TravFest25

What's on –

About

Where new stories start.

Our carefully curated programme gives space to key issues on people's minds today, from climate change to radicalisation, and loved ones developing dementia, to global conflict and dysfunctional family dynamics while also bringing joy, humanity, commonality and humour.

Our 12 productions include 10 premieres, giving you the chance to be among the first to see some of the most ground-breaking, quality new theatre in Edinburgh this August.

Explore the programme below.

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

List of Events, 12 per page.

  1. Lost Lear

    TravFest25 Written & Directed by Dan Colley

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    A moving and darkly comic remix of Shakespeare’s play told from the point of view of a person with dementia.

    Info / Book

  2. I'm Ready To Talk Now

    TravFest25 Written & Performed by Oliver Ayres

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    Through music, projection, and physical theatre, this radical act of connection blurs the lines between audience and performer, theatre and installation art, and stands boldly outside of ordinary theatrical conventions.

    Info / Book

  3. Rift

    TravFest25 by Gabriel Jason Dean, directed by Ari Laura Kreith

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    Award-winning US playwright Gabriel Jason Dean’s edgy new play is inspired by the real-life relationship with his own brother and asks if it’s truly possible to love someone whose beliefs you hate.

    Info / Book

  4. Lucky Tonight!

    TravFest25 by Afreena Islam-Wright, directed by Julia Samuels

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    An interactive pub quiz-cum-theatre show written and performed by Afreena Islam-Wright. 

    Info / Book

  5. She's Behind You

    TravFest25 Written & performed by Johnny McKnight, directed by John Tiffany

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    A celebration of shifting traditions and the unexpected beauty found in the anarchy of pantomime.

    Info / Book

  6. A Gambler's Guide To Dying

    TravFest25 Written & performed by Gary McNair, directed by Gareth Nicholls

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    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.

    Info / Book

  7. The Beautiful Future Is Coming

    TravFest25 by Flora Wilson Brown, directed by Nancy Medina

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    A fast-paced, funny and wildly inventive look at 250 years of real and imagined history through the eyes of three couples.

    Info / Book

  8. Standing in the Shadows of Giants

    TravFest25 by Lucie Barât, directed by Bryony Shanahan

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    An autobiographical show about being a rockstar(‘s sister).

    Info / Book

  9. Consumed

    TravFest25 by Karis Kelly, directed by Katie Posner

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    Winner of the Women’s Prize for the Playwriting 2022, Karis Kelly’s play is a pitch-black and twisted tale of dysfunctional family dynamics, generational trauma and national boundaries.

    Info / Book

  10. Deliverance

    TravFest25 by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir

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    A person arrives at your door with an envelope. Inside is your script - a set of instructions that you will follow for the next 90 minutes.

    Info / Book

  11. Red Like Fruit

    TravFest25 by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by Christian Barry

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    Interrogates the many contradictions and complexities of complicity, consent, patriarchy and traumatic memory in the post #MeToo era.

    Info / Book

  12. Scottish Writers Community: Panel Discussion

    TravFest25

    Mon 11 Aug, 4PM

    Join us to discuss the future of Scottish theatre, contemporary theatre narratives and what writers want to address.

    Info / Book