Edinburgh: A&E: Theatre Tour Listings for Scotland & Elsewhere

with our linked reviews

Victory at the Dirt Palace - The Riot Group - a specially re-worked version of their 2002 production Victory at the Dirt Palace. America's top news anchors James and K. Mann, father and daughter, compete for ratings in a head-to-head primetime grudge match. Faithlessly adapted from King Lear, Victory at the Dirt Palace is a wicked satire about heredity and corruption among primetime royalty.
Review - Into each reign some life must fall.
21 April at 8.30pm and 22 April at 3pm and 8.30pm Glasgow The Arches.
11 -13 May US Vernont Burlington at the Flynn Space.
Check out http://www.theriotgroup.com website for more details.

Blasted - Graeae Theatre Company - Two ex-lovers met in a hotel room in Sarah Kane's violent and abusive play from a playwright who wrote four astonishing and troubling plays in her too short lifetime. Directed by Jenny Sealey the production is by Britain's foremost disable led theatre company. Age 16+ contains scenes of an adult nature.
Review - Almost totally in tune with Kane's barabarism.
29 - 31 March 8pm Tunbridge Wells Trinity Theatre 01892 678 678.
4 & 5 April at 8pm Liverpool Unity Theatre 0151 709 4988.
6 & 7 April at 8pm Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre 0115 846 7777.
10 - 15 April at 7:45pm Plymouth Theatre Royal 01752 267222.
19 - 22 April at 8pm Glasgow The Tron 0141 552 4267.
25 - 29 April at 7.45pm Mat 27 at 2.45pm Birmingham Rep Theatre 0121 236 4455.
9 - 11 May at 7.45pm York Theatre Royal 01904 623568.
12 & 13 May at 7.45pm Scarborough Stephen Joseph Theatre 01723 370541.

Majnoun - 3D Bird Productions - Iran - no drink, Mehrdad Seyf's play in a non-narrative structure and bi-lingual ( English and Farsi) looks at the mixed consequences of the moderisation in the country that happend between 1920s and the Islamic Revolution. 3D Bird use installations to create surprise.
Review - Cutural shifts engagingly dramatised.
Tour begins
12 - 15 April at 7:30pm Edinburgh Traverse Theatre 0131 228 1404.
18 - 22 April at 8pm London Lyric Hammersmith 08700 500 511.
3 May at 8pm Cambridge The Junction 01223 511 511.
5 May at 7:45pm Crawley The Hawth 01293 553 636.
9 May at 8pm Exeter Phoenix 01392 667 080.
12 May at 7:30pm Leicester Phoenix Arts 0116 255 4854.
25 May at 8pm Kendal Brewery Arts Centre 01539 725 133.
30 & 31 May at 7:45pm Birmingham Rep Theatre 0121 236 4455.
Tour ends.

Present Laughter - Duncan C Weldon and Theatre Royal Bath Productions - Simon Callow stars as Garry Esseldine the playwright and egoist about to head off to Africa who is visited by his business partners , an aspiring playwright, ex-wife/manager and more before he goes in Noel Coward's fast moving comedy set in the Jazz Age.
Review - Laugh ... silly ...at...hysterically funny morality play.
Tour begins
27 March- 1 April at Edinburgh King's Theatre 0131 529 6000
3 April - 8 April at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 01242 572573.
10 - 15 April at Newcastle upon Tyne Theatre Royal 0870 905 5060 calls charged at national rate. .
17 April 2006 To 29 April 2006 Bath Theatre Royal 01225 448844.
1 - 6 May at Cambridge Arts Theatre 01223 503 333.
8 - 27 May Birmingham Repertory Theatre 0121 236 4455.
29 May - 3 June Surrey Richmond Theatre 0870 060 6651(£2 booking fee).
Tour ends.

Edward Sissorhands - Matthew Bourne And New Adventures - An new adaptation of the Tim Burton film. The story of a boy whose creator an inventor dies leaving him with only scissors for hands. the people around him try to see past his strange appearance.
Review - Slow start but magical family show.
Scottish tour dates UK dates in review.
7-11 Feb at 7:30pm also Thurs & Sat Mats at 2:30pm EDINBURGH Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000.
11 - 15 April at at 7:30pm also Thurs & Sat Mats at 2:30pm GLASGOW Theatre Royal 0141 240 1133.

