Lyceum listings

Edinburgh’s leading production house

Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848
Website: lyceum.org.uk

The Lyceum. Pic: Eamonn McGoldrick

The Royal Lyceum Theatre is a a 628 seat producing house designed by C. J. Phipps which had its opening night on 10 September 1883 and has had relatively minor refurbishment since.

Membership: Become a Lyceum Member and enjoy priority booking, exclusive discounts and year-round benefits. Full details here.

2026

The Burns Project
By James Clements.
Henry Irving Room.
Wed 24 Jun – Sun 5 Jul 2026
Tue – Fri & Sat 4/Sun 5: 7.30pm. Mats Sat/Sun: 12.30pm (not Sun 5), 3.30pm..
Placing the audience in seats around an “immaculately designed” dinner table, the play draws spectators into close proximity with Burns himself, as the set comes alive around them with hidden voices, music and secrets – titillating, shameful and surprising in equal measure. Book here.

Zog
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Tue 7 – Sun 12 Jul 2026
Tue 7: 4.30pm; Wed – Sun: 10.30am, 1.30pm. Sat/Sun: 3.30pm.
Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school. He’s also the most accident-prone, flying into trees, and even setting his own wing alight. Thankfully, a kind girl comes along to patch up his scratches and scrapes – but can she help him with his biggest challenge yet so that he can finally win a golden star? Book here.

Summer on Stage 2026 Double Bill
Fri 17/Sat 18 July 2026
Fri: 7.30pm; Sat: 2.30pm.
This year both the Juniors & Seniors group will perform scenes from Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales Adapted by Philip Wilson. The most marvellous or preposterous or hilarious or terrifying events can happen all within the swiftness of stories; where princesses are pretty, forest are dark and witches are wicked. This year, let the performers of our Juniors and Seniors Summer on Stage cohorts, transport you to tales set at sea, in castles and lands far beyond, be prepared to stretch your imagination and join us on this magical and sometimes, a little absurd, journey. Book here.

Edinburgh International Festival

A Trial – after An Enemy of the People (EIF)
Christiane Jatahy, Wagner Moura
Fri 7 – Mon 10 Aug 2026.
Evenings: 7.30pm; Sat mat: 3pm. (2hr 30m)
Transplanting Ibsen’s themes to contemporary Brazil, Christiane Jatahy offers a sharp look at authoritarianism, fake news and public judgement. Jatahy combines audience participation and filmed footage, creating a one-of-a-kind performance each night as 11 people who register before the performance are randomly selected to serve as the jury and play a pivotal role in shaping the end of the play. Book here.

Ingoma! (EIF)
Volcano (Canada) / Woman Cultural Centre (Rwanda)
Fri 14 – Sun 16 Aug 2026.
Fri/Sat: 7.30pm; Sat/Sun: 2.30pm (1hr 40m)
Tn Rwanda, ‘power’ and ‘drum’ are the same word: ingoma. In 2004, a group of women, seeking to heal after a genocide, made a revolutionary choice. They broke a centuries-old taboo and formed Ingoma Nshya (New Power/ New Drum) – the first all-women drumming ensemble in Rwandan history. This is their story – a joyous narrative concert featuring an electrifying collection of rhythms, songs and dances from both West and East Africa – some traditional, some brand new. Book here.

Hang Time (EIF)
The Flea Theater
Thur 20 – Sun 23 Aug 2026.
Thur – Sat: 8pm; Sat/Sun: 3pm. (1 hr)
Three Black men hang from an old, wide tree. Caught together in this liminal space, they shoot the breeze, sharing the great loves and bitter blues of their interrupted lives. Zora Howard’s directorial debut is a gut-wrenching, subversive perspective on the legacy of racialised violence in America. As the audience sits with the image of these men’s demise, Howard asks us to hold the truth of this peculiar American violence alongside the vibrant interior worlds of the men themselves. Book here.

Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah (EIF)
Khashabi Theatre
Wed 26 – Sat 29 Aug 2026
Evenings: 7.30pm. (3hrs)
The legendary poem Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah (The Epic of Bani Hilal) has been passed down through generations since the 14th century, across the Arab world. Rejecting European theatrical norms, Bashar Murkus and Khulood Basel present an exhilarating retelling that combines physical theatre, music, puppetry and dance, mixing the aesthetics of their native Palestinian folklore with Arab performance styles. Book here.

Autumn season – September

Sindhu Vee: Swanky
Sindhu Vee.
Sat 5 Sept 2026
Evening: 7.30pm.
Someone once asked Sindhu Vee a very stupid question. She wants to tell you about it. From the award-winning star of Live at the Apollo comes a brand-new stand-up show about falling through the cracks you didn’t make, avoiding the friendships you don’t want, and embracing the self-love you definitely need. Book here.

The Tailor of Inverness
Dogstar Theatre Company.
Mon 7/Tue 8 Sept 2026
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Matthew Zajac’s stunning show about his Polish-Ukrainian father has entranced over 40,000 people, playing all over the world. This is a rare chance to see this unforgettable and moving story of displacement and survival in war-torn Europe, a powerful allegory for all victims of war. Book here.

The Gruffalo
Thur 10 – Sun 13 Sept 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm..
“A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood…” Tall Stories’ much-loved magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler returns by popular demand, celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary. Book here.

