Edinburgh's busy season

The Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe may be over but there’s no rest for the keen theatregoer. The Lyceum Theatre opens its 08/09 season on Friday 12th September with its production of Macbeth. Directed by new face Lucy Pitman-Wallace and in collaboration with the Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, the revival of Shakespeare’s Scottish Play stars award-winning actor Liam Brennan in the title role (see review). This tale of unnatural deeds is followed in late October by Mary Rose, a haunting JM Barrie play directed by Lyceum veteran Tony Cownie, who was responsible for last season’s slick and entertaining adaptation of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. For more information on the Lyceum’s programme visit www.lyceum.org.uk.

Over at the Traverse, Scotland’s new writing theatre kicks off with Cherry Blossom (24 September-11 October), a collaborative piece with Teatr Polski in Bydgoszcz. Discussing the myths and realities behind immigration, the play is described as "drawn, remembered and dreamed from the stories of the here-for-goods, the go-betweens and the left-behinds." Subsequently, The Brothers Size by young American writer Tarell Alvin McCraney, which runs in early October, is presented by theatre company ATC and the Young Vic and was nominated for the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award. To keep tabs on the often short runs of productions at the Traverse theatre, visit www.traverse.co.uk where you can download the full Autumn 2008 programme. The Traverse also offers young writers’ classes that have become popular with students, and hosts readings and question and answer sessions with some of the UK’s leading playwrights.

More good news: The Festival and King’s Theatres have recently extended the scope of their student discount. Subject to availability, reduced price tickets for unsold seats will be available on the day of the show for a range of performances courtesy of the Festival City Theatres Trust. The Festival Theatre hosts the Scottish Ballet which returns with some intriguing experimental pieces on 25-27 September, as well as musical romps such as Carousel and Can’t Smile Without You in October, the latter of which is to feature one-hit-wonder Chesney Hawkes with music by Barry Manilow. The King’s tackles more serious drama with a stage adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s Sunset Song, dealing with the harsh realities of rural life in Scotland (30th September-4th October), before presenting Alan Ayckbourne’s farce of social mobility Absurd Person Singular. You can find more information on the Festival and King’s Theatres at www.eft.co.uk.

Those who can, act

There’s also plenty going on in the exciting and experimental world of student theatre, whether you’re a fan of a good old hearty musical or edgy new writing. Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group (EUSOG) will be casting for their November show Me and My Girl; for audition information visit www.eusog.org. EUSOG scored a festival hit this year with Sondheim’s Company, and perform operas and musicals each semester including choice pickings from the Gilbert and Sullivan favourites.

Theatre Paradok, Edinburgh University’s self-styled "home of alternative theatre" takes a plunge into the dark world of Greek Tragedy this semester presenting Aeschylus’s Oresteia. Having recently presented Weiss’ Marat/Sade and Durenmatt’s The Visit, the company collaborate as a whole to bring about each production, with members taking on a variety of creative roles. As part of the explorative process, Paradok are holding a series of workshops focusing on Greek Tragedy, character development and physical theatre. You can find information about these events and more at http://paradok.eusa.ed.ac.uk.

Napier Drama Society is the university's longest running non-sporting society, offering members a chance to get involved in all aspects of stage production. Though plans have yet to be announced, expect the company's usual Christmas play and Easter production as well as their own Oscar night and plenty of socialising. Previous productions include John Patrick's The Curious Savage, and Neil Simon's famous Plaza Suite. Get involved via napierdramasociety@hotmail.com. Napier University also has a brand new Gospel Choir. Formed last year, the group can be expected to unleash their high-energy modern gospel performances on Edinburgh this year. E-mail rockhillf@yahoo.com for more details.

Those of a musical bent must—after a close examination of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s 2008-9 programme—take a look at Edinburgh University Music Society. One of the oldest societies, it consists of three ensembles and presents a wide range of music throughout the year. The society also engages with the local community through its education project: visiting local schools with music performance workshops, inviting those of school age to sit in on rehearsals and offering free tickets to selected concerts. This semester’s concerts will see the Symphony Orchestra engage with Tchaikovsky’s famous Symphony No. 5 and Sibelius’ Finlandia (14 November), while on 28 November the Chorus will take on Laurisden and Goodall while Sinfonia present Mussorgsky’s exquisite and delightfully varied Pictures at an Exhibition on the 29th. For more details including opportunities to get involved, see their website at http://musoc.eusa.ed.ac.uk.

Queen Margaret University takes a unique approach to music following the appointment of musician-in-residence Rob MacKillop. Charged with encouraging staff and students to get involved in music-making, MacKillop has done just that, setting up a Jazz Band, Blues Band, Traditional Music Group, Early Music Group, Baroque ensemble and a World Music Group among others. Bi-annual concerts showcase the University's varied output. See www.qmusiconline.co.uk for more details. There's a similar ethos at Heriot-Watt Music Society (www.hwmusoc.co.uk) which aims to organise gigs, battle of the bands, recording sessions and open mic nights throughout the year.

The Edinburgh University Theatre Company once again launch into Autumn with its usual refreshing variety of shows, workshops and events. Based in the Bedlam Theatre at the foot of George IV Bridge, EUTC opens with the all-inclusive and traditionally riotous Freshers’ Play, followed by productions of Woody Allen’s God and Dario Fo’s famous political absurdist farce Accidental Death of an Anarchist. Later on this year expect plenty of new writing and productions of plays by acclaimed contemporary British playwrights Martin Crimp and Anthony Neilson. For full programme, event and audition details check out www.bedlamtheatre.co.uk. Meanwhile if comedy’s your thing, then head to Bedlam any Friday night for 10:30pm, when Edinburgh institution The Improverts take the stage for their critically acclaimed hour-long improvised comedy show. Over at QMU's new Musselburgh campus, taking full advantage of the brilliant new space, is the university's Cobweb theatre society. E-mail 07000519@qmu.ac.uk for more.

Yet this, all this, is not all, folks. There are more shows, concerts, ensembles, troupes, exhibitions, societies, theatres and events than this humble article is able to do justice to, and enough to keep even the hungriest culture vulture satisfied. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s hot in the glorious city of Edinburgh – so whether you take a chance on experimental dance or settle down to some classic chamber music, happy exploring.