I've been to one in Edinburgh and it was by far much better than Sydney version.
Firstly the screens weren't operating so you couldn't see facial expressions or the precision of Swiss drummers whom I love. We were only 8 rows back at opposite end from castle but the acts for whatever reason were always far away in middle of field. I would have hated to be up high in stands.
I believe the organizers did a great job but if screens were on I would have rated it a 5.
I also would have prefered more military bands and highland dancers, there seemed to be too much focus on the indigenous and pacific island acts. They were however all brilliant performances, especially the kiwis, they were hilarious and I loved the girls marching band.
I just think next time you need a smaller venue like the Edinburgh Castle size as it felt more intimate.
On the train back to city everyone seemed to share my opinion hence why I'm writing review.
Great show but could have been better.
What a disappointment The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney was. It was perhaps a good concert, but we never would have spent the money going to Sydney to see this, if we would have known what the content would be. In future any concert that is advertised in Sydney, we shall try to find out what it entails before we go to the effort of going and spending our money, as this concert didn’t live up to expectations.
Disappointed - not what we signed on for. We went for the military bands and in particular the bagpipes, what we got was something to be filmed and marketed to the rest of the world as the ''Australian Show'. Instead of a Military Tattoo we got a show that was predominately indigenous performers from around the region - aborigines and indigenous groups from NZ, PNG,Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands etc etc also performances from people like John Paul Young because apparently he was born in Scotland! With 120000 plus tickets sold over the four days, accommodation in Sydney was at a premium, which added to our airfares and ticket prices was a $2000 weekend for my husband and I. The show was very well done but I would never have spent money to see it had I known what we were in for. Might have to go to Edinburgh and hopefully get to see the 'Scottish Show'' Or maybe the event needs to be renamed
So disappointing - too much stuff unrelated to tattoo, no big screen to see detail, cost a fortune for terrible seats - will not go again or recommend it.
This was a truly phenomenal experience in Edinburgh. Friends we traveled with set the date to see this again. I recommend that you do the same. I understand it is less military than in the past, but it is still an excellent experience
