Listings Mon 9 – Sun 15 May 2022
What’s on Edinburgh’s Stages this week:
Thanks to Imaginate, there is a more than full diary of shows on in town for the kids this week (see dedicated listing here), with some big stage shows for the big kids too.
The big news in town is Anything Goes, which toe taps into the Festival Theatre with a blast on the horn of the SS America and a full suite of big name stars.
Bettrys Jones, Kevin Lennon and Sandy Batchelor in Red Ellen – at the Lyceum through to Saturday 21. Pic: Pamela Raith
At the Playhouse, Rock of Ages is back – again. This time with Coronation Street’s Kevin Kennedy as Dennis Dupree, the owner of Sunset Strip rock club The Bourbon Room, around the future of which this soft-rock juke-box musical is constructed.
The Lyceum continues with Red Ellen, the Scottish premiere of the untold story of revolutionary socialist politician and journalist Ellen Wilkinson, directed by Wils Wilson and with Bettrys Jones brilliant in the title role. You can read Hugh’s review here: ★★★☆☆ Diffuse.
Meanwhile the King’s is asking if it was Professor Plumb in the Parlour with an under-powered punchline, in the spoof thriller Cluedo, based on the board game and the 1985 film Clue.
Listings
Assembly Roxy
2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU
Little Top (Imaginate)
Sun 8 – Wed 11 May 2022
Two shows daily: 10am, 1pm.
Ages: 0-18 months. 40 min + 10 min play.
At a time in their development when young children are discovering their own physicality and the pleasures and perils of gravity, Little Top invites babies to experience spectacular balances, astonishing tumbles and inventive juggling in a specially-designed set that miniaturises the magic of the Big Top. Book here.
Little Murmer (Imaginate)
Thurs 12 – Sun 15 May 2022
Thurs/Fri: 9.30am, 11am, 1.15pm; Sat/Sun: 2pm, 3.30pm.
Ages: 7 – 14 years. 40 mins
Based on the true story of a child who one day realises they have been misspelling their own name. An honest, funny and heartfelt journey about the trials and tribulations of living with dyslexia and seeing things differently. Combining visual design and technology with dance and humour Little Murmur explores the warped and exaggerated realities of living in a world you struggle to process. Book here.
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Whirly Gig (Imaginate)
Tue 10 – Fri 13 May 2022
Two shows daily: 10.30am, 1.30pm.
Ages: 6 – 11 years. 50 min.
A madcap musical adventure involving four brave musicians, 30 instruments, and countless musical puzzles to solve. With impeccable comic and musical timing, the four performers boldly attempt to play wonderful music under the trickiest of situations. Join them for an extraordinary theatrical experience where music will happen in ways you have never seen before. Book here.
19-05-12: The Launch
F
ri 13 May 2022
Evening: 7.45pm (Venue 1).
An evening of nostalgia for Hearts fans. Edinburgh football writer Anthony Brown launches his new book Triumph and Tragedy of 19-05-12, with Sky Sports reporter and Hearts supporter Keith Downie as well as several members of Paulo Sergio’s legendary cup-winning team that beat Hibs 5-1. Book here.
Stand By Your Man-The Tammy Wynette Story
Sat 14 May 2022
Evening: 7.30pm (Venue 1).
This wonderful show features the music of the Legendary Tammy Wynette, The First Lady Of Country Music who came to prominence in the late Sixties with a string of hit – which will be performed by Ireland’s Queen of Country: Niamh Lynn. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Anything Goes
Wed 11 – Sun 15 May 2022
Evenings: Tues – Sat 7.30pm; Mats Thurs & Sat 2:30pm;
Sun 15 May: 3pm.
Featuring a 50 strong cast and an ensemble of the finest we have to offer on stage (including tap-dancing sailors) and a full-sized live orchestra in the pit, this uplifting production of Anything Goes is directed by the multi-award-winning Broadway director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall. Here be heart-warming romance, farcical fun and spectacular dance routines.. Book here.
Institute francaise d’Ecosse
Lothian Chambers, West Parliament Square, EH1 1RF.
Sound Symphony (Imaginate)
Mon 9 – Thurs 12 May 2022
Two shows daily: 10.30am, 1.30pm.
Ages: 8+ years. 50 mins.
A highly interactive, sensory performance made especially for and with Autistic young people. The show is a playful journey through sound and music. It provides a sensory rich environment, where the audience will feel music through their whole body. It celebrates making music your own way, weaving together live classical instruments, singing and a wide range of weird and wonderful sounds. Book here.
