Full of festive magic, this joyful and very funny take on the classic fairytale is the perfect Christmas show for families. This new production of Beauty and the Beast by Lewis Hetherington (Red Riding Hood) marks the return of the Citz Christmas show - an essential part of many families’ festivities. Live music, beautiful set design and captivating storytelling will ensure a memorable experience for all ages to enjoy together. Full of festive magic, this joyful and very funny take on the classic fairytale is the perfect Christmas show for families. This new production of Beauty and the Beast by Lewis Hetherington (Red Riding Hood) marks the return of the Citz Christmas show - an essential part of many families’ festivities. Live music, beautiful set design and captivating storytelling will ensure a memorable experience for all ages to enjoy together.

A powerful new play that celebrates love, resilience, and community. In the wake of the Pan Am 103 atrocity in December 1988, the people of Lockerbie responded with heartwarming acts of kindness for the relatives of people who died on board. In the face of the most extraordinary adversity, these two distant communities from Southwest Scotland and New York State built a lasting connection through friendship, compassion and humanity. Small Acts of Love is a compelling, true story based on meticulous research from acclaimed playwright Frances Poet (Fibres, The Macbeths). The production is brought to life with original songs by Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue, creating an ambitious blend of theatre and music that will leave audiences moved and uplifted. This landmark production will reopen the Citizens Theatre. A powerful new play that celebrates love, resilience, and community. In the wake of the Pan Am 103 atrocity in December 1988, the people of Lockerbie responded with heartwarming acts of kindness for the relatives of people who died on board. In the face of the most extraordinary adversity, these two distant communities from Southwest Scotland and New York State built a lasting connection through friendship, compassion and humanity. Small Acts of Love is a compelling, true story based on meticulous research from acclaimed playwright Frances Poet (Fibres, The Macbeths). The production is brought to life with original songs by Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue, creating an ambitious blend of theatre and music that will leave audiences moved and uplifted. This landmark production will reopen the Citizens Theatre.

Both touching and funny, So Young is a story about coming back together after time apart. When Milo invites his two best friends Davie and Liane around for a takeaway to meet his new girlfriend, it promises to be a great night reconnecting. They delve into the past and swap the same old stories they’ve been through a thousand times before; the night becomes more about those absent than present. Remembering who they have lost and who they were, or thought they were. From the celebrated writer of The Sherrif of Kalamaki, winner of Best Play at the CATS Awards 2024, and previous Citz show, Fever Dream: Southside, Douglas Maxwell’s So Young sees an innocuous evening slide into ruin as old friends face the challenges of middle age, growing apart and losing those close to them - whether that’s to the grave, or to London. So Young won a Fringe First award in 2024, and won Best New Play at CATS Awards 2025. Both touching and funny, So Young is a story about coming back together after time apart. When Milo invites his two best friends Davie and Liane around for a takeaway to meet his new girlfriend, it promises to be a great night reconnecting. They delve into the past and swap the same old stories they’ve been through a thousand times before; the night becomes more about those absent than present. Remembering who they have lost and who they were, or thought they were. From the celebrated writer of The Sherrif of Kalamaki, winner of Best Play at the CATS Awards 2024, and previous Citz show, Fever Dream: Southside, Douglas Maxwell’s So Young sees an innocuous evening slide into ruin as old friends face the challenges of middle age, growing apart and losing those close to them - whether that’s to the grave, or to London. So Young won a Fringe First award in 2024, and won Best New Play at CATS Awards 2025.

Winner of Best Production for Children and Young People at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2023 A mountain of discarded wrapping. A lonely child with an active imagination. It’s often the cardboard boxes, not the gifts inside that are the most fun. Is the true gift the joy that can come from the imagination? This is a story reversing the idea that it is the wrapping paper, the cardboard boxes and ribbons that should be discarded, and reveals that playfulness, creativity and imagination are the true gifts. This beautiful production celebrates the art of play, taking ordinary objects making them extraordinary and magical. “I didn’t realise it didn’t include batteries...!” The disappointment of a toy that doesn’t work - every parent’s nightmare! But not to worry, this will become the best day ever with the arrival of an imagined friend and together they transform the world around them. This festive show will ignite a playfulness, inspiring children and their families to find new games together when it’s their turn to open gifts! Winner of Best Production for Children and Young People at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2023 A mountain of discarded wrapping. A lonely child with an active imagination. It’s often the cardboard boxes, not the gifts inside that are the most fun. Is the true gift the joy that can come from the imagination? This is a story reversing the idea that it is the wrapping paper, the cardboard boxes and ribbons that should be discarded, and reveals that playfulness, creativity and imagination are the true gifts. This beautiful production celebrates the art of play, taking ordinary objects making them extraordinary and magical. “I didn’t realise it didn’t include batteries...!” The disappointment of a toy that doesn’t work - every parent’s nightmare! But not to worry, this will become the best day ever with the arrival of an imagined friend and together they transform the world around them. This festive show will ignite a playfulness, inspiring children and their families to find new games together when it’s their turn to open gifts!

