Festival Theatre

Edinburgh

www.edtheatres.com/festival
11 - 14 October 2023
Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning
A fascinating feminist retelling of Stoker's classic with a very Scottish twist
Reviewed at Dundee Rep

18 - 20 August 2023
The Threepenny Opera
Seductively staged 20th-century classic is as powerful as ever
Reviewed here

9 - 11 August 2023
Trojan Women
A phenomenal blending of Korean music, theatre, and dance with Greek classics.
Reviewed here

28 - 29 June 2023
Ballet Black: Pioneers
Pioneering ballet company pay homage to activists of the recent past
Reviewed here

31 January - 4 February 2023
An Inspector Calls
Faithful Priestley adaptation adds a strong dose of melodrama
Reviewed here

8 - 12 November 2022
Ainadamar
A visually and musically arresting experience
Reviewed here

25 - 28 August 2022
Jungle Book reimagined
Character-driven choreography drives this climate crisis family tale
Reviewed here

20 - 22 August 2022
A Little Life
A touching beautiful story exploring the redemptive power of male friendship
Reviewed here

14 - 16 August 2022
Coppélia
Sexy, sassy, sci-fi rendition of classic ballet
Reviewed here

6 - 9 August 2022
Rusalka
Dvořák's opera wonderfully captures movement and design, but is light on aria
Reviewed here

25 - 28 May 2022
The Scandal at Mayerling
Kenneth Macmillan subverts expectations with his savage choreography
Reviewed at Eden Court

11 - 15 May 2022
Anything Goes
A sassy stylish production of Cole Porter's classic musical
Reviewed here

26 - 30 April 2022
Singin' in the Rain
Toe-tapping classic splashes onto Festival Theatre's stage
Reviewed here

13 - 16 April 2022
Magic Goes Wrong
Mischief Theatre are up to their usual tricks in this slightly hit-or-miss magic variety show
Reviewed here

29 March - 2 April 2022
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Plenty of punch and sass but missing that infectious number you just can't get out of your head
Reviewed here

15 - 26 March 2022
SIX
A dazzling display of talent and herstory
Reviewed here

8 - 13 November 2021
Dirty Dancing
A night of magical moments, mambas, and having the time of your life
Reviewed here

27 September - 2 October 2021
Grease The Musical
An exuberant, infectiously energetic production of a classic musical
Reviewed here

8 - 14 August 2021
Falstaff
Roland Wood's Falstaff shines in an otherwise restrained production
Reviewed here

4 - 9 February 2020
SIX: The Musical
Forget history – this is her-story, where the Queens reign supreme!
Reviewed at Theatre Royal Glasgow

14 - 23 November 2019
Tosca
Scottish Opera deliver an exhilarating night of Puccini
Reviewed at Theatre Royal Glasgow

17 - 18 October 2019
The Crucible
A sublime and enrapturing adaptation of Arthur Miller's drama
Reviewed at Edinburgh Playhouse

21 - 23 August 2019
Rite of Spring
Yang Liping's Buddhist retelling of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring
Reviewed here

15 - 17 August 2019
Eugene Onegin
One of the most stunning productions ever put on a stage
Reviewed here

1 - 10 August 2019
Peter Gynt
A vanity project saved by the stellar performance at its heart
Reviewed here

5 - 15 June 2019
The Magic Flute
Despite the home crowd's generous applause, far from impressive.
Reviewed at Theatre Royal Glasgow

5 - 6 April 2019
Pepperland
Epigrammatic Beatles homage is more about the music.
Reviewed here

4 - 9 March 2019
Dirty Dancing
An immensely enjoyable retelling of a beloved movie.
Reviewed here

26 February - 2 March 2019
Ghost The Musical
Tender-hearted musical served up with spooky panache.
Reviewed here

22 January - 16 February 2019
Les Misérables
Hard to quibble with a classic given just the right amount of 21st century upgrade
Reviewed here

20 2019 - 21 September 2018
Richard Alston Dance Company
Richard Alston celebrates 50 years of choreography with a three part evolution of his work.
Reviewed here

5 - 9 June 2018
Matthew Bourne's Cinderella
A captivating and innovative retelling of one of the nation's favourite fairytales.
Reviewed here

10 - 14 April 2018
Highland Fling
Engaging and quirky choreography that will last long in the memories of all who see it.
Reviewed here

28 November - 2 December 2018
Nativity! The Musical
Exuberant, infectious festive fun has arrived at the Festival Theatre.
Reviewed here

9 - 17 November 2018
Scottish Opera: Rigoletto
The classic (and at times clunky) Verdi standby is given a new lease of life.
Reviewed at Theatre Royal Glasgow

23 - 27 October 2018
Macbeth
Despite its novel setting and soundscape, too many missed opportunities blur Rufus Norris' vision.
Reviewed here

2 - 13 October 2018
Calendar Girls The Musical
An empowering and joyous musical event thanks to its talented female cast.
Reviewed here

16 - 18 August 2018
Xenos
Scale, splendour, desolation and phenomenal dance commemorates the First World War
Reviewed here

