| home |
The Traverse Theatre
One of the most important theatres in Britain
The Observer
Now in its 47th year, Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre is Scotland's new writing theatre, with a record of excellence since 1963. With quality, award-winning productions and programming, the Traverse receives accolades at home and abroad from audiences and critics alike.
The Traverse has an unrivalled reputation for producing contemporary theatre of the highest quality, invention and energy, commissioning and supporting writers from Scotland and around the world and facilitating numerous script development workshops, rehearsed readings and public writing workshops.
The Traverse aims to produce several major new theatre productions plus a Scottish touring production each year. It is unique in Scotland in its exclusive dedication to new writing, providing the infrastructure, professional support and expertise to ensure the development of a sustainable and relevant theatre culture for Scotland and the UK.
Traverse Theatre Company productions have been seen worldwide. Recent tours and transfers include:
Damascus by David Greig (Tricycle London and Middle East 2009)
Cherry Blossom by Catherine Grosvenor (Poland - 2008)
Petrol Jesus Nightmare 5 (In the Time of the Messiah) by Henry Adam (Kosovo - 2006)
When the Bulbul Stopped Singing by Raja Shehadeh and adapted by David Greig (Scotland, Iran, USA, Jordan - 2004/05/07)
The Traverse can be relied upon to produce more good-quality new plays than any other Fringe venue
Daily Telegraph
During the Edinburgh Festival the Traverse is one of the most important venues, regularly picking up coveted Fringe Firsts and Herald Angels, with world class premieres playing daily in our various theatre spaces. In the 2008 Festival, the Traverse's programme collected 16 awards.
Learning and Development is an essential element of the Traverse Company’s activities - see here for details.
The Traverse also incorporates site-specific productions into our programme. These have taken place in locations such as a public toilet (Ladies & Gentlemen, 2003), sports car (A Mobile Thriller, 2004), Indian restaurant (Curry Tales, 2004), hotel room (Chamber Made, 2005), department store (The Devil's Larder, 2005), the University of Edinburgh's Medical Faculty (Dr Ledbetter's Experiment, 2006), the Fruitmarket Gallery (ENGLAND, 2007) and Stills (Walden, 2008).
Company Information
Traverse Theatre
Scotland's New Writing Theatre
10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2ED
Box Office 00 44 (0)131 228 1404
Administration 00 44 (0)131 228 3223
Bar Café 00 44 (0)131 228 5383
Fax 00 44 (0)131 229 8443
Registered Office:
Traverse Theatre,
10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2ED
Registered in Scotland SC 076037
Registered Charity SC 002368
VAT Registration No. 356 0682 47
Booking Tickets &
Venue Information
You can find full information on buying tickets and where the Traverse is by going to the Booking Page of this website.
Traverse Staff
A full staff contact list is available
Hiring the Traverse
Our two theatres offer contrasting styles and settings and are equipped with modern lighting, sound and visual equipment. Then of course, there is the legendary Bar Café which can comfortably cater for 300 people. Find out full information by visiting for hire.
Actors & Casting
The Traverse uses its own internal databases and personnel to fulfil its casting requirements for all our productions, readings and other play development work. At present, we do not send out casting breakdowns. If you are an actor or agent and would like to submit a CV for inclusion in our database, you can do this at any point in the year. You can post materials (marked ‘Casting’) to Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED, or email them to casting@traverse.co.uk. Our casting personnel also welcome updated CVs or relevant news of upcoming productions received this way. Please note Unfortunately, CVs with inadequate postage costs will be automatically returned to sender.