Affiliated Events
The 2025 Edinburgh International Festival is scheduled for August 1–24, under the theme "The Truth We Seek," which encourages audiences to delve into the concept of truth in various manifestations.
This year's lineup includes a world premiere Mary, Queen of Scots from Scottish Ballet, an Australian Opera Orpheus and Eurydice featuring acrobatics, and the National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2) from Carnegie Hall on their inaugural European tour.
Make It Happen - a World Premiere to open the 2025 International Festival
"Make It Happen" is a sharp and satirical theatrical exploration of Scotland's crucial role in the 2008 global financial crash, starring Brian Cox as the ghost of Adam Smith. Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh, this gripping drama follows the rise and fall of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) under the leadership of Fred “The Shred” Goodwin, who embodies the unchecked ambition and hubris that led to the bank's catastrophic downfall. Written by acclaimed playwright James Graham and directed by award-winning Andrew Panton, this fictionalized satire blends real-life events with imaginative storytelling, offering a poignant commentary on greed and economic collapse. Co-produced by the Edinburgh International Festival, National Theatre of Scotland, and Dundee Rep Theatre, this unmissable production promises an engaging evening filled with drama, decadence, and a dizzying descent into financial chaos. Prepare for a theatrical experience that challenges perspectives and evokes thought in a captivating setting.
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We are extremely proud to present a brand new play by James Graham, ‘Make It Happen’, which will open the 2025 International Festival in August. This co-commission with the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bringing vital Scottish stories to the world stage, and invites us to examine events that took place in Edinburgh but rippled across the globe. - Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director
Mary, Queen of Scots
One of Scotland’s most famous figures, Mary, Queen of Scots, is told through the eyes of Queen Elizabeth I. Blending history with legend, this new production from Scottish Ballet delves into the stories— the true and the fictional —that surround Mary’s life and legacy.
A conceptual, spectacular set. Striking period-inspired costumes. Original music from Mikael Karlsson & Michael P Atkinson, the team behind the reimagined score for Scottish Ballet’s 2022 International Festival performance Coppélia.
The casting for Mary, Queen of Scots will be fluid and intergenerational, with various members of the company playing the part of Elizabeth I.
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Orpheus and Eurydice
Journey to the underworld and back. This is Orpheus and Eurydice like you’ve never seen before.
At the 2025 Festival, Opera Australia and Edinburgh International Festival present Opera Queensland’s production of Orpheus and Eurydice in association with Circa. This groundbreaking production explores the themes of true love, and the depths to which our inner beliefs are challenged.
The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice follows a heartbroken Orpheus who been granted the chance to bring his wife Eurydice back from the underworld. There is one condition; he must not look at her – at all – on their long journey home.
This European production premiere of Orpheus and Eurydice is a modern reworking of Gluck’s 18th century tragédielyrique opera. Not only featuring world-class musicians and performers, but also acrobatic artistry from Australian contemporary circus company, Circa. Led by conductor Laurence Cummings, the production will feature the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a chorus from Scottish Opera.
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NYO2: National Youth Orchestra 2
NYO2 is one of three acclaimed national youth ensembles from New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall, a venue renowned for its leadership in music education.
At the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival, NYO2 performers aged 14–17, will join their Scottish peers on stage for a family concert. Their visit will form cross-border connections and share the views of the next generation of musicians. This performance inaugurates a new three-year creative partnership with Carnegie Hall and its national youth ensembles.
NYO2 are one of our three resident orchestras in 2025. This residency model strengthens the orchestra’s connection with Edinburgh, offering workshops and diverse performance styles to enrich the local cultural landscape.
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Contact
Edinburgh International Festival Society