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
A Burns Night under the stars: Dynamic Earth reimagines the traditional supper
This Burns Night, Dynamic Earth invites you to step into the stars for an evening where tradition meets the galaxy!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival opens submissions for Global Ink 2026
Submissions for Global Ink 2026, Edinburgh International Book Festival's flagship international forum for Festival Directors, are now open.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters
Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of their Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland's young string players.
READ MORE
Celebrate love with your PAWfect Valentine at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Enlightenment an immersive experience set to transform McEwan Hall in Edinburgh
Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL will bring its vivid light and sound show to Edinburgh from 31st January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds!
READ MORE
Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
Top Scottish chef to host floating Captains Table experience onboard luxury Edinburgh hotel
One of Scotland's leading chefs will be hosting a collaborative Captain's Table experience onboard Edinburgh's five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Wednesday 4th February.
READ MORE
National Centre for Music appoints Director of Partnerships
Scotland's National Centre for Music bolsters founding team with new Director of Partnerships.
READ MORE
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Open Workshop kicks off the New Year with hands on courses to build new skills
New year, new skills. Edinburgh Open Workshop is kicking off January with a hands-on programme of creative courses designed to help people turn resolutions into reality!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Vow to volunteer! The New Year resolution that could change lives in 2026
The team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) believe that by vowing to volunteer in 2026, people can make a real difference to their local community!
READ MORE
Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
Glamorous Edwardians to be explored in major Edinburgh exhibition
A glamorous, never-before-exhibited portrait of Queen Mary and a miniature sleigh made of rock crystal will be among highlights on show in Scotland for the first time in this major exhibition.
READ MORE
Scotland goalkeeper kicks off Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations officially began last night as Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon kicked off the city's iconic Torchlight Procession.
READ MORE
Hibs women support Scottish charity with Nuby this Christmas
Two Hibernian Women players have helped bring festive cheer to local families this Christmas, donating Santa Surprise Boxes to a Scottish charity on behalf of baby brand Nuby.
READ MORE
Hauf and hauf revival as Edinburgh drinks partnership hits the pub
A modern twist on a traditional Scottish serve is being poured across Edinburgh this festive season, as two of the city's leading independent drinks producers announce a flavour-led collaboration.
READ MORE
Opening New Years Day: Turner in January triumphantly returns to the National Galleries of Scotland
Following the incredible success of last year's blockbuster exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland, Scotland's own much-loved Turners are back in Edinburgh for 2026!
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
Historic Edinburgh pub set for major investment in the New Year
A much-loved Belhaven pub in the heart of the Old Town is set to ring in the New Year in style with a brand-new look and elevated offering as it undergoes a significant programme of refurbishment.
READ MORE
Castle of Light offers special priced tickets for spectacular closing night
Experience the award-winning after-dark event at Edinburgh Castle one final time, with a special £10 ticket available for the final night (Sunday 4 January 2026).
READ MORE
Edinburgh Rugby scores new deal with city centre sports bar
Edinburgh Rugby has scored a new deal with one of the city’s most popular sports bars, which will see all the buzz from Hive Stadium pop-up in the Grassmarket.
READ MORE
A Goal So Good it is a Work of Art!
It’s a winner! A spectacular new photograph is now on show at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait to celebrate Scotland’s men reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026.
READ MORE
First Footin goes Global with Live Streaming announced from iconic venues
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has announced the event will include live streaming for the first time, opening the New Year’s Day performances to audiences around the world.
READ MORE
Distillers Fair returns for its 25th year at the The Scotch Whisky Experience
This December, The Scotch Whisky Experience invites guests to raise a dram to a quarter-century of discovery as the Distillers’ Fair returns for its 25th year.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links