New Year Week Listing
What to see at the theatre before New Year
Magic Fest is in town and there’s a last chance to see the Brunton Sinbad the Panto and the Lyceum’s Edinburgh Christmas Carol which are closing on New Year’s Eve.
Here’s a full listing of what is on this week, but first a note of sold out performances. It is always worth checking for returns, however.
You’ll need to be a magician to conjure up seats for the Festival Theatre panto. Liz Ewing. Pic: Douglas Robertson.
The Brunton’s Sinbad the Pantomime is justifiably selling very well indeed. The only remaining performances not sold out are Wed 28 at 7pm and the closing performance on Saturday at 5pm.
The big MagicFest show at the Church Hill Theatre, Hogmanay House, is selling well but there are still a good number of seats for all three performances.
There are tickets for the big panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Festival Theatre, but only single seats at all this week’s performances, for what is a potentially phenomenal show and one which should only get better over the run.
The Lyceum’s Edinburgh Christmas Carol has best availability at the end of the week but with some availability at all shows. Early in the week it is mostly seats up in the gods and seats with limited views.
There are plenty of seats for all performances of My Fair Lady at the Playhouse, although all the best seats are long-gone, with best availability at the sides, both in the stalls and the circle.
The MagicFest take-over of the Storytelling Centre has good availability in many of the shows, although the Netherbow Theatre is small so the ticket situation is very fluid. Billy Reid’s Watch Closely, Tricky Ricky’s Me, My Elf and I and the Future Magicians event all have low availability.
Anyone who wants to give a small child (ages 18 months to 5 years) a real festive theatre treat should check out The Gift at the Studio theatre on Potterrow. There is reasonable availability for all performances of this magical show.
Listings
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Sinbad the Pantomime
Fri 25 Nov – Sat 31 Dec 2022
This week: Wed/Thurs: 2pm & 7pm; Fri/Sat: 1pm & 5pm.
Æ Review: ★★★★☆ Sin-good
Join Sinbad on his fantastic journey as he voyages from Fisherrow over the sea searching for fortune, and finding romance with a runaway Princess-in-disguise. Sinbad’s interfering mammy follows in hot pursuit, along with the evil, power-hungry Mayor. Nail-biting drama, dastardly pirates, riding on the back of a giant whale and ferocious creatures guarding hidden treasure. Tickets and full details of times: Book here.
Church Hill Theatre
33 Morningside Road, EH10 4DR.
Hogmanay House
Fri 30/Sat 31 Dec 2022
Matinee: 2pm (both days); 7pm (Fri only).
75 Mins. Suitability: 7+
Discover Scotland’s Hogmanay traditions and surprising origins in a joyous theatre show with live music, storytelling, magic and comedy. Hogmanay House makes merry with traditions from the past 500 years; black buns, lumps of coal, first footing, tall dark strangers and a very strange dance with a herring. Featuring singer/songwriter Ainsley Hamill, mind-reader Drew McAdam, storyteller Andy Cannon, magician Lewis Barlow and composer/musician Ron Jappy. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Sat 17 Dec 2022 – Sun 22 Jan 2023
This week: Mon – Fri: 2pm & 7pm; Sat 31: 1pm & 5pm.
Æ Review: ★★★★☆ Reassuringly funny
Mirror, Mirror on the wall – our Panto is the most magical of them all! With the King’s closed for a major redevelopment, the King’s Panto is relocating to the Festival Theatre with Allan Stewart as Nurse May, Grant Staff as Henchman, Jordan Young as Muddles, Liz Ewing as Queen Malevolista and Clare Gray as Lavinia, daughter of Lord Lucifer. Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
An Edinburgh Christmas Carol
Tony Cownie adapts Charles Dickens’ novel
Thurs 24 Nov – Sat 31 Dec 2022
This week: Mon, Wed-Fri: 2pm & 7pm; Tue: 1pm & 6pm Sat: 2pm.
Æ review: ★★★★☆ Timely.
Writer and director Tony Cownie brings this famous festive story back to the city of its birth with a guest appearance from Edinburgh’s best-loved Victorian – Greyfriars Bobby… Join us on the snowy streets of the Old Town for a festive comedy as we revisit this celebrated Christmas tale of a miser redeemed. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
My Fair Lady
Wed 14 Dec 2022 – Sat 7 Jan 2023.