A gripping new staging of Tennessee Williams’ iconic masterpiece Tom, trapped in a soul-crushing job and burdened with the weight of supporting his overbearing mother, Amanda, and painfully shy sister, Laura, longs for escape. When he invites Jim, a charming but well-meaning acquaintance, to dinner, Amanda seizes the moment to secure Laura’s future happiness. As hopes rise, family tensions mount, and cracks in their relationships deepen, threatening to shatter their fragile world apart for good. A gripping new staging of Tennessee Williams’ iconic masterpiece Tom, trapped in a soul-crushing job and burdened with the weight of supporting his overbearing mother, Amanda, and painfully shy sister, Laura, longs for escape. When he invites Jim, a charming but well-meaning acquaintance, to dinner, Amanda seizes the moment to secure Laura’s future happiness. As hopes rise, family tensions mount, and cracks in their relationships deepen, threatening to shatter their fragile world apart for good.

Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America The four time Edinburgh comedy award nominee returns. America. What happened, man? Ever since he was a little loser kid in a little loser country (yes, England), Kieran Hodgson has been putting on an American accent and dreaming a big American dream. But nowadays it's not so simple. Didn't America go completely bananas? Didn't he get too old for dreaming? And when Hollywood comes calling, does Kieran actually sound American after all? Join one of Telegraphs 50 funniest comedians of the 21st Century as he explores how a scared world feels about the USA and impersonates a bunch of old prospectors and former Presidents.

As we reopen our iconic building, the Young Co. is set to take you on a journey back to the legendary Close Theatre. This isn’t just any trip down memory lane, it’s an exploration of how culture emerges through controversy, and creativity! A café, a nightclub, the city’s first unofficial gay bar, and the only place you could get a drink after 10pm on a Sunday! It was a place where the rules were broken, where art met rebellion, and where the impossible became possible. And that’s not all. The Young Co. is using their research to look to the future. What bold new stories will be ignited? What ideas need to be shared with a new audience? As the first production in the Studio Theatre, Close marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Citz, with the space offering theatre-makers a place to hone their craft, push creative boundaries, and explore radical ideas. Be there for the start of this next chapter. As we reopen our iconic building, the Young Co. is set to take you on a journey back to the legendary Close Theatre. This isn’t just any trip down memory lane, it’s an exploration of how culture emerges through controversy, and creativity! A café, a nightclub, the city’s first unofficial gay bar, and the only place you could get a drink after 10pm on a Sunday! It was a place where the rules were broken, where art met rebellion, and where the impossible became possible. And that’s not all. The Young Co. is using their research to look to the future. What bold new stories will be ignited? What ideas need to be shared with a new audience? As the first production in the Studio Theatre, Close marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Citz, with the space offering theatre-makers a place to hone their craft, push creative boundaries, and explore radical ideas. Be there for the start of this next chapter.

