Cassandra
Storyteller Ailsa Dixon explores intimate themes of climate activism, sexual assault, feminism and mental health at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 20th June.
About Cassandra
Cassandra sits in Apollo’s temple, tears drying on her cheeks, blood caked beneath her fingernails. The ritual fires are burning, incense thick in the air. Her body no longer feels like hers, the ghosts of Apollo's hands heavy on her hips. Her mind is shattering under the weight of a thousand prophecies, always true and never believed.
By a Scottish mountainside, a spaewife is thrust under the waves of a loch, her prophecies ringing in the ears of her murderers. Orcadian witch Marian Ibster, put to the pyre, screams out to the sky as her lover watches her burn. A girl scrubs her skin red raw in an Edinburgh flat. She blasts pop music as she daubs climate slogans on cardboard protest placards, ignoring the prophecies whistling on the winds of Auld Reekie.
Storyteller Ailsa Dixon invites the audience into the realms of a divinatory prophetic ritual, creating a liminal and transient space. Legends of prophetess and priestess, witch and survivor build bridges across time and space; prophecies, pyres, smoke and tears meld and blend together as Ailsa's personal story melts into the old myths. She explores intimate themes of climate activism, sexual assault, feminism and mental health which bleed together in this deeply personal exploration of what it means to be believed.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre
A Winter’s Night
Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 16th December for a seasonal miscellany of stories, poetry, music, and readings from Yuletide and beyond!
READ MORE
Macastory Presents: Cinderella
It’s time to shout “Oh yes it is!” because Macastory are bringing their Panto for wee ones and big ones back to the Scottish Storytelling Centre – and you’re invited!
READ MORE
Richard Wiseman
Have you got what it takes to sit through the most tedious show ever and receive a certificate verifying your extraordinary willpower?
READ MORE
Four Magicians
Four of Scotland’s leading magicians come together for an evening like no other — minds will be read, laws of nature will be defied, and dad jokes will be told.
READ MORE
Tricky Ricky: Jingles All The Way
Back by popular demand! Scotland’s favourite trickster is jingling all the way into the festive season with a brand-new magic and comedy spectacular.
READ MORE
Making Magic workshop with Tim Licata
In this exciting hands-on workshop, young people aged 12+ will explore the world of card magic — not just the techniques, but the theatre behind it.
READ MORE
Insane Christmas Magic
Insane Magic finally make their MagicFest debut, ending the year with a bang in a Christmas special packed with festive wonder, jaw-dropping illusions, and a sprinkle of fan-favourite classics!
READ MORE
Jamie Leonard: Wonder Boy
After a hugely successful 2025 Edinburgh Fringe run with five-star reviews, Jamie Leonard returns with his most exciting hour yet: Wonder Boy!
READ MORE
Novel Ideas
Join host Janis Mackay along with students from her 2025 Novel Writing Course as they read from their works in progress at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 10th January!
READ MORE
Cafe Ceilidh: Celebrating Burns
Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories as we celebrating Robert Burns!
READ MORE
Balancing in Freedom
Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for this world premiere performance of an enthralling new work, written and performed by Iddo Oberski!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Doctor Bonk’s Macarbaret
Dr Bonk, Scotland's silliest surgeon, presents the Macarbaret: a madcap hour of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MORE
Monster Cabaret
Join Madame Mabh for her haunted house party at the Banshee Labyrinth, featuring both classic cabaret acts and unusual happenings!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Magic at The Caledonian
Kevin Quantum invites you to an intimate and quite astonishing evening of magic, mystery and wonder in one of Edinburgh’s most historic and enchanting hotels - The Caledonian!
READ MORE
Stand Up Horror
Improvised, macabre tales featuring (voluntary!) members of the audience as actor, writer and tour guide Alex Staniforth invents a horror story every night at Stand Up Horror!
READ MORE
A Creepy Christmas with Corin Rhys Jones
In the tradition of ghost stories at Christmas time, Corin Rhys Jones presents a selection of unsettling, creepy tales as part of the Edinburgh Krampus Festival.
READ MORE
Step Into Christmas
This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs you will know and love!
READ MORE
Unquiet Objects: Ghost Stories of M R James
In this unique dramatisation, Parrot Theatre Company bring to macabre life three powerful ghost stories of haunted artefacts, created by the master of the genre M.R. James.
READ MORE
The Santa Seance: Ho-Ho-Ho-rror!
Join us for a night of Christmas ghosts, as Santa tries his hand at a spooky seance ritual to pass the time before the big event.
READ MORE
Sophie McCartney - One Foot in The Rave
Due to phenomenal demand, award-winning comedian Sophie McCartney is extending her acclaimed 2025 ‘One Foot in the Rave’ tour and brings it to the Royal Lyceum Theatre on Friday 19th December!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links