Rapunzel by the National Theatre of Scotland is set for festive release in selected Scottish cinemas

Rapunzel, the innovative new festive film from the National Theatre of Scotland, created in a first-time partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, is set to hit screens this month!

Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 16 December 2020 9:44

Filmed in and around the stunning landmark of Stirling Castle, and packed with brilliant songs, Rapunzel has been created by a Xmas cracker writing and creative team, led by Scottish Panto King Johnny McKnight. Rapunzel is a celebration of theatricality, music and storytelling and a chance to hear from every character in this well-known hairy fairy tale, untangled and re-braided for this day and age.

Rapunzel is set to be released in selected independent cinemas and arts centres across Scotland from 22 December, before being released for audiences to stream at home from 23 December to 04 January. Tickets to view the film are available at a sliding scale, from £0 to £25.

Cinemas and art centres set to screen the film over the festive period include Eden Court, Inverness; An Lanntair, Stornoway; Highland Cinema, Fort William; The Barn, Banchory; Hippodrome Bo'ness; Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries; CatStrand, New Galloway; Driftwood Community Cinema – Waterbeck and Wigtown; Phoenix Cinema, Oban; Phoenix Cinema, Kirkwall.

Rapunzel is also being made available for free to schools across Scotland, with 57 schools registered to date, where it will reach more than 8000 pupils. Hospitals, care homes, and prisons will also have free access to screen the film.

The stream will be available from the National Theatre of Scotland’s website and will be accompanied by a free, fun, festive activity pack for families to enjoy over the holiday period. Tickets will also be made available to buy from selected Scottish theatre venues websites.

Paige Ootabook (The Narrator) says: “You all know the story of Rapunzel, right? That lassie with the long hair who’s been trapped in her lockdown tower for what feels like forever. The lassie who’s sitting there like a loon waiting for some Prince will come along and save her. Well, think again.

Cos I bet nobody mentioned the hairdresser who made it her life’s mission to track Rapunzel down? Or Rapunzel’s twin brother who’s terrified he’s going to have to take the throne if his sister isn’t found? And they certainly didn’t mention that six foot all singing all dancing rose in the garden whose psychic visions are going to save the day?

Because you see to truly know a story, you must know all deets. And let me tell you chookies, the story you know of Rapunzel is incomplete.

But finally, at long last, you get to hear from all the characters, all six sides, all six chapters, and despite what you might have thought, they don’t all end in happily ever after.

A chance to sit with the family and finally piece together the story of one lassie and her journey from isolation to taking her rightful place at the... Hey come on, I’m not going to give away the ending now, am I.”

Audiences are invited to a festive digital experience set against the backdrop of one of Scotland’s most impressive historic buildings featuring show tunes from Nova Sound (Audrey Tait and Lauren Gilmour) and in collaboration with an all-female writing team of Apphia Campbell, Uma Nada-Raja, Morna Pearson, Stef Smith, Meghan Tyler, and Anita Vettesse.

Rapunzel is directed by Johnny McKnight, who also co-writes and appears as the story’s narrator, Paige Ootabook. Johnny McKnight is a Scottish writer and director, and co-Artistic Director of Random Accomplice Theatre Company. He is one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary panto artists, and his critically acclaimed play Wendy Hoose, produced by Birds of Paradise and Random Accomplice, toured London and Europe in 2016. He is also a newly appointed Associate Artist with the National Theatre of Scotland.

The film is directed by Stewart Kyasimire, recently nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for his BBC TV documentary Black and Scottish.

Rapunzel is part of a special festive 2020 programme from the National Theatre of Scotland, which will see a number of projects bringing festive sparkle to audiences throughout December. Other highlights will include Makar to Cracker - the return of Jackie Kay’s soulful poetry and music offering for the festive season; Alone III and IV - two brand new festive episodes of Alone, Janey Godley’s online viral drama about Betty and Bobo; A Queen’s Speech - a very special alternative online message on Christmas Day from Dame of the Realm, Paige Ootabook, AKA Johnny McKnight; and a special sparkly winter edition of our Social Dance Club for LGBTI + elders, as well as a post Xmas Midwinter Warmer event.

Access: there will be an audio described and captioned version available online as well as a version featuring creative BSL performance interpretation from Jamie Rea. A visual guide will be available in advance.

Tickets and full listings for cinema screenings available at the National Theatre of Scotland website.

Please note, due to ongoing circumstances cinema listings are subject to change.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Casting for WAITRESS in Edinburgh!

Multi award-winning West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher will lead the cast as Jenna for a limited run and appearing in Edinburgh for her only Scottish dates.

Peppa Pig Casting Announced

Fierylight, in collaboration with Hasbro, are thrilled to announce the cast for the upcoming ‘oinktastic’ UK tour of Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse in March.

Edinburgh Christmas Parties & Activities 2025

With Christmas just around the corner, there's never been a better time to start thinking about your Edinburgh festive celebrations.

Bongos Bingo Christmas Cracker and Big Fat Bingo of the Year

This festive season at The O2 Academy, Bongo’s Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time when coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme.

Casting for MAMMA MIA! Announced

Full casting is announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse for the festive season playing from Tue 9 Dec 2025 - Sun 4 Jan 2026.

Women lead the way in the National Galleries of Scotland 2026 programme

National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2026.

Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Edinburgh in October

The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!

Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland

Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter to lead out 8,500 Kiltwalkers at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (Sunday September 14) raising £1.5 million for 800 charities.

Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Young musicians from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration led by Cork’s Kabin Crew.

Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists

Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards today (Thursday, 11th September) reveal the 2025 finalists across 11 categories.

Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland

This autumn at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced

With support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme.

Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward

Mindroom is celebrating a series of extraordinary fundraising activities, led by charity co-founder 81-year-old Robin Dow, living with stage 4 cancer, as his 25-mile walk raised a huge £70,000.

Fresh deals for freshers

Calling all students in Edinburgh! Britain’s biggest craft brewer, BrewDog, has announced some fresh new deals for freshers and returning students to toast the new academic year.

Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music

The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.

Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as the "Eat Spain Drink Spain" campaign makes its much-anticipated return to Edinburgh.

Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo has announced that Haggis the pygmy hippo will be moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the Endangered species.

Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October

This October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.

Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!

Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding

Now is the time to shop for that perfect dress, as Rachel Scott Couture has announced it will be hosting a one-off, three-week long sample sale at its Queensferry Street boutique.

Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room

Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco's is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.

Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.

Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings

This September, Edinburgh’s Italian wine bar Divino Enoteca, is offering plenty for food and wine lovers to explore.

September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is giving students an extra reason to head out this semester with 20% off food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise when they show a valid student ID.

Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.

Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops

Dynamic Earth is to join Science Centres across Scotland to deliver Water Cycle Workshops as part of Scottish Water's Generation H2O education programme.

Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 programme announced

The Edinburgh Cocktail Week programme for 2025 has been announced, reaffirming its status as the UK’s leading cocktail festival.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall

Rapunzel by the National Theatre of Scotland is set for festive release in selected Scottish cinemas

Rapunzel, the innovative new festive film from the National Theatre of Scotland, created in a first-time partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, is set to hit screens this month!

Sponsored Links

Latest Edinburgh News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings