Faith in the Footlights: The Spiritual Resonances of Musical Theatre (Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts)

With author Ian Bradley and and Schola Cantorum
Director: Michael Ferguson

In his book, You’ve Got to Have a Dream: The Message of the Musical (2004), author Ian Bradley argues that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”.  In this groundbreaking event, which brings together live presentation and musical performance, Ian Bradley will uncover some of the theological implications of musical shows, while the renowned Schola Cantorum of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral will bring the music to life. During the evening, the search for the divine will include songs from shows like The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and more — drawing upon new insights from Bradley’s latest book, Music of the night: Religious Influences and Spiritual Resonances in Operetta and Musical Theatre (2025). Be prepared: you will never hear these musical shows in quite the same way again!

TICKETS: £18 (under 18 £12) from Fringe Box Office and Eventbrite and on the door