Will Moira make it to Australia? Will Hannah’s campaign be heard? Will Alison get to her appointment on time? Will Jeffrey finally teach everyone how to recycle? And will everyone get to the voting station before it closes? It’s just another Thursday when the Flying Saucer Café opens its doors - but by 10pm, everything could change. A group of people, each facing a challenge, find their lives crossing throughout the day. The Flying Saucer Café becomes more than just a café - it’s a place where connections are made. People who started the day alone begin to support each other. Together, they start to feel like a community. Making Your Mark is a story about choice, and how powerful it can be when people come together. In a world where democracy feels so fragile, and the challenges we all face seem almost impossible, what can we do to create a sense of hope? Come and see the amazing creativity of our longest-running Participate group, as they bring this exciting new show to the stage - a story about helping each other, and the strength we find in our community. This new play was created by The Story Room - a group of Community Collective members who meet on Friday mornings to share ideas, create the characters and develop the script. Will Moira make it to Australia? Will Hannah’s campaign be heard? Will Alison get to her appointment on time? Will Jeffrey finally teach everyone how to recycle? And will everyone get to the voting station before it closes? It’s just another Thursday when the Flying Saucer Café opens its doors - but by 10pm, everything could change. A group of people, each facing a challenge, find their lives crossing throughout the day. The Flying Saucer Café becomes more than just a café - it’s a place where connections are made. People who started the day alone begin to support each other. Together, they start to feel like a community. Making Your Mark is a story about choice, and how powerful it can be when people come together. In a world where democracy feels so fragile, and the challenges we all face seem almost impossible, what can we do to create a sense of hope? Come and see the amazing creativity of our longest-running Participate group, as they bring this exciting new show to the stage - a story about helping each other, and the strength we find in our community. This new play was created by The Story Room - a group of Community Collective members who meet on Friday mornings to share ideas, create the characters and develop the script.

Mark Simmons combines hilarious one-liners with an irresistible love of performing, to resonate with audiences at virtual and in-person events. His award-winning stand-up is a cut above the rest, setting Mark apart on the booking circuit and leading him to perform on some of the most prestigious comedy stages in the UK.

Combining spoken word, lyrical storytelling and a pulsating electronic live score, this is the thrilling story of Òran and his journey to rescue his best friend from the Underworld.  This award-winning visceral piece of contemporary theatre is a collaboration between Wonder Fools, ‘A blazing powerhouse of invention and activity’ (Scotsman) and the acclaimed hip-hop artist Owen Sutcliffe with music by VanIves, creating an urgent and entertaining modern retelling of the classic Greek myth Orpheus. 14+ Please note, wheelchair accessible spaces are not available to book online. Please email or call the box office to book a wheelchair accessible space or for any other access requests/advice.

Saint Joan will reimagine George Bernard Shaw’s classic play for the 2020s, in a stripped-back, close-up staging, directed by Stewart Laing (formerly Untitled Projects), with a film sequence written and directed by Adura Onashile . Based on the extraordinary true story of a sixteen-year-old girl who led France to victory in the Hundred Years War, Saint Joan explores power, gender and youth-led change, taking us on the journey of someone from a marginalised background impacting international politics. As today’s world faces political unrest and war, Saint Joan speaks powerfully to a new generation challenging authority, reminding us of history’s unlikely revolutionaries. Saint Joan will reimagine George Bernard Shaw’s classic play for the 2020s, in a stripped-back, close-up staging, directed by Stewart Laing (formerly Untitled Projects), with a film sequence written and directed by Adura Onashile . Based on the extraordinary true story of a sixteen-year-old girl who led France to victory in the Hundred Years War, Saint Joan explores power, gender and youth-led change, taking us on the journey of someone from a marginalised background impacting international politics. As today’s world faces political unrest and war, Saint Joan speaks powerfully to a new generation challenging authority, reminding us of history’s unlikely revolutionaries.

Glasgow, 1957. A family destroyed. A man who insists he knows why. Between whisky-soaked confessions and half-truths swirling in cigarette smoke, William Watt and Peter Manuel share a night that will change everything. Winding through stale-aired bars, shadowed backstreets and tangled lies - leading to one of the most infamous trials in Scottish history. From one of Scotland’s most acclaimed crime writers, Denise Mina, and adapted by award-winning playwright Linda McLean, The Long Drop is an electrifying new play - equal parts psychological thriller and pitch-black comedy. Gritty and gripping, it plunges us into a world of gangsters, gossip, and half-truths told over one too many drinks. Directed by Dominic Hill this is where truth slips through your fingers, the stakes are razor-sharp, and the laughs cut just as deep. The Long Drop is a darkly stylish descent into the heart of a city - and the haunted minds of the men who shape it. Glasgow, 1957. A family destroyed. A man who insists he knows why. Between whisky-soaked confessions and half-truths swirling in cigarette smoke, William Watt and Peter Manuel share a night that will change everything. Winding through stale-aired bars, shadowed backstreets and tangled lies - leading to one of the most infamous trials in Scottish history. From one of Scotland’s most acclaimed crime writers, Denise Mina, and adapted by award-winning playwright Linda McLean, The Long Drop is an electrifying new play - equal parts psychological thriller and pitch-black comedy. Gritty and gripping, it plunges us into a world of gangsters, gossip, and half-truths told over one too many drinks. Directed by Dominic Hill this is where truth slips through your fingers, the stakes are razor-sharp, and the laughs cut just as deep. The Long Drop is a darkly stylish descent into the heart of a city - and the haunted minds of the men who shape it.

