Drama comes to the Georgian House

A specially commissioned play – Enlightenment House – by the award-winning playwright and director Ben Harrison opens next month at the Georgian House.

Billed as ‘A Play in Five Rooms’, the production will take audiences through the magnificently restored house and will offer a fascinating insight into the wit and ambition of the Scottish Enlightenment period.

Visitors will encounter, among others, Adam Smith, David Hume, Robert Adam, the architect of the house, author Susan Ferrier, and below-stairs staff.

Ben explains his approach to the play: ‘This richness of thought, complemented by the elegance of style and place, will provide the foundation for Enlightenment House, but our approach is to be accessible and at times light-hearted, with audiences interacting with some of the great figures of the period.’

The immersive play runs from 14 November until 5 January, with five shows a day.

The setting – the Robert Adam-designed Georgian House – is the perfect backdrop for the production, with its beautifully proportioned rooms and its fine late 18th/early 19th-century furniture, porcelain, silver and glass – a true statement of luxury in this era of enlightenment.

The Trust is looking forward to raising the curtain on this exciting venture. General Manager Stuart Maxwell said: ‘Set in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, we hope that this creative venture, with top theatrical talent, will attract new audiences to the Georgian House and supporters for our charity’s work to protect our heritage, which we do for the love of Scotland.’