Listings: Mon 6 – Sun 12 Nov 2023
What’s on Edinburgh’s Stages this week…
Good to see a really decent fist of involved drama from Edinburgh’s amateur companies on the stages this week, where they have no less than three plays and a musical on offer.
That’s about half the productions on in Edinburgh. Although all of them are completely eclipsed by the production of Disney’s Aladdin (tickets) at the Playhouse until the 18th. Our critic said: ★★★★☆ Spectacular; have a read of the review and, if big-stage family entertainment is your thing, you know where to go.
Yeukayi Ushe (Genie) and ensemble in Aladdin. Pic: Deen Van Meer
Another of this week’s productions already covered is the EGTG UK premiere of Chalk by American playwright Walt McGough at the Assembly Roxy (tickets), Wed – Sat. McGough digs deep deep into issues of motherhood, responsibility and possession of all kinds in this post-apocalyptic, science fiction thriller. We spoke to director Hannah Bradley Croall: Apocalypse beyond the line.
The first of two pieces of theatre from student companies is from Theatre Paradok, who are using La Belle Angele to stage Eleanor (tickets), their new play about the tragic life of Eleanor Marx, the youngest daughter of Karl.
A bright but harrowing script by Agnes Perry-Robinson, with a rocket of a performance in the title role, it portrays an effervescent firebrand of a young woman, who found it impossible to step out of the shadow of the men around her and was tragically abused by her partner and lover, Edward Aveling.
Bedlam
The final theatre piece sees the EUTC producing ex-Bedlamite Lucy Kirkwood’s play The Welkin (tickets), described as Twelve Angry Men meets The Crucible in rural Suffolk, 1759, where the country is waiting for Halley’s Comet and Sally Poppy is on trial for murder.
When Poppy says she is pregnant, a jury of 12 matrons are called on to decide whether she is attempting to escape the noose or is actually telling the truth.
Producer Abby Brooks says: “Using the backdrop of 18th century rural Suffolk, this play analyses the place and perception of the female body then and now. It confronts contemporary issues in the guise of a dark comedic period drama which cheekily inserts modern references highlighting the timelessness of such perception.
“It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s bizarre and most importantly it is a necessary reminder that we really have not come that far since the 18th century.”
Portobello Town Hall
Another reminder that we maybe haven’t come as far as we would like over the last few hundred years, is the first production at the newly re-opened Portobello Town Hall, where Stage Door Productions is putting on an amateur production of Oliver! (tickets), the ever-popular musical adaptation of Dickens, about the boy who wanted more.
With the Brunton still closed because of its crumbling concrete issue, the opening of Porty Town Hall as a theatre venue feels particularly apt. Stage Door has been busy putting in a new stage, with Black Light on illumination duties, for what will no doubt be a technical test run for the company’s professional production of Cinderella in December.
Opera lovers no doubt already have their tickets for Scottish Opera’s fabulous production of Rossini’s comedy, The Barber of Seville, directed by Sir Thomas Allen at the Festival Theatre (tickets). It’s a corker of a production and while there are a few single seats in the stalls and circle, there is good availability up with the gods in the Upper Circle.
Lyra Arts Space
Last of all, there are just two performances of a new play, Sunk, written and performed by Ian Cameron and Sean Hay at Lyra Arts Space on Thursday and Friday (tickets). Two incompetent men, Bob and Charlie, set sail on a voyage of remembrance for their fathers who were lost at sea. Will their lifelong friendship survive when they are confined in a small boat with an approaching storm and their world about to capsize around them?
This “heartwarming tale suitable for audiences aged twelve and up” is directed by Magnetic North’s Nicholas Bone, working with designer Karen Tennent, lighting designer, Simon Wilkinson and sound designer, Georgina MacDonell Finlayson. All of which is as strong a recommendation to see a show as ever there was.
