Listings: Mon 26 Jan – Sun 1 Feb 2026
What’s on Edinburgh’s Stages this week?
Not a lot, to be honest, one home-grown show, one student revue and on big national tour – thank goodness for the students’ BedFest at the Bedlam.
Top tip is Iddo Oberski’s “slow tour” of Balancing in Freedom at the Storytelling Centre (Thurs: tickets). Oberski draws on his family’s Holocaust history, his own experience of disability, and Rudolf Steiner’s Philosophy of Freedom. Co-directd by Mark Kydd, this will be constantly updated and return three times over the year
“Don’t mention John Cleese – I will once, but I think I’ll get away with it…” Yes, the biggie in town is Cleese’s own adaptation of Fawlty Towers at the Playhouse (ends Sat: tickets). A “nostalgic” rendition of an old favourite, according to our reviewer. There is good availability in the week, while both Sat performances are slightly more sparse.
The Edinburgh Uni Shakespeare Company have Shut Up, Shakespeare! a “festival of the bard’s tragedies” at the Assembly Roxy (Thurs/Fri: tickets), but the big student event is the week-long run of one-off performances: BedFest at the Bedlam (ends Sat: details).
Otherwise this this is a week of looking forward and updating Æ’s listings & previews. Notably, visual theatre fans should book asap for the Manipulate Festival (Feb 4 – 10: Æ preview here).
Click on the name of the show or the Book here link to go to its ticketing site.
Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU.
Shut Up, Shakespeare! (EUSC)
Wed 28/Thur 29 Jan 2026
Evenings: 7.30pm.
The Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company are delighted to present their annual showcase: Shut up, Shakespeare. This years’ edition is a showcase of Shakespeare’s tragedies, with a comedic interlude to lighten the mood… Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Hamlet (NT Live Encore)
Thurs 29 Jan 2026
Screening: 7.30pm.
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this darkly funny reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one. Book here.
The Fifth Step (NT Live Encore)
Sat 31 Jan 2025
Screening: 7.30pm.
After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend. Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
An Evening With… Sam Heughan
Tue 27 Jan 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm..
From being a member of The Lyceum Youth Theatre, to his very first theatre performance aged 18, in a production of Macbeth as “Spear Carrier #2”, Sam Heughan’s connection to The Lyceum runs deep. Hosted by actor and podcaster Nicola Roy, he will speak of his career to date including Jamie in the TV series Outlander and most recently playing the starring role of Macbeth at the RSC. Sold Out.
Getting Through It (Michael Rosen)
Thursday 29 January 2026
Evening: 7.30pm.
Poetry legend Michael Rosen presents his new one-person show Getting Through It, formed of a double-bill of monologues. The Death of Eddie recounts the death of his son from meningitis at the age of 18. In Many Kinds of Love, Michael recalls how he contracted COVID-19 and spent 48 days in intensive care. He was put into an induced coma and had a 50% chance of dying. Book here.
Stuart Mitchell: Tips Not Included
Presented by Live Nation.
Sat 31 Jan 2026
Evening: 8pm.
Stuart Mitchell, the longest running panellist of BBC Scotland’ Breaking The News, is now regarded as one of the UK’s top comedians and social media stars with over a 100M views online. You’ve seen him online and now you can see him on his first ever national UK tour. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Fawlty Towers – The Play
Tue 27 – Sat 31 Jan 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Wed, Thur, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
Adapted by comedy legend John Cleese and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, this brand-new stage play featuring your favourite scenes from the sitcom’s unforgettable twelve episodes, is a ‘hugely entertaining blast of unadorned nostalgia’ (The Times) making for an ‘indisputably funny evening’ (The Telegraph). Book here.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. Phone booking: 0131 556 9579.
Balancing in Freedom (Iddo Oberski)
Thu 29 Jan 2026.
Jan & Nov: 7.30pm; Mar & June: 2pm.
A journey through the landscape of personal story, searching for meaning, connection and expression. In this unique blending of multiple art forms, Iddo Oberski takes us on a deeply personal exploration of his family’s Holocaust history, his own disability and Rudolf Steiner’s Philosophy of Freedom. 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.
