Listings: Mon 2 – Sun 8 Sept 2019
On Edinburgh’s stages this week
With the Fringe hangover still throbbing away, the amount of Theatre on Edinburgh’s stages this week is somewhat limited, although there are a couple of choice offerings.
There is a script-in-hand reading with pretty high credentials, part two of one of a hugely successful football-based comedy, a couple of shows for the younger audiences, some sing-along frenzy and big camp comedy.
A scene from Stick Man. Pic: Paul Blakemore
First into the fray is the Traverse, with a script-in-hand reading of a new work from Sally Hobson, The Play of Light Upon The Earth, on Thursday. It is directed by Muriel Romanes with a somewhat stellar cast of Maureen Beattie, Benny Young, Michael Dylan and Jessica Hardwick.
Down at the Brunton, they are getting ready to welcome the second round of Des Dyllon’s phenomenally successful comedy, which dares to laugh at the Rangers/Celtic sectarian divide, Singing I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim 2.
This time Billy and Tim find themselves stuck in the medical room at Hampden Park during a Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic after making a bet that backfires with spectacular consequences.
It’s a decade since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s brilliant picture book for younger children, Stick Man, was adapted for the stage by Scamp Theatre, with the full blessings of Donaldson herself.
brilliantly conceived and executed
Now touring to the King’s for seven performances over the weekend, with the same creative team in control but under Freckle Productions, it remains a brilliantly conceived and executed piece of theatre as it tells of Stick Man’s attempts to get back to the family tree – where reside his Stick Lady love and his Stick Children, three.
There’s children’s theatre of a more interactive nature at the Scottish Storytelling Theatre on Sunday when Max, Auntie Aggie and Morag the Rabbit bring plenty of sing-along fun with The McDougalls in their brand new live show – Safari Adventure.
The sing-along fun is of a different kind at the Playhouse on Friday evening when the Sing-a-Long-a mob bring their latest sing-along film with The Greatest Showman. Complete with full lyrics on screen so you can sing-along at full volume.
Before the screening the live host will teach everyone a set of dance moves, provide full instructions for the interactive prop bags and, no doubt, get everyone practicing their cheers, boos and wolf whistles. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged.
The fanciful dress will be on stage the following night, with drag superstar Bianca Del Rio – self-proclaimed ‘Clown in a Gown’ and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race – and her It’s Jester Joke.
Up at the Church Hill Theatre, the first of this Autumn’s amateur offerings is getting ready to go, with LYAMC – the Lothian Youth Arts and Musicals Company – who are staging The Vackees.
The company last performed Carl Davis and Hiawyn Oram’s WW2 set musical in 2007 and it is easy to see why they are returning to is, with its huge cast of young people, as it follows a group of child evacuees sent from London to Somerset.
Listings Mon 2 – Sun 8 September 2019
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim 2
Saturday 21 September 2019
Evenings: 7.30pm
Scotland’s favourite bigots are back in this hilarious new sequel to Des Dillon’s smash hit comedy. Join Billy (Gary Morrison) and Tim (Chris Taylor) as they find themselves stuck in the medical room at Hampden Park during the Scottish Cup final between Rangers and Celtic after making a bet that backfires with spectacular consequences. (Contains dialogue some people may find offensive – 16 plus only). Book here.
Church Hill Theatre
33a Morningside Road, EH10 4DR
The Vackees
Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 September 2019
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mat, Sat: 2.30pm.
Set at the outbreak of the Second World War, this is the funny, moving story of the invasion of a Somerset village by child evacuees from London – the Vackees – and their adventures with the (at first) hostile native children. The musical centres around a young London lad, Kip, and follows his first experiences of love and war. Book here.
King’s Theatre
2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Stick Man
Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September 2019
Fri: 4pm; Sat & Sun 11am, 2pm & 4pm
Touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is back! This award-winning production, from the team behind Tiddler and other Terrific Tales, Tabby McTat and Zog features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Book here.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman
Friday 6 September 2019
7pm.
Cheer on Hugh Jackman, lust after Zac Efron and hiss Rebecca Ferguson (…or maybe not) as you experience The Greatest Showman in the greatest way possible – with lyrics on the screen so you can join in AS LOUD AS YOU WANT… Book here.
Bianca Del Rio’s Its Jester Joke
Saturday 7 September 2019
Evening: 8.30pm.
The ‘Clown in a Gown’ tells tales of her world travels and the outrageous circus that is her life. The most ambitious solo drag show tour in history with her brand-new comedy show. Book now.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR Box Office: 0131 556 9579
The McDougalls Safari Adventure
Sunday 8 September 2019
Two shows: 1pm & 3pm
From giraffes that laugh to monkeys going bananas – join Max, Auntie Aggie and Morag the Rabbit for a roaring musical adventure for all the family, packed with action songs, live music and audience participation. Come dressed as your favourite animal! Book here.
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404.
The Play of Light Upon The Earth
Thursday 5 September 2019
Evening: 8pm
Script-in-hand reading of Sally Hobson’s new script directed by Muriel Romanes. One summer’s day many bombs explode unexpectedly changing the lives of many people forever. With lyricism and dark humour, this intimate portrayal of life on a beautiful and turbulent planet shows how sincerity and innocence can be reclaimed even in the most difficult and troubled of times. Book here.
ENDS
