Venue of the Month: Edinburgh Festival Theatre

February, like January, is a sleepy time in theatre land: the pantomimes have finished, but the big tours haven’t kicked off yet. Fortunately, the Edinburgh Festival Theatre is plugging the gap through an eclectic mix of comedy, music and all ages shows and a taste of forbidden fruit.

Beginning with the nostalgic Swallows and Amazons (31 Jan-4 Feb), a tale of summer nights and innocent childhood days, the sense of childlike adventure runs throughout the month. Scottish Opera brings Hansel and Gretel (14, 16 & 18 Feb), written by Engelbert Humperdinck (no, not that one), with The Singing Kettle returning for its own brand of sing-a-long musical numbers and general tomfoolery in Fancy Dress Party (12 Feb).

The rest of the month has a distinctly more adult tone, with the Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy appearing for just two nights of titillation (7 & 8 Feb) while Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob Get Old offers the only Scottish date of the outspoken director’s tour with Jason Mewes (19 Feb). Chronicling their friendship – on and off screen –  to the present day, this new show promises  a whole live action section to their successful Smodcast. Expect adult humour, adult language and a lot of laughs. Finishing off the month is Funny Peculiar (27 Feb-3 Mar), a domestic comedy about a man who attempts an affair with his neighbour that features a handful of former soapstars.

The EFT caters to a broad audience: other months see some hardcore contemporary choreography, and August gets in on the high art action. It’s too early to tell if the calibre of these shows will make up for the eclectic mix of comedy, childrens’ shows and music, and whether they will be popular, but has the Festival Theatre gone for the safest shows possible? Only time will tell. [Amy Taylor]