Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
11
popular pantomime productions in Edinburgh.
2 Leven St.
&
0131/529-6000.
www.eft.
co.uk. Tickets £5-£25. Bus: 11, 15, or 17.
Royal Lyceum Theatre
No doubt, the Lyceum (built 1883) has a most envi-
able reputation, with presentations that range from the most famous works of Shake-
speare to new Scottish scribes. The Lyceum is also the leading theater production
company in the city, often hiring the best Scottish actors such as Brian Cox, Billy
(Lord of the Rings)
Boyd, and Siobhan Redmond—when they are not preoccupied
with Hollywood scripts, that is.
Grindlay St.
&
0131/248-4848
for the box office, or 0131/238-
4800 for general inquiries. www.lyceum.org. Tickets £8-£30. Bus: 1, 10, 15, or 34.
Traverse Theatre
Around the corner from the Royal Lyceum, the Traverse
is something of a local legend. Beginning in the 1960s as an experimental theater
company that doubled as a bohemian social club, it still produces some of Scotland's
best contemporary drama—as well as premiering work by the best of the country's
young playwrights. The Traverse bar is the place to find some of the hippest drama-
tists and actors hanging out (as well as their courtiers in tow).
10 Cambridge St.
&
0131/
228-1404.
www.traverse.co.uk. Tickets £5-£16. Bus: 1, 10, 15, or 34.
THE CLUB & MUSIC SCENE
Comedy
Jongleurs Comedy Club
A corporate-owned entity from down south, with
more than a dozen venues across the U.K., Jongleurs came to Scotland a few years
back, pulling in its own cadre of house funny men (and women) as well as some
touring comedians from overseas.
Omni Centre, Greenside Place (top of Leith Walk).
&
0870/787-0707.
www.jongleurs.com. Tickets £5-£20. Bus: 7 or 22.
The Stand
The Stand, just down the hill from St. Andrew Square, is Edin-
burgh's premier, purpose-built comedy venue. Big acts are reserved for weekends,
while local talents try their jokes and tales during the week. Given the importance
today of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's comedy lineup, where good shows can
launch a career, the stand-up comedian is, umm, taken very seriously in the Scottish
capital. On Sunday you can combine laughs with brunch.
5 York Place.
&
0131/558-
7272.
www.thestand.co.uk. Tickets £1.50-£10. Bus: 8 or 17.
Folk
Although internationally touring folkies—performers such as Americans Gillian
Welsh or Nanci Griffith are big in Scotland—usually get booked into one of the
music halls, the day-to-day folk scene in Edinburgh takes place in unassuming pub-
lic houses.
Ceilidhs
—gatherings for music, stories, and especially Scottish country
dancing—are hosted at places such as the
Assembly Rooms
on George Street in
New Town (
&
0131/220-4349
).
The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak, with ground floor and basement bars, is a key
venue for live Scottish folk music. On most Sundays from 8:30pm, various guests
play at the “Wee Folk Club.” Open most nights until 2am (4am during the Festival),
this pub, where Old Town meets the Southside, is just a few minutes' walk from the
Royal Mile.
1 Infirmary St.
&
0131/557-2976.
www.royal-oak-folk.com. Tickets from £3 Sun. Bus: 3,
5, 8, or 29.
