A Gambler's Guide To Dying

What are the odds of living an extraordinary life?

This is the story of one boy's grandad who won a fortune betting on the 1966 World Cup and, when diagnosed with cancer, gambles it all on living to see the year 2000. Gary McNair's intergenerational tale of what we live for and what we leave behind has toured the world since making its award-winning, sell-out world premiere at the Traverse in 2015.

Now it's back home for a special run of shows to mark its 10th anniversary.

A Gambler's Guide To Dying is part of the Traverse's £1 Ticket Project.

Image: Aly Wight

The Traverse is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

Reviews:

★★★★★ 'The wee big yin puts a smile on everyone’s face' - North West End

★★★★★ 'A masterclass in storytelling' - Lisa in the Theatre

★★★★★ 'Extraordinary' - Corr Blimey

★★★★ 'It is the best of fireside tales, told by one of Scotland’s finest writer-storytellers – heart-warming, human, searching, and just a touch mysterious, as only the best of stories can be' -The Scotsman

★★★★ ‘Gary McNair shines in this beautifully written, deceptively simple, warmly comic piece that accumulates layers of meaning through the act of storytelling itself. Rich and earthily funny – a genuine pleasure' - The Guardian

★★★★ 'An amusing and affecting monologue… one of the hits of the Edinburgh Fringe' - The Times

★★★★ 'Funny, observant, poignant' - Financial Times

★★★★ 'A funny, poignant solo that carries a local and universal resonance'- The Telegraph

★★★★ 'A poignant labour of love that gets infinitely better with age' - The Herald

★★★★ 'A touching examination of how our heroes make us' - The Skinny

★★★★ 'Quietly wise and sprightly as ever' -The Stage

★★★★ 'Quietly gripping'Broadway Baby

★★★★ 'An involving, humorous and poignant story, beautifully written and performed' - All Edinburgh Theatre

★★★★ 'Feels as fresh as it ever did' - Broadway World

★★★★(A) nuanced story”- Broadway Ben

★★★★ “Very uplifting” - Mickey Jo Theatre

★★★★ 'If there’s a better show about luck, destiny and life expectancy in the Gorbals, I’ll eat my betting slip.' - Across the Arts

★★★★ 'Engaging' - Aeron James

'An outstanding show… theatrical magic' - Fringe Review

'(A) superbly nuanced performance' - The Theatre Times

If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.