Back To The Future The Musical
Great Scott! Back to the Future The Musical is coming to Edinburgh as the hit stage production heads out on its first-ever UK tour.
The Olivier Award-winning musical will take over the Edinburgh Playhouse from 2 December 2026 until 2 January 2027, bringing Marty McFly, Doc Brown and their famous DeLorean to the capital for a month-long run.
Based on the much-loved 1985 film, the musical combines the story and characters fans already know with original songs, favourites from the movie and some spectacular theatrical effects.
Whether you’re already a Back to the Future fan or simply looking for a big musical to see in Edinburgh, here’s everything you need to know before booking.
Back to the Future Edinburgh – Quick Guide
📍 Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse.
📅 Dates: 2nd December 2026 – 2nd January 2027.
🎭 Production: First UK Tour.
🏆 Award: Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
🎵 Music: Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.
⭐ Marty McFly: Axel Duffy.
When: 2nd December 2026 to 2nd January 2027
Location: Edinburgh Playhouse
Back to the Future The Musical Comes to Edinburgh
After entertaining audiences in London’s West End and around the world, Back to the Future The Musical is hitting the road for its first-ever UK tour.
Edinburgh is one of the first stops, with the production arriving at the Edinburgh Playhouse in December 2026 and remaining in the city through Christmas and New Year until 2nd January 2027.
The musical has already enjoyed considerable success. It won Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards following its West End opening and has since taken the story to audiences internationally.
The stage production comes from the creators of the original Back to the Future film, with a book by Bob Gale and a creative team tasked with turning one of cinema’s most famous time-travelling adventures into a live theatrical experience.
And yes – the DeLorean is coming too.
What Is Back to the Future The Musical About?
If you’ve seen the original film, the story will feel very familiar. Teenager Marty McFly is accidentally transported from 1985 back to 1955 using a time machine created by eccentric scientist Doc Brown. Unfortunately, Marty’s arrival in the past changes the course of history.
After interfering with the first meeting between his teenage parents, Marty has to find a way to bring them together or risk wiping out his own future. At the same time, he needs the 1955 version of Doc Brown to help him find enough power to send the DeLorean – and Marty – back to 1985.
What follows is a race against time involving Marty’s parents, a school dance, a lightning strike and one very famous clock tower. The musical keeps the heart, comedy and time-travelling adventure of the film while reimagining the story for the stage.
What Can You Expect From the Stage Show?
Back to the Future isn’t simply the movie performed on a theatre stage. One of the biggest attractions of the musical is seeing how the filmmakers’ world has been recreated as a live production.
The show uses large-scale sets, lighting, video and special effects to move between 1985 and 1955 and bring some of the film’s most recognisable moments to life. Naturally, one of the biggest questions is:
How do they do the DeLorean?
We’re not going to spoil that. The time machine plays a major part in the production, and some of the show’s most talked-about theatrical effects are best experienced without knowing exactly what’s going to happen.
Alongside the spectacle, there’s plenty of comedy, music and nostalgia, making this much more than a stage recreation of the film. If you already know Back to the Future inside out, you’ll recognise plenty. If you’ve never seen the movie, the story still works as a standalone musical adventure.
Songs in Back to the Future The Musical
Back to the Future The Musical features an original score by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. Silvestri also composed the score for the original Back to the Future film, helping give the musical a familiar connection to the movie.
The stage production also includes several songs that fans will immediately recognise from the film, including:
- The Power of Love
- Back in Time
- Johnny B. Goode
- Earth Angel
These sit alongside songs written specifically for the musical. Rather than simply turning the film soundtrack into a jukebox musical, the new songs help tell the story and give characters such as Marty, Doc and George McFly their own musical moments.
Back to the Future Edinburgh Cast
Australian performer Axel Duffy will play Marty McFly on the first UK tour of Back to the Future The Musical. The production’s wider touring cast will bring the residents of Hill Valley to Edinburgh, including Doc Brown, George and Lorraine McFly, Biff Tannen and other familiar characters from the story.
Casting can change during a touring production, so we’ll keep this section updated as further Edinburgh casting is confirmed.
Marty McFly – Axel Duffy
More Edinburgh cast information will be added as it is confirmed.
