The Traverse Theatre today announces a further expansion of the TravFest26 programme, adding an award-winning new play along with a series artist events that deepen the festival's celebration of new writing.
Running from Fri 31 Jul – Sun 30 Aug, TravFest26 brings together established and emerging voices from Scotland and beyond, reflecting the Traverse's role as Scotland's national new writing company and its commitment to supporting artists and audiences at every stage of the creative journey.
Joining the festival programme is Water Colour by St Andrews Playwriting Award winner Milly Sweeney, presented by Byre Theatre in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Traverse Theatre. Developed through the St Andrews Playwriting Award in collaboration with the University of St Andrews MLitt in Playwriting and Screenwriting, the play follows two strangers whose lives intersect during a moment of crisis on Glasgow's Clyde. A powerfully tender and surprising new play, Water Colour explores loneliness, connection and the profound impact of being seen just when we need it most.
Alongside this new addition, TravFest26 will present a programme of readings and artist events that offer audiences an opportunity to encounter new work in development and engage directly with writers and creative processes.
The programme includes a rehearsed reading of Foil by Traverse and IASH Creative Fellow Jack MacGregor, directed by Gareth Nicholls. Foil is an anti-biographical sports drama inspired by the true story of two rival Olympic fencers and how for they’d go in the pursuit of excellence.
TravFest26 will also host Climate Storytelling for Theatre, a panel discussion exploring how theatre can respond to the defining challenge of our time. Led by Guy Jones (Shakespeare's Globe) and Amber Massie-Blomfield (Fern Culture), co-founders of the Climate Playwriting Prize, alongside guest artists, the event will examine how climate stories can become compelling drama, from finding the human stakes within global issues to creating characters, conflict and theatrical worlds that resonate with audiences.
Together, these additions further strengthen a festival programme that spans world premieres, international collaborations, artist development and creative exchange, creating opportunities for audiences to engage with new writing at every stage of its journey.
TravFest26 runs from Fri 31 Jul – Sun 30 Aug at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.
