18-22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA
Edinburgh Playhouse is the UK’s largest all-seated theatre. It first opened in 1929, and since then it has hosted a wide range of artists, performers, and shows in just about every variety. With St Andrew Square tram stop a short distance away from the venue, getting there by tram couldn’t be easier!
What’s more, our Family Day Tripper ticket offers value for money for families and groups travelling together to Edinburgh Playhouse. For only £7.50, it allows unlimited travel between Ingliston Park & Ride, which has free parking, and St Andrew Square for up to two adults and three children.
This ticket and other fantastic tram travel deals can be purchased from edinburghticket.com and downloaded onto a smart device or printed out to show our friendly staff.
Here is what to look forward to this month at the city’s most iconic arts venue:
Opera season at Edinburgh Playhouse
Thu Feb 9 – 19:30
Starring Ukrainian soprano Alyona Kistenyova, Korean soprano Elena Dee, and French soprano Olga Perrier, and directed by Ellen Kent, this brand-new production is traditionally staged and features beautiful sets and costumes. La Boheme is one of the most romantic operas ever written. It tells the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer. The set reflects the Bohemian art of the period and will include a local brass band and snow effects. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.
Fri 10 – 19:30
Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee, Ukrainian soprano Alyona Kistenyova, and Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Natalia Matveeva, this award-winning opera features a new production with exquisite sets, including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes as well as antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of a beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving area One Fine Day, and the unforgettable Love Duet.
Sat 11 – 19:30
Aida, the grandest of all Ellen Kent’s operas, returns to the UK with a stunning new traditional production, boasting an impressive set built by Set-Up Scenery in the UK, who also build sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden. In Aida, the splendour of Egypt is set against the grandeur of the Colosseum of Rome with Ellen Kent’s direction influenced by the ancient Greek dramas of Euripides and symbolising the powerful religious hold of the priests of Egypt.
This tragic story of war, jealousy, and revenge at whose heart is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames, is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote with the well-known arias Celeste Aida, Ritorna Vincitor, and the classic Triumphal March featuring a temple dance and cascades of glittering gold.
Mon 20 – Sat 25
Various times
The international, award-winning smash-hit musical The Bodyguard is back! Starring Pussycat Doll, and multi-platinum Grammy-nominated Melody Thornton as Rachel Marron and Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks) as Frank Farmer.
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A ‘brilliant’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, Greatest Love of All, Million Dollar Bill, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and one of the greatest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.
The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight
Sat 18 – 19:30
Featuring the classical characteristics of a 13-piece Chamber Orchestra, guests can re-live and experience some of the most well-known and well-loved Rock & Metal songs from the last 40 years, including the likes of Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, Linkin Park, and more.
So, crack out those headbands, dust off your leather jackets, and join us for an unforgettable evening, as The Rock Orchestra takes you on a musical journey from the tear jerkers and fist pumpers to the all-out sing-alongs!
Fri 17 – 19:30
Formed in Leicester in 1973 from an amalgamation of several local bands, Showaddywaddy has gone on to sell more than 20 million records and tour all four corners of the globe. Their 50th-anniversary shows will be dynamic and uplifting, featuring all their greatest hits, many of which reached number one in the pop charts across Europe.