Brett Herriot

The Grand Old Lady of Leven Street, The King’s Theatre Edinburgh saw her curtain fall and the doors closed in 2022 with construction commencing in February 2023 on the multi-million-pound renovation and restoration of one Edinburgh’s most beloved Theatres. A Theatre that’s been home to not only the cities smash hit pantomime but also home to the many local and amateur companies who have graced its stage over its 120-year legacy.

That transformation is now complete with the theatre now being fully accessible for the very first time and a capacity of 1125 seats the official opening night is scheduled for July 31^st with performances beginning in August for the 2026 Edinburgh International Festival.

To prepare for the gala opening the team at Capital Theatres need to road test the building and all its new equipment and facilities hence a special preview weekend of productions will be running in the venue from Thursday 23^rd to Saturday 25^th July under the banner of “A King’s Rehearsal”.

Saturday 25^th will see a special Sing a long edition of the Disney smash hit “Frozen” followed by an evening of Stand up Comedy and Magic with “Black Magic: Mhairi Black and Kevin Quantum”. However, who could the King’s turn too to be first on the brand-new stage? That’s right Edinburgh own theatre companies.

So, for the first time in history, On Thursday 23^rd July the Bohemians Lyric Opera Company, Edinburgh Gang Show, Edinburgh Gilbert& Sullivan Society, Edinburgh Music Theatre, Showcase, Edinburgh Savoy Opera Company and Southern light will join forces for one night only to present “A Great Night Out”. Hosted by panto stars Clare Gray and Gail Watson the show celebrates the performers, companies and audiences who have made the King’s such an important part of Edinburgh’s theatre life and ensured that the King’s is so important to so many generations.

Devised and directed by legendary panto company manager Quintin Young with additional staging by Louise Williamson and Musical direction from Steven Wren a magical night of musical theatre is promised to herald the new dawn for the King’s.

Drawing from hundreds of performers from across the city and featuring a live orchestra a glorious night out is promised featuring a surprise or two. As well as providing a special show for the city and its people A great night out will help give the King’s a test run with a full audience. Various aspects of a working theatre will be tested. All proceeds will support the King’s Theatre redevelopment.

At long last, the brand-new velvet curtains of the King’s Edinburgh are ready to rise! And with a packed season already programmed including the return of home of its beloved pantomime and many of the local companies taking part in “A Great Night Out” also programmed in for there own shows it really is time to embrace the King’s once more.

The show is sold out but keep an eye out for returns as audience members are clamouring to be the first back through those historic doors! Welcome back to the King’s on what promises to be a Great Night Out for all!

A King’s Dress Rehearsal performance presents A Great Night Out! King’s Theatre Edinburgh, Thursday 23^rd July 2026. For more information and return tickets go to: A Great Night Out! – Capital Theatres

Mary Woodward Review

Costume Couture: Sixty years of Cosprop, Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, Review

July 21, 2026 Brett Herriot

***** (5 stars)

“a wonderfully engrossing experience”

This stunning exhibition needs visited several times to get the full benefit – you can go as a film and television buff, as a costume fancier, a textile nut, an embroidery anorak, and still on a fifth visit you will find more to marvel at… I had to catch a train afterwards, so wasn’t able to spend time with the displays after my curator-guided tour had ended: I know I have to make time to come back as many times as I can manage!

London-based costume house Cosprop was founded in 1965 by John Bright who at the time was combining careers British repertory theatre in acting, stage managing and costume design.

He’d also spent his life collecting vintage clothing and accessories in the flea markets of Paris and antique markets of London. He decided to start a costume house, using this collection and donations from family and friends – and so Cosprop was born. It’s a combination of museum, research facility, workshop and wardrobe, where costumes from an increasingly wide range of historical periods [and fantastical situations] can be found, studied, copied and borrowed, and the different construction methods learned and used for film, television and theatre productions.

Cosprop is possibly single-handedly responsible for the revolution in approach to period costume design, where accuracy not only of look but of construction methods is vital. Being guided round by the curator meant that we got to peek under skirts and see the incredible detail and care of construction of undergarments, the inside of hats, and many other tiny details that would probably not be noticed in the brief amount of a costume’s screen time, but contribute immeasurably to the actor’s realisation of a character. As Helena Bonham Carter said of Cosprop and her performance in the Merchant Ivory film Room with a View: “We entered Cosprop as ourselves and walked out as the person we were playing”.

You can’t actually see the actors in this exhibition – but they are almost there, tantalisingly ghost-like in the fabulous frocks and gorgeous garments on display, each superbly made and a delight to behold.

