EMT presents Chess: The Musical

EMT Chess RehearsalThe board is set, the pieces are moving: Edinburgh Music Theatre (EMT) will perform Chess: the Musical at the Church Hill Theatre next week (10-14 March)!

With music by ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson, and lyrics by Tim Rice, Chess has one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time including One Night in Bangkok, Pity the Child, Anthem, You and I and I Know Him So Well (made popular by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson).
The musical follows the story of two of the world’s greatest chess masters as they battle it out at the world chess championships, but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Amidst political intrigue and international conspiracies, the American and the Russian fight to win her heart in a romantic triangle that mirrors the heightened passions of the Cold War.
A highly successful concept album of Chess was released in 1984. The first theatrical production of Chess opened in London’s West End in 1986 and played for three years.
EMT was formed in 1982, to perform large-scale musicals in major theatres. They perform a yearly musical and also present two cabaret shows at the Fringe. Past shows include Boogie Nights, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and a run of Sweeney Todd that incorporated British Sign Language into every aspect of the performance, including choreography.
The cast of amateur performers have been in rehearsals for Chess since October last year, working together in their spare time to put together a musical spectacular.
Mike Davies, the director, said: “We can’t wait to bring Chess to the Church Hill Theatre this March. “A team of over fifty performers and crew has been involved in putting together this fantastic, unmissable show.
“While ‘I Know Him so Well’ was the breakout song from Chess, the score is packed with stunning ballads, intricate chorus numbers and spellbinding duets. Grab your tickets while you can.”
EMT Chess Rehearsal
Performances of Chess will take place in the Church Hill Theatre from 10-14 March at 7:30pm, with a matinee performance on Saturday 14 March at 2:30pm. Tickets are available through the Usher Hall website and booking line 0131 228 1155.
Listing Details:
Edinburgh Music Theatre presents Chess: the Musical.
The Church Hill Theatre, Morningside Road, Edinburgh.
7:30pm (Saturday Matinee 2:30pm)
Tickets: Tues and Sat Matinee – all tickets £12; Wed – Sat £14 (£12 conc.).

Showcase: Raising the roof to support cancer charity

Showcase25 Launches!

Classic Rock

Last week saw the launch of Showcase25, with the cast of a hundred finding out what is going to be in the 25th anniversary celebration of Showcase on 29 and 30 May in the King’s Theatre.

Showcase is a musical theatre company which has performed annually since 1990 to raise money for charity using the musical skills and talents of some of the best ‘non-professional’ performers in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Their aim is to produce a highly entertaining and professional show incorporating a wide variety of musical styles.

Cast member Amanda Hendrie, said: “Showcase25 will be my ninth show performing with Showcase and I cannot wait to perform on the King’s Theatre stage in May! The programme for this show is very strong and I am excited to be getting into rehearsals and putting it all together.”

Showcase25 will be a musical extravaganza paying tribute to Showcase past, present and future. It will feature a selection of the very best of Showcase including songs by Queen and Adele, as well as musical numbers from Les Miserables and Wicked.

80s Scotland MedleyDirector, Andy Johnston, said: “It has been very difficult compiling a show that accurately represents 25 years worth of Showcase hits – our first draft programme would have run for nearly four hours! – but we feel this show will be an accurate representation of where Showcase came from, and of where we are now.” 

While everyone involved performs in Showcase because of their love of the theatre, there is also a very serious side. Showcase is an important fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, having raised over £220,000 to date.

Andy Johnston added: “Each and every one of our cast gives so freely of their talents and time all to benefit Macmillan Cancer Support – I often remind the cast that as a company, we are in a very special position that we have a hobby than can genuinely change someone else’s life – and what can be more important than that?’

2013With 310,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year, many of the cast and supporters of Showcase have been affected by cancer and have first-hand experience of the support Macmillan gives. 

Jayne Forbes, Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Manager, Edinburgh said: “We are extremely grateful to Showcase for their considerable support to date. They have raised an incredible amount of money which has helped us make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.

“We help people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries as a result of their cancer diagnosis.

“In Edinburgh there are 53 specialist Macmillan nurses and health care professionals, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.

“None of this would be possible without supporters like Showcase. 98% of our funding comes from public donations. Quite simply, we couldn’t provide our services with support of local people.”

With over 100 voices singing in glorious harmony, it is bound to raise the roof of the King’s Theatre. Tickets are from £15 and are available at www.edtheatres.com/showcase.

Thinking caps on for LifeCare Quiz

Pub-Quiz-Poster-2015

We are holding another Pub Quiz as the last one was so much fun! We are very fortunate to have Robert the Bruce quizmaster at the helm again.

It’s on Friday 27 February from 8:30 – 11.30pm

(18+ only) here at LifeCare.

