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. She's Behind You

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

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

    Info / Book
  2. Standing in the Shadows of Giants

    TravFest25 by Lucie Barât, directed by Bryony Shanahan

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

    Info / Book
  3. Lost Lear

    TravFest25 Written & Directed by Dan Colley

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

    Info / Book
  4. The Beautiful Future Is Coming

    TravFest25 by Flora Wilson Brown, directed by Nancy Medina

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

    Info / Book
  5. I'm Ready To Talk Now

    TravFest25 Written & Performed by Oliver Ayres

    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
  6. Rift

    TravFest25 by Gabriel Jason Dean, directed by Ari Laura Kreith

    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
  7. A Gambler's Guide To Dying

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

    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
  8. Red Like Fruit

    TravFest25 by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by Christian Barry

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

    Info / Book
  9. Consumed

    TravFest25 by Karis Kelly, directed by Katie Posner

    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. Lucky Tonight!

    TravFest25 by Afreena Islam-Wright, directed by Julia Samuels

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

    Info / Book
  11. Deliverance

    TravFest25 by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir

    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
  12. Nowhere

    TravFest25 Written and performed by Khalid Abdalla, directed by Omar Elerian

    This intricate and playful solo show takes us on a surprising journey into Abdalla's own history, set against a cartography of seismic world events.

    Info / Book