Film buffs can go on a ‘hunt the star’ trail – the list is endless! Helena Bonham Carter’s white frock, in which she was kissed on the hill overlooking Florence, is there. Top of many people’s list may be Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy outfit: not my hero, but I did love seeing Alan Rickman’s Colonel Brandon uniform from Sense and Sensibility. I was fascinated to find a frock worn by Elizabeth Taylor [in Young Toscanini – who knew?]; one of David Suchet’s Poirot suits; Jack Sparrow’s ‘looks as though it’s been slept in’ outfit from Pirates of the Caribbean: the curse of the black pearl; and an utterly gorgeous kimono-fabric-inspired frock for Rosalind in the 2006 As You Like It. Two of Eddie Redmayne’s costumes from The Danish Girl – a man’s suit and a beautiful sleeveless dress – reminded me of Lili’s poignant story. And there’s so much more!

Devotees of television series are not forgotten: I’m old enough to remember The Duchess of Duke Street and The House of Eliott, and delighted to see one of Louisa Trotter’s costumes, two of Bea and Evie’s frock,s and a glorious piece from one of their collections. Alas, there wasn’t anything from the original Forsyte Saga, but there are costumes from Downton Abbey and, and, and…

There’s jewellery, costume sketches, and photos from the workshops, showing in fabulous detail the care and precision with which every garment is made, and a series of short films for those who have the time…

Alas, I could only skim through this fantastic collection but will return as soon as I can. Don’t miss what is in itself a wonderfully engrossing experience but also the perfect antidote to the maelstrom which is fast approaching Edinburgh: do I need to remind you that Festival Season is fast approaching??!!

Costume Couture: Sixty years of Cosprop, Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, Exhibition runs until 17^th January 2027 for more information and tickets go to: Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop

Brett Herriot Review

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, Review:

July 17, 2026 Brett Herriot

***** (5 Stars)

“Emotional and Powerful the Production everyone will be talking about!”

Edinburgh based Find Your Light productions return for their 2026 season with a brand-new challenge for 28 young, up and coming performers they have just two weeks to go from meeting for the first time to staging a fully realised musical production to a professional standard, can it be done? This time the show of choice is the critically acclaimed modern musical smash hit Everybody’s Talking about Jamie and my word the company deliver a show packed with astoundingly mature performances that touch the heart. This show bleeds emotion and power in a production that everyone will be talking about!

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie the 2017 musical adapted from Jenny Popplewell’s critically acclaimed BBC documentary, Drag Queen at 16 which threw the spotlight onto teenager Jamie Campbell in his quest to wear a dress to his school prom. Featuring a score by Dan Gillespie Sells and book & lyrics by Tom MacRae this is a true coming of age musical that deals with matters of the family heart, prejudice on many levels alongside bullying as Jamie seeks to escape the darkness and become the Drag Queen inside.

Rory Pentland As Jamie New (C) Find Your Light Productions

Directed by Stephen Graham- Martin with Choreography and Musical Direction from Charlotte Henshall it’s a brave show to pick as its story speaks to the heart of both the 28 strong company but also the audience. Especially in this production which features a stripped back and emotionally truthful performances from the entire cast whilst also delivering the glamour and comedy of the drag world but effortlessly keeping it real, which is a true achievement for the entire company.

Performances across the board are simply excellent, however the leads in the show are bound for great things in the performance arts industry. Rory Pentland (who will alternate with Olly Freeman-Ferguson) plays Jamie New with an emotional breath and depth that belies his years. His vocals are rich and fulsome, but his acting skill is breath-taking with the emotions of Jamie’s heart being explored with incredible maturity and truth. His performance of “My Man, Your Boy” is heart rendering as it beautiful. The same is true of Isla Nisbet (who will alternate with Brook Dunbar) as Jamie’s mother Margaret New. This is the trickiest role in the show given that both Pentland and Nisbet are around the same age bracket in reality but Nisbet delivers a convincing, heart renderingly impactful performance throughout. Her take on “He’s My Boy” is the shows pure 5 star shimmering moment in motion that brings a tear to all who witness it.

Speaking of 5 star moments special mention must go to Lucymarie McEvoy as Pretti Pasha and her show stopping take on “Beautiful” that’s sung from the heart and although simply directed by Graham Martin delivers the real heart of both the song and the show.

The show also embraces its drag world setting with the inclusion of up-and-coming professional drag queen Cherry West alias Sam Carlin taking on the dule role of Hugo/ Loco Chanelle. Carlin delivers a wealth of comedy talent and lush vocals, and the company have cleverly ensured that whilst aesthetically the character looks like Cherry, they are very much Hugo and Loco throughout.

