Traverse Theatre

The Singer to make world premiere at Traverse Festival 2026 An exhilarating new gig-theatre drama created by Dundee Rep Theatre and Solar Bear, in collaboration with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Traverse Theatre.

An exhilarating new gig-theatre drama created by @dundeerep.bsky.social & @thesolarbear.bsky.social, in collaboration with @apawhatson.bsky.social and Traverse Theatre.

📰 Find out more: www.traverse.co.uk/news/the-sin...

📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

TravFest26 will see the World Premiere of The Singer by Cora Bissett with Jamie Rea, and featuring original songs by the multi-award-winning KT Tunstall.

Blending electrifying live music & powerful storytelling in an exhilarating new gig-theatre drama.

A world class honour to be the playwright-in-residence with IASH and the Trav for 2026. Massive!

Meet our 2026 IASH/Traverse Creative Fellow!

We're proud to announce that playwright Jack MacGregor @jmacr.bsky.social has been selected as the 2026 IASH/Traverse Creative Fellow, continuing a long-running partnership with @traversetheatre.bsky.social.

www.iash.ed.ac.uk/news/introdu...

The Ayoub Sisters rose to stardom after their debut album premiered at #1 in the Official Classical Charts. "The word ‘incredible’ is overused but good grief...look out for them!" – Classic FM

📆 3PM Saturday 29 November, @traversetheatre.bsky.social
🎟️ www.soundhousewinterfest.com/programme-1/...

IN CONVERSATION WITH: Bee Asha We sat down for a quick chat with the rapper and singer Bee Asha, who was shortlisted for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year.

IN CONVERSATION WITH: Bee Asha @traversetheatre

We sat down for a quick chat with the rapper and singer Bee Asha, who was shortlisted for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year.

wp.me/pdXz8Y-7kh

#interview #edinburgh #whatson

Niki King - Time & Malcolm MacFarlane 📆 Sat 29 Nov, @traversetheatre.bsky.social. We invite you to a jazz-infused journey with 2024’s Scottish Jazz Vocalist of the Year. "A voice that makes grown men weep and poets reach for their pens..." – EdFestMag

🎟️ www.soundhousewinterfest.com/programme-1/...

Winter Festival WORKSHOPS 🎓 Join us as at the @traversetheatre.bsky.social to learn a new skill:

Sat 29 November 🎼 Graeme Stephen masterclass on composition, improvisation & practice
Sun 30 November 🎶 Improvisation for beginners with Simone Seales

Tickets: www.soundhousewinterfest.com/programme-1

Contact us 🏠 Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. 10am until show start time on weekday performance days, and from 2 hours before the show until the performance starts on we...

Hello @mitchbenn.bsky.social @trishaelliott.bsky.social - you can find our list of contacts here: www.traverse.co.uk/about-us/con...

Meet the cast of Dancing Shoes 🪩

Stephen Docherty will be stepping back into the titular dancing shoes as Donny. Craig McLean returns as the influencer wannabe, Jay. The 2 are joined by Lee Harris as Craig, the loveable realist.

🗓️ Thu 4 - Sat 20 Dec
www.traverse.co.uk/news/meet-th...

We are remembering Ella Wildridge - dramaturg to the Traverse from 1992 to 1999. Ella lent her magic touch to countless Traverse productions - including Spring Awakening (pictured), which had its premiere 15 years ago today. Ella passed away this August 2025, and we miss her dearly.

A Look Back: Tilda Swinton in Man To Man The Royal Court Theatre today announced a revival of Manfred Karge's Man to Man, starring Tilda Swinton in the lead role more than 30 years since she first brought it to life at Traverse Theatre.

We're thrilled to see Trav history return to the stage - The Royal Court Theatre today announced a revival of Manfred Karge's Man to Man, starring Tilda Swinton, more than 30 years since a 1987 co-production with Traverse Theatre! @royalcourt.bsky.social

www.traverse.co.uk/news/a-look-...

Two people sit closely together in a comforting embrace. One person, wearing a brown top and jeans, has their head resting on the other's chest, eyes closed. The other person, in a denim jacket, looks off into the distance with a concerned expression, gently cradling the other’s head. The background is dark, drawing focus to their emotional connection.

A person wearing a cap, light shirt, and mustard yellow t-shirt stands with arms crossed, engaged in a conversation with another person in the foreground, who is out of focus. The background is dark, possibly a stage or backstage area, with moody lighting and visible cables above.