Tickets cost £5 each. Lots of fabulous prizes to be won. Bar and snacks.

Get your friends together and make a team!

Funds raised will help LifeCare with their work with the frail elderly and people without dementia throughout Edinburgh

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Burns Night Community Ceilidh: Get ready to rock at Royston Wardieburn!

We are delighted that the Burns night community ceilidh will happen again tomorrow (Saturday 24th January) from 5 – 9.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

The event is a celebration of diversity and talent in north Edinburgh. It is organised by a wide range of groups – including Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP),  Granton Community Gardeners and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – under the banner of Living in Harmony.  Living in Harmony is about bringing local residents together to share their experiences and cultures and get to know each other better.

Pilton Community Health Project’s Rachel Farrier said ‘The joy of this event is what happens afterwards, once people have danced with each other, it’s difficult not to say hello on the street!’

This year’s ceilidh will include a traditional haggis supper served up by Granton Community Gardeners giving us all a chance to sample produce from the gardens.  We’ll be reliving the highlights of last year with ‘turns’ from residents from around the world – including wee Sarah reading Burns poetry, some highland dancing from Dakota Hay and Nepalese dancing from Sushma and her friends.  The homecoming string band will lead the dancing and we’ll all get the chance to strut our stuff.

Last year’s ceilidh was a massive success – over 200 people attended and over 40 volunteered to make it such a brilliant event.  You can see photos from this event on PCHP’s facebook page [photos by Anneleen Lindsay].  

Local people really enjoyed the event: ‘nice to see some community spirit’ one said.  This year tickets are going fast and it looks to be a great event.

Tickets  available NOW from Royston Wardieburn Community Centre and only cost £1. 

Get yours before they are gone!

ceilidh

Full Scottish at Drylaw Church this Saturday!

haggis neeps and a nip

Drylaw Parish Church is holding a traditional Scots Afternoon in the Large Hall this Saturday from 12.30 – 4pm.

Haggis neeps and tatties lunch followed by a celebration of Scottish entertainment old and new. Tickets (£7.50) are available from Susan Jeffrey or a member of Fundraising committee.

See http://e-voice.org.uk/drylawparishchurch/ for more info

Roll up, roll up for the penny tenement opera

And it’s not even a penny, it’s free!

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What is the 1d Tenement Opera? 

The 1d Tenement Opera is a story based on the lives of people who have lived in a tenement in Edinburgh over two centuries. The tenement eventually became part of Edinburgh Corporation’s Slum Clearance Programme, some of the tenements were sold for just 1d (a penny), and in 1959 one of the last tenements collapsed and a little boy was killed.

Local people told stories of being in the bath and the end of the room falling away, others spoke of desperately trying to save their babies and children as the floor boards started to slope away from under them. This was known as the Penny Tenement collapse.

The 1d Tenement Opera is devised with the local people of North Edinburgh, some of whose families had been living in the city centre before the Slum Clearance Programme.

North Edinburgh Theatre project is delighted to be working with the following artists for this project: designer Ali Maclaurin, musical director Lynda Peachey, dancer and choreographer Monica de Ioanni, and dramaturg Lynne Clark. Stephanie Knight is the project director.North Edinburgh Theatre Project history:

The North Edinburgh Theatre project was developed in 2011 after research into the requirements of local people. The main finding of this research was that local people wanted to make theatre again, after a history of using theatre and other art forms to create work which highlights their community and its needs and aspirations. In November 2011 North Edinburgh Theatre project developed Yes We CanCan – a Cabaret of Resistance which was the cementing of the project.

Since then, North Edinburgh Theatre project has participated in a number of performances including Theatre Uncut in 2012 & 2013 and the project regularly offers Sharing-of-Work and Work-in-Progress events. The opportunity to develop 1d Tenement Opera through the support of the People’s Health Trust is an exciting and important development for North Edinburgh. It supports the participants’ aspirations and hard work for well-being and full creative lives, making strong contributions to their own communities as well as participating in the North Edinburgh Theatre project.

Performance Information:

15 16 17 January at 7pm

Tickets: FREE (donations very welcome)

Contact Box Office to reserve tickets:

0131 315 2151  admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

More information here. 

NEA

Ho, ho, ho – it's the PEP Panto!

It’s PEP’s Panto Time!

(Oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is!)

GlassSlipper

Pilton Equalities Project will perform ‘Cinderella’

at Granton Baptist Church,  Crewe Road Gardens

on Thursday 18 December from 6 – 8pm.

 Tickets are £4 – Adults, £1– Children – refreshments included

For catering purposes, please book a place – call Trish on 315 4466

PEP Panto Poster

Edinburgh’s Christmas programme launched – and it’s a cracker!

It’s October, so we can start using the ‘C’ word now, right?

