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

Get messy this Christmas with the award winning burger restaurant, El Perro Negro

The holidays are here, and El Perro Negro is bringing the festive spirit in true mouthwatering style!

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.

Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland

A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.

Step back in time this Christmas at a brand new underground Victorian Christmas experience

The Real Mary King’s Close invites you a brand-new immersive experience, uncovering how fascinating Victorian traditions shaped the way we celebrate Christmas today.

Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland

To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.

Castle of Light illuminates the 900th anniversary of Edinburgh with spectacular opening night

Locals and visitors from across the country helped kickstart the celebrations in the capital as Castle of Light, the interactive light trail at Edinburgh Castle, officially opened to the public.

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery At The Arches

World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, will open the doors to its brand new distillery at The Arches on Friday 6th December.

Capital Theatres and Stewart Brewing announce fundraising collaboration for Kings Theatre

Capital Theatres has teamed up with Stewart Brewing to create a limited edition can for the pantomime season, with £1 from every sale going towards the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre.

Reigniting Magical Memories with Nostalgia at Six by Nico in Edinburgh

Six by Nico has unveiled its latest six-course concept, transporting guests back to the good old days with déjà vu food that serves a taste of forgotten flavours with every bite.

Gift Green: POTR pots make festive debut at John Lewis

AN INNOVATIVE self-watering origami plant pot, which has proven hugely popular with over a hundred department stores across Japan, has arrived at John Lewis - just in time for Christmas.

Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas

Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.

IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month

IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.

Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth!

This December, Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.

Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season

Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.

Fudge Kitchen Edinburgh unveils sweet festive window display, and there are even sweeter treats inside...

This Christmas, Fudge Kitchen is bringing an extra touch of magic to Edinburgh unveiling its first Christmas window

An Online Festive Feast of Art in Miniature

More than 200 renowned and emerging artists have been announced as taking part in Open Eye Gallery’s cherished online Christmas exhibition.

Start the New Year with a New Skill at Edinburgh Open Workshop

Edinburgh Open Workshop is excited to announce the launch of new DIY, woodworking and welding courses beginning in January.

New Steps Musical To Hit The Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026

UK pop band Steps are delighted to announce that their official musical HERE & NOW, will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour including Edinburgh Playhouse.

Step through the wardrobe to an enchanting Narnia themed world at Duck & Waffle this Christmas

Inspired by the beloved classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, guests at the restaurant and bar located at St James Quarter will be transported back to their childhoods.

Experience The Magic of Christmas at The Leddie

The Leddie, Aberlady's boutique hotel and restaurant, is unveiling its first ever festive season lineup that promises to add sparkle to your calendar this Christmas.

Celebrate Christmas at Marine North Berwick

With the countdown to Christmas officially on, Marine North Berwick are pleased to share these festive offerings.

Imaginate announces two new Scottish commissions for its 2025 Childrens Festival

Imaginate has announced it has commissioned two new shows which will open at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in May 2025.

Spread joy this season by donating decorations and messages of hope

The Leith Collective launches annual Christmas tree exchange with an extra personal touch this year.

Royal Ballet First Soloist Nicol Edmonds debuts with Scottish Ballet this winter

Royal Ballet First Soloist Nicol Edmonds will perform with the Scottish Ballet for a limited run of shows this winter as The Prince in The Nutcracker.

Scottish stars Skerryvore launch biggest show to date for 20th anniversary

Legendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.

Scottish pubs to help tackle loneliness this Christmas

17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.

Forth Awards honours local heroes alongside celebrity names

The Forth Awards, presented by OT, have once again crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East - with local heroes celebrated alongside huge names from the entertainment world.

By popular demand, the Fat Hippo festive menu is back, featuring their epic limited edition Christmas burgers!

Forget those seasonal bakes…this year, it's all about Fat Hippo's Christmas burgers! With both meat and vegan options, it looks like everyone's made the nice list!

Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima bring House of MinaLima to Edinburgh

The gallery-shop will open with the launch of the new MinaLima Classics product range, the Harry Potter Yule Ball collection and the recent The Phantom of the Opera limited-edition art prints.