Capital Theatres’ new season of dance and drama brings world-class performances and household names to the Festival Theatre and Studio in Edinburgh, including Carlos Acosta, Matthew Bourne, Rambert and Rob Brydon.
The Festival Theatre continues to be the home of the very best classical and contemporary dance with a new season of world-class work. Carlos Acosta appears in full-length work, On Before, in homage to his late mother (16 – 17 Feb), while Matthew Bourne’s adaption of the Tim Burton movie Edward Scissorhands features hauntingly beautiful music (14 – 18 May). Ballet Black returns to the Festival Theatre stage with Heroes, a double bill featuring Mthuthuzeli November’s The Waiting Game and a new work from Sophie Laplane (18 Jun). After playing to sell-out crowds earlier this year, Rambert’s dazzling Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby returns to the Festival Theatre (1 – 5 Oct 2024).
The Studio plays host to an exciting variety of dance genres, including two programmes of classical Indian dance from Dance Ihayami (28 Oct) and Unearthed Dance Company’s All, Here & Now – a mixed contemporary bill created by Artistic Director Hannah Mason (3 – 4 Nov).
Co-produced by Raw Material and Capital Theatres, James V: Katherine is the continuation of writer Rona Munro’s theatre series The James Plays, set during the reigns of Scotland’s Stewart kings. Depicting the very start of the Scottish Reformation, James V: Katherine tells the story of a lesser-known female historic figure, Katherine Hamilton, and her role in a series of events that changed Scotland forever. This marks the continuation of Capital Theatre’s co-production journey with Raw Material and its work with independent producers as part of its aim to support the Scottish theatre sector. James V: Katherine premieres at The Studio (5 – 20 April) before embarking on a Scottish regional tour.
Some of the nation’s favourite household names from TV and music visit the Festival Theatre for one night only. Best known for playing Agatha Christie’s super-sleuth Poirot for nearly 25 years, actor David Suchet recreates some of his most beloved performances in a new and intimate light (26 Jan). Rob Brydon stars in the Scottish premiere of his acclaimed live show featuring a nine-piece live orchestra (18 Feb), while Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years plays tribute to one of the world’s greatest songwriting duos (2 Jun). The sparkle of the Strictly ballroom returns to Edinburgh with an unforgettable evening of entertainment from much loved double act Anton & Giovanni (7 Jul).
Edinburgh local favourites appear alongside these national stars, as the Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society celebrate their centenary anniversary with The Gondoliers (8 – 11 May).
These newly announced shows join what is already a stellar season, including Danny Robbin’s chilling 2.22 A Ghost Story (26 – 30 Sep), the iconic Sister Act (2 – 7 Oct), the world premiere of new musical Treason starring Joe McFadden (25 – 28 Oct), Scottish Opera’s The Barber of Seville (3-11 Nov), festive fun with The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan (25 Nov – 31 Dec) and co-commission Unicorn Christmas Party (8-24 Dec), Scottish Ballet’s new production of Cinders! and the only Scottish dates for the smash-hit Hamilton (28 Feb – 27 April).
Capital Theatre’s newly launched 25 & Under scheme makes £10 tickets bookable online for the first time, on the day of most performances, available to young people aged 25 and younger.
Dementia friendly programming is a core part of Capital Theatres’ ethos, from monthly music making sessions for people living with dementia and their carers, to regular performances from Edinburgh’s dementia inclusive Forget Me Notes choir, and a quarterly magazine DementiArts, which features a comprehensive calendar of dementia friendly activities across Edinburgh and the Lothians. The full programme of events is available here.
As part of Capital Theatre’s wide-ranging engagement programme, the usual variety of accessible performances and initiatives feature in the new season. These include schools matinees, relaxed performances, touch tours, post-show talks, and British Sign Language, audio described and captioned performances. Copies of the brochure are also provided in braille, large print or on an audio CD on request.
Capital Theatres also supports independent theatre makers and producers based in Edinburgh and Lothians year-round through its new programme Open@TheStudio. From networking events to workshops with visiting companies, and research and development residencies, Open@TheStudio provides practical support and opportunities. Information about upcoming events and residency opportunities is available here.