Fun for all ages with Capital Theatres Festive Season

Capital Theatres aims to share the magic and wonder of the festive season with everyone with Cinderella, The Gift, Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker and a Care Homes Tour of Jack in the Box.

Article Source: Capital Theatres
Last Updated: 26 November 2024 14:04

26 November, Edinburgh: Capital Theatres’ festive season offers fun for all ages, from magical family shows to world-class dance in our theatres and a specially crafted Christmas Care Home Tour around Edinburgh.

The capital’s number one panto lights up the Festival Theatre stage this winter with Cinderella (23 Nov – 31 Dec). Created by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes, the production boasts amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and tons of laughter and tons of laughter.

Fan favourites, Allan Stewart, Grant Stott, Jordan Young and  Clare Gray  star in Cinderella with Grant Stott celebrating his 30th pantomime year. 

Having graced the King’s Theatre stage back in 2001 as Peter Pan, Bonnyrigg born and bred  Gail Watson also joins the panto family this festive season. 
 
Scottish actress and Coatbridge-born Amber Sylvia Edwards returns to Scotland to make her pantomime debut in the role of Cinderella.

Amber’s theatre credits Include The Good John Proctor (Jermyn Street Theatre), Macbeth (The Royal Shakespeare Company), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (The Aldwych, West End), Orphans (National Theatre of Scotland) and Dirty Dancing (UK tour).

After three years playing the role of Marius in Les Misérables, two years on tour and one most recently in the West End, Will Callan takes on the role of Prince Charming. Will is also a singer-songwriter who writes, produces, and performs his own music, with nearly 4 million streams on Spotify.

Iain Stuart Robertson plays Baron Hardup in his 32nd Christmas show, having worked with a range of well-known faces over the years including Rikki Fulton, Shane Richie, Christopher Biggins, Gregor Fisher, Stefanie Powers and Brian Blessed.

His film work includes Hippolyte in Love’s Labours Lost, Dukes Man in As You Like It and Papageno’s Gaoler in The Magic Flute all directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh and Bel Ami with Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman. Some favourite theatre roles include Gandalf in The Hobbit (UK tour) and Abel in the TMA Award winning Tom’s Midnight Garden at the New Victory Theatre in New York.

As in previous years, Capital Theatres has donated over 5000 tickets to care-experienced children, continuing a tradition spanning 15 years. Capital Theatres has also provided complimentary tickets to schools in areas of multiple deprivation, local charities and community groups to ensure as many people as possible can access the joy and festive cheer of panto, with many of those attending experiencing their first trip to the theatre.

Award-winning The Gift (14-31 Dec) leaps into The Studio in a festive treat for younger audiences. Barrowland Ballet dancers Joanne Pirrie and Rander Martins bring the innovative dance theatre production to life. Celebrating the art of play, it takes ordinary objects and makes them extraordinary and magical. The story reverses the idea that it is the wrapping paper, the cardboard boxes and the bubble wrap that should be discarded and reveals that playfulness, creativity and imagination are the true gifts. The Gift won the CATs Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland for best Production for Children and Young People last year.

The Gift was originally commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts, Capital Theatres and Eden Court Highlands and was funded through Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund. 

The festive magic continues into January with Scottish Ballet's The Nutcracker (5 – 20 Jan) which promises to enchant a new generation of audiences while honouring the timelessness that has made it a cherished holiday tradition. Choreographer/Director Christopher Hampson CBE, along with Scottish Ballet’s dancers and resident choreographers, revisit this beloved production, creating new choreography to infuse it with even more sparkle and excitement, drawing inspiration from founder Peter Darrell’s original version. With live music played by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, this ever-popular ballet is the perfect festive treat.

Capital Theatres’ Christmas Care Home Tour delivers festive cheer to 18 care homes and day centres around Edinburgh from 27th of November to 6th December and concludes with 2 shows at Festival Theatre on 6 December. Brand-new show Jack in the Box is a specially crafted dementia friendly performance created by and performed by singer Michelle Burke and pianist James Ross. This playful and heartwarming tale set aboard a train is full of humour and lively music.

Capital Theatres has worked closely with its dementia friendly Focus Group and a local day centre to ensure that this production is dementia friendly. This unique production offers person-centred sensory interaction, vintage puppetry, and familiar music, inviting the audience to reminisce. Two performances will be held at the Festival Theatre’s Event Rooms for participants of its year-round dementia friendly activities. Additionally, by touring to care homes and day centres Jack in the Box will bring a joyous experience to a community of people that can no longer access the theatre.

Capital Theatres aims to be accessible to everyone and provides captioned, BSL interpreted, touch tours, audio-described and dementia friendly performances and activities. The festive season features a relaxed performances of Cinderella for pupils of ASN schools funded by Cash for Kids. It also has relaxed performances for Cinderella for members of the public on 29 Nov and for and The Nutcracker on 16 Jan 2025. These inclusive performances are designed for people requiring additional support and their families. Audience members are free to make noise and move around the auditorium, lights are kept on but dimmed to reduce anxiety, and break-out spaces with a live stream of the show give people a chance to leave the auditorium without missing the action.

All performances of Cinderella and The Nutcracker are part of Capital Theatres’ 25 & Under scheme, which allows people aged 25 and younger to book £10 tickets online on the day of the performance. Further details are available here.

Capital Theatres’ Gift Vouchers offer an ideal festive treat for loved ones and are available to purchase here. Give the Gift of Theatre - Capital Theatres

The Festival Theatre cafe is open over the Festive period and offers an ideal spot for a delicious bite or drink.

