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

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.

Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.

20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.

A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival

Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.

DF Concerts Celebrate Biggest Summer in Edinburgh

DF Concerts is celebrating a record-breaking month after selling more than 356,000 tickets in Edinburgh during August 2025.

Forever Edinburgh launches winter phase of Stay Different campaign

Forever Edinburgh has launched the winter phase of its ‘Stay Different’ campaign, inviting visitors to discover an entirely different side of the city during the colder months.

Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party

It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!

Collective Gala returns this weekend

Collective is delighted to announce the return of the Collective Gala, offering a free and vibrant celebration of art, music, food and tours across Calton Hill this Sunday.

GRAHAM brings female focused ConstructHER programme to Edinburgh

Following the success of its flagship female apprenticeship scheme in Glasgow, leading construction company GRAHAM is launching its ConstructHER programme in Edinburgh this autumn.

Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month

Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.

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