Lisings: Mon 21 – Sun 27 March 2022
What’s on Edinburgh’s stages this week
After the full-on frenzy of last week, things have quietened down slightly on Edinburgh’s stages, but only slightly, with a spot of G&S and pack of smaller but still excellent productions which are well worth taking in.
Of course there are still the block-busters – SIX the Musical continues at the Festival Theatre for the week and the new touring cast are phenomenal (Review: ★★★★☆ Spitting rhymes) while one Gary Barlow arrives at the Lyceum for a week, with his A Different Stage tour. There are still a few tickets left for Barlow, but not many.
The big amateur show this week is the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society, EdGAS, which is staging one of the most popular of all Gilbert & Sullivan’s Savoy Operas, The Pirates of Penzance. That’s the one about the lad indentured to the pirates until his 21st Birthday, who realises that as he was born on February 29, he only gets a birthday every four years…
The company’s longstanding directorial duo of Alan Borthwick and David Lyle will be bringing life to Gilbert’s witty, satirical libretto and Sullivan’s musical score. So expect an unfaltering attention to detail and the company’s traditional values and passion for G&S, for five nights, Tuesday to Saturday, at the King’s.
The big little show this week is Stand By, at the Assembly Roxy Monday to Wednesday and then the Brunton on Saturday 26. When this immersive show – about police officers called to a domestic incident – premiered at the 2017 Fringe, our reviewer gave it the five star treatment (★★★★★ Gripping). Well worth a watch.
Deeply personal
Going the other way between the Brunton and the Roxy is Paper Doll Militia, with Egg – a deeply personal and political journey, following the true story of a woman who gave her eggs to her friend to have a child. This aerial theatre production plays the Brunton on Thursday and the Roxy on Saturday.
The current season of A Play, a Pie and a Pint at the Traverse has been a corker, by all accounts. This week, Rob Drummond’s Milkshake arrives, with very strong press from its Glasgow run. Also at the Traverse, for four nights only, from Wednesday, is Mugabe My Dad and Me – another deeply personal tale, this time charting the rise and fall of one of the most controversial politicians of the 20th century through the personal story of Tonderai’s family and his relationship with his father.
Listings
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.
Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU
Stand By
Mon 21 – Wed 23 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (Roxy Central).
Four Police Officers sit in a riot van. Called out to a domestic dispute, which may turn violent, they are on stand by; waiting to enter a flat where a man is wielding a samurai sword. We wait with them, experiencing the relationships, forged through the stress of the job and the turmoil of being caught between following orders and protecting themselves. Book here.
One Night Only
Fri 25 March 2022
Evening : 7.30pm (Roxy Central).
Edinburgh University Modern Dance Society with an opportunity for family and friends to come and watch what their members have learned over the year. There will be a variety of dance performances from their weekly classes, performance group and our award-winning competition teams. Book here.
Egg
Sat 26 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (Roxy Central).
A powerful and evocative new aerial theatre production from acclaimed circus theatre company Paper Doll Militia. Weaving together personal testimony, live original music and stunning aerial artistry, the piece takes audiences on a deeply personal and political journey, following the true story of a woman who gave her eggs to her friend to have a child. Book here.
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Legends Of Swing with Down For The Count Swing Orchestra
Thurs 24 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm. (Venue 1)
‘Down for the Count are a mini big band who bring the sounds of the Swing Era back to life, with an electrifying show full of incredible energy and musicianship. Described as “a breath of fresh air on the swing scene” they regularly found at jazz clubs in the UK and abroad. Book here.
Egg (16+)
Thurs 24 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm. (Theatre)
A powerful and evocative new aerial theatre production from acclaimed circus theatre company Paper Doll Militia. Weaving together personal testimony, live original music and stunning aerial artistry, the piece takes audiences on a deeply personal and political journey, following the true story of a woman who gave her eggs to her friend to have a child. Book here.
Stand By
Sat 26 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (Theatre).
Four Police Officers sit in a riot van. Called out to a domestic dispute, which may turn violent, they are on stand by; waiting to enter a flat where a man is wielding a samurai sword. We wait with them, experiencing the relationships, forged through the stress of the job and the turmoil of being caught between following orders and protecting themselves. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
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.
King’s Theatre
2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
The Pirates of Penzance (EdGaS)
Tue 22 – Sat 26 March 2022
Evenings 7.30pm, Matinee Sat 2.30pm
Frederic, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates in Gilbert and Sullivan’s 5th opera. Brought to the stage by Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
Gary Barlow: A Different Stage
Tue 22 – Sun 27 March 2022
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Sun Mat: 2.30pm.
The Take That singer, songwriter and composer narrate the journey of his life alongside the music from his discography in a one-man show billed as a project “unlike anything he’s ever done before”. Tickets and Details.
Online
On a screen in your own home
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Van Morrison
Wed 23 March 2022
Evening: 8pm.
To date, Van Morrison has released 42 albums. He returns to Edinburgh to support his current Latest Record Project Vol 1 which delves into his ongoing love of blues, R&B jazz and soul – to critical acclaim. Book here.
Joe Lycett: More, More, More! How Do You Lycett? How Do You Lycett?
Fri 25/Sat 26 Mar 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
The artist formerly known as Hugo Boss doing what he does best: talking at a room of people in a queer and comedic fashion. His first tour in years promises to be packed with MORE jokes, MORE comedy anecdotes and MORE inappropriate and arguably disturbing paintings, all in the hope of answering the age-old question: How do you Lycett? How do you Lycett? Book here.
Teviot Underground
Teviot House, 13 Bristo Place, EH8 9AJ
Ondine
Sun 27 – Weds 30 March 2022
Evenings: 7pm.
By French playwright Jean Giraudoux, translated by Philomène Cheynet. Theatre Paradok with the story of the young water nymph drawn to the human world. One stormy night by the lake, she meets a knight-errant and falls in love. To free herself of the water world, she makes a secret pact with the spirit of the lake... Book here.
Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404
A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Milkshake
Tue 22 – Sat 26 March 2022
Daily, 1pm (Trav 2)
By Rob Drummond. A right wing politician and a left wing activist meet in a court mandated restorative justice session after an unfortunate incident involving a strawberry milkshake. When the moderator doesn’t show they take it upon themselves to conduct the session without supervision. How difficult can it be? After all, it was only a milkshake. It’s not like anyone died. Book here.
Script Reading – Double Bill
Tue 22 march 2022
Evening: 6.30pm.
A special double bill presentation of readings of full-length scripts from the 2022 First Stages Writers. This Game Right Here by Aaron Gordon and Cow and Pig by Ava Hickey. Book here.
Mugabe, My Dad and Me
Wed 23 – Sat 26 March 2022
Evenings 7.30pm (Trav 1)
April, 1980. The British colony of Rhodesia becomes the independent nation of Zimbabwe. A born free, Tonderai Munyevu is part of the hopeful next generation from a country with a new leader, Robert Mugabe. Book here.
ENDS