RCS at Edinburgh Festival

5-27 August (odd days), 10am-12.20pm

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, one of the world’s top performing arts institutions, presents the full length musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women.

In the midst of the American Civil War, four sisters are trying to forge their own paths. There’s Meg, ‘the beautiful one’, uncertain of her way but determined to make her own choices; aspiring writer Jo, restless, rebellious and determined to do something; ‘Astonishing’ wise and gentle Beth, selflessly supporting her sisters through everything; and baby of the family Amy, used to getting her own way.

Follow their adventures, full of laughter, loss and discovery, in this Tony Award nominated musical, as their lives intertwine and diverge, and their plans and dreams for the future change more than any of them could expect. As Jo discovers, you can’t choose your family – but you can write about them.

6-28 August (even days), 10am-12pm

Learn your lessons well! The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, one of the world’s top performing arts institutions, presents the full length version of Stephen Schwartz’s acclaimed gospel-rock musical, Godspell.

With popular songs such as “Day by Day”, “We Beseech Thee” and “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”, this feel-good musical based on the gospel according to St Matthew will have you dancing in the aisles!

The Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience! Mozart, Beethoven and Bach will be reimagined by Californian hip-hop artists and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland classical musicians in a new show that bends musical boundaries to create new and compelling sounds.

The Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience will see around 15 young musicians from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland join US rapper Young Reshaud and turf dancer Yung Phil of Ensemble Mik Nawooj (EMN) on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe from 5-14 August.

Samantha McShane, Head of Artistic Planning at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “The team at Ensemble Mik Nawooj are bending the boundaries of genres and creating inspiring, relevant, and important art.”

A new festival taking place in Edinburgh this year, Edinburgh Deaf Festival is an accessible celebration of deaf culture, language and heritage.

Featuring many D/deaf performers and facilitators from the RCS’ BA Performance in BSL and English programme (the only programme of it’s kind in the UK), as well as our partners at Solar Bear, the Edinburgh Deaf Festival aims to give deaf people access to festivals in a way that they haven’t had before, and mainstream audiences the opportunity to learn about deaf culture whilst enjoying a variety of performances.

The Performance pathway offers an intensive blend of high-level vocational education and creative opportunities for students. The programme requires a related degree and/or related performance experience and marries together project-based learning experiences with focused skills classes in acting, voice, singing and dance.

The Directing pathway is designed to support the development of skills and creative thought for musicians with a passion for theatre. As a Masters student, you will study the musical landscape, engage in practice-based-research and explore your own potential as a contributor to the future of the art form.

These programmes are closely linked with the industry and this ensures that students acquire the practical skills to support a sustained and varied career.