Christmas Listings
What’s on Edinburgh’s stages this Festive Season.
It feels like theatre is properly back after the Covid hiatus, as every Edinburgh theatre venue and amateur theatre company rolls out its Christmas or seasonal offering.
Just as it should be, it is always the same and always different. The Lyceum has its Christmas show, the Festival has a sumptuous Scottish Ballet offering, there is a gorgeous musical at the Playhouse and the Kings? Oh, the Kings is dark so the Kings panto is relocating to the Festival Theatre and opening a few weeks later than usual.
So here, without further ado, are the listings of all the Christmas and Festival season shows we know of, listed by the chronological date of opening. Click on the name of the show or the Book Here link to be taken to the production’s ticketing page.
Thurs 24 Nov – Sat 31 Dec 2022
An Edinburgh Christmas Carol (Lyceum)
The Royal Lyceum, Grindlay Street EH3 9AX
Evenings: 7pm; Mats Weds & Sat: 2pm; Suns: 1pm & 6pm.
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.
Fri 25 Nov – Sat 31 Dec 2022
The Snow Queen (Scottish Ballet)
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT
Tue 6, Wed – Sat: 7.30pm, Fri-Sun: 2.30pm.
Æ review: ★★★★☆ Beautifully wintry
Scottish Ballet’s spectacular production of The Snow Queen returns. Hans Christian Andersen’s tale – set to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, choreographed by Christopher Hampson and designed by Lez Brotherston – travels from the bustle of a winter’s market to the shivers of a fairy tale forest and the icy fragments of an enchanted mirror in the Snow Queen’s castle. Book here.
Fri 25 Nov – Sat 31 Dec 2022
Sinbad the Pantomime
The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 6AA.
Various times, but generally Evenings: 7pm (Fri 5pm): Sat mat 2pm. (Theatre).
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.
Tue 29 Nov – Sat 3 Dec 2022
A Christmas Carol (EGTG)
Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU.
Evenings: 7.30pm; Sat Mat: 2pm.
A true-to-the-novel production of a perenial family favourite, adapted by Angela Harkness Robertson. EGTG brings page to stage with no gimmicks and no twists; just a traditional retelling of the enduring tale of redemption at ghostly hands. Book here.
Wed 30 Nov – Sat 3 Dec 2022
Cinderella (St Serf’s Players)
Inverleith Church Centre, Clark Road, EH5 3BD.
Wed – Fri: 7.30pm; Two shows Sat: 2pm & 6.30pm.
Æ review: ★★★☆☆ High Spirited
St Serf’s Players are joined by Trinity Theatre Company for Ben Crocker’s imagining of the greatest panto of them all. Early-bird tickets £1 off if booked before November 1. Book here.
Wed 30 Nov – Sat 3 Dec 2022
Cinderella the Panto (Ballerno Theatre Company)
Church Hill Theatre, 33 Morningside Road, EH10 4DR.
Evenings: 7.30pm; Sat Mat: 2.30pm.
Æ review: ★★★★☆ Melodious
Ballerno Theatre Company bring their big community spirit to the sparkliest panto of them all. Book here.
Wed 30 Nov – Sat 3 Dec 2022
Spiderman: Into the Pantoverse (EUTC)
Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ.
Wed – Sat: 7.30pm.
The fabric of the universe has been torn after the final showdown between Supersanta and the Green Grinch, causing an influx of ‘Santa-like figures’ from different realities. Miles, new Spiderman on the block, is brought on by Father Christmas as acting ‘Pantoman’, a superhero with the powers to manipulate the Pantoverse. Book here.
Thurs 8 – Sat 10 Dec 2022
Beauty & The Beast: the Panto (Forth Children’s Theatre)
The Wee Hub, (former Debenhams store) First Floor, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, 74 Ocean Drive, Leith, EH6 6JJ
Evenings: 7.30pm; Sat Mat: 2.30pm.
FCT invited you to Be Our Guest for their rather magical Christmas pantomime. Join Belle, the Beast and a cast full of fairytale characters for a Tale as Old as Time. Book here.
Fri 9 – Fri 23 Dec 2022
Once Upon a Snowstorm.
The Traverse, 10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED
Two shows a day: Fri 9 – Sun 11, Wed 14 – Sun 18, Wed 21 – Fri 23. (Various times. Trav 2)
A gentle winter tale for young audiences aged 5-8 and their families.
Jo Timmins adapts Richard Johnson picture book for the stage. The story of a father and son who live an isolated life in the woods. When one day a howling snowstorm separates them, the boy falls asleep in the shelter of the trees. When he awakes, he is surrounded by some inquisitive woodland creatures – are they friends or are they foe? Show times and booking here.