Neil Delamere: Reinventing the Neil
Neil Delamere.
Wed 16 Sept 2026
One performance: 8pm.
Our comedic adventurer returns with a brand new stand-up show, packed to the brim of tall tales and hilarious stories. Join the star of the Blame Game, Live at the Apollo, QI and Celebrity Chase as he ponders the eternal question, if it ain’t broke should he fix it? Book here.

Private Peaceful
Simon Reade adapts Michael Morpurgo
Thur 17 – Sat 19 Sept 2026
Evenings: 7.30pm. Sat mat: 2.30pm..
On the eve of battle, Tommo looks back over the events that shaped his life: the warmth of family, the innocence of first love, and the deep bond with his brother that carries him through the horrors of war. In this acclaimed one-person tour de force, adapted and directed by Simon Reade, a single actor conjures an entire world of characters, landscapes, and emotions. Book here.

October

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
David Harrower adapts Muriel Spark in NTS/Lyceum co-pro.
Previews: Fri 2 – Thurs 8 Oct 2026.
Fri, Mon-Thurs: 7.30pm.
Full performances: Fri 9 – Sun 18 October 2026.
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats: Wed 14, Sat 17: 2.30pm.
Æ news: Jean Brodie for Lyceum
Vicky Featherstone directs a cast lead by Gayle Rankin in David Harrower’s adaptation, which sharpens the knives of Spark’s extraordinary work. Promises to be a visceral production that looks head on at our enduring moral fascination with such a beguiling and dangerous character. Book here.

Tristan & Yseult
Kneehigh / Emma Rice.
Tue 20 – Sat 24 Oct 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Wed, Sat: 2.30pm..
Experience the original, critically acclaimed production of Tristan & Yseult – one of the most influential theatre productions of the 21st century. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, this iconic show returns to the UK for the first time in ten years, offering a rare chance to encounter a modern masterpiece fresh and live on stage. Book here.

November

1984
A new adaptation by Chris Hannan.
Tue 27 Oct – Sat 7 Nov 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Wed, Sat: 2.30pm..
The nightmare of a totalitarian society built on terror and lies is brought to vivid life in this powerful new adaptation of Orwell’s final novel, which dramatises Winston and Julia’s epic battle to be human against all odds. In 2026, George Orwell’s terrifying post-truth world of ‘alternative facts’ is more relevant than ever before. Book here from June.

The Haunting of Hill House
Adapted by Stef Smith.
Tue 10 – Sat 14 Nov 2026
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Wed, Sat: 2.30pm..
From best-selling novel to major hit Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House now takes to the stage in this gripping new production that blurs the line between heart-thumping suspense and the supernatural. Book here.

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Howling at the Moon
Christopher Macarthur-Boyd
15 Nov 2026
Evening: 8pm.
Host of the Here Comes The Guillotine podcast alongside Frankie Boyle and Susie McCabe. Star of the comedy specials Oh No and Scary Times. Host of the BBC New Comedy Award and star of Scotland Stands Up, with appearances on Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. Book here.

A Christmas Carol
A Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh production.
Sat 28 Nov 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2026
Previews: Sat 28, Mon 30, Wed 2: 7pm.
Weekdays (not Mon) to Xmas week: 7pm.
Weekends: Sat: 2pm, 7pm; Sun: 1pm, 6pm.
Weekdays from Mon 21: 2pm & 7pm; Thurs 24 & 31: 2pm only. Fri 25, 1 Jan: no show.
Chill winds sweep through the gas-lit streets of Victorian Edinburgh as Dickens’ beloved classic comes to life. On Christmas Eve, three mysterious spirits whisk Ebenezer Scrooge on a whirlwind journey through his past, present, and future. Will he discover the true meaning of Christmas before it’s too late? Directed by James Brining. Book here.

Romeo and Juliet
Lyceum-led co-production.
Fri 5 – Sat 27 Feb 2027 (previews Sat 30 Jan – Wed 3 Feb)
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Wed, Sat: 2.30pm..
Chelsea Walker directs the lovesick tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. A pair of teenagers fall madly in love while their families violently tear each other apart. An explosive, urgent tale of forbidden love, secrets, loyalty and grief, where one wrong decision can change everything. Book here.

Guys & Dolls
Lyceum with Eden Court, APA, Citizens and Dundee Rep.
Fri 26 Mar – Sat 1 May 2027 (Preview to Thu 1 Apr)
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Weds, Sat: 2.30pm..
A Broadway classic packed with unforgettable music, this brand-new production is full of heart, humour, and irresistible swing, directed by James Brining. Follow a cast of gamblers, showgirls and dreamers as they chase luck, dodge commitment, and discover that love doesn’t always play by the rules on the streets of New York. At its heart, two love stories unfold in unexpected ways, reminding us that sometimes the biggest gamble is falling for someone. Book here.

Mother Courage and her Children
A Lyceum production.
Fri 28 May – Sat 19 Jun 2027
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Mats Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm..
Blending music, dark humour and striking theatricality, this urgent new production is clear-eyed and compelling, reimagined by Zinnie Harris. Mother Courage trades her way across battlefields – fierce, pragmatic, and determined to keep her children alive. But in the business of war, every choice comes at a cost. Book here.

Zog and the Flying Doctors
Freckle productions in association with Rose Theatre.
Tue 7 – Sun 11 July 2027
Tue: 4.30pm; Wed – Sun: 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat/Sun 3.30pm also.
Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a crash-bang-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe. Book here.