Two people are seated indoors. One person in the foreground is blurred, wearing a cap and white shirt with their hand on their chin. The person in focus in the background has short hair, wears glasses and a tan jacket, and is looking forward with a slight smile. The background is softly lit with blue tones and out-of-focus lights and furniture.

A person with long, light-colored hair and wearing large glasses is speaking expressively, smiling, and gesturing with both hands. They are wearing a red and white checkered sleeveless top. The background includes large black speaker equipment and a small paper cup on a surface nearby.

Our last A Play, A Pie and A Pint of the season is next week! Set on the Isle of Lewis, two friends are pushed to their limits in a new folk thriller.

RIGH IASGAIR: THE FISHER KING
28 OCT - 1 NOV
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/a-play-a-pie-a-pint-righ-iasgair-the-fisher-king-autumn-25

Throwback to Enda Walsh's first play Disco Pigs, on the Trav stage in 1997 - starring a young Cillian Murphy & Eileen Walsh.

Fans of Enda Walsh are in for a treat this autumn, with Shotput Theatre bringing dark fable Arlington, 6-8 Nov. https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/arlington-autumn-25

Two people sit closely together in a comforting embrace. One person, wearing a brown top and jeans, has their head resting on the other's chest, eyes closed. The other person, in a denim jacket, looks off into the distance with a concerned expression, gently cradling the other’s head. The background is dark, drawing focus to their emotional connection.

A person wearing a cap, light shirt, and mustard yellow t-shirt stands with arms crossed, engaged in a conversation with another person in the foreground, who is out of focus. The background is dark, possibly a stage or backstage area, with moody lighting and visible cables above.

Two people are seated indoors. One person in the foreground is blurred, wearing a cap and white shirt with their hand on their chin. The person in focus in the background has short hair, wears glasses and a tan jacket, and is looking forward with a slight smile. The background is softly lit with blue tones and out-of-focus lights and furniture.

A person with long, light-colored hair and wearing large glasses is speaking expressively, smiling, and gesturing with both hands. They are wearing a red and white checkered sleeveless top. The background includes large black speaker equipment and a small paper cup on a surface nearby.

Our last A Play, A Pie and A Pint of the season is next week! Set on the Isle of Lewis, two friends are pushed to their limits in a new folk thriller.

RIGH IASGAIR: THE FISHER KING
28 OCT - 1 NOV
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/a-play-a-pie-a-pint-righ-iasgair-the-fisher-king-autumn-25

There's nothing like a reunion with pals! 🍷

The cast of So Young are back in rehearsals for our triple award-winning production ahead of it making its comeback from Thursday this week!

A @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social & Traverse production in association with the Citizens Theatre.

It was indeed a masterful piece of theatre. We saw it last night!

Far too accurate and at times very funny. Written by a nurse who currently works in the NHS, it captured brilliantly some of the relationships and challenges being faced every day by those working in the system!

#TheatreSky
#MedSky

Group of six people sitting around tables covered with scripts, notebooks, and drinks in a rehearsal or meeting room with a high ceiling.

A look behind the scenes at rehearsals of So Young - returning to the Trav one week from today!

So Young
THU 23 - SAT 25 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/so-young-autumn-25

A @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social‬ and Traverse co-production in association with Citizens Theatre.

This is a great play, recommend seeing it if you can

With So Young returning next Thursday, the Trav team has been reminiscing on what it was like to be "so young" at the age of 20...those were the days 🥲 Join us down memory lane with Douglas Maxwell's triple-award-winning play

23 - 25 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/so-young-autumn-25

Inside the making of Black Hole Sign Most people – theatregoers and critics alike – will agree that one of the core tenets of theatre is truth. To tell it, show it, reflect in all its messy and complicated glory.

Find out about all things Black Hole Sign in our recent news story.

We chat to the creative team about what went into making this "masterful piece of theatre" (North West End).

https://www.traverse.co.uk/news/inside-the-making-of-black-hole-sign

A porter and a nurse in a hospital ward, looking up at the ceiling. An elderly woman is in a wheelchair wearing a gown and sparkly silver boots. There is text overlaid which reads '4 Stars - "achieves a rare and subtle balance between tragedy and ecomedy, despair and faith, that tastes like reality itself", The Scotsman'

A man is sitting up in a hospital bed, shouting, with a gown half hanging off his shoulder. There is text overlaid which reads '4 stars "a fine example of powerful, thought-provoking, disturbing dark comedy done well" Lisa in the Theatre'

A nurse sits at a desk, looking at a computer monitor with a pensive expression. There is text overlaid which reads '5 stars "a masterful piece of theatre" North West End'

A nurse wearing a raincoat is facing forward, in front of a dimly lit green curtain. There is text overlaid which reads '4 stars "sharp, funny and thought provoking" Theatre and Tonic"

#BlackHoleSign opens at the @traversetheatre.bsky.social tonight and plays until the 18 Oct, you don't miss it!

