving memories of when ABBA ruled the airwaves. Book here.
Anton and Giovanni – Him & Me
Friday 7 July 2023
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.
Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey
Saturday 8 July 2023
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.
Disney’s Winnie the Pooh
Tue 18 – Wed 19 Jul 2023
Tue: 4.30pm; Wed: 10.30am, 1.30pm.
Featuring the Sherman Brothers’ classic Grammy Award-winning music with further songs by A. A. Milne, this fresh stage adaptation is told with life-sized puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love, in a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood. Book here.
September 2023
The Ultimate Classic Rock Show
Fri 15 Sept 2023
Evening: 7.30pm.
Dust off your air guitars for an evening of the very best classic rock anthems from legends past and present… A roller coaster of classic rock nostalgia, performing hit after hit, live with stunning accuracy and high energy accompanied by an incredible light and projection show. Book here.
October 2023
Sister Act
Tue 2 – Sat 7 October 2023
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Mats: Thu & Sat 2.30pm.
This sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Brace yourselves Sisters: The Broadway and UK smash-hit musical, has been reimagined for the 21st century. Book here.
Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning
Wed 11 – Sat 14 Oct 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm, Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Under the buzzing lights of a psychiatric hospital in Aberdeenshire in 1897, Mina Murray recounts her encounters with the most terrifying of beasts: Dracula. A throng of patients listen with bated breath as they are transported to a world where immortality and ultimate power is possible, even for women – but with terrible consequences… Book here.
2024
January 2024
Scottish Ballet’s Cinders
Fri 5 – Sat 20 Jan 2024.
Wed – Sat: 7.30pm; Fri 12, Sat, Sun mat: 2.30pm.
Scottish Ballet’s festive favourite returns for the winter season with a new name, glittering new designs, including a stunning art-nouveau-inspired set, and a charming twist to the tale. Book here.
June 2024
Life of Pi
Tue 25 – Sat 29 Jun 2024
Evenings: 7.30pm, Thurs, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
Jaw-dropping visuals, magic, and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and breathtaking theatrical event. Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive? Five-time Olivier award winner on its first ever UK tour. Book here.
ENDS
