Cinderella: A Fairytale at The Lyceum
This Christmas, The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh invites audiences to step into a world of wonder with a magical new retelling of Cinderella. Expect festive sparkle, puppetry, music, and all the heart you’d hope for in a Lyceum Christmas show.
The Lyceum has long been a favourite of mine. Since the kids were little, it’s been our go-to for that special festive treat night — the one where everyone gets dressed up, the city twinkles, and magic feels entirely possible. Edinburgh has so much on at Christmas that it can sometimes be hard to choose what to see, but I’ve learned I can always trust The Lyceum to deliver something truly special. I can still picture my girls, aged three and five, spellbound in their fur-collared M&S party dresses, during The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe — and they still talk about it now.
This year, The Lyceum is sprinkling a little fairy dust over the festive season with Cinderella: A Fairytale, a new contemporary retelling of the beloved story, directed by Jemima Levick, Artistic Director of the Tron Theatre (A View from the Bridge, River City, Maggie May). Written by Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) and Bristol Old Vic’s Adam Peck, this Olivier Award-nominated adaptation promises a fresh, imaginative take on the classic tale.
In this version, we meet Ella — a young girl raised by her loving father and bonded by their shared love of woodland birds. But when tragedy strikes and her father remarries, everything changes. Her feathered friends become her only real family… until a mysterious boy stumbles into her world with an invitation to the Queen’s Christmas Ball. From there, the adventure begins — full of song, puppetry, and that irresistible Lyceum sparkle.
Set to delight audiences of all ages, Cinderella: A Fairytale brings warmth, wit, and a touch of magic to The Lyceum’s stage this Christmas. Expect music, movement, and a few surprises along the way — the perfect festive escape for families and theatre lovers alike.
Cinderella: A Fairytale
Dates: 28 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
Venue: The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh