Edinburgh Christmas: New Ian McKellen Theatre to open with Christmas production of The Nutcracker directed by Peter Schaufuss

The Christmas magic of The Nutcracker ballet will return to the Capital this December as the opening show at the new Ian McKellen Theatre.

The new venue, at Saint Stephen’s in Edinburgh, will see the stunning new production of the Christmas classic, directed by Olivier Award-winning Peter Schaufuss, take to the stage between December 16 and 23.

The production will be performed by dancers from Edinburgh Festival Ballet and will star the company’s principal Johan Christensen as well as Katie Rose, both of whom worked alongside Sir Ian McKellen in Schaufuss’s record-breaking production of Hamlet at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

The show, in which Johan shared the role of Hamlet with McKellen and Katie played Ophelia, was the hottest ticket at this year’s festival and was seen by an audience of 13,000 theatregoers.

The Nutcracker will be the opening show at the Ian McKellen Theatre in Edinburgh

No stranger to the theatre scene in Edinburgh, McKellen made his Scottish debut at the Fringe in 1969, having performed in productions of Richard II and Edward II.

The 83-year-old icon, who is best known for his portrayal of ​Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies​, said: “Peter Schaufuss’ unique contribution to Edinburgh’s cultural life, during and beyond the annual festival, is now enhanced by his new theatre at St Stephen’s. I am honoured that it will bear my name.”

Schaufuss, who is widely recognised as one of the most talented male dancers on the international stage and who directed and choreographed Hamlet, said: “Since the Fringe we have created a second 300-seat theatre at St Stephens, underneath the Ashton Hall, and I am delighted that Ian has accepted our offer to name the venue in his honour.”

Tickets are now on sale for The Nutcracker, which will show at 4pm and 7pm on each of the eight days of its run.

General seating tickets (unreserved seats) cost £25 plus a booking fee, while premier tickets (reserved seating) cost £32 plus booking fee. Children under 12 can also get in for £12.50 plus booking fee, and a family ticket – for two adults and two children – costs £60.To book, visit www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/edinburgh-festival-ballet/nutcracker/

.