Cap Theatres dance into 2024
Raft of new shows announced for Spring and Summer next year
The Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s centenary production of The Gondoliers heads up an otherwise dance-heavy swathe of new shows at the Festival and Studio theatres that have gone on pre-sale ahead of public sale from 11am Wednesday 20 September.
Newly on-sale dance pieces at the Festival Theatre for 2024 include work by Carlos Acosta (On Before) Matthew Bourne (Edward Scissorhands), Ballet Black (Heroes double bill), Anton and Giovanni (Together) and Rambert (Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby). This Autumn the Studio has local companies Dance Ihayami (Shivam and Timeless) and Unearthed Dance Company (All, Here & Now).
There is also new theatre on offer, with Rona Munro’s new James Play, James V: Katherine this time in the Studio (see preview: Next James Play announced) as well as one-off gigs from David Suchet, Rob Brydon and Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years.
The Waiting Game. Pic: Ballet Black.
The Gondoliers is something of a biggie for EDGAS, which was formed in 1924 as an appreciation society, and began annual public performances in 1946. Alan Borthwick is directing with David Lyle as MD in the pit, as they were for the company’s most recent production of the show in 2016
The Gondoliers takes audiences to the canals of Venice and then onwards to the shores of the Kingdom of Barataria in the search for that country’s rightful heir to the throne. Along the way there is lots of dancing, a double wedding, a long held secret is be revealed and a heartbroken princess finally learns which man she was betrothed to in infant-hood.
Simon Boothroyd takes on the role of Don Alhambra with Ian Lawson and Fiona Main reprising their turns as the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro. Gillian Robertson is the daughter Casilda and Peter Cushley Is Luiz, the household drummer. Theodore Rankine-Fourdraine and Sebastion Davidson take on the title roles of Gondoleiri Giuseppe and Marco, with Louise Martyn and Angelique Celine and their one-true loves: Giannetta and Tessa.
The dancing
So to the dancing. Rambert’s Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby (Tue 1 – Sat 5 Oct 2024, Tickets) is already previewed here: Peaky Blinders Returns.
Carlos Acosta’s On Before (Fri 16/Sat 17 Feb 2024. Tickets) is a full length homage to his late mother and the most personal work he has ever created. It embodies his astonishing dance vision and features collaborations with major UK and international dance makers, Russell Maliphant, Kim Brandstrup, Will Tuckett, Raul Reinoso, Yury Yanowsky, Miguel Altunaga as well as Carlos’ own choreography.
In a framework created by Carlos, On Before tells the story of a doomed relationship between a man and a woman, set to a diverse musical repertoire ranging from Handel to Cuban contemporary composer Omar Puente and culminating in a moving finale featuring a live choir performing Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium.
Originally conceived in 2010, Carlos is revisiting this extraordinary show and returning to dance it again for a short regional tour
Edward Scissorhands. Pic: Johan Persson
Hard to think that it will be 19 years since Edward Scissorhands from Matthew Bourne (Tue 14 – Sat 18 May 2024 Tickets) first appeared. Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.
In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within?
Ballet Black’s Heroes double bill (Tue 18 June 2024 Tickets) will no doubt be a real treat. The company has transformed the landscape of British ballet, creating a prominent platform for dancers and artists of Black and Asian decent, as well as establishing a new canon of ballet repertoire that resonates with audiences around the world.
The first piece of the night is from award-winning choreographer, Mthuthuzeli November with The Waiting Game. His exciting and energetic work about the meaning of life originally created in 2020, infused with a dynamic soundtrack featuring the voices of the Ballet Black artists.
Sophie Laplane, the Franco-British artist and Choreographer in Residence at Scottish Ballet creates a new piece for Ballet Black, after her dazzling 2019 BB ballet, CLICK! Laplane’s new work explores the complexity of humanity, heroism and self-acceptance in this celebratory and original piece.
One-offs
On a completely different tip, Strictly favourites Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice are Together again (Sun 7 July 2024 Tickets). The show will be a “mesmerising experience for all ages, showcasing the duo’s incredible talents and irresistible chemistry on stage”. It is, we are promised, “a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary dance styles, plus musical theatre.”
Closer to home, Edinburgh-based Dance Ihayami have two shows Shivam and Timeless at the Studio (Sat 28 Oct 2023. Tickets here and here). In the matinee show at 3pm the company will be showcasing the performance of their students in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Bollywood.
The evening show at 6pm brings memories of the company’s past dance seasons alive with rhythms and melodies that explore the dynamics and the stillness of classical Indian dance. Timeless stories come alive with emotive expressions upholding the sentiments of the original songs and taking you to a realm of Indian dance magic.
