Tis the season to be jolly, even if the weather outside is cold, windy and terrible. So why not capture the Christmas spirit by taking a trip to the theatre? Many forgo the chance the rest of the year, so with plenty of pantos, musicals, shows and physical performances to choose from, now is the time to go!
Even if exams are approaching, and the student budget may not be the most generous, going to the theatre doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and some shows have student standby tickets on the day of the show. For your convenience, we at The Student have picked out a few shows worth catching this winter:
00Panto: James Panto & Dr Noel, taglined ‘To Russia with Christmas’, this panto is presented to us by our very own Bedlam Theatre. Tickets are £5, and the show runs 26 – 29 November. Be sure not to miss it!
A Song of Rings and Hobbits: An Unexpected Parody is showing at the Assembly Roxy, but before you get too excited about it, I feel inclined to point out that it is Napier University Drama Society who’s putting the show on. Nevertheless, it seems intriguing, and a little sporting university rivalry should not hinder the Christmas spirit. Showing only on 4 and 5 December, tickets are £8/6.
Aladdin is running at King’s Theatre by Tollcross, starring ‘panto veterans’ Grant Stott, Andy Gray and Allan Stewart. Opening on Saturday 29 November and finishing the 18 January, tickets cost £14-30.
For those willing to travel out to Musselburgh, Jack and The Beanstalk runs at the Brunton Theatre from 25 November to 3 January and tickets are around £13. If you’ve never heard of this theatre before, it’s definitely worth checking out throughout the year, as it puts on many interesting acts and films.
Scotch and Soda is an energetic physical performance with elements of acrobatics, circus and dance set to live music in a gypsy fashion. The Australian company is returning to Edinburgh after last year’s smash hit LIMBO, continuing presenting their highly successful shows. Performing in St Andrew Square from 21 November till Sunday 21 December, tickets are available from £11 apiece.
The Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker. If anything screams Christmas, it’s The Nutcracker. Set up without fail every Christmas, this version is directed by Peter Darrell with original scenarios by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa. This year the ballet runs from 13 December – 3 January at The Festival Theatre, tickets from £13.
Slava’s Snow Show looks mental, from the pictures at least. I have no idea what’s going on, except that there’s a lot of clowns and lots of snow. On tour to more than 80 cities, it has come to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre this Christmas. Receiving hugely positive reviews, it’s worth experiencing; tickets costing £21-29, but with £10 student tickets on the day of the performance after noon.
The BFG at the Lyceum runs from the 28 November till 3 January. A classic Roald Dahl story most will be familiar with, it is adapted to the stage by David Wood and directed by Andrew Panton. Tickets are usually £15-28, but on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 of November all tickets are £10, so hurry and you’ll get a bargain!
The world renowned musical Wicked has recently arrived at Edinburgh Playhouse. A full review of this show is found elsewhere in the paper, but note that the show runs from 21 November – 10 January, tickets costing anywhere between £20-75 but standby tickets are available Mondays through to Thursdays for £15.