WONDER WEEK
22 – 29 FEBRUARY
22 – 29 FEBRUARY
We want you to come to the city and make the most of every minute you spend here – our range this week offers fantastic folk, joyful jazz, daring dance, open mouthed opera, dynamic drama, progressive portraiture…. You get the message.
So, recover from Veganuary, celebrate after dry January and really enjoy our brilliant bars, picturesque pubs and rousing – or romantic – restaurants.
Royal Lyceum Theatre: Mrs Puntila and her man Matti.
Royal Lyceum Theatre and Citizens Theatre in association with DOT Theatre, Istanbul
Friday 28 February – 21 March 2020
By Bertolt Brecht, adapted by Denise Mina. Starring Elaine C. Smith.
Brecht’s classic master and servant comedy is given a gender-switched adaptation by award-winning novelist and playwright Denise Mina. Can landowner Mrs Puntila (played by Elaine C Smith) get over the class divide when her daughter falls for her servant Matti?
Murat Daltaban directs this entertaining comedy (think Karl Marx crossed with Groucho Marx.)
Scottish National Portrait Gallery: BP Portrait Award 2019
Daily until Sunday 22 Mar 2020
The BP Portrait Award is the most prestigious portrait painting competition in the world and represents the very best in contemporary portrait painting. With a first prize of £35,000, the Award is aimed at encouraging artists to focus upon and develop portraiture in their work. A fixture at the National Portrait Gallery, London for 40 years – 30 of which have been sponsored by BP – the BP Portrait Award is now in its tenth year at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and continues to be an unmissable highlight of the annual art calendar.
Filmhouse: Parasite
Friday 7 February – Thursday 5 March
South Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho (The Host, Snowpiercer) turns his eye on class conflict with Parasite, winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2019. The Kim family are living a hand-to-mouth existence, but their luck changes when their son is employed as the tutor for the ultra-wealthy Park family. Using their wits, the Kims slowly infiltrate the Parks until they all have roles within the household. But when an interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage battle for dominance breaks out. Brimming with energy, suspense and visual wit, this gripping thriller keeps surprising to its last drop.
The Edinburgh Playhouse: Disney’s The Lion King
Thursday 5 December 2019 – Sunday 29 March 2020
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that truly wows!
Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney’s beloved animated film has been transformed into a spectacular stage production.
At its heart is the powerful story of Simba and his epic adventure to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.
The Usher Hall: Opera International, presents Puccini – La Bohème and Madama Butterfly
Wednesday 26 February (La Bohème) and Thursday 27 February (Madama Butterfly)
Opera International presents two Ellen Kent productions with international soloists and full orchestra; they are traditionally staged and feature beautiful sets and costumes. Starring Elena Dee* the Korean soprano and the celebrated international soprano Alyona Kistenyova* in the lead roles. La Bohème will include a brass band, snow effects and Muzetta’s dog! Award-winning Madama Butterfly’s exquisite sets include a spectacular Japanese garden and antique wedding kimonos. *Cast subject to change.
Traverse Theatre: The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff, by The Young’uns.
Thursday 27 February – Saturday 29 February.
A Northern Stage, The Young ‘uns and Harbourfront Centre Toronto co-production. Featuring songs from the original album alongside new material and stunning animation, Teesside folk trio The Young’uns perform a new, theatrical version of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff. This is the true story of one man’s journey from poverty and unemployment in Stockton on Tees, through the Hunger Marches of the 1930s, to fighting fascism in the Spanish Civil War.
Directed by Lorne Campbell, Northern Stage presents a musical celebration of northern working-class activism.
City Art Centre: The Italian Connection
Daily to 24 May 2020.
Creative links between Scotland and Italy have existed for hundreds of years. In the 18th and 19th centuries Scottish artists journeyed to Rome and Florence to advance their professional training and career prospects. This pilgrimage to the Mediterranean continues with artists finding inspiration in the landscape and culture. The flow of people and ideas has also developed in the opposite direction, with Italian families contributing to the artistic milieu.
The Italian Connection explores this enduring bond, celebrating the ability of art to transcend geographical borders. Featured artists include Allan Ramsay, F.C.B. Cadell, Joan Eardley, Eduardo Paolozzi and Elizabeth Blackadder.
The Queen’s Hall: Planet Wave, by Tommy Smith & Edwin Morgan.
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, featuring actor Niall Greig Fulton
Friday 21 February
Celebrate Edwin Morgan’s centenary as the SNJO perform the colossal work ‘Planet Wave’: an extraordinary collaboration between ex poet-laureate Morgan and composer Tommy Smith. Through music, theatre, sound effects and poetry, explore waves of history from the beginning of time 20 billion years B.C.
Other treats this week include performances by the exceptional young pianist Pavel Kolesnikov playing Liszt, Beethoven & Schubert (24 February) and Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Beethoven Triple Concerto, 27 February.)
Festival Theatre: Rambert.
Thursday 20 February – Saturday 22 February
Rambert is one of the world’s leading independent dance companies, a name synonymous with diverse and international programming, and a British national treasure. The world’s most diverse group of dancers perform work by three outstanding new voices in contemporary dance.
- PreSentient, Wayne McGregor’s lyrical response to the music of Steve Reich
- Rouge – an original creation from new star Marion Motin famous for her hop-influenced style.
- Hofesh Shechter’s dazzling ‘In your rooms’ brimming with gritty physicality.
King’s Theatre: Dial M for Murder
Monday 24 February – Saturday 29 February 2020
The seat-gripping drama made famous by Hitchcock’s renowned film is not to be missed! TV and stage favourite, Tom Chambers (Strictly Come Dancing) stars in this brand-new production as the charismatic and manipulative ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot, performed by Sally Bretton (The Office, Death in Paradise). When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’.
Also featuring Christopher Harper (Coronation Street) and Michael Salami (Hollyoaks).
“It’s a taut, acidly funny thriller” The Guardian
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is a treasure trove to explore, but if you find the idea of 20,000 objects a bit daunting, join one of their free guided tours, an experience which introduces you to some highlights across the museum in just an hour. There are two regular tours Discover the National Museum at 11:00 and Scottish Gallery Highlights at 13:00 daily. For something a bit specialist, try a themed tour at 15:00 daily which cover everything from The Jewels of Scotland to Ancient Egypt – Live and Afterlife.
Look on the website to see what’s on when you’re planning your trip.
Always WOW in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s restaurant and bars scene has something for everyone – chilled and relaxed, on-trend hotspots or Michelin star to suit your budget or mood. Many offer pre-show menus offering great value. For ideas, visit Edinburgh City Centre or Edinburgh’s West End.
Plan your travel
When you’ve planned what to do, organise the details with our travel partners Expedia.
A great choice of Hotels and Travel possibilities. Just tell Expedia when you want to visit Edinburgh and they’ll take care of the rest.