Joining Carlin in high heels are Robbie Wilkins (Laika Virgin/ Levi), Fionn Cameron (Tray Sophisticay/ Jamies Dad) and Ruaridh Laidlaw (Sandra Bollock/ Mickey) they bring comedy joy and prove they can move in the heels especially when delivering Henshall’s fast paced and fresh chorography. Also, thanks to clever double casting they show off great acting chops too.

Dylan Hynd as Dean and Eve Morrison as Miss Hedge have the challenge of playing baddie parts however they deliver them with conviction and unlike “Jamie’s Dad” they get a redeeming happy ending that has the audience cheering them on come the final curtain.

Production wise, it’s hard to believe the show as brought together in just over a week prior to opening. A clever rotating set and a pair of portals are used to make the most of the space on stage at the Churchill Theatre accompanied by a technicoloured riot of a lighting design from Edinburgh based LA Create. Owen and Chris at LA Create also deliver a flawless sound design. Miranda Burns inspired, inventive and fresh Costume design adds professional polish to this production, Burns choices bring out the best in both performances and the shows story.

Find Your Light’s production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie gets to the heart of Jamies story in a way in which the professional production often doesn’t. It’s performed by a company many of whom are living there own Jamie journey in real life. It’s a production rooted in the truth that we are all uniquely special and deserved to be love for who and what we are! One thing is for sure there is a lot of love in this show, and you must do what you can to grab one of the last remaining tickets and find your own little bit of glitter in the Gray! Camp, Gay, Honest, with a rich heart everything Jamie should be! wonderful stuff indeed.

Find Your Light Presents, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Church Hill Theatre Edinburgh, Runs until Saturday 18^th July 2026. For more information and tickets go to: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Tickets | Fienta

Arts News!

Remembering Tony Challis, 1946 – 2026

July 16, 2026 Brett Herriot

Scotsgayarts.com is deeply saddened to learn of the death of the great Tony Challis at the age of 80 at his home in Nottingham. Tony was a long-term contributor to our predecessor Scotsgay Magazine and was a respected reviewer of nearly 20 years’ service to SGFringe.com writing close to 1000 reviews for the site and the hard copy magazine all of which explored LGBTQIA+ Themes.

Scotsgay magazines former editor Taylor Hunter spoke to Scotsgay Arts saying, “Tony Challis was far more than a reviewer, to me he was a mentor, a champion of the arts and a passionate advocate for Scotland’s LGBT community.”

“When I took the reigns as Editor of Scotsgay magazine, Tony was already a respected and long serving writer renowned for his Edinburgh Fringe reviews of Gay focused performances. He welcomed me with generosity, offering advice, encouragement and the benefit of his experience at a time it was needed most.”

“Beyond Journalism, Tony Played an instrumental role in the development of the Scotsgay Awards, Tony highlighted excellence in the arts and several of the productions he gave awards too would develop into both West End transfer’s and National UK Tours. Tony’s legacy will live on through the artists whose work he championed and the wider community he helped strengthen in a plethora of ways, Rest in Peace Tony”

Tony Challis was also a lifelong humanist alongside being a former wedding celebrant, he was a passionate and dedicated gay rights pioneer and a published poet. A warm, passionate, and steadfast activist, Tony spent over half a century fighting for equality. He was a long-time supporter of Humanists UK and a co-founder of LGBT+ Humanists.

Tony’s journey in activism began in the early 1970s. After becoming involved with the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE), he joined the Bath Gay Awareness Group in 1972. He was among the brave cohort who marched in London’s second-ever Pride march in 1973. Speaking on a recorded oral history interview for the Humanist Heritage project, Tony recalled:

“I went on the [Pride] march in ’73, which was only the second London one. And at that time, it was much smaller, and you had police all the way along both sides, and you did have people, both National Front types and religious extremists, sort of abusing you and shouting at you.”

For the last 36 years Tony called Nottingham his home having moved there in 1990. He would continue to make his annual pilgrimage to Edinburgh every August writing for Scotsgay Magazine, SGfringe.com and latterly Broadway Baby but Nottingham was always home where he founded Pink Ink, a gay writing group that nurtured local creative talent. He was a dedicated poet, which culminated in the publication of his debut chapbook, Rainbow Candles, by Five Leaves in 2025. His poetry reflected on his life as a gay man during eras of profound social change with a trademark wit, optimism and hope.

Tony Challis was a joy to know, to work with and leaves a legacy of love for both the written word and the arts. He is indeed one of the giant’s today’s LGBTQIA+ community stands on the shoulders of. We are all better for having known Tony and Scotsgayarts.com sends our love to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Preview:

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026 Brett Herriot

Summer is here, Schools have broken up and for many young people it’s time for their traditional summer theatre school experiences with productions taking place up and down the country. Year-round company SJM Creative found a niche in the market with young people looking to challenge themselves by mounting a fully produced musical and performing it to a professional standard in just two weeks. Hence a new subsidiary company, Find Your Light, was born in 2024.