Fri 9 – Sat 18 Dec 2022
Babes in the Wood (Edinburgh People’s Theatre)
Church Hill Theatre, 33 Morningside Road, EH10 4DR.
Weekday Evenings (not Mon): 7pm; Sat/Sun: 2.30pm.
Baron Hardup has just received the most devastating news – his wealthy brother has died leaving two orphaned children. The bad news is that the entire fortune has been left to the children he is now required to look after. Traditional festive treat for the whole family. Book here.
Fri 9/Sat 10 Dec 2022
Needles
Scottish Storytelling Centre,43-45 High St, EH1 1SR.
Fri 7pm; Sat 9pm.
Christmas Eve and all the lights are out. When the clock strikes midnight, ten kids get out of bed. They can’t sleep, but it’s nothing to do with Santa Claus… Performed by Strange Town’s 11-14 group (Fridays). Book here.
Fri 9/Sat 10 Dec 2022
A Christmas -Micheal- Miracle
Scottish Storytelling Centre,43-45 High St, EH1 1SR.ri 9/Sat 10 Dec 2022
Fri 9pm; Sat 7pm.
When the drama teacher suddenly skips the dress run of the School Nativithy, due to stress, the kids are left to pull this inexplicably George Michael-themed Nativity together all by themselves. Performed by Strangetown’s 11-14 group (Wednesdays). Book here.
Sat 10/Sun 11 Dec 2022
Dungeons and Flagons
Scottish Storytelling Centre,43-45 High St, EH1 1SR.
Sat: 3pm; Sun: 11.30am.
It’s Midwinter and master storyteller Sir Quilliam is attempting to teach his apprentice, Scribe, how to create the perfect Midwinter story. However, thanks to Scribe’s impatience and some stray magic, everything starts to go wrong! Performed by Strangetown’s 8-10s group (Fridays). Book here.
Sat 10 – Sun 11 Dec 2022
The Ghost of a Smile (Nicholas Collett)
Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU.
Evenings: 7.30pm, Sun mat: 3.30pm (Roxy Upstairs).
Two of Charles Dickens’ creepy tales – with a comic twist. Tales with a tingle, but also a giggle! Two yarns to chill and charm, adapted and directed by Gavin Robertson and performed by Nicholas Collett. A traveller encounters a ghostly chair; and, in a deserted Edinburgh carriage-works, a tipsy reveller is spirited away by…well…spirits. Book here.
Wed 14 Dec 2022 – Sat 7 Jan 2023
My Fair Lady
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA.
Mon – Sat 7.30pm (Not Sats 24 & 31 or Tue 23)
Mats: Mon 2, Tue 27 & 3, Weds 21 & 28, Thurs 15 & 29, Fri 23 & 30, all Sats at 2.30pm.
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.
Thurs 15 – Sun 18 Dec 2022
Nativity! The Musical (Captivate)
Fettes College Theatre (Crewe Road South entrance).
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Sat/Sun: 2.30pm.
Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette’s School they’re attempting to mount a musical version! Only trouble is teacher Mr Maddens has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show… £15 To book, please email boxoffice.captivatetheatre@gmail.com.
Fri 16 – Fri 23 Dec 2022
The Nutcracker (Edinburgh Festival Ballet)
Saint Stephens (Ian McKellen Theatre), 105 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AB.
Two shows daily: 4pm (Not Sun) & 7pm.
The opening production at the newly named Ian McKellen Theatre at Saint Stephens will be a new ballet production by Peter Schaufuss.of ‘The Nutcracker’, with Johan Christensen as the Prince and Katie Rose, leading a company from Edinburgh Festival Ballet. Book here.
Sat 17/Sun 18, Thurs 22/Fri 23 Dec 2022
Macastory’s Jack And The Beanstalk
Scottish Storytelling Centre,43-45 High St, EH1 1SR.
Matinees: 2pm.
Join Ron, Ferg and Claire as they take you on a great big Christmas cracker of an adventure. 55 minutes of Macastory’s Perfect Panto Patter, full all the usual panto fun, excitement and laughs, especially devised for a young audience and their parents. Book here.
Sat 17 Dec 2022 – Sun 22 Jan 2023
The Gift
The Studio,22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL
Two shows daily
Sat 17, Sun 18, Tue 20: 2pm & twilight show 6pm.
Wed 21 – Wed 4 (not Suns): 10.45am & 2pm; Mon 26: 1.15pm & 4.30pm.
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.
Sat 17 Dec 2022 – Sun 22 Jan 2023
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (The “King’s” panto)
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT
(Not Mons or Sun 25)
Tue – Sat: 2pm & 7pm; Suns, Sat 24 & Sat 31: 1pm & 5pm. No mats: Wed 4, Thurs 19, Fri 20.
Æ Review: ★★★★☆ Reasuringly 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.
ENDS
