The Royal Lyceum’s 2024/25 programme is stuffed full of treats for theatre goers
Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum’s 2024/25 season looks to be an unmissable collection, with a variety of intriguing productions and unmistakable talent expected over the coming year.
The launch event saw Creative Director, David Greig, chat with eight guests about their involvement with upcoming events, some insider observations, followed by a brief audience Q&A in the intimate theatre setting.
Kicking off the season is Shirley Valentine (12 – 29 June 2024) – a production by the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, of Willy Russell’s work. Directed by Elizabeth Newman, and performed as a monologue by Sally Reid, the story is of a middle aged woman on a trip to Greece and the decisions facing her. Sally and Elizabeth were both at this event, where Elizabeth spoke movingly about Russell’s works promoting the choice of women, and it promises to be a funny, touching and unexpectedly deep experience for all.
Throughout the Fringe, The Outrun (31 July – 24 August 2024) will be performed at the local Churchill Theatre, produced by The Lyceum. Stef Smith and Vicky Featherstone are combining forces to bring to life Amy Liptrot’s compelling memoir of addiction.
Pandemonium (24 – 28 September 2024) has been written by Armando Iannucci, as a biting satirical response to a government in chaos following a pandemic. An apt production for this political year, the previous run at Soho Theatre, London, earlier in the year was well received.
One for younger theatregoers and families, The Baddies (4 – 20 October 2024) is an adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book, with songs by Joe Stilgoe. These ‘baddies’ are really bad, at being bad! It’s worth checking out the excerpt of the “Very Worst Baddies in the World” song for a hint of things to come.
A Streetcar Named Desire (24 October – 9 November 2024), the classic Tennessee William’s play comes to town, with Kirsty Stuart starring as Blanche Dubois, and directed by Elizabeth Newman. Expect the infamous Carousel Bar to form part of the staging, and an aching jazzy soundtrack to accompany this pressure cooker of a play, filled with longing and ‘what if’ reflections on a life that could have been so different.
A return to ‘home’ awaits for Treasure Island (30 November 2024 – 4 January 2025) – in a retelling of the well-loved Robert Louis Stevenson tale, where we find ourselves in a home for retired pirates in Leith, and travel north to Orkney. Adapted by Orkney playwright Duncan McLean and “folky, jazzy, comedic” orignal songs from Tim Dalling; director Wils Wilson told us there will be sea shanties, fun and drama, and perhaps a sword fight, to keep everyone entertained.
The Merchant of Venice (18 January – 15 February 2025) is an exchange with Theatre for a New Audience, based in Brooklyn and founded by Jeffrey Horowitz. Following the Lyceum’s Macbeth (an undoing) being performed in New York, Jeffrey and director Arin Arbus were present at this showcase to tell us about this exchange and the significance of this “rich, complex” production coming to Edinburgh, and the challenges of staging Shakespeare as an American repertory.
In this upcoming exchange, John Douglas Thompson, plays Shylock, and was the first Black American to do so. Set in New York in the near future, the play covers elements of our lives that are still relevant today, such as bias, justice, and speaks directly to us about our world, but with humour and romance entwined. If the passion with which both Horowitz and Arbus spoke translates to this play, then without a doubt, this will be a must-see ticket.
Nicole Taylor’s Wild Rose (6 March – 5 April 2025) is a musical based on her film, is having its World Premiere next year. A lover of country music since the age of 12, Nicole declared country music as ‘the aperture for understanding emotions’ in the unlikely setting of Glasgow, and a singer newly released from prison. This musical is directed by John Tiffany, and John described it as being all that is country, with a Scottish cast.
The Mountaintop (31 May – 21 June 2025) is a new production of the modern classic, set the night before Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and centres around the conversation he has with the hotel chambermaid. Written by Katori Hall and directed by Rikki Henry, this drama covers a gamut of human experiences.
Coraline – A Musical (26 June – 19 July 2025) based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, is sure to be a crowd-puller, with music from Skye-based Louis Barabbas. Director James Brinning and writer Zinnie Harris both explained the story that Neil Gaiman’s publisher originally deemed too scary for children, but in the best way, as a child confronting her fears in a rite of passage story. Hearing a snippet from “Leave a Little Room” showed why anticipation is high for this particular production.
A brief Q&A session followed, the highlight being some of the final thoughtful remarks of Jeffrey Horowitz and Arin Arbus, regarding the value of collaboration between Theatre for a New Audience and the Lyceum Theatre. Not only in being able to exchange productions between New York and Edinburgh, but also the sharing of experiences between artists, and even their respective education programmes, highlighting the importance of a global theatre environment.
At the start of the evening, David Greig candidly referred to the attendees tonight as the “Lyceum Ultras” – those who follow this theatre avidly and attend everything shown. On the basis of tonight’s previews and perceptive insights, there will be a considerable number joining their ranks as the season progresses.