This week: Mon – Thurs 7.30pm; Tue – Fri 2.30pm.
Æ review: ★★★★★ Simply Luverly.
The Lincoln Center Theater’s critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning and sumptuous production – featuring over 30 members of cast on stage and a full orchestra – is a truly loverly way to celebrate Christmas theatre back in bloom! Book here.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. Phone booking: 0131 556 9579
Héctor Mancha, The Magician is Here… You
Tue 27 – Thurs 29 Dec 2022
Matinees: 2pm (60 mins).
Suitability: 6+
A chance to join World Champion of Magic, Hector Mancha, for a family-friendly show where the audience does the magic. Book here.
Lewis Barlow, The Way of the Magician
Tue 27/Weds 28 Dec 2022
Afternoons:4pm (55 mins).
Suitability: 8+
Shrouded in secrecy and steeped in mystery, the Way of the Magician is a solitary yet fascinating path. In his breath-taking and original show, this internationally-acclaimed magician will take you on a journey to the essence of the accomplished conjurer. Book here.
Héctor Mancha, This is Not Magic
Tue 27 – Thurs 29 Dec 2022
Evenings: 6pm (60 mins).
Suitability: 12+
World Champion of Magic and Spain’s national champion entertains with card magic, comedy, manipulation, parlour magic, hand shadows and storytelling. And it’s the only show where all the tricks are explained. Book here.
Billy Reid, Watch Closely
Tue 27/Weds 28 Dec 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (60 mins).
Suitability: 7+
A spellbinding evening of sleight-of-hand magic and storytelling. Cards transform into a rainbow, sweets appear from thin air, and one of the world’s greatest artists makes an appearance. The show concludes with Reid’s signature Caledonia routine – the most beautiful card trick in the world. Book here.
Balloon Twisting Workshop with Magic Gareth:
Wed 28 Dec 2022
Morning: 10.30am. (60 mins).
Suitability: 6 – 14 year olds.
A fun and interactive session learning to bend, twist and create amazing balloon models with Gareth White (Magic Gareth). WARNING: This will make you the life and soul of parties. Book here.
Tricky Ricky, Me, My Elf and I
Wed 28 – Fri 30 Dec 2022
Matinees: 12.15 pm (45 mins).
Suitability: 4+
The Trickster returns with a new festive fun show starring Eddie Knox The Elf In The Box. Mischievous rabbit Sonny the Bunny adds madness and mayhem. Four-time Scottish Children’s Entertainer of the Year, Tricky Ricky will have you laughing your Christmas Socks off. Book here.
Magic Gareth, Magic Eye
Thurs 29/Fri 30 Dec 2022
Morning: 10.30am (45 mins).
Suitability: 5+
Kick-ass, eye-bending magic and a whole load of nonsense – plus balloons. Magic Gareth’s brand new rip-roaring family show features games, gifts and a whole load of silliness. Book here.
Future Magicians
Thurs 29 Dec 2022
One show: 4pm (90 mins).
Suitability: 7+
Five young magicians from the MagicFest new mentorship programme have created their own eight-minute act. These will then be shown at this special public show.Details here.
Magic School with Gary James
Wed 28/Thurs 29 Dec 2022
10am & 1.30 pm (150 mins).
Suitability 7 – 10 years.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to properly perform magic, then join us for a spellbinding 2.5-hour workshop for young magicians. In addition to learning tricks, we’ll introduce presentation skills and work on building confidence to ensure student conjurers get the best introduction to performing magic in front of audiences. Book here.
Studio Theatre
The Studio, 22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
The Gift
Sat 17 Dec 2022 – Wed 4 Jan 2023
This week: Mon 26: 1.15pm & 4.30pm; Tue – Sat: 10.45am & 2pm.
Æ review: ★★★★★ Magical.
A mountain of discarded wrapping. A lonely child with an active imagination. It’s often the cardboard boxes, not the gifts inside that are the most fun. Is the true gift the joy that can come from the imagination? Book here.