King’s Theatre
2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Cluedo
Tue 10 – Sat 14 May 2022
Evenings: 7.30pm, Mats Weds, Sat: 2.30pm
Based on the classic detective board game loved by generations and the hit 1985 film Clue. Hilarious spoof thriller with Miss Scarlett, Colonel Mustard and all, directed by Mark Bell (Play that Goes Wrong), promising “a nostalgic, fun and thrilling evening of entertainment”. Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
Red Ellen
by Caroline Bird
Wed 4 – Sat 21 May 2022
Evening: 7.30pm: Mats: Thur 5, Weds 11 & 18, Sat.
The Scottish premiere of the untold story of revolutionary socialist politician and journalist Ellen Wilkinson, who became a national figure when she played a prominent role in the 1936 Jarrow March – a protest which had a formative impact on post-Second World War attitudes towards unemployment and social justice. Tickets and Details.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Keith Urban
Mon 9 May 2022
Evening: 7pm.
Urban’s concerts have been dubbed as ‘ones not to be missed’, as unpredictable as they are explosive, with no two shows ever alike. The Speed of the Now World Tour promises to be no different. Book here.
Rock of Ages
Tue 10 – Sat 14 May 2022
Tue – Thurs: 7.30pm; Fri: 5pm, 8.30pm; Sat: 2.30pm, 7.30pm.
Here we go again! The smash hit musical is back in the UK. Rock of Ages is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true! Book here.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. Phone booking: 0131 556 9579
Hermit (Imaginate)
Tue 10 – Thurs 12 May 2022
Three shows daily: 10am, 11.45am, 2pm.
Ages: 2 – 6 yerars. 35 min + 10 min play.
An original, visual, funny and moving performance about being alone and coming home. With a background in music theatre and modern mime, Simone de Jong creates work based around music, movement and imagination, with performances which appeal to the multiple senses of its young audience, in a secretive way. Book here.
Southside Community Centre
117 Nicolson Street EH8 9ER.
Plock! (Imaginate)
Sun 8 – Wed 11 May 2022
Two shows daily: 10.45am, 1.45pm.
Ages: 4 – 9 years. 55 mins. (Sold out)
Jakob tries to copy the painting of his hero Jackson Pollock. But how can he make the right blot on the right spot? Should he drip, throw, pour or splash the paint? Does he need to work with brushes, sticks, or entire containers? He uses all his body parts, but no matter how he twists, turns, jumps, or rolls: his painting does not resemble the original. Sold Out.
Studio Theatre
The Studio, 22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
The Hope River Girls (Imaginate)
Mon 9 – Thurs 12 May 2022
Mon, Weds: 1.30pm, 7pm; Tue: 10.30am, 1.30pm, Thurs: 9.45am.
Ages: 10+. 50 mins.
Hope River, upstate New York. A group of 24 schoolgirls begin behaving strangely and mirroring each other. As the girls’ behaviour begins to draw the attention of parents, teachers and even the national news, the town quickly becomes a hotbed of fascination, fear and mistrust. Is there something in the water, in the soil or something much darker? Book here.
light! (Imaginate)
Fri 13 – Sun 15 May 2022
Fri: 9.30am, 11am; Sat/Sun: 10.30am, 1.30pm.
Ages: 3 – 7 years. 30 min + 20 min playtime.
A performance in which the light is dancing. Tiny lights and big spots traverse the stage. The light dances in rounds and the performers follow suit. The audience slowly discovers a world of nuances and light intensity – the gloom of a torch, the bright light of a larger spot, each radiating a different atmosphere. Book here.
Traverse
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404
I Am Tiger (Imaginate)
Mon 9 – Wed 11 May 2022
Mon: 1.45pm, 8.45pm; Tue: 1.45pm, 7pm; Wed: 9.45am.
Ages 12 – 16 years. 50 mins.
A month after losing her big brother to suicide, Laura’s parents buy her a pet tiger. They never explain the tiger and never discuss Laura’s big brother. Not ever. It’s like Laura’s big brother didn’t exist. And having a pet tiger is illegal for a reason. Soon things start to spiral out of control… as things tend to do with feelings of grief… and tigers… Book here.
Birdboy (Imaginate)
Thurs 12 – Sat 14 May 2022
Thurs: 1.30pm, 7pm; Fri: 10.30am, 1.45pm; Sat: 2pm, 7pm.
Ages: 8 – 15 years. 40 mins.
Once there was a boy who wished he was a bird. He wished he could just fly away and be free of all his worries. In his whirring mind, thoughts, worries, fantasies and external stimuli all compete for space. Full of fun and sorrow, this visually stunning show performed by dancer Kevin Coquelard, celebrates the power of imagination and offers a vision of hope and connection. Book here.
Family Portrait (Imaginate)
Fri 13 – Sat 14 May 2022
Fri: 3pm 4pm, 6pm, 7pm; Sat: 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm.
Ages: 6 – 11 years. 35 min.
A four screen video installation work, combining striking imagery and choreography, capturing Barrowland Ballet’s Artistic Director Natasha Gilmore and her three children in an intimate portrayal of family life. Book here.
