Tag: St Andrew Square

The Famous Spiegeltent returns to St Andrew Square this summer

  • 105 years young! The Famous Spiegeltent celebrates her ‘centenary plus’ this summer by returning to St Andrew Square, Edinburgh
  • The trailblazing original travelling venue invites you to celebrate over a century of spellbinding entertainment and the 21st birthday of her notorious, multi-award-winning house show, La Clique!

10 July – 31 August 2025

St Andrew Square Edinburgh

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 12 March

Follow thefamousspiegeltent.com for updates.

This summer, having travelled to countless cities across the world, the iconic and internationally acclaimed venue that’s “just too good to be true” (IYKYK) returns in style to Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her home turf. An iconic fixture at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for 20 years since 1996, The Famous Spiegeltent has been instrumental in promoting the international careers of variety, cabaret, independent music and new circus arts.

2025 marks both The Famous Spiegeltent’s 105th birthday as well as the 21st birthday of her notorious, multi-award-winning house show, La Clique!

Crafted from timber, canvas, velvet and kaleidoscopic leaded glass, with her bevelled mirrors, intimate booths, ornate bar and parquetry teak dance floor, The Famous Spiegeltent is the oldest peripatetic spiegeltent in circulation today, and has launched a myriad of multi-award-winning shows and the careers of countless artists* in its travels to the four corners of the globe.

Built in 1920 by master craftsmen Oscar Mols Dom and Louis Goor, The Famous Spiegeltent is the largest and most beautiful of the last-remaining antique Belgian mirror tents and has spent a lifetime appearing at festivals and village fairs throughout Europe, Australia and beyond, playing host to the world’s greatest cabaret performers and musicians.

Since Marlene Dietrich sang ‘Falling In Love Again’ on The Famous Spiegeltent’s stage in the 1930s, its magic mirrors have reflected images of raucous laughter, awestruck oohs & ahs and rapturous applause. And the dance floor has thrummed to the beat of her guests ‘tripping the light fantastic’ as indelible memories have been created for crowd after crowd of devotees and newcomers alike.

Since its inception in 2004 in The Famous Spiegeltent at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, La Clique has taken the world by storm.

A theatrical phenomenon, a unique and inspirational night of live entertainment, La Clique is ‘variety’ reinvented and redefined for the 21st century — an inspired mélange of cabaret, new burlesque, circus and modern vaudeville.

For the past two decades, this prestige show has played to sold-out audiences of over one million people in 21 cities across 11 countries, showcasing hundreds of the world’s greatest, most innovative variety performers, and winning countless awards along the way – including Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment in London’s West End.

La Clique embodies the Zeitgeist as the original and definitive Spiegeltent production, single-handedly reimagining a genre, inspiring an entire generation of intimate cabaret circus and birthing a multitude of shows in its wake.

In 2024, La Clique kicked off its international 20th anniversary tour at the Sydney Opera House, followed by London’s Leicester Square, and is spending the first part of 2025 traversing the Antipodes.

La Clique hits its 21st Birthday milestone upon the show’s return to Edinburgh this summer, coming back to where it all began, for an unprecedented six-week season inside The Famous Spiegeltent, after nearly a decade out of the nest. For this coming-of-age celebration, audiences are encouraged to frock up and find their inner Spiegel for a house party like no other!

The very essence of live entertainment, La Clique is a unique blend of daring acrobatics, jaw-dropping stunts, scintillating burlesque and raucous comedy. Visceral, ethereal and in-your-face, each act a masterpiece of artistry and athleticism, La Clique showcases a riotous troupe of crème de la crème artists from around the world.

This extra-special 21st Birthday edition of the show is a triumphant celebration of La Clique’s history, with a cast spanning generations; this is a season where legacy meets latest, with all performers at the very peak of their powers.

Creative producer and Spiegel maestro David Bates says: “Leave your troubles at the doors of The Famous Spiegeltent and step into our Edinburgh-born international sensation, La Clique.

“This will be the sexiest, funniest and most dangerous birthday party in town, and we are honoured to share this celebration with the people and the place that has forever changed all our lives.

“To our Edinburgh audience, we can’t wait to return and raise a glass with you for La Clique’s 21st Birthday! Over your head, under your skin, below the belt – hang onto your hat and strap yourself in, as we present … La Clique!”

Further arrests made in connection with disorder following Hibs vs Motherwell football match

Officers investigating disorder following the Hibernian versus Motherwell football match that took place in Edinburgh on Saturday, 5 October, 2024, have made more arrests.

Four men, two aged 19, one aged 18 and one aged 24, along with a 16-year-old male youth, have been arrested and charged in connection with incidents in the St Andrew Square area.

They have been released on an undertaking to appear in court on a later date. Football banning orders are being sought.

Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson said: “Officers work hard to create a safe environment not just at football matches but also after the event.

“These arrests send a strong message that we will not tolerate football related disorder in any form.”

Capital to come alive for Edinburgh City Poppy Day 2024


Scotland’s capital city is gearing up to host what has become a firm fixture in its calendar. 

Supporting the Scottish Poppy Appeal and the work of Poppyscotland, Edinburgh Poppy Day will return on Thursday, October 31, live from St Andrew’s Square and other city centre locations throughout the day. 

Working in partnership with Poppyscotland to provide the day’s concert and roadshow will be Forces Radio BFBS Scotland.

There will be music from The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland in the Square, as well as entertainment from The Bands of HM Royal Marines Scotland, Edinburgh Military Wives Choir, Rosyth Military Wives Choir, Alan Brydon Music, Royal Marine veteran Richard Kerr and George Heriot’s School Pipe Band from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Scores of volunteers will also be out on the day to collect the vital funds the charity needs to continue supporting the Armed Forces community in Scotland.  

Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, said: “We can’t wait to get back out onto the streets of our capital to mark the hugely popular Edinburgh Poppy Day.

“It really is a day where people come together and enjoy all that Poppyscotland has to offer in the build up to our national day of remembrance.”

Gordon added: “It’s not too late for more people to volunteer their time.  Even if it is just an hour or two, more volunteers mean more vital funds raised for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces community. Just come along to St Andrew Square and we’ll make sure you have a great day.”   

Money raised from the Scottish Poppy Appeal and Poppyscotland’s year-round fundraising enables them to deliver support to members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing tailored funding and assistance. The charity also funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility. 

Police appeal following post-match disorder in city centre

POLICE are appealing for information following disorder after the football match between Hibernian and Motherwell at the weekend.

On Saturday, 5 October 2024, incidents of violence and disorder were directed towards officers in the St Andrew Square area after the conclusion of the game.

Four officers suffered minor injuries as a result and four men aged 16, 17, 18 and 22 were charged in connection with incidents of violence and disorder. They were released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.

Two other people were also arrested and later released without charge.

Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to violence of any kind and are working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“A proportionate policing plan was in place and officers being targeted with violence while carrying out their duties is wholly unacceptable.

“Officers acted swiftly in challenging circumstances to deal with what amounted to totally unacceptable behaviour.

“A dedicated team of officers are carrying out enquiries to identify those involved and appropriate action will be taken.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1311 of 5 October 2024.

Replacement plaque installed at the Melville Monument

“We cannot allow people to silence history” – Foysol Choudhury MSP

A replacement plaque has been installed at the base of the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square.

The replacement features the same wording as the original plaque which was stolen in September 2023.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m glad that a replacement plaque has been installed this morning. Since the original plaque was stolen last September, I’ve been clear that we will not allow the actions of a minority to derail the important ongoing work to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism in our city.

“Following the refusal of the Melville Monument Committee to return the original plaque, we filed an official report with Police Scotland in October. This investigation is ongoing, and our legal team will continue to monitor the situation closely.

“We’ll also be seeking to recover the costs of this replacement plaque from the Melville Monument Committee.

“We’re rightly proud of the steps we’ve taken to properly address the legacies of slavery and colonialism here in Edinburgh.

“From conducting an independent review chaired by Sir Geoff Palmer, to carrying out the recommendations through the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group (ESCLRIG) under the leadership of Irene Mosota, we’re committed to being a modern, inclusive and welcoming capital city.”

 Chair of ESCLRIG, Irene Mosota said: “Today is a really significant milestone for our city, with the return of the plaque to the base of the Melville Monument. It’s only through properly acknowledging and exploring our collective past that we can address the challenges of the present and putting ourselves in a strong position to shape a positive future.

“This is a very exciting time for ESCLRIG as we now look towards implementing the recommendations of the independent review. Together, I’m confident that we can forge the foundations for a more tolerant, just, and equal Edinburgh that we can all be proud of.”

Edinburgh Council, together with Sir Geoff Palmer and heritage experts, agreed the wording for a new plaque which was installed on the monument in 2021, to expose Dundas’ role in slavery and to recognise those who suffered enslavement as a consequence. The new replacement plaque has the same wording.

Foysol Choudhury, Labour list MSP for Lothian, supported the retention of the plaque after a descendent of Dundas submitted a planning application to remove it last year.

Following the news that a replacement plaque was installed yesterday (18 March) Mr Choudhury commented: “I am glad a replacement plaque has now been installed on the Melville Monument.

“We cannot allow people to silence history – we must address Scotland’s past and build the trust of communities across Scotland who are affected by modern-day consequences, such as racism, of this past.

