Barber’s tale given a trim

Scottish Opera is using the tour to broaden people’s horizons and give them a taste of opera for free.

It will visit a series of unusual venues, including shopping centres and even a hospital.

The performances in Edinburgh will take place in The Scottish Storytelling Centre on October 21 and the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market and Surgeons’ Hall the following day.

A Little Bit of Barber condenses the classic opera into 20 minutes using a series of colourful illustrations, a storyteller, a singer and two musicians.

It tells the tale of Count Almaviva, who hatches a plan with his barber to help Rosina escape the clutches of her guardian, Doctor Bartolo.