Edinburgh_s_Christmas_2014

Edinburgh’s Christmas programme has been revealed and it promises to be bigger, better and more affordable than ever – especially for families and Edinburgh residents.

The Council has worked with event organisers, Underbelly, to ensure city residents get the best value for money this winter.

If you have an EH postcode, you will receive a 20 per cent discount on all shows, rides and events. There will also be special family prices available for most attractions – which Edinburgh residents can get on top of their 20% discount -plus new family attractions in East Princes Street Gardens for between £1 and £4.

The desire to offer value has been achieved without any compromise on quality – with the Starflyer, Big Wheel and Paradiso Spiegeltent all returning along with an expanded Santa Land and, the community opening event, Light Night on George Street.

You can find out more about the programme and tickets at Underbelly’s Edinburgh’s Christmas website, through Facebook (facebook/edinburghschristmas) and Twitter (@EdXmas).

Programme highlights include:

  • Light Night on George Street returning on 23 November with 60 school and community groups confirmed to perform on a series of stages up and down George Street to the theme of ‘Christmas Songs and Carols’. Last year, over 26,000 people took to the streets to enjoy this community event
  • A truly unique ice rink in St Andrew Square around the Melville Monument
  • The Paradiso Speigletent returns with a programme of world class entertainment including Scotch and Soda, the internationally acclaimed circus show direct from sell out runs at the Sydney and Brisbane Festivals, Stickman, comedy superstar Al Murray for 3 nights only and Edinburgh’s favourite all male burlesque troupe, Briefs
  • Santa Land in East Princes Street Gardens with the very successful Christmas Tree Maze, Santa Train and Santa’s Grotto, all seen in 2013, joined by a series of affordable family attractions priced between £1 and £4
  • Other attractions in East Princes Street Gardens include the Big Wheel, the Star Flyer, the Ice Rink on the East Princes Street Gardens terrace and the double decker Carousel

Last year (Christomas 2013/14), over 387,000 tickets were sold for Edinburgh’s Christmas and 73 per cent of people from Edinburgh said that Edinburgh’s Christmas was the sole or an important reason to come to Edinburgh that day.

Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, Councillor Steve Cardownie, said: “Edinburgh is always a special city during winter and this year, the Capital is certainly the place to be to celebrate Christmas.

“Our festive programmes are the envy of the world. The line up this winter with Underbelly will be bring back some of the city’s classic attractions such as Santa Land – which will be bigger than ever before – and the spectacular Light Night on George Street which returns for its second year. Not only will the East Princes Street Gardens ice rink make a return, after receiving well over 30,000 visitors last Christmas, but a new bespoke ice rink in St Andrew Square will be opened for the very first time.

“I am especially pleased that after feedback from Edinburgh residents and a concerted decision to tailor the programme to suit even more local people, this year’s programme offers a big range of free events and a selection of great value attractions from as little as £1.

“Our Christmas events provide a great boost to the Edinburgh economy, and this year’s offering is set draw residents and visitors of all ages into the city centre.”

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam of Underbelly said: ”We’re delighted to be presenting Edinburgh’s Christmas for the second year. Last year we re-imagined the event and brought record breaking numbers of people to Edinburgh.

“We’re very excited about this year’s innovations, including the new ice rink in St Andrew Square around the Melville Monument; the expanded Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens with more affordable attractions; and the new family prices and the 20% EH residents’ discount across the board.

“We want this to be a Christmas for all of Edinburgh and we think there’s something for everyone – from Scotch & Soda in the Spiegeltent to our Stained Glass project where 24 Edinburgh primary schools will show off their creations in Princes Street Gardens. Our ambition is to make Edinburgh the best place to spend Christmas, whether you’re a resident or a visitor. It maybe early to say this, but we are wishing Edinburgh a “Happy Christmas”.

Cast your vote for the Forth Awards

Still time to nominate your community champion!

Forth AwardsThe ceremony recognises those living in our community as well as some of the biggest names in music and entertainment today.

Voting closes at 12noon on Sept 26th so you still have the chance to nominate someone from your community that you think goes the extra mile and deserves to be recognised for their hard work.

Please have a look around and nominate someone who you think deserves an award. Perhaps you know a community group who have raised funds for your local area or maybe you know of a teacher that goes the extra mile? Alongside this we also award The Best Artist, Fringe Act and Sports Recognition.

You can nominate who you think deserves to win here!

Just by casting your vote you can be in with a chance of winning VIP tickets to the event at The Usher Hall on Thursday 20th November 2014.

This year’s line-up is TOP SECRET until the day itself … previous guest appearances have included JAMES BLUNT, BOY GEORGE, THE STEREOPHONICS, PAULO NUTTINI, OLLY MURS, TEXAS, THE WANTED, DEACON BLUE, DAVID GRAY, ALESHA DIXON to name but just a few!

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