Edinburgh Festival Theatre
- Box office 0131 529 6000
- Website www.edtheatres.com
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With its impressive Colin Ross-designed three-story glass façade, the former Empire Palace Theatre is at once welcoming and grand. It boasts one of the largest stages in the UK; so big that it has occasionally been converted into a studio theatre with room to spare. The auditorium seats over 1900 people on three levels. Maintaining a tradition for variety that dates back nearly two centuries, it programmes everything from popular comedy to classical opera. Not only is it the capital’s home for Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, it is also one of the cornerstones of the Edinburgh International Festival and, thanks to investment in cutting edge projection equipment, the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Having built a reputation as a leading dance house, it hosts a cutting-edge contemporary dance season alongside large-scale musicals, international ballet productions and a variety of one-night musical and comedy events. At street level, Café Lucia is open daily, and there are bars on each floor open on performance days in addition to private function rooms. The same management runs the King's Theatre.
If you like a little added sparkle with your live entertainment then the prestigious Festival Theatre is the place for you. Built in 1994, the impressive glass facade imposes a sense of occasion as you enter the sleek and contemporary foyer spaces. Enjoy a drink in our spacious bars and take in the insipring views across to Arthur's Seat – but don't let the modern entrance fool you – the traditional 1915-seat auditorium, with its sumptous decor and lavish fittings, has all the grandeur and splendour you need for a truly special theatrical experience.
Text supplied by third party.
Event times
Sorted by date & time / title
Friday 21 June
Saturday 22 June
Ages 3–4 from 10.30–11.30; 5–7 from 10.30am–noon; 8–10 from 12.15–2.15pm;
- 10:30
- Family Storytime
Just So Stories: The Elephant's Child.
- 12:15 – 14:15
- Saturday and Sunday SYT
- 12:30
- Family Storytime
Just So Stories: The Elephant's Child.
Sunday 23 June
Ages 3–4 from 10.30–11.30; 5–7 from 10.30am–noon; 8–10 from 12.15–2.15pm;
- 12:15 – 14:15
- Saturday and Sunday SYT
Part of Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Saturday 29 June
Ages 3–4 from 10.30–11.30; 5–7 from 10.30am–noon; 8–10 from 12.15–2.15pm;
- 12:15 – 14:15
- Saturday and Sunday SYT
Sunday 30 June
Ages 3–4 from 10.30–11.30; 5–7 from 10.30am–noon; 8–10 from 12.15–2.15pm;
- 12:15 – 14:15
- Saturday and Sunday SYT
Part of Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Saturday 6 July
- 10:30
- Family Storytime
Just So Stories: How the Whale got his Throat.
- 12:30
- Family Storytime
Just So Stories: How the Whale got his Throat.
Friday 12 July
- 20:00
- Susan Boyle
Saturday 13 July
- 20:00
- Susan Boyle
Tuesday 16 July
Wednesday 17 July
Thursday 18 July
Wednesday 24 July
- 18:00 – 18:45
- Glenfiddich In-depth Nosing and Tasting Session
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
- 20:00 – 22:00
- Eric Burdon and the Animals
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
Thursday 25 July
- 18:00 – 18:45
- Glenfiddich In-depth Nosing and Tasting Session
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
- 20:00 – 22:00
- Barber, Bilk, Ball
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
Saturday 27 July
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
Sunday 28 July
- 18:00 – 18:45
- Glenfiddich In-depth Nosing and Tasting Session
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
- 19:30 – 21:30
- Jools Holland & his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
Part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
Friday 2 August
Part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Saturday 10 August
Monday 12 August
Friday 16 August
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Edinburgh International Festival. Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Saturday 17 August
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Edinburgh International Festival. Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Sunday 18 August
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Edinburgh International Festival. Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Monday 19 August
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Edinburgh International Festival. Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Part of Dance Odysseys.
Saturday 24 August
Sunday 25 August
Thursday 29 August
Friday 30 August
Saturday 31 August
Saturday 21 September
Tuesday 1 October
Thursday 3 October
Friday 4 October
Saturday 5 October
Tuesday 22 October
Thursday 24 October
- 19:30
- Three Phantoms
Sunday 27 October
Saturday 2 November
Wednesday 6 November
Thursday 7 November
Friday 8 November
Saturday 9 November
Monday 11 November
Saturday 23 November
Tuesday 18 February 2014
Saturday 22 February 2014
Free pre-show talk at 6pm. Booking essential.
Friday 11 April 2014
Saturday 12 April 2014
Thursday 8 May 2014
Free pre-show talk Sat 17 May 6pm. Booking essential.
Friday 9 May 2014
Sunday 11 May 2014
Free pre-show talk Sat 17 May 6pm. Booking essential.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Free pre-show talk Sat 17 May 6pm. Booking essential.
Thursday 15 May 2014
Free pre-show talk Sat 17 May 6pm. Booking essential.
Saturday 17 May 2014
Free pre-show talk Sat 17 May 6pm. Booking essential.
Reviews & features
Perfect pitch - Classical venue guide
15 Sep 2008
For those looking for something a little more civilised, Edinburgh and Glasgow have a host of classical venues on offer.
Comments & ratings
- 1. pepitoe – 1 May 2011, 1:09pm Report
-
Spirit of the Dance - 30.4.11
Had been looking for a really good,entertaining,high quality,night of entertainment.Deeply disappointing.This group were unable to pull off the range of dance quality required to do Irish,Scottish,Spanish and the other range of dance routines.They presented as semi professional,reasonably competetent but not of a standard that should be at the festival theatre.Costumes were tacky,and the group should never try to do highland dancing in Scotland unless really competent,which they were not.
We were so disappointed we left during the interval.
Festival Theatre - "need to do better"






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