Purcell: The Musical
Get ready for a dazzling, music-filled spectacle at Assembly Roxy as award-winning talent bring Henry Purcell's fever dreams to life in this joyful theatrical celebration!
About Purcell: The Musical
| 26th April 2026 | |
| 7.30pm | |
|
Assembly Roxy 2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 9SU |
|
| £20 | |
| Visit the event website here |
Music and theatre collide from award-winning writer Clare Norburn and BAFTA-nominated BBC director, Nicholas Renton (Mrs Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters, Musketeers, Lewis).
1695: in his final illness, composer Henry Purcell (Niall Ashdown) is suffering from feverish dream-like hallucinations in which the past, present and fantasy collide, and his songs take on a life of their own. His bedroom is transformed into a theatre and Purcell revisits his past including his childhood memories of the Great Fire of London and his early romance with his wife.
Interwoven into the drama are assorted compositions by Purcell: from bawdy theatre ballads and joyful celebrations of love, to slow airs, a ‘mad song’, and numbers from his semi-operas.
Niall Ashdown (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The Comedy Store Players) stars as Purcell alongside Glasgow-based actor-singer Héloïse Bernard, Jo Lawrence on violin and three other performers TBC.
This performance is supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation, The Cockaigne Fund at Foundation Scotland, The Pear Tree Fund for Music, The Stafford Trust and James T Howat Charitable Trust.
Existing Show Reviews
★★★★ "this is one show that deserves greater exposure" - The Times
★★★★ “… the way the drama allowed a remarkable cross section of Purcell’s music to be performed was quite striking.” - Planet Hugill
"What is most impressive about Norburn’s conception is the way that the various strata and elements combine and cohere so effortlessly. Past and present, truth and fantasy, real and imagined come together in a tightly knit and intimate drama. The personal narrative is embedded neatly within historical, cultural and political contexts” - Opera Today
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 Assembly Roxy
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at Assembly Roxy
Come and experience Scottish dance the way its meant to be every month at the Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at the Assembly Roxy!
READ MOREThe Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans
With a mix of carefully chosen classics and spontaneous improvisation, this feel-good live music performance takes you on a journey to the roots of revolutionary New Orleans jazz!
READ MORE
Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is the debut production from GUTTER, Theatre, a new Edinburgh-based theatre collective... don't miss it at the Assembly Roxy in March!
READ MORE
Harry Baker: Tender
World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker brings his characteristic warmth, wit and wonder to new parenthood. Catch him at the Assembly Roxy on 14th March!
READ MORE
Crimes Of The Heart
Assembly Roxy welcomes Strawmoddie Theatre with their amateur production of Beth Henley's sizzling Southern Noir, Crimes Of The Heart, between the 19th and 22nd of March!
READ MORE
The History of Folk Horror
Explore the shadowy history of folk horror and its connection to ancient customs and rituals on the British Isles when Seed Talks return to the Assembly Roxy on Tuesday 24th March!
READ MORE
The Hypnotist & Mind Reader Live
Prepare for the ultimate evening of amazement when Daniel Sinclair brings The Hypnotist & Mind Reader Live to Edinburgh's Assembly Roxy on Saturday 28th March!
READ MORE
Reasons To Be Pretty
Join up-and-coming local theatre company Locked In Thought Productions at Assembly Roxy for an explosive performance of Neil LaBute's Reasons To Be Pretty!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay
Discover the music of Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay at the Assembly Roxy under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Oasis
Get your tickets now to discover the music of Oasis at the Assembly Roxy under the gentle glow of candlelight!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
Discover the music of Taylor Swift at Edinburgh's Assembly Roxy under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Discover the music of Vivaldi under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience in Edinburgh's Assembly Roxy!
READ MORE
Dystopia The Rock Opera
Fresh from a hugely successful 5 star Edinburgh Fringe run, Dystopia: The Rock Opera storms into the Assembly Roxy with blistering musicianship, razor-edged satire, humour and cinematic stagecraft!
READ MORE
Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club
Fancy a night of epic games and good laughs? Join Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club at Assembly Roxy for an evening packed with board games, from classics to new favourites!
READ MORE
The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits & Women
Why do mermaids continue to enchant us? Dive beneath the surface and explore the deeper history of mermaid lore when Seed Talks return to the Assembly Roxy on Tuesday 21st April!
READ MORE
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa - Paradise Gothic
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa returns with The Paradise Gothic Tour, it's Vidura at his most fearless.
READ MORE
Alex O’Dogherty Comedy
Alex O'Dogherty is completely out of control, and he'll talk about anything from pharmacies to his own funeral to jokes at inappropriate times! Catch him at Assembly Roxy on Saturday 25th April!
READ MORE
Georgie Jones: And The World Spins Anyway
Join Georgie Jones in her latest hour as she blends spoken word, stand-up, and storytelling, sharing poems from her debut collection, And The World Spins Anyway.
READ MORE
Diary of a Mad Man
Diary of A Mad Man is a darkly comic one-man drama tracing the psychological collapse of a corporate worker whose status craving mutates into obsession.
READ MORE
Krapp’s Last Tape
Krapp's Last Tape is a journey through an old man's life, filled with hilarious memories and hopes for the future, coupled with the mourning of lost love and unfulfilled ambition.
READ MORE
Catherine Bohart: Borrowing Trouble
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Catherine Bohart is touring with her brand new show 'Borrowing Trouble' in 2026 and brings it to the Assembly Roxy on 12th November!
READ MORE
Flo & Joan: With Feeling
Critically acclaimed musical comedy duo Flo & Joan make their highly anticipated return to the stage with a brand-new show and bring it to the Assembly Roxy on 28th November!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Winter Wellbeing Challenge
As winter begins, the wonderful folk at SHBT are inviting you to take part in a monthly activity in the beautiful Historic Building Riddles Court, just off the Royal Mile.
READ MORE
Chopin & Champagne by Candlelight
Enjoy an exceptional classical concert by candlelight in the beautiful setting of St Mary's Cathedral, that perfectly complements the romantic brilliance of Chopin's music.
READ MORE
Beethoven Sonatas By Candlelight
Treat yourself and your loved ones to an exceptional early evening piano recital at the beautiful candlelit venue of St Giles' Cathedral!
READ MORE
Castle Chorus Weekly Rehearsal
Castle Chorus is a small, friendly choir open to anybody who loves singing. If you’re interested in coming along, singing some songs and meeting new people, feel free to just turn up on a Thursday!
READ MORE
Floor Sessions with Lindsay Taylor
Scottish neoclassical composer Lindsay Taylor is launching Scotland's first ever lying-down piano concerts, inviting audiences to rest, reflect, journal, or even sleep – surrounded by live music.
READ MORE
The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans
With a mix of carefully chosen classics and spontaneous improvisation, this feel-good live music performance takes you on a journey to the roots of revolutionary New Orleans jazz!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Quartet Lunchtime Series
Join the Edinburgh Quartet at St Cecilia's Hall for a series of Lunchtime Concerts in 2026!
READ MORE
Hitmix Bingo @ Edinburgh Street Food
Get ready for a night of beats, beers and bingo at Edinburgh Street Food with iconic tunes, big prizes, and Cold Town Beer flowing all evening!
READ MORE
Moonlight Sonata By Candlelight
Experience an enchanting piano recital bathed in the gentle glow of candlelight and set in the awe-inspiring beauty of Edinburgh's St Giles' Cathedral!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links