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
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Gilded Balloon announce 40th anniversary programming
One of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s most iconic venues, Gilded Balloon, has announced a huge roster of legendary names to celebrate its 40th anniversary this August.
READ MORE
Conifox Champions Allergy Inclusion for Families
Allergy Awareness in Action as Conifox Adventure Park sets a new standard for safe family days out.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Skerryvore castle concert capacity grows due to global demand
A special one-off event celebrating the 20th anniversary of beloved Scottish band Skerryvore is getting even bigger, organisers have announced.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival announces expanded The Front List series for 2025
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is delighted to announce the second year of The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly.
READ MORE
Fat Hippo fans prepare for the ultimate CheezHIT
Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!
Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Edinburgh shopper scoops hundreds of pounds for CHAS in ALDI Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Edinburgh, and one lucky local winner has raised £726.77 for CHAS while picking up the same amount in Aldi favourites for herself.
READ MORE
Barrowland Ballet take over Scotland with two shows this year
Award-winning dance company Barrowland Ballet present world premiere of Wee Man and the revival of Chunky Jewellery, ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfers this year.
READ MORE
Somewhere by Nico launches its first ever Cocktail Festival in Glasgow and Edinburgh
Cocktail Festival will serve customers £5 cocktails highlighting signature cocktails including the classics we all love, from Margaritas to Daiquiris!
READ MORE
Top Scottish chefs take on ultimate kitchen cook off at food hall Bonnie & Wild
Some of Scotland’s best chefs are sharpening their knives for the ultimate kitchen cook-off at Scottish food hall Bonnie & Wild.
READ MORE
New spring season for a new look Capital Theatres
Capital Theatres’ spring season brings with it a new look, new shows and new extraordinary experiences.
READ MORE
Travel back in time to The World of King James VI and I
A special, one-off exhibition opens at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh this Saturday (26 April), charting the remarkable reign of King James VI and I.
READ MORE
Music Venue Trust launch Annual Report in Scottish Parliament
Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents hundreds of UK grassroots music venues (GMVs) launched its 2024 Annual Report in Scottish Parliament with a special event last night.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
Appeal to Restore Scottish Veterans Memorial
Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) have launched a major public appeal to restore the charity’s century-old Memorial at Eastern Cemetery in Leith, Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Bluey brought to real life in Smash Hit Show
Following a hugely successful UK tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are back by popular demand in the Olivier Award nominated live stage show Bluey’s Big Play and it's coming to Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Discover a Summer of Outdoor Adventure with Dynamic Earth
This summer, Dynamic Earth - Edinburgh’s only Science Centre and Planetarium - is welcoming back children to its ever-popular Summer Outdoor Club.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
Mussel and Steak Bar will revert back to 2005 menu pricing for week long birthday celebrations
To celebrate its 20th birthday, the world famous The Mussel & Steak Bar will be offering a 20% discount from Monday 5th May - Thursday 8th May.
READ MORE
Lost Victorian relic found in attic during Edinburgh renovation
During renovation work at CoDE The Court, a rare 19th-century Crossley ‘Otto Silent’ engine, one of only three in existence, was discovered tucked away in the attic.
READ MORE
Applications open for University of Edinburgh AI enhanced Accelerator Programme 2025
An initiative which helps innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused scaleup companies to maximise their full commercial potential is now open for 2025 applications.
READ MORE
Six by Nico transforms your meal into a mission, and every guest into an explorer
Building on the success of its immersive experiences, Six by Nico is set to take diners on an adventure across the Six Wonders of the World!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Free beer as BrewDog is giving away 5,000 cans at Edinburgh Waverley this Thursday
Britain’s biggest independent brewer, BrewDog, is giving away 5,000 warm cans of Wingman at Edinburgh Waverley station on Thursday 17th April.
READ MORE
Edinburgh welcomes the European Arts Festivals Summit 2025
This April, Edinburgh - the world’s foremost festival city, will welcome the Arts Festivals Summit 2025, the premier annual gathering of Europe’s most visionary festival makers.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links