Listings Mon 2 – Sun 8 March 2020
What’s on Edinburgh’s stages this week
There are more shows than you can shake a stick at on Edinburgh’s stages this week.
It’s not just classic comic musicals such as Anything Goes or big commercial successes such as The Lion King or Everybody’s Talking about Jamie, either.
There’s plenty of innovation as film noir takes on classical opera in Cavalleria Rusticana, a gender-swapping take on Brecht in Mrs Puntilla and her Man Matti and even a new version of the classic children’s book, The Secret Garden.
Have some listings!
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.
Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU
Cavalleria Rusticana
Tue 3/Wed 4 – Fri 6/at 7 March 2020
Evenings: 7.30.
Mascagni’s opera Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) has remained popular since it’s premiere in 1890, launching the genre of verismo. This film noir style production is director Jen McGregor’s debut with Edinburgh Studio Opera, and will be conducted by Will Conway. Book here.
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Choice Grenfell
Fri 6 March 2020
Evening: 7.30pm.
Kick In The Head with a celebration of the great, unremittingly genteel, comedienne and monologist, Joyce Grenfell. Featuring some of the best of her hilarious songs, monologues and most endearing characters, ably accompanied by her trusted pianist William Blezard. Book here.
The Secret Garden
Sat 7 Mar 2019
One show: 2pm.
When Mary arrives from far away to live with her uncle, everybody says she is the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It is true, too! Mary is grumpy and difficult…and also very lonely. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Tue 3 – Sat 7 March 2020
Evenings 7.30pm Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. Book here.
Balletboyz
Sunday 8 March 2020
Evening: 7.30pm.
Following their recent, triumphant shows Them/Us, Fourteen Days, Young Men and Life, the multi-award winning BalletBoyz are back and celebrating their 20th anniversary year. Book here.
King’s Theatre
2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Anything Goes
Tue 3 – Sat 7 March 2020
Evenings 7.30pm; Mat, Sat: 2.30pm
Southern Light take a voyage with probably the best known of all Cole Porter’s musicals onboard the SS American as it makes its way from New York to London, with a bizarre mix of passengers and crew, not to forget a swell soundtrack of well-known songs including I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, Friendship, It’s De-Lovely… and of course Anything Goes! Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
Mrs Puntila and her man Matti
By Bertolt Brecht, adapted by Denise Mina
Directed by Murat Daltaban
February 28 – March 21 2020
Previews: Fri 28/Sat 29 Feb & Mon 2 Mar.
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Matinees Weds, Sat: 2pm.
Brecht’s classic master and servant comedy is given a gender-switched adaptation by award-winning novelist and playwright Denise Mina. When sober, landowner Mrs Puntila is a ruthless and avaricious capitalist overlord, but the minute drink is taken she becomes a kind and generous benefactor. Her shrewd chauffeur Matti divides his time between extricating her from drunken mishaps and wooing her wayward daughter Eva – a match which will only be possible if Mrs Puntila can get over the class divide. Book here.
LYT Curtain Raiser: Mrs Puntila and her man Matti
Friday 13 March. 5.30pm.
The Lyceum Youth Theatre with a short performance, created in response to Mrs Puntila and her man Matti. Free. Phone 0131 248 4848 to book.
Talkshow Mrs Puntila and her Man Matti: We Need To Talk About Capitalism
Monday 16 March, 7pm
David Greig and guests (tbc) share their response to the themes of the play. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
The Lion King
Thursday 7 Dec 2019 – Sun 29 March 2020
Evenings: Tue – Sat: 7.30pm.
Matinees: Weds, Sat/Sun: 2.30pm.
Æ Review: ★★★★☆ Visual feast.
In the majesty of the Serengeti, Simba takes an epic journey to fulfil his destiny as King of the Pridelands. Director Julie Taymor uses breathtaking theatrical magic to bring Disney’s original animated feature to life in a production which has thrilled over 95 million people around the world. Book here.
Pleasance Theatre
Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance EH8 9TJ.
As You Like It (EUSC)
Wed 4 – Sun 8 March 2020 
Wed – Sat evenings: 7.30pm; Mat Sun: 2.30pm.
Banished from the court by her usurping uncle, Rosalind and her Cousin Celia escape to the Forest of Arden. Meanwhile, young nobleman Orlando, has had enough of his brother’s despotic behaviour and flees to the forest as well. EUSC highlighting themes like climate change and gender politics in this Edwardian set, fast-paced comedy. Book here.
The Studio at Festival Theatre
22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
The Slightly Annoying Elephant
Friday 6/Saturday 7 March 2020
Fri 10.30am & 2.30pm Sat 10.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm
One day Sam gets a very big surprise as a tired, hungry, antique-loving, cycling enthusiast elephant turns up on his doorstep. Adopting an elephant at the zoo turned out to be a lot more than he bargained for. Book here.
Teviot Debating Hall
Teviot Row House, 13 Bristo Square, EH8 9AJ
The Time Of Our Lives (Footlights Showchoir)
Thus 5 – Sat 7 March 2020
Evenings 7.30pm; Mat Sat 2.30pm.
Featuring an 14 piece live band, over 20 musical numbers and show-stopping choreography. Collaborative creative input from the cast members brings out a narrative inspired by the personal experiences of the performers to create an honest, relatable and entertaining production. Book here.
Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404.
We Are In Time
By Pamela Carter
Tue 3 – Wed 4 Mar 2020
Trav 1: 7.30pm.
Through song, music and words, one of Scotland’s most forward-thinking theatre-makers joins the pioneering string orchestra to tell the extraordinary story of a transplanted heart, from giver to receiver. Written by Pamela Carter, directed by Stewart Laing and featuring a new score by Valgeir Sigurðsson. Book here.
Within Sight
By Ellen Renton
Thu 5 – Fri 6 Mar 2020
Trav 2: 8pm.
Our protagonist is ‘an inspiration’, ‘so brave’, and tired of hearing it. Ellen Renton’s new spoken word theatre show is a one-woman performance based on her personal experience of living with albinism, and confronts everyday ableism.. Book here.
The Secret Garden Adapted
By Rosalind Sydney
Friday 6 March 2020
Trav 1: 6.30pm.
A wild and beautiful retelling of the classic family story. When Mary arrives from far away to live with her uncle, she is grumpy, difficult and lonely. That all changes when she happens upon a mysterious garden that has been locked and hidden away for years. There, she discovers wonders and magic that she never imagined possible. Book here.
*NB: This is intended to be a complete listing of all public theatrical productions on in Edinburgh. If you are staging a show which is not listed, or a listing is inaccurate, please get in touch through the contact page, here.