Listings: Mon 6 – Sun 12 Nov 2023
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
Paper Moon (Shaper/Caper)
Tue 7/Wed 8 Nov 2023.
Two shows daily: 11am & 2pm. (Central)
The moonlight is beautiful, shining across the bedroom floor as Poppy Diddle dozes off. But is all as calm as it seems? Suddenly, Poppy wakes up to discover that the MoonMoo (the cow that jumped over the moon) has got stuck on the Moon! Poppy’s mission is clear — and she really needs your help! A show for under fives. Book here.
Chalk (EGTG)
Wed 8 – Sat 11 Nov 2023.
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Æ preview: Apocalypse beyond the line.
In Walt McGough’s play, Maggie survived the end of the world and has enough supplies to last. But now her daughter has come home and something’s wrong. Two women square off, kept apart only by their pasts and a protective chalk circle, hastily drawn on the floor. Book here.
Bedlam Theatre
11B Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ.
The Welkin (EUTC)
Wed 8 – Sat 11 Nov 2023
Evenings: 7pm.
Ex-Bedlamite Lucy Kirkwood’s play is set in rural Suffolk in 1759. As the country waits for Halley’s Comet, Sally Poppy is sentenced to hang for a heinous murder. When she claims to be pregnant, a jury of twelve matrons are taken from their housework to decide whether she’s telling the truth, or simply trying to escape the noose. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
The Barber of Seville (Scottish Opera)
Fri 3 – Sat 11 Nov 2023
Wed 8, Sat 11: 7.15pm.
Back by popular demand, Sir Thomas Allen (The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni) creates a riotous production of Rossini’s beloved comedy. When Count Almaviva sets his sights on the beautiful Rosina, he enlists Figaro – barber, fixer, and all-round man of action – to help woo her. It is no easy feat: Rosina’s guardian Doctor Bartolo keeps her under lock and key with the intention of marrying her himself… Book here.
La Belle Angele
11 Hasties Close, EH1 1HJ.
Eleanor (Theatre Paradok)
Sun 5 – Tue 7 Nov 2023.
Evenings: 7pm.
Set against the explosive backdrop of early socialism, Agnes Perry-Robinson’s new play follows the tragic life of Karl Marx’ youngest daughter, a fierce activist whose life has been long eclipsed in history by the male figures in her life. Book here.
Lyra Artspace
11 Harewood Road, EH16 4NT.
Sunk
Thurs 9/Fri 10 Nov 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Two incompetent men, Bob and Charlie, set sail on a voyage of remembrance for their fathers who were lost at sea. Will their lifelong friendship survive when they are confined in a small boat with an approaching storm and their world about to capsize around them? Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014
Disney’s Aladdin
Tue 24 Oct – Sat 18 Nov 2023
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Sat: 2.30pm; Sun: 1pm & 6pm.
Æ review: ★★★★☆ Spectacular.
One lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. Featuring the iconic music by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice – this exuberant production is filled with unforgettable magic, comedy and breath-taking spectacle. Book here.
Portobello Town Hall
147-149 Portobello High St, Portobello EH15 1AF.
Oliver! (Stage Door Entertainment)
Wed 8 – Sat 11 Nov 2023.
Evenings: 7.30pm. Mats Fri, Sat: 2pm.
An opening show for Portobello Town Hall and inaugural production from Tommie Travers and Aidan O’Brien’s new company. An amateur local cast with professional production and technical team stage Lionel Bart’s ever-popular musical adaptation of Dickens, about the boy who wanted more. Book here.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR.
Elegies (SISF)
Sat 11 Nov 2023.
Evening: 7.30pm.
Commissioned by the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2023, Elegies is the first dance adaptation of Elegies for the Dead in Cyrenaica by legendary Scottish poet and songwriter Hamish Henderson. Resonating with the festival theme Right To Be Human and issues of social justice, peace movement and anti-militarism, it explores aspects of our common humanity through acts of art activism. Book here.
ENDS
