Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest independent theatre charity, has announced its success in securing an award of £174,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) towards costs of the development phase in the major redevelopment of the King’s Theatre Edinburgh. Continue reading Lottery support for King’s Theatre redevelopment
Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted murder. The incident happened around 9.45pm on Thursday at the King’s Theatre on Tarvit Street. Continue reading Police seek information following attempted murder
The cast of the UK Tour of Simon Beaufoy’s THE FULL MONTY caused a stir in strait-laced Edinburgh yesterday as they strutted their stuff outside the King’s Theatre. Continue reading Taps aff! Full Monty guys strut their stuff ahead of opening night
The fabulous Edinburgh Gang Show is back!
Over 250 young people from Scouting and Girlguiding will swap their camping gear and the outdoor life for the glitz and glamour of the theatre world when the annual Gang Show returns to the capital next week. Continue reading Gearing up for The Gang Show
Local group make a song and dance about charity fundraising
Edinburgh-based theatre group Showcase, which has raised more than £220,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
They are staging three performances of their production ‘Showcase 25’ this weekend in the King’s Theatre when they hope to take the total raised to a show-stopping £250,000.
The group, which has performed in the Church Hill Theatre every year since 1990, with all profits going to Macmillan, boast a wide repertoire of songs and styles.
Director Andy Johnston said: “Showcase is an enormously talented group of singers and dancers – there is literally no musical style they can’t conquer. In the past they have tackled everything from Led Zeppelin to the Sound of Music, all performed in the trademark ‘big choral’ Showcase sound.”
Showcase President Susan Galloway added: “We like to think of ourselves as one big family. And we genuinely believe that every person that walks through the door of the theatre and buys a ticket to one of our shows is contributing – they’re helping make a difference to someone’s life. As far as we’re concerned, that’s the reason we exist.”
Macmillan’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager Jayne Forbes said: “The support that Showcase has given Macmillan is nothing short of astounding. We are so grateful to them and everyone who goes along to their shows.
“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, none of which would be possible without the support of people in Edinburgh. This is a really special anniversary for Showcase, and I’d urge local people to go along to a show. You are guaranteed an entertaining few hours, safe in the knowledge your ticket money is supporting a wonderful cause.”
Showcase 25 takes place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May (matinee and evening performance) in the King’s Theatre. Tickets are from £15 and available from www.edtheatres.com/showcase
Showcase 25 set to raise the roof at The King’s Theatre
The concept of Showcase Musical Productions is a simple one – bring together some of the best ‘non-professional’ singers and dancers in Edinburgh and the Lothians area and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. That was the vision of John Wright and Bobby Harvey: and this year Showcase is celebrating 25 years of performing!
Showcase 25 will be a musical extravaganza paying tribute to Showcase past, present and future, featuring a selection of numbers from the likes of Les Miserables, Wicked, Queen, Adele and The Beatles. Cast members old and new will be joined by a junior cast, the Showcase of the future, at Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre on 29 and 30 May.
Cast member Carol McGovern has been performing with Showcase for the past 25 years. She said: “I am very proud to have been involved with Showcase for the last 25 years – more than half my lifetime! The variety of music we have performed over the years has been fabulous but it has become frustrating that it takes me longer to learn the notes, words and dance moves than I used to!
“I have made some special friendships over the years and it is lovely that our hobby can also raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and help the great work they do, which has become much more than an added bonus to many of us.”
With rehearsals well under way, director 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.”
The aspiration to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Showcase at the King’s Theatre has been an exciting one and the performance has something for everyone; rock, pop and songs from the musicals, all orchestrated by musical director David Mcfarlane with imaginative choreography by Claire Smith.
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?’
With 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 without the support of local people.”
Showcase supplements its fundraising efforts with concerts throughout the year and will be performing again in the Church Hill Theatre in September but with over 100 voices singing in glorious harmony in just ten days time, it is bound to raise the roof of the King’s Theatre!
Tickets are from £15.75 and are available at www.edtheatres.com/showcase.
This is a performance that is not to be missed!
Showcase25 Launches!
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.
Director, 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?’
With 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.
This year’s Gang Show is biggest ever
This year the annual Edinburgh Gang Show will be not only the biggest of its kind in the world but also the biggest production to be staged on the King’s Theatre. With over 330 young people from the Scouting and Girlguiding movements, it will be a busy and exciting show!
Running from 18 – 22 November at the King’s Theatre, the Edinburgh Gang Show includes slick song and dance numbers from Michael Jackson to Disney’s Frozen and many more, as well as topical comedy sketches.
Andy Johnston, the Edinburgh Gang Show Director said: “This is my 12th year as Director and it features the largest cast ever assembled for an Edinburgh Gang Show. Over 330 young people will get to experience the amazing buzz that you only get when the houselights go down at the start of a Gang Show and that almighty roar resounds around the auditorium.
“It is a very, very special show, one which is forward looking, while at the same time keeping in line with the format that was created 82 years ago by Ralph Reader. The show is a reflection on what has happened throughout year and we strive to make sure there really is something for everyone.”
It will be a special occasion for the youngest female cast, the Brownies, as the section turned 100 years old in 2014! In celebration there will be a special Big Brownie Birthday number with 170 Brownies, in two casts, 70 more than usual! This party number includes songs from Sister Act and Hannah Montana.
This modern, fast paced and funny production is not a show about Scouting and Girlguiding it is a performance by those in Scouting and Girlguiding. It allows these young people the chance to develop their performance skills in a professional environment and continue to do something that they clearly enjoy and love.
Edinburgh Gang Show 2014
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
Tue 18 to Sat 22 November
Evenings 7.00pm
Saturday matinee 2.15pm (Audio described & BSL interpreted)
0131 529 6000
0131 529 6005 (Group bookings)
Tickets from £10.00
This year’s Gang Show is biggest ever
This year the annual Edinburgh Gang Show will be not only the biggest of its kind in the world but also the biggest production to be staged on the King’s Theatre. With over 330 young people from the Scouting and Girlguiding movements, it will be a busy and exciting show!
Running from 18 – 22 November at the King’s Theatre, the Edinburgh Gang Show includes slick song and dance numbers from Michael Jackson to Disney’s Frozen and many more, as well as topical comedy sketches.
Andy Johnston, the Edinburgh Gang Show Director said: “This is my 12th year as Director and it features the largest cast ever assembled for an Edinburgh Gang Show. Over 330 young people will get to experience the amazing buzz that you only get when the houselights go down at the start of a Gang Show and that almighty roar resounds around the auditorium.
“It is a very, very special show, one which is forward looking, while at the same time keeping in line with the format that was created 82 years ago by Ralph Reader. The show is a reflection on what has happened throughout year and we strive to make sure there really is something for everyone.”
It will be a special occasion for the youngest female cast, the Brownies, as the section turned 100 years old in 2014! In celebration there will be a special Big Brownie Birthday number with 170 Brownies, in two casts, 70 more than usual! This party number includes songs from Sister Act and Hannah Montana.
This modern, fast paced and funny production is not a show about Scouting and Girlguiding it is a performance by those in Scouting and Girlguiding. It allows these young people the chance to develop their performance skills in a professional environment and continue to do something that they clearly enjoy and love.
Edinburgh Gang Show 2014
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
Tue 18 to Sat 22 November
Evenings 7.00pm
Saturday matinee 2.15pm (Audio described & BSL interpreted)
0131 529 6000
0131 529 6005 (Group bookings)
Tickets from £10.00