Following acclaimed and sell out productions of Grease the musical and Legally Blonde the musical the company return to their home of the Church Hill Theatre Edinburgh with a new production of the critically acclaimed, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The 2017 musical adapted from Jenny Popplewell’s critically acclaimed BBC documentary, Drag Queen at 16 which threw the spotlight onto teenager Jamie Campbell in his quest to wear a dress to his school prom. Featuring a score by Dan Gillespie Sells and book & lyrics by Tom MacRae this is a true coming of age musical that deals with matters of the family heart, prejudice on many levels alongside bullying as Jamie seeks to escape the darkness and become the Drag Queen inside.

The show is a beloved modern classic and alongside the local rights becoming available the show is scheduled for a new professional production set to tour the UK throughout 2027 to mark the shows 10^th anniversary.

It’s a brave choice of show for Find your Light to choose, especially with its strong LGBTQIA+ themes and the need for several of the characters to dawn those stiletto high heels. It’s also a show with real heart so why did the show’s co-producer Stephen James Graham- Martin choose the show?

He says “Everybody’s talking about Jamie is one of the modern musicals that so many young teens are living in real time. Within the creative industry itself we see the growth and strength from the queer community. But we are also living in a time of real fear and diversity. Jamie is a real story that shows the struggles, and joys, and fun, and tears of a young boy just trying to be his authentic self. Jamie manages to find this wonderful balance of creating a show that is full circle in its story and musical theatre narrative but will also strike a chord with everyone in the audience – it will give everyone a memory to think about or an occasion to remember.”

Graham Martin goes on to say “This talented cast are not only incredible dancers, singers and actors – they are wonderful storytellers that haven’t shied away from the hard themes in the story or the importance of the narrative. Some of them have lived through it, are living through it now or know someone that is – and that power and strength that comes from the diversity is really special. Unity is diversity. So come as you are and see a story that you may or may already know – but we can guarantee that you will be leaving talking about Jamie. “

Sharing the role of “Jamie New” are Rory Pentland and Olly Freeman-Ferguson speaking exclusively to Scotsgay arts we asked them:

What drew you to auditioning for the part of Jamie?

Rory Pentland “Jamie has been my dream role for really long time. It is a really deep rooted character that i can relate too in many different ways and i feel honoured now to play the lead in such an amazing modern story.”

Olly Freeman-Ferguson: “Jamie has already been my dream role and once I saw that there was a production in Edinburgh, I knew I had to take the opportunity! I also feel like I relate to relate to the role and the story a lot.”

As rehearsals progress what’s your favourite number in the show to perform?

Rory goes on to say “My Man Your Boy as its such an emotional number to sing. The story of Jamie and his mum leads up to this point in such a wholesome way that i am so glad to be doing it with my best friend at Find Your Light Isla who is playing the role of Margaret”

Olly says “My favourite number to perform in the show definitely has to be Work Of Art! Closely followed by My Man, Your Boy!

Why should audiences snap up those final remaining tickets?

Rory: “Find Your Light is more of a family than a company. everyone has worked so hard together to create the masterpiece that is Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. it is being portrayed beautifully by the whole cast who make the show funny, sad and so relevant to the world we are in today.

Olly: “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has such a powerful and inspiring true story that has helped many people find their identity and it will be definitely leave you feeling all the emotions.”

Also returning to the show is the red berry of Edinburgh, professional drag queen star Miss Cherry West alias Sam Carlin, following his star turn as Jamie in Edinburgh Children’s Theatre production of the show during 2024 Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival. Cherry went on to perform in their own sell out festival show in 2025 and has recently appeared in BBC’s The Agency Unfiltered Season 4.

Sam and Cherry will take on the role of Hugo and Loco Chanelle and will appear at all performances, so what drew him to returning to the show but this time as the elder queen of loco?

“As I get older within drag; seeing how Hugo takes Jamie under his wing to help young queer people find themselves really made me want to put my own spin on this role”

As you can see from our exclusive rehearsal snaps, Find Your Light are promising to deliver a very special take on the show filled with impassioned performances, fearless vocals and a heavy dash of glamourous drag which will ensure a thrilling night out for all! So be sure to grab your tickets now.

Find Your Light Presents, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Church Hill Theatre Edinburgh, Performances from Thursday 16^th to Saturday 18^th July 2026. For more information and tickets go to: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Tickets | Fienta

Author: Brett Herriot

A Great Night Out! King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Dress Rehearsal Preview:

Costume Couture: Sixty years of Cosprop, Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, Review

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, Review:

Remembering Tony Challis, 1946 – 2026

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Preview: