Edinburgh International Festival: Make it Happen
Set in Edinburgh, Make it Happen sees legendary actor Brian Cox return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade as Adam Smith, the ghost of fiscal past.
About Edinburgh International Festival: Make it Happen
Behold the rise, fall and fail of the biggest bank in the world – The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Helmed by Fred “The Shred” Goodwin, with his fervent belief in the wisdom of the ‘founder of modern capitalism’, Adam Smith, the once prudent RBS soars and then plummets, placing Scotland at the heart of the global financial crash of 2008.
Written by James Graham (Sherwood, Dear England), hailed as one of the most influential and finger-on-the-pulse writers of our time, and directed by the award-winning Andrew Panton, this bitingly funny new satire delves into the unchecked growth, spiralling greed and nail-biting hubris that brought the world’s economy to its knees.
Written by James Graham
Directed by Andrew Panton
Co-produced by National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival
and Dundee Rep Theatre
In association with Playful Productions and Neal Street Productions
Supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown
This is a fictionalised satire, featuring a mixture of characters and incidents inspired by real-life events, with others entirely imagined.
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? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Festival Theatre Edinburgh or Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 1st to 24th August 2025 with live performance throughout the city.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Ryan Wang
Ryan Wang, BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, takes on an all-Chopin programme that showcases extraordinary mastery of the piano.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Shostakovich Inside Out
Explore Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony as Aurora Orchestra unpacks its drama, depth and defiance.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Dementia Friendly Concert
New to the International Festival this year, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performs familiar repertoire for people with dementia and their loved ones.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Belcea Quartet
Revitalising and transforming chamber music from the 18th and 19th centuries, Belcea Quartet's provocative recital spans Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Mozart.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Breaking Bach
Discover Johann Sebastian Bach from a fresh perspective in this world premiere where classical music meets hip hop and contemporary dance!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: As You Like It A Radical Retelling
Encounter Cliff Cardinal's radical reimagining of Shakespeare's classic in this unapologetic production at Church Hill Theatre!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Faustus in Africa!
Through puppetry and animation, Handspring Puppet Company reimagine Faust's downfall and reframe the classic tale to confront colonialism and the climate emergency.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Dunedin Consort & John Butt
This leading baroque ensemble revives Handel's sparkling comic cantata, unearthing the origins of his operatic masterpieces.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Bernstein & Stravinsky
Conductor Karina Canellakis returns to the Festival and leads the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) through a monumental programme featuring Messiaen, Stravinsky and Bernstein.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Emily D’Angelo & Sophia Muñoz
Join mezzo soprano Emily D'Angelo and pianist Sophia Muñoz for a programme of epic scope that explores humanity's connection to the natural world.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Pictures at an Exhibition
Take a whistlestop round-the-world trip with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and William Barton at the Usher Hall on Friday 22nd August!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Figures in Extinction
Dance and theatre legends Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney unite with Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) to confront the climate crisis through spellbinding movement and sound.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Leonidas Kavakos & ApollΩn Ensemble
Johann Sebastian Bach’s violin concertos shine in this electrifying performance with soloist and ensemble in synergy.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Come and Sing Elijah
Join fellow singers in a full-day workshop, culminating in a performance of highlights from Mendelssohn's epic Elijah.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Closing Concert: Mendelssohn’s Elijah
In this Closing Concert, discover Felix Mendelssohn's triumphant oratorio anew as the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and Royal Scottish National Orchestra breathe life into his most famous work.
READ MORE
Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group
American songwriter, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums, don't miss him live with his Acoustic Group at the Festival Theatre on 31st August!
READ MORE
Gary Meikle: Neurospicy
Scottish Comedy Award winner Gary Meikle will bring his Neurospicy tour to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh on Friday 5th September!
READ MORE
Ocean Film Festival
The Ocean Film Festival returns to the Festival Theatre with a brand new selection of the world’s most incredible ocean films!
READ MORE
Fiddler on the Roof
A theatrical triumph, the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s electrifying Fiddler on the Roof is coming to the Festival Theatre in September!
READ MORE
The Talented Mr Ripley
This electrifying new stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic psychological thriller to life like never before. Catch it at the Festival Theatre in September!
READ MORE
The Lightning Thief
After taking London by storm, The Lightning Thief thunders into the Festival Theatre Edinburgh in September for its Scottish premiere!
READ MORE
Mary, Queen of Scots
With bold choreography, new music, striking sets and costumes, the iconic story of Mary, Queen of Scots is brought to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh by Scottish Ballet!
READ MORE
To Kill A Mockingbird
Aaron Sorkin's riveting stage adaptation of Harper Lee's thrilling courtroom drama To Kill A Mockingbird is coming to the Festival Theatre in October!
READ MORE
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath - The Ballet
After its successful world premiere and UK tour in 2023, Black Sabbath – The Ballet returns for an international tour in 2025 and brings it to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Gang Show
The Edinburgh Gang Show returns to the Festival Theatre in November 2025 for another brilliant week of making memories and bringing joy to Edinburgh!
READ MORE
Uncanny Live: Fear of the Dark
Danny Robins and his team of experts are back with Uncanny: Fear Of The Dark featuring even more terrifying real-life stories and witness accounts that will have you gripped from the very beginning!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - L’heure espagnole & The Bear
Scottish Opera presents L'heure espagnole & The Bear a new double bill of two comedies of infidelity directed by Jacopo Spirei!
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet: The Snow Queen
Scottish Ballet’s spectacular and much-loved production of The Snow Queen returns to the Festival Theatre stage in 2025!
READ MORE
Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
READ MORE
Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker In Havana
A Cuban take on the favourite festive classic, Carlos Acosta’s brand-new production Nutcracker in Havana explodes onto the Festival Theatre stage on 3rd & 4th February!
READ MORE
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Experience an extraordinary collection of short films when the Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to the Festival Theatre on Saturday 7th February!
READ MORE
Chris Ramsey - Here Man
Following overwhelming demand (mainly from his wife Rosie who is desperate to get him out of the house), Chris Ramsey will be back on the road in 2026 with a brand-new stand-up show!
READ MORE
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
The Cornley Amateur Drama Society are back with tidings of chaos and joy, ready to tackle the Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol.
READ MORE
The Great Wave
The world premiere of Dai Fujikura’s The Great Wave is an extravagant story about artist Katsushika Hokusai and his famous woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa.
READ MORE
We Will Rock You
The Bohemians are back to perform the worldwide smash hit musical, We Will Rock You by Queen and Ben Elton. The first adult amateur company in Edinburgh to perform it.
READ MORE
Inspector Morse - House of Ghosts
Starring Tom Chambers as Inspector Morse, this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries.
READ MORE
Serena Terry: Therapy
Serena Terry, creator of online sensation Mammy Banter, brings her new show Therapy to Edinburgh's Festival Theatre on Sunday 8th March!
READ MORE
Horrible Histories - The Concert
For the very first time, your favourite songs and characters from the BAFTA Award-winning CBBC TV series HORRIBLE HISTORIES will be appearing live (and dead) on stage at the Festival Theatre!
READ MORE
The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins
In her first live show in over a decade, Sue Perkins delivers a hilarious treatise on stigma, humiliation, and misunderstanding.
READ MORE
Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile
A brand-new adaptation of the globally celebrated Agatha Christie story Death on the Nile is heading out on a nationwide tour, don't miss it at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh in March!
READ MORE
The High Life
After a 30-year delay in the departure lounge, The High Life returns with a new musical spectacular to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh featuring all four original cast members!
READ MORE
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart when it comes to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh!
READ MORE
The Battle
The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh is thrilled to announce The Battle, a new comedy based (mostly) on real events co-presented by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep, will arrive at the venue in April 2026.
READ MORE
Star Struck
Prepare to be transported into a glamorous world where jazz meets ballet, and the stars align when Scottish Ballet bring Starstruck to the Festival Theatre in May!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera: The Marriage of Figaro
Sir Thomas Allen revives his much-loved production of Mozart’s unstoppable masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro, at Festival Theatre in May.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Stand Up Horror
Actor, writer and tour guide Alex Staniforth invents a horror story every night at Stand Up Horror... you decide what the characters do, find and sometimes - yes sometimes - even love!
READ MORE
99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo
Come and enjoy an afternoon filled with Burlesque, Drag, and Cabaret at at The Lab in CC Blooms!
READ MORE
99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo
Come and enjoy an afternoon filled with Burlesque, Drag, and Cabaret with Red Hot Kitty Burlesque and Cabaret in the fabulous atmosphere at The Lab in CC Blooms!
READ MORE
Broadway Brunch
Ready to swap your Saturday lie-in for a standing ovation? Step into the limelight with Broadway Brunch, Brewhemia’s razzle-dazzle new dining spectacular.
READ MORE
Brewhemia’s WunderFringe
Join us every Wednesday night at Brewhemia for a bold, brilliant, and unfiltered variety show bursting with Fringe spirit!
READ MORE
The Secret Room at Lauriston Castle
Enjoy one of the most magical experiences at the Fringe as three expert magicians illustrate Lauriston Castle’s intriguing past with magic, illusions and sleight-of-hand!
READ MORE
Fallen Angel
Do you believe in faeries? Angel does. They've tortured him for 500 years. Dare you enter Angel's world?
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links