Listings: Mon 19 – Sun 25 Jan 2025
What’s on Edinburgh’s Stages this week?
It’s a bit more lively on Edinburgh’s stages this week, thanks to the decade-old touring production of The Shawshank Redemption, a sparkling new Into the Woods and a clutch of works in progress.
Tickets are rare (and gone on Saturday) for Bill Kenwright’s The Shawshank Redemption, this time at the Lyceum (Tue – Sat: tickets), thanks, no doubt, to the appearance of Joe McFadden alongside the returning Ben Onwukwe.
The EUSOG are at the Church Hill Theatre where they promise “a darker and more gothic” interpretation of Sondheim’s wonderful Into the Woods (Tue – Sat: tickets). “★★★★☆ Melodic” says our reviewer
There is more student theatre, with the EUTC taking on Ulster American, David Ireland’s brilliant and controversial exploration of how we approach contemporary social and political issues (Thurs/Fri: tickets) at the Bedlam.
Then there is that quartet of rehearsed readings of works in progress. Particularly exciting are the two from members of Edinburgh’s Lung Ha Touring Company, A Fishy Tale In Anstruther and Yui’s Unique Adventure as a double bill at the Traverse (Thurs/Fri: tickets), where Tatty Pants have Red Tape on Saturday (tickets).
The fourth WIP, Press to Pulp, at the Augustine United Church (Sun: tickets) is the inaugural outing from new grassroots outfit Edinburgh Rep Company, with a noire comedy from Oliver Giggins in a co-pro with Erstwhile Media. ERP look like a fascinating company to watch, they have promised to put on a producing every month during 2026.
And for Burns fans, there are two excellent pieces of theatre. Immersive event: The Burns Project at the Georgian House (Mon, Thurs – Sun: tickets) and Mairi Campbell’s resonantly musical Auld Lang Syne at the Scottish Storytelling Centre (Sat: tickets).
Click on the name of the show or the Book here link to go to its ticketing site.
Augustine United Church
41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL.
Press To Pulp [WIP] (Edinburgh Rep Company)
Sun 25 Jan 2026
Evening: 6.30pm.
Script-in-hand performance of an absurd noir detective mystery by Oliver Giggins from newly-formed grassroots affair Edinburgh Rep Company. When Detective Carmady wakes up tied to a chair in his own office, it seems like just another day on the job. That is, until a client appears with a case. The only problem is he already solved it. And why are there so many other detectives hiding in his office? Book here.
Bedlam Theatre
11B Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ.
Ulster American (EUTC)
Thurs 22/Fri 23 Jan 2026
Evening: 7.30pm.
How far are we prepared to go to achieve that ephemeral “success” we all crave? The night before three creatives are to embark on rehearsals for their upcoming play set during the Troubles, clashing ideas, miscommunications and offensive comments from all sides bring up rash reactions and shocking truths. Book here.
Church Hill Theatre
33 Morningside Road, EH10 4DR.
Into the Woods (EUSOG)
Tue 20 – Sat 24 January 2026.
Evenings: 7.30pm. Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Into The Woods recounts the fairytale stories we all grew up with and asks the question: what happens next? Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s answer is a tale that still contains moments of childlike wonder, but also explores the harsh realities of the real world. Book here.
Georgian House
7 Charlotte Square EH2 4DR.
The Burns Project
Sat 17 – Sun 25 Jan 2026
Sats 17 & 24, Sun 18: 3.30pm & 7.30pm. Sun 18: also 12.30pm. Mon, Thurs & Fri: 7.30pm. Sun 25: 2.30pm only.
Burns’ letters, poems and music are masterfully brought to life by James Clements and Lisa Rigby, laying bare a complicated and contradictory icon. Set around an immaculately designed dinner table, the play brings audiences into close proximity to the man himself, as the set comes alive with hidden voices, music and secrets – titillating, shameful and surprising in equal measure. Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
The Shawshank Redemption (25/26 Season)
Presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd.
Tue 20 – Sat 24 Jan 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Wed, Sat: 2.30pm..
Fear will hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free. Despite protests of his innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murders of his wife and her lover. Incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Sing-a-Long-a Encanto
Sat 24 Jan 2026
One performance: 2pm.
Cheer on Mirabel as she tries to save the magic surrounding the Encanto – with lyrics on the screen so you can join in as loud as you want. Sing your heart out with the live host, who will teach you some dance moves, help you create some magic and show you how to use your free props bag. Fancy dress strongly encouraged & full audience participation essential. Book here.
Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman
Sat 24 Jan 2026
One performance: 7pm.
Cheer on Hugh Jackman or lust after Zac Efron – with lyrics on the screen so you can join in as loud as you want. The live host will teach you some dance moves, help you create some magic and show you how to use your free props bag. Fancy dress strongly encouraged & full audience participation essential. Book here.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. Phone booking: 0131 556 9579.
Auld Lang Syne (Mairi Campbell)
Sat 24 Jan 2026.
One performance: 7.30pm
Æ Review: ★★★★☆ Resonantly musical
Delivered with her trademark wit and unparalleled musical ability, this funny and heartfelt show resonates with universal truths. As we learn about the song and its history, we journey with Mairi as she negotiates the politics of childhood friendships; the challenges of romantic relationships and the highs and lows of success and failure. Book here.
Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404.
A Fishy Tale In Anstruther & Yui’s Unique Adventure (Lung Ha)
By Emma Clark & Emma McCaffrey.
Thurs 22/Fri 23 Jan 2026
Evening: 7pm (Trav 2).
Lung Ha Touring Company present rehearsed readings of plays written by two of Lung Ha Theatre Company ensemble actors. Outside Kurt’s beachside restaurant in Anstruther, two ladies defend their fish and chips from a couple of greedy seagulls. Yui loves telling stories… except for real ones where she is the main character. Book here.
Red Tape: A staged reading (Tatty Pants)
By Georgia Louise Luckhurst.
Sat 24 Jan 2026
Evening: 7pm (Trav 2).
A coming of age story about sex, power dynamics, and classroom rumours, ‘Red Tape’ follows a group of young people on the cusp of the rest of their lives. They just need to survive their A-level Politics exam, first. 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.
ENDS