Capital Theatre’s’ festive season is available for booking now. Full details of all shows can be found online at www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on

Image:  Clare Gray, Gail Watson, Grant Stott, Allan Stewart, Jordan Young and Amber Sylvia Edwards star in Cinderella at the Festival Theatre

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

Latest Edinburgh News

Heather On The Hill Festival Announced

Edinburgh Summer Sessions is delighted to announce Heather On The Hill Festival, a brand-new family-focused one day festival taking place at the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday 22 August.

The Vittoria Group Launches Black Friday Offer

With Black Friday just a week away, the family run Vittoria Group is launching one of Edinburgh’s biggest, and most giftable, foodie offers with 50% off vouchers across all venues.

Free sweets at brand new Edinburgh store opening this weekend

Sweet lovers in Edinburgh can enjoy a free treat on Saturday 22nd November, as Ambala opens its brand-new store on Gorgie Road.

United Airlines Celebrates Girls in Aviation Day at Edinburgh Airport

United Airlines inspires girls to pursue careers in aviation by opening the doors to their operation at Edinburgh Airport.

Christmas arrives at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse will see the State Apartments decked with glistening Christmas trees, garlands, and a magnificent table display to celebrate the festive season.

First Look at the Magical Festival Transformation at Duck & Waffle

This festive season, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and step into the 'Chamber of Magic' - a world where wonder, mischief, and wizardry collide.

Celebrate the Festive Season with Caorunn Gin at the St James Quarter

Caorunn, the award-winning small batch gin from the Scottish Highlands, has unveiled an exclusive festive pop-up stand at St James Quarter Edinburgh, running until 31st December 2025.

BBC Cbeebies starts the Panto Season at Edinburgh Cinemas

Now a festive family tradition, the CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Edinburgh from Friday 21st November.

Scottish rugby stars to ignite Edinburgh Castle this Friday at Castle of Light: Fire & Ice

Edinburgh Castle is set to shine this Friday (21 November) as Scotland rugby stars Matt Currie and Adelle Ferrie officially switch on the spectacular Castle of Light: Fire & Ice.

Celebrate The Autumn Internationals at The Ivy On The Square, Edinburgh

As the Rugby Autumn Internationals take centre stage across the UK and Ireland, The Ivy on The Square, Edinburgh is serving up a winning special worthy of champions.

Spotlight shines on the first shows announced for redeveloped Kings Theatre

The King’s Theatre takes a major step forward on the path to reopening following its landmark redevelopment, unveiling some of the first shows set to appear on the iconic Edinburgh stage.

Four Major International Performances Go on Sale for Edinburgh International Festival 2026

Following a record number of sold-out performances in 2025, audiences can book early for what promise to be must-see performances in 2026!

Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts

Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.

Find a Festive Backdrop in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Fife

From frosty gardens to candlelit palaces, National Trust for Scotland places in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Fife are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.

The Leddie Hotel in Aberlady announced its Christmas 2025 programme

The award-winnng Leddie Hotel in Aberlady has announced its Christmas 2025 programme, bringing together creative workshops, family experiences, live music and seasonal dining.

Charity calls for urgent path funding to invest in safe, local routes

Edinburgh locals are being encouraged to walk more as charity calls for urgent path funding to invest in safe, local routes.

Edinburgh Open Workshop Unveils An Exciting New Course Line Up for 2026

Edinburgh Open Workshop unveils an expanded range of hands-on workshops in woodworking, welding, DIY, mixed media, and two newly developed laser-cutting workshops.

Edinburgh locals encouraged to embrace the season of giving

Edinburgh locals are encouraged to embrace the season of giving with the launch of The Leith Collective’s Re-Gifting Tree and Christmas Tree Exchange projects.

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces dates and submission details for 2026

The revitalised Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced today that its 79th edition will run from 13 - 19 August 2026.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Forth Awards celebrates Amy Macdonald and Wet Wet Wet alongside local heroes

The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East last night at a star-studded award ceremony.

King Pins, state of the art bowling and activity venue, is set to open its second Scottish site in Edinburgh

King Pins is announcing a new bowling and activity venue opening in Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh in early 2026.

Edinburgh locals get discount at Hard Rock Cafe this November

This November, locals with an EH postcode can enjoy 25% off food and drinks until 5pm, Sunday to Friday, plus 25% off in retail at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh.

Highlight paintings from Buckingham Palace go on display in Scotland

Portraits by Frans Hals, Titian and Parmigianino are among eight of the finest paintings from Buckingham Palace to go on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse from today.

Roti King crowns Edinburgh with its first Scottish restaurant

Roti King is making its first move outside England, heading north to the foodie capital of Edinburgh.

Luxury kitchen brand unveils fully refurbished Edinburgh showroom

Harvey Jones, specialists in hand-crafted beautifully designed kitchens and luxury furniture for the home, has opened its doors to its newly refurbed Edinburgh showroom.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

Former courthouse and jail completes multi million pound transformation

Edinburgh-based Code The Court has unveiled a new attic floor of signature boutique hotel rooms, marking a major next step for the landmark venue overlooking the historic Parliament Square.

18 million success for Lost Shore just one year after opening

Lost Shore Surf Resort has firmly established itself as one of Scotland’s most exciting tourism success stories, already generating an £18 million boost to the Scottish economy.

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

Fun for all ages with Capital Theatres Festive Season

Capital Theatres aims to share the magic and wonder of the festive season with everyone with Cinderella, The Gift, Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker and a Care Homes Tour of Jack in the Box.

Sponsored Links

Latest Edinburgh News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings