Listings: Mon 7 – Sun 13 March 2022
What’s on Edinburgh’s stages this week…
It’s the return of the Lyceum! About time too, we say, in a week which is also pretty strong on local amateur companies and has another bundle of catch-ups at the Playhouse and the Festival theatre.
First off, the Traverse still has tickets available to those who like their theatre at lunchtime with the second PPP of the season. Sally Reid directs Dani Heron in her own play Ten Things To Do Before You Die, co-staring Julie Wilson Nimmo and Andrew Still.
Jack Dee – off the Telly, if you must.
Diehard fans of of Radio 4’s great comedy show, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, as we are, we think it is worth noting that on Saturday night the Playhouse welcomes the show’s sardonic host – the determinedly downbeat Jack Dee. Although quite why he would be “off the telly“, is beyond us.
Anyway, to matters of more import. After a week’s delay due to a Covid case, the Lyceum at last welcomes Zinnie Harris to direct her own darkly funny new play, The Scent of Roses, about a woman who takes her husband hostage in an attempt to have an honest conversation with him. Sadly the run will not be extended and is limited to a fortnight.
This transgressive act of demanding a straight answer sparks a chain of conversations, interrogations, obfuscations and revelations as a circle of connected lives try to work out what is real and find someone they can trust in a post-truth world.
Madame Vastra
The cast includes Peter Forbes who worked with Harris on A Number, Saskia Ashdown who was in Lament for Sheku Bayoh and An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, Maureen Beattie who was most recently seen at the Lyceum in The Winter’s Tale, sometime Dundee Rep company member Leah Byrne and, in a special treat for Dr Who fans, Neve McIntosh who portrayed the Silurian, Madame Vastra.
On the amateur company beat, we have a jazzy, irreverent take on Shakespeare’s great comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, from Edinburgh University’s Shakespeare Company at the Roxy, where Napier musical students are staging Fame on Friday night.
There is more student theatre along at St Margret’s House, where the ever inventive and genre questioning Theatre Paradok have Prince Archipelago, a new play in verse by by Jacob Watson. While the Brunton plays host to EdFringe favourites Captivate Drama who will be bringing their stripped-back approach to One Man, Two Guvnors (see preview: The Governors are coming!)
Listings
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.
Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU
A Midsummer Nights Dream
Mon 7 – Thurs 10 March 2022
Evening: 7pm (Roxy Central).
Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company with a jazz musical rendition of Shakespeare’s famous comedy. Join the mortals and immerse yourself into the funky, psychedelic forest of Athens and groove to the fairies’ songs. Book here.
FAME The Musical
Friday 11 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (Roxy Central).
Napier Musical Theatre Society take on the tale of the final class of New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts from their admission in 1980 to their graduation in 1984, with all the struggles, fears and triumphs in between. Book here.
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
An Evening with Snooker Greats
Wed 9 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Seven times World Snooker Champion, Stephen Hendry takes on his arch rival Jimmy “The Whirlwind” White, with host and referee John Virgo. Come and join the UK’s favourite snooker stars as they recreate the matches that saw them rise to the top of their profession. Book here.
One Man, Two Guvnors
Fri 11 – Sat 12 March 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm (Theatre).
The trouble is that Francis Henshall is easily confused! Chaos reigns as he tries to stop his two guvnors from meeting each other. Set in Brighton in the 1960s, this is glorious comedy with satire, slapstick and live music. Captivate Drama return to the Brunton with Richard Bean’s update of The Servant and Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni. Book here.
A Vision of Elvis 2022
Sat 12 March 2022
Two shows: 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Venue 1).
The smash hit show A Vision Of Elvis starring Rob Kingsley winner of The National Tribute Music Awards “Official Elvis Show” and “No.1 Male Tribute” is internationally renowned as the best Elvis Presley tribute concert, touring the World today. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Hannah Gadbsby – Body Of Work
Sun 13 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
In 2018 the ground-breaking Netflix special, Nanette, changed things for Hannah, but she stuck with stand-up comedy, writing and touring the critically acclaimed Dougla – and recording it for Netflix just in time for well…the rest of 2020. Since then she’s been bunkered down in Oz, sheltering from a global pandemic and pondering what was next.
That ponder is now a show… Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
The Scent of Roses
Tue 8 – Sat 19 March 2022
Tue – Sat: 7.30pm. Weds, Sat Mats: 2.30pm.
Preview Mon 7 March.
A darkly funny new play about truths, lies, and how we tell them begins with a wife who decides to take her husband hostage to finally have an honest conversation. This simple, transgressive act of demanding a straight answer sparks a chain of conversations, interrogations, obfuscations and revelations as a circle of connected lives try to work out what is real and find someone they can trust in a post-truth world. Tickets and Details.
Online
On a screen in your own home
F-Bomb IWD Take-over
From Tue 8 March 2022
On demand.
F-Bomb Theatre, the Edinburgh and Glasgow-based women’s theatre company, is handing over its platform to six emerging writers for International Women’s Day, today, March 8. The F-Bomb team, which debuted at the EdFringe of 2021 with AfterParty, has chosen six standout pieces from an open callout, exploring themes such as childlessness, domestic abuse and women’s safety. View here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners
Tue 8 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Following its sold out smash hit debut tour, Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners returns to theatres in 2022 with an even bigger production telling the story of a career spanning 50 years. Book here.
The ELO Experience
Thurs 10 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
The legacy left by Jeff Lynne & The Electric Light Orchestra needs little introduction – suffice to say that between 1972 and 1986 they achieved more combined UK and US Top 40 hits than any other band on the planet. The ELO Experience have been bringing the music of Jeff Lynne and The Electric Light orchestra to the live stage for over 12 years. Book here.
Jack Dee – Off the Telly
Sat 12 March 2022
Evening: 7.30pm.
Join Jack Dee for an evening of entertainment (food and beverages not included) in his new stand-up tour. “In these difficult and uncertain times people need hope – a ray of sunshine to brighten their day. And that’s very much where I come in” says the notoriously dour host of Radio 4’s, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Book here.
You Win Again
Sun 13 March 2022
Evening: 7.30.
The magical music of the Gibbs’ brothers takes you on a journey like no other, from Idea album, right through to Spirits Having Flown, with all the incredible hits they wrote for Celine Dion, Diana Ross and Dolly Parton in between to soothe your taste buds! Book here.
St Margret’s House
151 London Rd, Edinburgh EH7 6AE
Prince Archipelago (Theatre Paradok)
Wed 9 – Sat 12 March 2022
Wed – Fri: 5.30pm; Sat: 2.45pm. (Gallery 2)
Through the lens of mysticism, power and friendship, the course of Jacob Watson’s new play weaves through a power struggle to replace a recently deceased emperor. Yet not all is so straight forward and the desire to escape thumps fierce against the immovability of social hierarchy, a conflict which is fated to tragedy. Book here.
Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404
A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Ten Things To Do Before You Die
Tue 8 – Sat 12 March 2022
Daily, 1pm (Trav 2)
By Dani Heron. Claire is almost 30. She lives an ordinary life doing ordinary things until one day that changes forever. Time is running out and Claire has to decide what’s important to her – What mark will she leave on this world? How will she go about achieving that? And who’s going to look after her cat?! Book here.
ENDS