Weeding Cane - Weeding Cane in assoc with Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester - Joy's left with Grandma when her Mum goes to England later when Grandma dies she's shipped to England and her mother, stepfather and half siblings, how does she settle? Told in a spare poetic style with a live double bass underscoring. Only Scottish Date.
Review - Beautiful speech rhythms.
Tour begins
8 - 25 Feb at Royal Exchange Theatre, Mancester 0161 833 9833.
27 Feb at Eastwood Theatre NG16 01115 9419.
28 Feb Magnus School NG24 01115 9419.
2 & 3 March Lancaster, Nuffield Theatre 01524 594 151.
6 & 7 March Bradford Theatre In The Mill 01274 233 200.
8 - 11 March at Leicester Haymarket 0870 330 3131.
14 & 15 March at Liverpool Unity Theatre 0151 709 4988.
16 & 18 March York Theatre Royal 01904 623 568.
29 March - 1 April at 7:30pm Edinburgh Traverse Theatre 0131 228 1404.
4 - 8 April at 7:45pm London Oval House Theatre 020 7582 7680.
Tour ends.

Festen - Almeida Theatre - Prizewinning dramatisation by David Eldridge based on the Dogme film and play by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukiv & Bonhr Hansen in a UK tour prior to Broadway. A patriarch is celebrating his 60th birthday with friends and family at a formal dinner in a large Danish house when accusations tumble out.
Review - Brilliantly powerful core, less brilliantly encased.
Tour begins
30 Jan - 17 Feb at Birmingham Rep Theatre 0121 236 4455.
20 - 25 March at Norwich Theatre Royal 01603 630 000.
27 Feb - 4 March at Bath Theatre Royal 01225 448 844.
6 - 11 March at Woking New Victoria Theatre 01483 545 900.
13 - 18 March at Cardiff New Theatre 029 2087 8889.
20 - 25 March at Windsor Theatre Royal 01753 853 888.
27 March - 4 April at 7:30pm, Thurs & Sat mats at 2:30pm Glasgow Theatre Royal 0141 240 1133.
3 - 8 April at 7:30pm Thurs & Sat mats at 2:30pm Mold Clwyd Theatre 01352 755 114.
10 - 15 April at 7:45pm Thurs & Sat mats at 2:30pm Brighton Theatre Royal 01273 328 488.
17 - 22 at 7:35pm Thurs & Sat mats at 2:30pm Cambridge Arts Theatre 01223 503 333.
24 - 29 April at 7:45pm Thurs & Sat mats at 2:30pm Surrey Richmond Theatre 020 8940 0088.
1 - 6 May at 7:30pm also Wed at 2pm Sat at 2:30pm Nottingham Theatre Royal 01159 895 541.
8 - 13 May at 7:30pm Wed & Sat at 2:30pm Malvern Festival Theatre 01684 892 277.
15 - 20 May at 7:30pm Wed & Sat at 2:30pm Salford Lowry Theatre 0870 787 5780.
22 - 27 May 7:30pm Thurs & Sat at 2:30pm Plymouth Theatre Royal 01752 267 222.
Tour ends.
The Broadway production runs from 23 March 2006 at the Music Box Theatre, New York US - please see www.kenwright.com for full details.


I Got Rhythm - Northern Ballet Theatre - David Nixon's production combines dance, live vocal performance and a 30 piece orchestra using George and Ira Gershwin's enduring popular songs.
Review - Perfect antidote to winter blues.
Tour begins -
22 - 25 Feb at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000.
21 - 25 March at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre 0114 249 6000.
28 March - 1 April at Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787.
26 - 28 April at Llandudno North Wales Theatre 01492 872000.
4 - 6 May at 7.30pm, 6 May at 2.30pm, 7May at 4pm at London Sadler's Wells 0870 737 7737.
23 - 27 May at Cardiff New Theatre 029 2087 8889.
This tour schedule is subject to change, and Northern Ballet Theatre reserves the right to make alterations where necessary without prior notice.
Tour ends.

