Olivier award-winning sensation Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake returns to the Festival Theatre alongside brand-new drama Rebus and smash-hit adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
· 10 newly announced shows in The Studio including the welcome return of Barrowland Ballet’s award-winning The Gift
19 April, Edinburgh: Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest theatre charity, has today launched a new season with a keen focus on world-class dance, beautiful shows to entertain all the family, and exciting work from both established and brand-new Scottish voices.
Building on the incredible success of Hamilton – which will have been seen by 130,000 people by the end of its Edinburgh run – Capital Theatres continues to host a vibrant array of world-class musicals. Everyone’s favourite nanny flies into the Festival Theatre for Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘practically perfect’ production of Mary Poppins (22 Jan-15 Feb 2025).
The Festival Theatre continues to build on its reputation as a destination for world class dance. A whole new generation will be inspired by Matthew Bourne’s bold reinvention of the classic Swan Lake, which returns to Scotland’s largest stage at the Festival Theatre 8-12 April 2025. The previously announced extensive dance programme includes Scottish Ballet, Rambert, Ballet Black and The Q Dance Company.
A thrilling new Inspector John Rebus story, from award-winning bestselling author Sir Ian Rankin and Simon Reade is transformed into a brand-new gripping production Rebus: A Game Called Malice (10-14 Sep).
An impressive line-up of one-nighters grace the Festival Theatre stage including acclaimed comedian and Off Menu co-host Ed Gamble in his Hot Diggity Dog tour (20 Oct), Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells (14 Oct) on its 50th anniversary tour and the Ultimate Classic Rock Show (25 May 2025).
Capital Theatres aims to inspire a life-long love of theatre and develop audiences for the future through its fun and engaging family programme. Beloved novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe(13-17 May 2025) comes to Edinburgh in a spectacular musical adaptation. Making a very welcome return to the Studio this festive season is Barrowland Ballet’s award-winning hit The Gift (14-31 Dec). A new version of an adored classic, Treasure Island(15 Oct)offers swash-buckling fun from the coasts of Scotland to the edge of the world, while Atinuke’s much loved children’s book Anna Hibiscus’ Songis brought to life through a fusion of music, dance, puppetry and traditional African storytelling (2 Oct).
The Studio is fast becoming a key space in the capital to experience the latest Scottish writing and witness exciting new performers. Imogen Stirling and Vanishing Point present Love the Sinner(1 Oct), a co-production with Beacon Arts Centre and Shetland Arts that reflects on the meaning of being a human today. I Am Rhythm, Spirit of Africa (1 Nov) offers a captivating exploration into South Africa’s past, present and future, interwoven with signature music and dance styles.
Other new shows in The Studio include Cutting Edge Theatre‘s Young Company immersive play Rambles of the Heart (28-29 June) and Lyra Young Company’s dance theatre production That Feeling When (25-26 Jun), Plus or Minus 40 Winks from early career playwright Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie (8 May) and the next generation of performers from Performing Arts Studio Scotland in Cross Currents (16-17 May).
As ever, Capital Theatres celebrates local community talent. While the King’s Theatre is undergoing its exciting redevelopment, the Festival Theatre stage comes alive with the spectacle of the Edinburgh Gang Show (29 Oct-2 Jan), while the Bohemians return with pop anthems and dancefloor favourites in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (12-15 Mar 2025).
Capital Theatres’ award-winning dementia friendly programme is reflected on stage this year in Dementia the Musical (12 Oct), written by people living with dementia and based on the inspiring stories of three Scottish dementia-rights activists. Capital Theatres’ dementia friendly activity includes monthly music making sessions for people living with dementia and their carers, regular performances from Edinburgh’s dementia inclusive Forget Me Notes choir, and quarterly magazine DementiArts. The full programme of events is available here.
Selected performances are part of Capital Theatre’s 25 & Under scheme, which allows £10 tickets for people aged 11-25 to be booked online on the day of performances. Further details are available here.
Capital Theatres aims to be accessible to everyone and has a wide-ranging engagement programme supporting all aspects of the new season. This includes:
· 18 touch tours
· 18 audio described performances
· 13 British Sign Language interpreted performances
· 12 relaxed performances, including private performances designed for specific community groups
· 8 captioned performances
· Schools’ matinees
· Post-show talks
Copies of the brochure available in Braille, large print or audio CD on request
Capital Theatres also supports independent theatre makers and producers based in Edinburgh and across Scotland year-round through Open@TheStudio. From networking events to workshops with visiting companies, and research and development residencies, Open@TheStudio provides practical support and opportunities. Information about upcoming events and residency opportunities is available here.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres said:
“I am thrilled to share this extraordinary season of new shows, from blockbuster musicals to classic drama, podcast favourites and magical productions for families. Dance fans are in for a real treat withMatthew Bourne’saudacious reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece Swan Lake, along with the return of The Gift, Barrowland Ballet’s enchanting and award-winning production for our younger audience members. Fans of drama won’t want to miss the Scottish premiere of a brand-new Inspector Rebusstory with Rebus: A Game Called Malice, or the chance step back into the wonders of Narnia with The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe in May 2025. We are so pleased to be collaborating with Cameron Mackintosh once again as we welcome back Mary Poppins for a four-week run from January 2025, which promises to be ‘practically perfect in every way’.”
Sir Ian Rankin, King’s Theatre ambassador and author of Rebus: A Game Called Malice, said:
“It’s wonderful to bring Inspector Rebus back to Edinburgh in a new play, a play both written in the city and set there! For anyone who’s ever wondered what goes on behind the solid Georgian facade of the New Town…”
Capital Theatre’s new season is available for priority booking for Friends of Capital Theatres exclusively from 24 April at 11am, with general public sale opening on 1 May. Full details of all shows can be found online at www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on, or by viewing the brochure here.
Kelly Lacey & Love Books Tours 