5 - 8 August 2018
The Barber of Seville
Theatre des Champs-Elysees thrill at this year's International Festival.
Reviewed here

4 - 7 July 2018
Kiss Me Kate
Opera North's production of this Cole Porter classic is "too darned hot" to miss.
Reviewed here

18 April - 12 May 2018
War Horse
Eye-catching puppetry covers for run-of-the-mill storyline in this theatrical phenomenon.
Reviewed here

28 - 31 March 2018
This House
James Graham's critically acclaimed drama-comedy comes to the Festival Theatre filled with political satire and contemporary parallels.
Reviewed here

12 - 17 March 2018
The Play That Goes Wrong
The talented cast of performers are safe hands as Olivier award-winning show returns to Scotland.
Reviewed at King's Theatre Glasgow

3 March 2018
Flight
Disturbing piece of magical realist storytelling will stand the test of being heard over and over again.
Reviewed here

1 March 2018
Flight
Disturbing piece of magical realist storytelling will stand the test of being heard over and over again.
Reviewed here

January - 17 February 2018
Miss Saigon
Not an ounce of slack in thrilling Vietnam musical.
Reviewed here

7 November 2017
BalletBoyz: Fourteen Days
Four choreographers interpret the theme of balance and imbalance, and deliver in just fourteen days...
Reviewed here

25 - 27 August 2017
La bohème
The icing on the cake of this year's Festival.
Reviewed here

31 May - 10 June 2017
Scottish Opera: La bohème
This contemporary production is perhaps too clever by half.
Reviewed at Theatre Royal Glasgow

23 - 25 March 2017
Northern Ballet
Flashes of choreographic brilliance and incredible dancing.
Reviewed here

14 - 18 February 2017
Rent
Tale of young artists in the midst of the New York AIDS epidemic feels disjointed
Reviewed here

7 - 12 February 2017
Cirque Berserk!
An eclectic mix of aerial acrobatics, motorbike madness, and comical clowning
Reviewed here

27 November - 3 December 2017
Legally Blonde
A powderpuff of pink and cheesiness in the unlikely setting of Harvard Law
Reviewed here

17 - 21 October 2017
Hedda Gabler
A few awkward moments, but a powerful performance from Lizzy Watts.
Reviewed here

18 - 20 August 2017
Macbeth
An ambitious production with no boundaries
Reviewed here

5 - 6 August 2017
Greek
Opera, but not as we know it.
Reviewed here

21 July - 3 August 2017
WHIST
Virtual reality experience is a confusing taste of the future.
Reviewed here

23 - 24 May 2017
Out Of This World
Mesmerising and emotional journey created through an impressive combination of acting, aerials, and projections.
Reviewed at Macrobert Arts Centre

21 May 2017
Remembering Fred
A feast of spectacular and mesmerising dancing from Strictly stars and a stellar supporting cast
Reviewed here

15 - 20 May 2017
Jane Eyre
National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic present their spectacular touring production of Jane Eyre.
Reviewed here

9 - 13 May 2017
The Red Shoes
Matthew Bourne in his supremacy presents a thrilling reimagining of the famous dance movie
Reviewed here

20 - 29 April 2017
The Addams Family
New and enjoyable chapter in the lives of America's favourite Gothic family
Reviewed here

30 March - 1 April 2017
Chess
Eighties musical hit makes a tactical return to the stage
Reviewed here

10 - 31 December 2016
Hansel & Gretel
Wonderful dancing, and great set and costume design: a real festive treat.
Reviewed here

30 November - 2 December 2016
Opera North / Puccini
Opera North Puccini double bill: a tale of two operas!
Reviewed here

9 - 19 November 2016
The Marriage of Figaro
Scottish Opera's revival allows the beauty of Mozart's music and the humour of the plot to flourish.
Reviewed at Theatre Royal Glasgow

31 October - 5 November 2016
Million Dollar Quartet
Four young rockers on the rise bring it on home
Reviewed here

24 September 2016
Joan Collins Unscripted
Britain’s old broad of showbiz passes round crackers - half caviar half peanut butter.
Reviewed here

25 - 28 August 2016
Cosi Fan Tutte
Challenging but brilliant version of Cosi
Reviewed here

18 - 20 August 2016
Scottish Ballet
A powerful, uncompromising double bill, performed meticulously.
Reviewed here

9 August 2016
Norma
Bellini transformed from grand opera into social realism.
Reviewed here

7 August 2016
Norma
Bellini transformed from grand opera into social realism.
Reviewed here

5 August 2016
Norma
Bellini transformed from grand opera into social realism.
Reviewed here

16 April 2016
Leaf by Niggle
Tolkien's allegorical tale elegantly retold by Richard Medrington
Reviewed here

15 September 2015
Plan B for Utopia
This first full-length work from Joan Clevillé Dance is a real joy to watch.
Reviewed here

23 - 27 February 2010
Hormonal Housewives
Carol Smillie giving it her all in this hen night heaven...
Reviewed here

Invalid Date
Buddy
Holly's music proves durable while the story grows stale
Reviewed here