See How They Run - The Touring Partnership - Set in the WW2 in a sleepy village Philip King's 1940's farce has the Vicar's wife trying to hide her old friend Clive with comic results.
Review - Blissful waves of helpless laughter.
2006 Tour Details of Touring Partnership's production of See How They Run.
Tour begins
15 - 18 Feb Wed-Sat 7.30pm Fri & Sat 2.30pm PLYMOUTH Theatre Royal 01752 267222.
21 - 25 Feb Tue-Sat 7.30pm Wed & Sat 2.30pm EDINBURGH King’s Theatre 0131 529 6000.
28 Feb - 4 March Tue-Sat 7.45pm Wed & Sat 2.30pm RICHMOND Theatre 0870 060 6651.
14 - 18 March Tue-Sat 7.30pm Thu & Sat 2.30pm NORWICH Theatre Royal Box Office 01603 63 00 00.
21 - 25 March Tue-Sat 7.30pm Thu 2.00pm & Sat 2.30pm NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal 0870 905 5060.
28 March - 1 April Tue-Sat 7.45pm Thu 2.00pm & Sat 3.00pm SHEFFIELD Lyceum 0114 2496000. 4 - 8 April Tue-Sat 8.00pm Wed & Sat 2.30pm MALVERN Theatres 01684 892 277.
Tour ends.

The Leningrad Siege - Out of the Box Productions - Foremost Spaniard Jose Sanchis Sinisterra's play translated by Catalina Botello and Rod Wooden. Natilia and Priscilla are the mistress and widow of a theatre director who died mysteriously while rehearsing The Leningrad Seige, they live in the theatre trying to find the answer but now someone want to make it into a car park.
Review - Frequent lack of pace and clear direction.
Tour begins
16 - 18 Feb at 8pm also Sat Mat at 2pm Glasgow The Tron Theatre 0141 552 4267.
23 - 25 Feb at 8pm Bath Theatre Royal 01225 448 844.
4 March at Chipping Norton Theatre.
7 - 11 March at Plymouth Theatre Royal 01752 267 222.
14 – 25 March at London Wiltons Music Hall 020 7702 2789.
Tour ends.

The Canterbury Tales - Royal Shakespeare Company - Chaucer's Canterbury Tales reach lusty life in Mike Poulton's new adaptation as a mixed bag of pilgrims decide to tell stories as they walk on pilgrimage to Canterbury.
Review - A-road theatrical highway.
Tour begins
14 - 18 Feb at Ellesmere Port, Epic Leisure Centre 0870 950 9292.
21 - 25 Feb at Dumfries The Ice Bowl 01387 251300.
28 Feb - 4 March at Telford, Adams’ Grammar School 01952 61 9020.
7 - 11 March at Littleport, Littleport Sport and Leisure Centre 01353 616 991.
14 - 18 March at Doncaster, The Dome 01302 370 999.
21 - 25 March at Sunderland, The Seaburn Centre 0191 514 1235.
28 March - 1 April at Barrhead Sports Centre 0141 577 4970.
15 Apri l- 6 May at Washington DC, USA, The Kennedy Centre.
16 - 20 May at Melton Mowbray, King Edward VII Community Sports Centre 01664 851 019.
23 - 27 May at Canterbury, Kingsmead Leisure Centre 01227 787 787.
30 May - 3 June at Portsmouth, Mountbatten Leisure Centre 023 92 690 011.
6 - 10 JuneSt Austell, Polkyth Leisure Centre 01872 262 466.
Tour ends.

Dr Korczak's Example - Dundee Rep Ensemble - David Grieg's atmospheric play about the man who created a children's republic in his orphanage but ended up with them in the Treblinka gas chambers. Also to tour to local scholls and to Japan.
Review - Simple, elegant and engaging.
Tour begins
16 - 18 Feb at 7.45 p.m Dundee Rep 01382 223 530.
Then goes to Japan and when back round local Schools.
Tour ends.

Scottish Dance Theatre - 2006 Spring Tour - This tour features a varied programmes with different pieces performed at different venues.
Tour Starts
9 - 11 Feb at Dundee Rep.
15 Feb at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 15 February,
18 Feb at Riley Theatre, Leeds.
1 - 4 March at The Place, London.
7 March. De Stadsschouwburg, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Tour ends.

Johnothan Pram - On/Off - Ben Faulks - There has been a fateful power cut, the Earth has stopped turning, and Johnothan Pram has been left on the dark side of the planet. Ben Faulks is an actor, writer and sound artist. Johnothan Pram is his alter ego, flailing about in the mechanics of the modern world. Pram reflects back the pathos and humour of our rapid plummet into technocracy. Expect powerful physicality, angular acoustics and some very crooked vocabulary.
Review - Removing the electric fig leaf.
Touring in 2006. Dates linked from review.

