The Grand Old Opera House Hotel

The Grand Old Opera House Hotel has seen better days. It used to be a magnificent Opera House, whose stage was graced by the great sopranos and baritones of the age.

Nowadays, it’s fist fights that shatter glasses, the only divas are the ones who check-in and there’s not a single romantic hero to be found.

When shy Aaron joins the hotel’s ramshackle team he’s faced with emotionally volatile guests, apathetic staff and inept management. Not to mention the rumour of a pair of singing ghosts haunting the corridors.

But through the madness, one voice rings out clear, capturing both his ears and heart – and Aaron chooses to go into battle with the hotel's magical chaos in order to find the person who owns it.

A heart-filling ensemble comedy from Olivier Award-winning writer Isobel McArthur (Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of), Kidnapped) and directed by Traverse Theatre Artistic Director, Gareth Nicholls (Ulster American, Crocodile Fever), this world premiere of The Grand Old Opera House Hotel is a story of art bringing us together in hopeless circumstance, to the tune of some of the most popular opera songs ever written.

The Grand Old Opera House Hotel is part of the Traverse's £1 Ticket Project.

The Grand Old Opera House Hotel is part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2023.

Image: Feast Creative

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.

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WINNER 2023 Scotsman Fringe First Award

Reviews

★★★★★ 'Remarkably inventive' - The Times

★★★★★ ‘Touched by genius’ – Daily Mail

★★★★★ ‘Soaring melodies with rich, stirring orchestral accompaniments’ -Scots Gay Arts

★★★★★ 'Something you'll remember long after the final curtain' - Bouquets and Brickbats

★★★★★ ‘An absolute delight, and one not to be missed!' - Britishtheatre.com

★★★★★ 'A master class in versatility' - Lothian Life

★★★★ 'Extravagantly funny' - The Guardian

★★★★ 'An absolute joy' - The Scotsman

★★★★ ‘Wonderfully farcical’ - Broadway World

★★★★ ‘The funniest, heartfelt winner of this festival season’ -Across The Arts

★★★★ ‘This will be one of the hits of the fringe’ - The Herald

★★★★ 'Richly comic and clever' - WhatsOnStage

★★★★ ‘An exhilarating mess of opera singing, bedroom-hopping antics’ - Financial Times

★★★★ 'Genuinely funny' - The List

★★★★ ‘A gem of a show’ – All Edinburgh Theatre

★★★★ ‘Hilarious, farcical, romantic, and just a little twee’ – EDINBURGH GUIDE