“The removal of the plaque was a step backwards in our fight to address Scotland’s historical role in slavery and colonialism and caused severe damage to trust from the communities who this past has affected.

“I’m glad that a replacement plaque has now been installed to address historical prejudices and educate the public on parts of Scottish history which have caused decades of hate, racism and discrimination. 

“I hope that this important work continues to build a more equitable, just future for Edinburgh and Scotland which addresses past wrongs and their modern-day consequences.”

Vandalism in St Andrew Square: Police release CCTV images

Officers in Edinburgh have released images of a man they would like to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into an incident that involved vandalism within St Andrew Square.

The incident happened at about 4.50pm last Saturday (9 December, 2023).

The man in the images is described as white and aged between 20 – 30 years old with short brown hair. He was wearing a flat cap, knee-length coat, blue jeans and carrying a backpack.

Anyone who can help in identifying and tracing the man should report this to Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2618 of 9 December, 2023.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Bank Boardroom set for Homeless Christmas Dinner

Royal Bank of Scotland is joining forces with Social Bite to host a Christmas dinner for people who’ve experienced homelessness. The bank will be opening the boardroom at St Andrew’s Square in Edinburgh and welcoming those Social Bite and the bank have supported this year.

It is part of the bank’s long-term support for the work Social Bite is doing to end homelessness. Since 2016, Royal Bank has supported Social Bite through donations, gifts-in-kind, and strategic help totalling over £1million.

Royal Bank employees have raised more than £100,000 through sponsored sleepouts, abseils and Christmas appeals. 

Taking place on 19 December 2023, those attending include residents and staff from Social Bite’s Village in Edinburgh, run in partnership with Cyrenians to provide a supported community which helps people affected by homelessness to lead an independent life. Social Bite plans to open two new Villages in South Lanarkshire and Dundee over the next two years.

This Christmas, the bank is also supporting Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness which will provide meals, gifts and essentials for people who are homeless at Christmas and throughout the winter, alongside homes and jobs. 

Josh Littlejohn MBE, Co-Founder of Social Bite, said: “We are so grateful for Royal Bank’s support.

“They have played a key part in a number of transformational projects helping people break the cycle of homelessness, and it is really special that they have created this Christmas experience for the residents of the Village.”

Judith Cruickshank, Chair of the Royal Bank of Scotland Board, said: “Building on our long-term support for Social Bite we are helping to make Christmas a little more enjoyable for some of the most vulnerable.”

Appeal to trace victims in Edinburgh city centre robbery incident

Police in Edinburgh are investigating a reported robbery which took place in the city centre and are urging two victims of the crime to come forward.

At around 8.20pm last night (Wednesday, 6 December, 2023), a woman witnessed a physical altercation between two male suspects and a man and a woman, described as being an older couple, which took place on South St Andrew Street.

One of the men has assaulted the older man and the suspects have stolen the man’s rucksack during the incident.

A number of witnesses and bystanders are reported to have helped the couple, however the pair have not been traced and no reported incident has come directly to police from the victims.

Officers are reviewing available CCTV in the area and are asking anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

Acting Detective Sergeant Mike Campbell from Gayfield CID said: “This incident happened in a busy area at the junction of St Andrew Square and West Register Street, outside a number of restaurants.

“It is imperative we trace the couple involved to ensure their welfare and I would ask them to get in touch with police.

“The suspects are reported to have been aged in their mid to late teens, dressed all in black, and may have left the scene in the area towards Waverley Steps.

“I’d ask anyone who saw what happened, or possibly the suspects leaving the area with a rucksack along Princes St towards Waverley Station, to get in touch.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3450 of 6 December 2023. Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111.

Give the Gift of Home this Christmas

Social Bite reveals ‘Nest House’

  • Social Bite reveals first-look of new ‘Nest House’ design in Edinburgh for Villages in Dundee and South Lanarkshire
  • ‘Nest House’ unveiled as part of charity’s Festival of Kindness campaign which aims to provide 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas

Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, has unveiled its new ‘Nest House’ prototype, as part of the launch of its fourth annual Festival of Kindness.

Kicking off the campaign in Edinburgh yesterday, Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, unveiled the new Nest House design which will feature in two planned new villages – one soon to be announced in South Lanarkshire, and the other in the recently announced Recovery Village in Dundee.

Located in St Andrews Square in Scotland’s capital, the Nest House will give an insight into the plans for the new village in South Lanarkshire, as well as the state-of-the-art Recovery Village in Dundee, both planned to open in early 2025. 

As part of the charity’s Festival of Kindness campaign, the public are being encouraged to ‘give the gift of home’ and can make a donation to the new Villages which put dignity and support at the core of recovery and people’s journey out of homelessness.

Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness campaign has run nationally every year for the past four years with the aim of providing 300,000 gifts, meals and other essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas.

Donations can be brought to the tree itself located outside Charing Cross Station on the Strand or made online, with a wish list of gifts published that homeless and vulnerable people need most at Christmas.

In addition, five ‘Trees of Kindness’ have been installed in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and London where donors can bring a physical gift which will all be distributed to homeless and vulnerable people in time for Christmas.

Donation stations will launch today (Saturday 18th November) in Edinburgh’s St Andrews Square. A donation station was also launched at Charing Cross station on The Strand in London yesterday.

Donations will be able to be made in other major cities this month from:

  • 29th November – Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
  • 30th November – City Square, Dundee
  • 1st December – St. Nicholas Street, Aberdeen

For those who can’t make it along to the Festival of Kindness donation points, contributions can also be made online to the ‘Festival of Kindness’.

The charity has published a wish list of items and gifts that vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness need most at this time of year. These include a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle and a torch, good quality socks and toys for children living in temporary accommodation to open on Christmas morning.

Donors can also buy a Christmas dinner, a gift, a pack of essential items and overnight emergency accommodation for £28.

With homelessness in Scotland reaching record levels, more children than ever living in temporary accommodation and rhetoric of ‘lifestyle choices’ of those experiencing homelessness making headlines, Social Bite is on an urgent mission to raise funds and donations for those who need it most, and is calling on big-hearted Scots to help them provide essential items and some much needed joy to those who need it most.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, said: “This year we have seen an increase in homelessness in Scotland to record levels.

“From Covid, to the cost of living crisis, and now unfortunately, misleading commentary from some high-profiled politicians, those experiencing homelessness have been subject to the toughest few years we’ve seen; so once again we are asking the people of Scotland to join us in helping raise critical funds for those that need it most at Christmas.

“As well as donating towards Christmas dinners and gifts, this year we are also asking the public to give the gift of home by donating towards two new villages.

“The proposed new Villages will be amongst our most important projects to date and that’s why we wanted to give donors the option of helping us create these crucial facilities. We are thrilled to welcome the public to see our prototype house being displayed in St Andrews Square.

“We believe that everyone, no matter their circumstances should be treated with respect and dignity, which these homes reflect in their design.”

Royal Bank of Scotland formally hands over New Town site for Edinburgh’s new concert hall

  • Royal Bank of Scotland transfers the ground behind Dundas House in the final step before work begins on site
  • City’s first new concert hall in over 100 years will complete James Craig’s plans for Edinburgh’s iconic New Town

IMPACT Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland today marked the transfer of the land behind the Royal Bank of Scotland’s iconic Dundas House, clearing the final step to allow work to begin preparing the New Town site for the construction of Dunard Centre which will begin later in 2023. 

The music venue, which was given the green light by Edinburgh’s planning authorities in November 2021 is set transform the city’s cultural offering with the construction of its first purpose built concert hall in over 100 years.

Alison Rose, Chief Executive of the NatWest Group, of which the Royal Bank of Scotland is part, visited the site with Gavin Reid, Co-Chair of IMPACT Scotland and Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, to mark the moment the site was handed over.

Alison Rose said: “Edinburgh is a global capital and world stage for international arts, culture and music. The Dunard Centre will provide further space to continue that tradition and offer further opportunity for more musicians and artists to develop and create.

“This project is a great example of what can be achieved with close collaboration across the city’s public and private sectors.  Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to play a part in helping bring this project to life.”

Gavin Reid said: “Together, we are building a bold and brilliant venue which is an expression of faith in our city, our country and our future. The Dunard Centre will be a place where musicians and audiences come together to create and share extraordinary experiences.

“Through this final design stage we are enjoying the challenge of ensuring excellence in every surface, corridor, seat and handrail. Every detail of the building will be finely tuned to make sure that concert going is an inspirational and exhilarating experience.”

RBS as per order of itinerary , Copyright photo Paul Chappells

A specialist team led by award winning David Chipperfield Architects and Nagata Acoustics has designed the Dunard Centre to rival any in the world for design, intimacy and clarity of sound. 

With seating for 1000 people, the venue will be a transformational new home for Scottish Chamber Orchestra, an iconic new venue for Edinburgh International Festival and a gift to music lovers and performers of all genres. 

It is expected that all clearance work will complete later in 2023 and that work will begin on the new concert hall soon after.   

Dunard Centre is being funded through substantial philanthropic donations, including the visionary support of Dunard Fund, and underpinned by £25 million support from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the City Region Deal. 

Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting the project by providing a long-term lease for the land which sits directly behind Dundas House on St Andrew Square.  A campaign is well underway to secure the remaining funds required before construction begins later in 2023.

PICTURES: Paul Chappells