Trainspotting - Adapted and Directed by Harry Gibson from the famous novel by Irving Welsh. Drugtakers Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud are moving to destruction in this story set in the early 90s in the tough and hard places you can still find in Edinburgh. NB Contains scenes of nudity, may shock not suitable for children.
Review - Highlights the pathetically comic.
Tour begins
19 - 21 Jan 2006 at 8pm North Finchley 0208 369 5454.
24- 28 Jan at Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre 01224 641122.
30 - 4 Jan at 7:30pm Sat Mat at 2:30pm Edinburgh Kings Theatre 0131 529 6000.
6 - 11 Feb at Cardiff The Sherman 029 2064 6900.
21 - 25 Feb at 7:45pm also Sat Mat at 2:30pm Dundee Rep 01382 223 530.
27 FEB - 4 Mar at Belfast Grand Opera House 9024 1919.
6 - 11 Mar at Oxford Playhouse 01865 305 305.
13 - 18 Mar Leicester Haymarket 0870 330 3131.
20 - 25 Mar at Norwich Playhouse 01603 598 598.
27 Mar - 1 Apr Salford Quays The Lowry 0870 787 5790.
10 - 15 Apr at Chester Gateway 01244 340 392.
18 - 22 Apr at Hackney Empire 020 8985 2424.
1 - 6 May at Birmingham Rep 0121 236 4455.
8 - 13 May at Alhambra Bradford 01274 432 000.
15 - 17 May at Durham Gala Theatre 0191 332 4041.
19 - 20 May at Kirkcaldy Adam Smith Theatre 01592 412929.
22 - 27 May at Bath Theatre Royal 01225 448844.
Tour Ends.

Get Carter - Redshift - 1971. London gangster Jack Carter returns to his northern hometown to investigate his brother's death. Ted Lewis’s brutal 70’s story with a stunning soundtrack featuring classic hits in Jonathan Holloway's adaptation the first stage version of the book the cult movie Get Carter starring Michael Caine was based on. Contain scenes of an adult nature, parental discretion for under 16 year olds advised.
Review - Hard hitting stuff!
Tour continues
26 & 27 Jan at Musselburgh Brunton Theatre, 0131 665 2240.
28 Jan at Kirkcaldy Adam Smith Theatre, 01592 412929.
30 Jan at St Andrews Byre Theatre, 01334 475000.
1 Feb Music Hall, Shrewbury 01743 281281.
2 Feb The Theatre, Chipping Norton 01608 642350.
3 Feb Waterside Arts, Sale 0161 912 5616.
4 Feb Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough 01427 810298.
6 Feb Sundial Theatre, Cirencester 01285 654 228.
7 & 8 Feb Civic Theatre, Chelmsford 01245 606505.
9 - 11 Feb Swan Theatre, Worcester 01905 611427.
14 - 18 Feb Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton 01823 283244.
28 Feb Town Hall Theatre, Hemel Hempstead 01442 228091.
1 March Opera House, Buxton 0845 127 2190.
3 March Middlesbrough Theatre 01642 815181.
4 March Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal 01539 725133.
7 March Queen's Hall, Hexham 01434 652477.
8 March Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool 01429 890000.
9 - 11 March Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield 01484 430528.
13 - 15 March Gala Theatre, Durham 0191 332 4041.
16 March Guildhall Theatre, Derby 01332 255800 .
17 & 18 March Millennium Centre, Cardiff 08700 402000.
21 March Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury 01684 295074.
24 March Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton 01902 321321.
25 March MAC, Birmingham 0121 440 3838.
27 & 28 March The Depot, Swansea 01792 475715.
29 March Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare 01685 881188.
30 March Torch Theatre, Milford Haven 01646 695267.
31 March Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale 01495 350360.
1 April Wyeside Theatre, Builth Wells 01982 552555.
Tour ends.

