Top Christmas shows in Scotland
Alongside eating far too many After Eights, drinking excess amounts of mulled wine and watching Love Actually on loop, festive trips to the theatre have become synonymous with Christmas for all of us at Flecking Records HQ. There are so many fantastic shows doing the rounds this year so, to help you make up your mind about what ones to spend your hard-earned cash on, we’ve come up with a list of our ‘top picks’ for shows in Scotland this Christmas.
Wicked – Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh residents will be hoping for a very green Christmas this year as Wicked, the hugely popular West End and Broadway musical, flies into town and takes up residence at The Edinburgh Playhouse until 10th January for the first time.
The show, which tells the previously untold story of the Witches from The Wizard of Oz, has garnered rave reviews all over the world since its debut in 2003. Starring local girl Ashleigh Gray in the lead role, Wicked is set to cast its spell over anyone lucky enough to see it!
Wicked opens on Wednesday 19th November and runs until Saturday 10th January. For tickets or more information, please visit http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/
The BFG – Lyceum, Edinburgh
Roald Dahl’s beloved classic, The BFG, will be brought to life at the Lyceum Theatre this Christmas. The heart-warming show, which tells the story of a big friendly giant that captures dreams in bottles for children to enjoy whilst they sleep, has a lovely message about not judging people by their appearance behind it.
A great choice for families or for absolutely anyone who has enjoyed Dahl’s books in the past!
The BFG runs at the Lyceum in Edinburgh from 28th November until 3rd January. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/production/roald-dahls-the-bfg
Edward Scissorhands – Theatre Royal, Glasgow
The stage adaption of Tim Burton’s dark cinematic masterpiece, Edward Scissorhands, is set to return to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow for a limited run.
The dance show, which has toured internationally since it’s world premier back in 2005, depicts the story of a near-complete boy whose inventor died before he was finished. With scissors for hands and nobody to guide him, gentle Edward must somehow find a place for himself in suburban America.
The show looks set to be visually stunning and Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has stated the show nearly brought him to tears – if it’s good enough for Captain Jack Sparrow, it’s good enough for us!
Edward Scissorhands opens on Wednesday 19th November and runs until Saturday 22nd November. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/matthew-bournes-edward-scissorhands/theatre-royal-glasgow/
Aladdin – King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to see an unashamedly cheesy pantomime!
Panto veterans Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott are teaming up once more for their annual Edinburgh pantomime adventure. This year, the trio will take on Aladdin and it promises be a not-to-missed explosion of family-friendly fun!
Aladdin runs at the King’s Theatre from Saturday 29th November until Sunday 18th January. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.edtheatres.com/aladdin
The Nutcracker – Edinburgh Festival Theatre
For those who tend to enjoy a more sophisticated theatre experience, the Scottish Ballet will be presenting Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh from Saturday 13th December.
Accompanied by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra performing the world-famous Tchaikovsky score, this performance is set to be magical.
The Nutcracker runs at The Festival Theatre from Saturday 13th December until Saturday 3rd January. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.edtheatres.com/sbnutcracker
Miracle on 34th Street – Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline
Miracle on 34th Street, the stage adaption of one of the most popular Christmas films of all time, is coming to Dunfermline for three nights only.
Recommended for those aged 8+, the all-singing and all-dancing show features many classic Christmas tunes that are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit!
The only question is….do YOU believe?!
Miracle on 24th Street runs at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline from 4th until 6th December. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/miracle-on-34th-street-dunfermline-04-12-2014/event/36004C81D9585701
Scotch and Soda – The Spiegel Tent, Edinburgh
Following on from last year’s hugely popular show, LIMBO, Underbelly are bringing the circus to town yet again!
Scotch and Soda, a ‘whisky-soaked evening of raucous circus, dance and music, will have its European premier at The Spiegeltent in St Andrew’s Square. The show, performed by a talented Australian cast of acrobats and dancers, is recommended for those over the age of 12.
Scotch and Soda runs from Friday, 21st November until Sunday, 21st December. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.edinburghschristmas.com/whats-on/scotch-soda
Stick Man – Live on Stage! – The Spiegel Tent, Edinburgh
In the live stage adaption of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hugely popular book, Stick Man, a trio of talented actors will recreate the story about the trials and tribulations of being a real-life stick man.
The unique show looks set to be a huge hit with all the little ones this Christmas and, coupled with a visit to Santa’s Grotto and a ride on the Santa train, could make for a magically festive outing!
Stick Man – Live on Stage runs most days from Saturday, 22nd November until Sunday, 4th January. For tickets or more information, visit http://www.edinburghschristmas.com/whats-on/stick-man-live-on-stage
Slava’s Snowshow – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Slava’s Snowshow will remind you what it feels like to see the world through the dreamy eyes of a child – featuring a show stopping blizzard and countless special effects, this is one crowd-pleasing show that will appeal to all the family.
Slava’s Snowshow runs at The Festival Theatre from Wednesday 3rd December until Saturday 6th December. For tickets or more information visit http://www.edtheatres.com/slava