Back to the Future Edinburgh Dates & Tickets
Edinburgh Playhouse
Wednesday 2nd December 2026 – Saturday 2nd January 2027
The run covers most of December and continues through the Christmas and New Year period, giving Edinburgh audiences plenty of opportunities to see the production. Matinee and evening performances are available on selected dates.
Ticket prices and availability will vary depending on the performance and where you choose to sit.
Popular weekend performances and dates around Christmas and New Year may be particularly busy, so booking ahead is worth considering if you have a specific date in mind.
How Long Is Back to the Future The Musical?
Allow enough time for the full performance when planning trains, restaurants or other activities around your visit. Running times can occasionally change, so check the latest information for your Edinburgh performance before making time-sensitive plans.
If you’re travelling home by train after an evening show, we’d particularly recommend checking the expected finishing time against your last train. Why not read our How Long Is a Typical Musical? guide for more information.
Is Back to the Future The Musical Suitable for Children?
Back to the Future can appeal to families, particularly older children and teenagers who enjoy the film, science-fiction stories and large-scale musical productions.
However, parents should check the official age guidance for the Edinburgh production before booking, as recommendations and admission policies can vary.
It’s also worth considering the length of the performance, theatrical effects and whether your child is comfortable sitting through a full-length musical.
If you’re planning a family visit, an afternoon performance may be more convenient than an evening show, particularly if you’re travelling into Edinburgh for the day.
Seeing Back to the Future at Edinburgh Playhouse?
Back to the Future The Musical is playing at the Edinburgh Playhouse, one of the city’s largest theatre and entertainment venues.
If you haven’t visited before, our complete Edinburgh Playhouse guide covers everything you need to plan your trip, including:
- Getting to the theatre
- Parking nearby
- Edinburgh Waverley
- Seating
- Accessibility
- Nearby accommodation
- What else is coming to the Playhouse
Where to Eat Before Back to the Future
Planning dinner before travelling back to 1955? There are plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance of Edinburgh Playhouse, including options around Antigua Street, Union Place, Elm Row, St James Quarter and the surrounding city centre.
We’ve created a dedicated guide covering some of the best options for theatre visitors, including restaurants particularly close to the Playhouse, pre-theatre dining, family-friendly choices and places suitable for a more leisurely meal.
Restaurants Near Edinburgh Playhouse
If you’d prefer to compare restaurants around Edinburgh’s other theatres as well, you can also explore our main pre-theatre dining guide.
Make More of Your Back to the Future Theatre Trip
Back to the Future’s December run gives you plenty of opportunities to make the musical part of a bigger Edinburgh visit. You could arrive earlier and explore the city, have dinner before your performance or stay overnight rather than travelling home after the show.
If you’re attending during December, you’ll also be visiting Edinburgh during one of the city’s busiest periods, so it’s sensible to organise accommodation, restaurants and travel in advance. Our Edinburgh visitor guides can help you plan the rest of your trip around your performance.
Coming soon – Plan Your Perfect Edinburgh Visit
Songs in Back to the Future The Musical
Venue choice can shape the overall experience. Liverpool offers both historic theatres and modern performance spaces. Each provides a different atmosphere for a musical evening.
Central venues are popular with couples planning drinks or dinner nearby. Historic theatres add charm and character to the night. Modern theatres offer comfort and clear views of the stage.
Songs in Back to the Future The Musical
Venue choice can shape the overall experience. Liverpool offers both historic theatres and modern performance spaces. Each provides a different atmosphere for a musical evening.
Central venues are popular with couples planning drinks or dinner nearby. Historic theatres add charm and character to the night. Modern theatres offer comfort and clear views of the stage.
FAQ
Planning to see Back to the Future at Edinburgh Playhouse? Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Edinburgh run.
Ready to Go Back to the Future?
Marty McFly and the DeLorean are heading to Edinburgh for a month-long run at the Playhouse as part of the musical’s first UK tour. Whether you’re returning to Hill Valley for the nostalgia or discovering Back to the Future for the first time, you can start planning your visit now.
Back to the Future The Musical
When: 2nd December 2026 to 2nd January 2027
Location: Edinburgh Playhouse
