There’s a lot to look forward to in the city as the days are getting warmer. Edinburgh Playhouse and Usher Hall are set to host a range of first-class performances for all tastes and ages, while the Beltane Fire Festival will spark the birth of the summer by lighting a huge bonfire. With our trams running from every seven minutes between the airport and Newhaven, we’re here to ensure you can make it to all these events with as little fuss as possible. What’s more, we offer flexible, money-saving ticket deals that suit your needs and they can be purchased here. Here are the highlights of April:
Tue, April 2; Sat, April 13, various times
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Closest tram stop: Picardy Place
Once upon a time in the late 80’s, Vivian met Edward and her life changed forever. Be swept up in their romance in this dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages – and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way – in a sensational show that took London’s West End by storm, guaranteed to lift your spirits and light up your heart.
Introducing Amber Davies as Vivian, Ore Oduba as Happy Man/Mr Thompson and Oliver Savile as Edward – who’ll be starring alongside original SIX: the Musical Queen Natalie Paris as Kit de Luca in the cast.
Tue, April 2, 14:00
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Closest tram stop: Picardy Place
Are you a keen singer and want to join a community choir of like-minded people? Then why not join them every Tuesday at Edinburgh Playhouse to sing some joyful tunes including some songs from their shows? No experience is necessary and open to anyone aged 18+.
Sing in the City is an Edinburgh institution with over 12 choirs across the Lothians & Fide with hundreds of fantastic members. Sing in the City is led by Kirsty Baird who has worked professionally in music as a singer, musician, and songwriter across Scotland. Edinburgh Playhouse is proud to be partnering with such a renowned singing group and can’t wait to open their doors to the singing community.
Sat, April 6, 19:30
Usher Hall
Lothian Rd, Edinburgh, EH1 2EA
Closest tram stop: West End
The greatest love letter ever to the genius that is Billy Joel is returning in 2024!
The hugely acclaimed, singer-songwriter, and pianist Elio Pace and his incredible band are set to thrill the UK audience once more with the smash-hit, award-winning show The Billy Joel Songbook after a sell-out tour in 2022.
This exciting live show pays homage to one of the most iconic musicians, singer-songwriters and composers of the 20th century, transporting the audience through a catalogue of Joel’s music. Elio and his band will perform more than 30 hits, including The Longest Time, She’s Always A Woman, An Innocent Man, Uptown Girl, Tell Her About It, The River of Dreams, We Didn’t Start The Fire, and Piano Man.
For more shows at Usher Hall, please visit their website here.
Sun, April 7, 10:00 – 17:00
Assembly Rooms
54 George St, Edinburgh, EH2 2LR
Closest tram stop: St Andrew Square
They will be hosting all-vegan stalls, serving delicious world foods and drinks, selling quirky clothes and accessories, bags, cosmetics, and fantastic campaign stalls.
There will be special guest speakers to engage with you their work and views along with educational documentaries about how our food choices affect our environment, health, and animal welfare.
Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo
Sun, April 21, 19:30
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Closest tram stop: Picardy Place
Join TV Dance Sensation Johannes Radebe and a host of eclectic characters in this brand-new theatrical celebration jam-packed with food-raising music, dazzling costumes and of course, world-class dance.
Thu, April 25; Sat, April 27, various times
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Closest tram stop: Picardy Place
Join all of your favourite crack-a-lackin friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.
Alex the Lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world.
Starring CBBC and Strictly Come Dancing star, Karim Zeroual as King Julien get ready to join Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, and those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, you’ll have no choice but to “Move It, Move It”.
Tue, April 30; Sat, May 4; various times
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Closest tram stop: Picardy Place
Nominated for Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards, this smash-hit show has a phenomenal soundtrack packed full of iconic Drifters hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, Save The Last Dance For Me, and Stand By Me.
Discover the remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who refused to give up on the group she loved.
Tue, April 30
Calton Hill
Closest tram stops: St Andrew Square, Picardy Place
The festival is a living, dynamic reinterpretation and moderation of an ancient Iron Age Celtic ritual and is the largest of its kind. Having been resurrected as a practice in 1988 it has become a central focus of the community, bringing many people together to acknowledge and revel in the birth of the Summer and the fertility of the land.
The festival takes place on Calton Hill. It is a procession, which starts at the National Monument (known to Beltaners as the Acropolis) and proceeds anti-clockwise around the path meeting various groups along the way. The procession is driven by the beat of drums which urge it inexorably towards summer.