BOOK NOW🎟️
www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...

📸Mihaela Bodlovic

I loved Black Hole Sign @traversetheatre.bsky.social last night. Uma Nada-Rajah's powerful script, supported by Gareth Nicholls' direction and an excellent cast, skilfully combined wit and emotion to highlight so many of the issues underlying problems affecting the UK's National Health Service.

Portrait of a man with medium-length brown hair and glasses, wearing a jacket and collared shirt, standing outdoors with blurred green trees in the background. Below the portrait, white text on a black background reads '1970 - 2025', indicating the years of birth and death.

We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Manchán Magan, a giant in Irish and international theatre and culture. Manchán was a huge advocate for Irish Gaelic and brought his acclaimed play Arán & Im  to Traverse Theatre in October 2024.

A performer with light hair pulled back and a patterned shirt is seated at a table covered with props, including a pink cloth, a rhinestone-covered spray bottle. They are holding a pen and reaching out expressively, possibly mid-performance or rehearsal, with sequin-covered chairs in the background.

Two performers are interacting closely and looking at something in one of their hands. One has long, wavy brown hair and is wearing a blue puffer vest and jeans. The other has long, light hair with glasses on their head and is wearing a patterned shirt. Both appear engaged and excited, sharing a moment of discovery or rehearsal insight.

A performer with reddish hair tied in a bun is actively gesturing and speaking, pointing toward something off-camera. They are wearing a black and turquoise zip-up jacket with striped details. Seated at a cluttered table with laptops, water bottles, and papers, they appear to be in a rehearsal or creative discussion with fellow actors.

Two people are seated at a table engaged in a discussion. The person in the center, with shoulder-length light hair, is speaking and gesturing with their hands, holding a pen, and wearing a beige and black sweater. The person on the right, with long dark hair, is listening attentively and wearing a light-coloured top. The table in front of them has various items, including a water bottle, a coffee mug, and papers. In the background, there is a shelf and a white wall, suggesting a collaborative or meeting environment.

A week today, the latest A Play, A Pie and A Pint arrives! Maybe Tomorrow is a hilarious new musical by Brian James O'Sullivan + Hannah Jarrett-Scott about a faded starlet and the dream she can't shake

14-18 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/a-play-a-pie-a-pint-maybe-tomorrow-autumn-25

Also receiving an honorary doctorate is Olivier award-winning Jack Lowden - who you'll recognise from his incredible roles in Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots and Slow Horses. But you might also remember him as one of the guest artists performing in NASSIM during Travfest23!

Man wearing a black sweater with colourful geometric patterns standing outdoors against a blurred natural background. Man dressed in a white t-shirt layered with a black jacket featuring a shearling collar, posed indoors against a light wooden wall.

Congratulations are in order! Phillip Howard is to receive an honorary doctorate from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in recognition of his impact on Scottish theatre. 🎓 Phillip was Associate Director at Traverse Theatre from 1993-6, before becoming our longest-running Artistic Director 1996-2008.

3 DAYS until Black Hole Sign! You don't want to miss this powerful new work by NHS nurse Uma Rada-Najah, directed by Gareth Nicholls

8-18 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/black-hole-sign-autumn-25

A Tron Theatre and Traverse production, in association with National Theatre of Scotland

Promotional image offering £15 tickets for NHS workers, with the instruction 'Use code BLACKHOLE15'. The image shows a smiling elderly woman in a hospital gown sitting and holding a mug, while a young NHS nurse in scrubs stands beside her, smiling and holding sparkly silver boots. They are in a clinical setting with a blue curtain and overhead light.

We have £15 tickets to Black Hole Sign for NHS workers. Use code BLACKHOLE15 online or present your Blue Light Card to our Sales Desk

8-18 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/black-hole-sign-autumn-25

A Tron Theatre & Traverse production, in association with National Theatre of Scotland

One more week until Black Hole Sign arrives at the Traverse!

Black Hole Sign
by Uma Nada-Rajah
Directed by Gareth Nicholls

WED 8 - SAT 18 OCT
https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/black-hole-sign-autumn-25

A Tron Theatre + Traverse production, in association with National Theatre of Scotland.