Listings Mon 16 – Sun 22 Feb 2026
What’s on Edinburgh’s stages this week?
A nice one this, with plenty of home grown talent on offer as the local round of the Scottish Community Drama Association’s one-act festival takes place and QMU is celebrated in theatre.
Head. Heart. Hand (Traverse: Thurs – Sat: tickets) is a powerful new play by Stef Smith, marking the 150th anniversary of the institution now known as Queen Margaret University.
QMU’s current students are putting two plays into the One Act Festival at the Church Hill (Thurs – Sat: tickets). There are eight plays over the three nights, with EPT, Leith Theatre, the Grads and St Serf’s among the local groups participating.
It’s a Porty weekend for musical theatre fans, with Stage Door doing the junior version of Moana at the Portobello Town Hall (Thurs – Sat: tickets)
Scottish Opera are at the Festival Theatre with The Great Wave (Thurs, Sat: tickets), a faithful, if not hugely dramatic, account of artist Hokusai and his famous woodblock print.
Varna International Ballet are at the Playhouse with three of the big ballets. Cinderella (Thu: tickets), Swan Lake (Fri: tickets) and The Nutcracker (Sat: tickets).
And finally, new local group Edinburgh Rep have an immersive whodunnit at the Waverley Bar on Saturday: Murder at the Speed Dating (tickets).
Listings
Click on the name of the show or the Book here link to go to its ticketing site.
Church Hill Theatre
33 Morningside Road, EH10 4DR.
One Act Festival (SCDA)
Thurs 19 – Sat 21 February 2026.
Evenings: 7pm
The Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders round of the SCDA One-Act Festival with adjudicator Mr Oliver Brooks. There will be a 15 minute interval between each play. Winning teams will go on to compete in the SCDA Eastern Divisional Final: Thur 2 – Sat 4 April, Leslie Town Hall.
Thursday 19
Edinburgh Peoples Theatre: Bull (Other)
Broadsword: Dream Before I Take The Stand (Drama)
Leith Theatre: Psychic (Comedy)
Friday 20
QMU (A company): Ghost (Comedy)
Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group: Medea (Drama)
St. Serfs: All By Myself (Comedy)
Saturday 21
QMU entry B): Theres Something Here (Drama)
St Kentigern’s Drama Society: Little Box Of Oblivion (Comedy)
Followed by the platform party presentations.
Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
The Great Wave (Scottish Opera)
Thurs 19 – Sat 21 Feb 2026
Thurs & Sat: 7.15pm.
The world premiere of Dai Fujikura’s The Great Wave: an extravagant story about artist Katsushika Hokusai and his famous woodblock print. Japanese composer Dai Fujikura and Scottish librettist Harry Ross create a mesmerising musical drama that showcases the series of events that ignites The Great Wave off Kanagawa phenomena, influencing pop art culture today. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Cinderella (Varna International Ballet)
Thu 19 Feb 2026
Evening: 7.30pm.
Step into the enchanting world of Cinderella, where dreams come true in a dazzling tale of magic and romance. With Prokofiev’s exhilarating score, stunning choreography, and vibrant costumes, this beloved fairy tale springs to life on stage. Book here.
Swan Lake (Varna International Ballet)
Fri 20 Feb 2026
Evening: 7.30pm.
The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. Book here.
The Nutcracker (Varna International Ballet)
Sat 21 Feb 2026
Two shows: 2pm & 7.30pm.
This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. Book here.
Portobello Town Hall
147-149 Portobello High St, Portobello EH15 1AF.
Moana Junior (Stage Door)
Thur 19 – Sat 21 Feb 2026
Evenings: 7.30pm; Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Moana sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage with the legendary demigod Maui on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. Featuring a cast of local young people; led by a professional production and technical team. Book here.
Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404.
Head. Heart. Hand (QMU)
By Stef Smith.
Thur 19 – Sat 21 Feb 2026
Evenings: 7pm; Sat mat: 2pm. (Trav 1).
A powerful new play by Stef Smith, created to mark the 150th anniversary of the institution that is known today as Queen Margaret University (QMU). Drawing inspiration from an old motto of QMU, the play weaves together stories from the University’s notable history. Book here.
The Waverley Bar
3-5 Saint Mary’s Street, EH1 1TA.
Murder at the Speed Dating (Edinburgh Rep Company)
Sat 21 Feb 2026
Evening: 7.30-10pm.
It’s the week after Valentines day and you find yourselves speed dating at The Waverly Pub. We won’t judge, we havent got the time, there’s more important things to think about…. like murder. An interactive murder mystery theatrical event like no other. Mingle with other guests in a speed dating setting, giving you ample time to meet some new people and have a one to one interrogation with our suspects. Book here.
*NB: This is intended to be a complete listing of all public theatrical productions on in Edinburgh. If you are staging a show which is not listed, or a listing is inaccurate, please get in touch through the contact page, here.