A Man For All Seasons - Bill Kenwright - Sir Thomas More's the friend of Henry the VIII but this scholar churchman and lawyer finds his moral standards have him taking a stance again the King. Martin Shaw (Judge John Deed) stars in Robert Bolt's powerful play.
Review - A play in its season.
Tour begins
31 Oct to 5 Nov Mon-Sat 20:00. Wed & Sat Mats 14:30 Malvern Theatres 01684 892 277.
7 Nov to 12 Nov Mon-Sat 19:30. Thu, Sat Mats 14:00 Southampton Mayflower 023 8071 1811.
14 Nov to 19 Nov Mon-Sat 19:30. Wed & Sat Mats 14:30 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 01902 429 212.
21 Nov to 26 Nov Mon-Sat 19:30. Thu, Sat 14:30 Glasgow Theatre Royal 0141 240 1133.
28 Nov to 3 Dec Mon-Sat 19:30. Wed 14:00. Sat Mats 14:30 Nottingham Theatre Royal 0115 989 5555.
5 Dec to 10 Dec Mon-Wed 19:30. Thu-Sat 20:00. Wed & Sat Mat 14:30. Theatre Royal, Bath 01225 448 844.
Tour ends and production goes into London's West End.
21 Dec 2005 Opens 3 Jan 2006 - 1 April 2006 at Mon – Sat 7:45pm Matinees: Thurs & Sat 3:00pm London, Haymarket, Theatre Royal, West End 0870 4000 626 (Bkg fee applies).

The History Boys - The National Theatre - Alan Bennett's award winning play about education, love, the past and where we are now.
Review - A joy to watch.
Tour begins
1 - 5 Nov at 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm SALFORD, The Lowry 0870 787 5790.
8 - 12 Nov at 8pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm WOKING, New Victoria Theatre 01483 545 900.
15 - 19 Nov at 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat 2.30pm GLASGOW Theatre Royal 0141 240 1133.
22 - 26 Nov at 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm MILTON KEYNES Theatre 0870 060 6652.
Tour ends.
Then goes back to
London National Theatre, 020 7452 3000.
Previews on 2 & 3 Dec at 7:30pm.
5 Dec - 1 Feb.
5 - 8, 13 - 17, 19, 23, 26 - 31 Dec at 7:30pm, Mats at 2:15 pm on 8, 15, 29 & 31 Dec.
2 - 4, 9 - 12, 17 - 21, 23 - 28, 30 & 31 Jan at 7:30pm, Mats at 2:15 pm on 4,10, 12, 18, 21, 26, 28 Jan.
and finally 1 Feb at 7:30pm.
It is also to tour abroad.

Broken Chords - Vincent Dance Theatre - Scottish Premiere A reflection on growing older and growing up for eight multi-talented performers. Featuring live string arrangements, Broken Chords combines demanding dance, virtuoso musicianship, dark humour and playful theatricality.
Review - Provocative, emotional piece.
Tour begins
7 Oct at 8.00pm Kendal Brewery Arts Centre 01539 725133.
11 Oct at 7.30pm Portsmouth College 023 92 472700.
13 Oct at 7.45pm Frome Merlin Theatre 01373 465949.
14 Oct at 7.30pm Taunton Queen’s College, 01823 340829. Wednesday
19 Oct at 8.15pm Tonbridge EM Forster Theatre, 01732 361908.
27 Oct at 7.30pm Aberystwyth Arts Centre,Canolfan y Celfyddydau 01970 623232.
29 & 30 Oct at 8.00pm Lancaster Nuffield Theatre, 01524 594151.
4 Nov at 7.30pm St Austell Keay Theatre, 01726 226777.
7 – 9 Nov at 8.00pm Exeter Phoenix 01392 667080.
12 Nov at 7.30pm Edinburgh Traverse Theatre, 0131 228 1404.
16 Nov at 8.00pm Buxton Opera House 0845 1272190.
SPRING 2006 Please note that tickets for spring dates may not be yet on sale.
8 Feb at Bedford Bowen West Theatre, 01234 219333.
14 & 15 Feb at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, 0114 2496000.
17 Feb at Harrogate Theatre 01423 502116.
21 Feb at Oxford The Theatre at Headington, 01865 759138.
22 Feb at Cambridge The Junction, 01223 511511.
23 Feb at Newbury The Corn Exchange, 01635 522733.
28 Feb at Nottingham Playhouse 0115 9419419.
2 March at Taunton Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, 01823 414141.
7 – 11 March London The Place: Robin Howard Dance Theatre, 0207 3870031.
14 March at Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre, 08700 40 2000.
21 March Colchester Mercury Theatre, 01206 573948.
Tour ends.

If you know of a tour which might go in here let me know.

Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in these pages, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions.
Theatre Editor, Thelma Good's e-mail is thelma@edinburghguide.com

Future tours listings | This month's Listings by venue | Theatre home page| past tours reviews