And finally on a dance tip, Edinburgh’s Unearthed Dance Company have All, Here & Now, also at the Studio (Fri 3/Sat 4 Nov 2023. Tickets). Fresh from their highly successful run at this year’s Fringe, the company bring a mixed bill of contemporary dance work by Artistic Director Hannah Mason. Join them on a journey through movement, music and a profound love of dance together.
For the one-offs shows: Dave Suchet is giving a retrospective talk (Fri 26 Jan 2024. Tickets); Rob Brydon is back with his nine-piece orchestra for A Night of Songs & Laughter (Sun 17 Feb 2024. Tickets) and Dan Haynes and Pete Richards recreate the unmistakable sound of Simon & Garfunkel in Through the Years (Sun 2 June 2024. Tickets).
Newly added listings
Studio Theatre
Shivam (Dance Ihayami)
Sat 28 Oct 2023
One show: 3pm.
Scotland’s first and foremost Indian Dance school; Dance Ihayami will be showcasing the performance of their students in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Bollywood. Book here.
Timeless (Dance Ihayami)
Sat 28 Oct 2023
One show: 6.30pm.
Memories of the company’s past dance seasons come alive in this dazzling and intricately choreographed dance show. Rhythms and melodies bring to you the dynamics and the stillness of classical Indian dance. Timeless stories come alive with emotive expressions upholding the sentiments of the original songs and taking you to a realm of Indian dance magic. Book here.
All, Here & Now (Unearthed Dance Company)
Sat 7 Oct 2023
One show: 7.30pm.
Fresh from their highly successful run at this year’s Fringe Festival, Edinburgh’s Unearthed Dance Company with a mixed bill of contemporary dance work by Artistic Director Hannah Mason. Join them on a journey through movement, music and a profound love of dance together. Book here.
James V: Katherine
Fri 5 – Sat 20 April 2024
Previews Fri 5/Sat 6, Tue 9: 7.30pm.
Tue – Sat 7.30pm; Mats Thurs, Sat : 2.30pm.
See Æ news story: Next James play announced
The latest instalment in the James Plays series from writer Rona Munro. One woman’s love story, during the time that changed Scotland forever.” Any human soul has only two real choices. How we live and how we die…” Book here.
Festival Theatre
David Suchet. Poirot and more, a retrospective
Fri 26 Jan 2024
Evening: 7.30pm.
Go behind the screen and curtain with a legend. Join us in conversation with the man, the actor and his many roles in an unmistakably unique event. A retrospective look at David’s career will have you witness some of his most beloved performances in a new and intimate light. Book here.
On Before (Carlos Acosta)
Fri 16/Sat 17 Feb 2024
Evenings: 7.30pm.
In a framework created by Carlos, On Before tells the story of a doomed relationship between a man and a woman, set to a diverse musical repertoire ranging from Handel to Cuban contemporary composer Omar Puente and culminating in a moving finale featuring a live choir performing Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium. Book here.
Rob Brydon
Sun 17 Feb 2024
Evening: 7.30pm.
After a sell-out UK & Australian Tour, Rob Brydon is back in Edinburgh with his critically acclaimed show A Night of Songs & Laughter, featuring a 9-piece orchestra as Rob shares his personal musical journey from South Wales to Hollywood and back. Book here.
The Condoliers (EDGAS)
Wed 8 – Sat 11 May 2024
Evening: 7.30pm; Sat mat: 2.30pm.
The Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society celebrate their centenary year with an enchanting new production of The Gondoliers – take to the streets of Venice, where love, laughter, and mistaken identities abound. Book here.
Edward Scissorhands
Tue 14 – Sat 18 May 2024
Evening: 7.30pm; Thurs, Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Matthew Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world. Book here.
Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years
Sun 2 June 2024
Evening: 7.30pm.
Fronted by Dan Haynes and Pete Richards, the show recreates the unmistakable sound of Simon & Garfunkel, featuring all the iconic songs to make up a most authentic tribute. Book here.
Tue 18 June 2024
Evening: 7.30pm.
Now in their 22nd year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black return to the Festival Theatre with a new double bill. Mthuthuzeli November contemplates the purpose of life in The Waiting Game and Sophie Laplane explores the complexity of humanity in CLICK!. Book here.
Anton and Giovanni – Together
Sun 7 July 2024
Evening: 7.30pm.
With a collection of breathtaking routines, innovative choreography, and a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary dance styles, plus musical theatre, Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice are back with their brand new live tour – TOGETHER!. Book here.
Rambert’s Peaky Blinders
Tue 1 – Sat 5 Oct 2024
Evening: 7.30pm; Sat Mat: 2.30pm.
Æ review of 2023 tour: ★★★★☆ Razor sharp
Rambert’s thrilling stage adaptation: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby returns to Edinburgh, capturing the Peaky story with stunning performances from Rambert’s dancers and its iconic soundtrack from a live on-stage band. See news preview: Peaky Blinders returns. Book here.
ENDS