4 star rating ‘The perfect first theatre outing’ Manchester Evening News Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series tours the UK in a brand-new musical show. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way. A high-energy 50-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre. Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together. New music composed by Tom Fletcher, Barry Bignold and Miranda Larson. There’s a Monster in Your Show... and he can’t wait to meet you! 4 star rating ‘The perfect first theatre outing’ Manchester Evening News Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series tours the UK in a brand-new musical show. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way. A high-energy 50-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre. Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together. New music composed by Tom Fletcher, Barry Bignold and Miranda Larson. There’s a Monster in Your Show... and he can’t wait to meet you!

Sweat is a powerful and deeply human portrait of America’s working class at the dawn of the 21 st Century. In a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, friendships are forged through sweat and laughter. For decades, Tracey and Cynthia have worked side by side-on the factory floor and at Stan’s bar-bound by shared history and hard-earned pride. But when whispers of layoffs grow louder and opportunity turns into betrayal, a community built on solidarity begins to splinter, as bitter resentments and unspoken racial divides rise to the surface. Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a raw exploration of fractured industries, economic disparity, and the deep divisions that helped shape modern America. As Tracey and Cynthia’s sons, Jason and Chris, inherit the fallout of a broken system, their anger and desperation erupt in ways no one saw coming. Gripping, urgent, and profoundly resonant, Sweat is a story of loyalty, loss, and the unrelenting fight for survival in an unforgiving world. Sweat is a powerful and deeply human portrait of America’s working class at the dawn of the 21 st Century. In a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, friendships are forged through sweat and laughter. For decades, Tracey and Cynthia have worked side by side-on the factory floor and at Stan’s bar-bound by shared history and hard-earned pride. But when whispers of layoffs grow louder and opportunity turns into betrayal, a community built on solidarity begins to splinter, as bitter resentments and unspoken racial divides rise to the surface. Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a raw exploration of fractured industries, economic disparity, and the deep divisions that helped shape modern America. As Tracey and Cynthia’s sons, Jason and Chris, inherit the fallout of a broken system, their anger and desperation erupt in ways no one saw coming. Gripping, urgent, and profoundly resonant, Sweat is a story of loyalty, loss, and the unrelenting fight for survival in an unforgiving world.

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett’s classic play - in which absolutely nothing happens. Set in a shifting, timeless landscape, Waiting for Godot follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait for someone who may never come. As they pass the time with scraps of conversation, moments of tenderness and flashes of dark humour, their story becomes a moving reflection on what it means to keep going in a world that rarely offers answers. Beckett’s timeless play endures as one of the defining works of the 20 th century and returns to our stage in all its strange, funny and heartbreaking brilliance. Darkly comic and deeply moving, Waiting for Godot is a profound exploration of what it means to be human - even when the waiting never ends. Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett’s classic play - in which absolutely nothing happens. Set in a shifting, timeless landscape, Waiting for Godot follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait for someone who may never come. As they pass the time with scraps of conversation, moments of tenderness and flashes of dark humour, their story becomes a moving reflection on what it means to keep going in a world that rarely offers answers. Beckett’s timeless play endures as one of the defining works of the 20 th century and returns to our stage in all its strange, funny and heartbreaking brilliance. Darkly comic and deeply moving, Waiting for Godot is a profound exploration of what it means to be human - even when the waiting never ends.

The incredible ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ have announced more tour dates and West End shows throughout 2025! Spontaneous musical comedy at its finest, this is the first ever long-form improv show to have a full West End run and to be nominated and win an Olivier Award. For those who haven’t yet experienced the live phenomenon that is ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’, the show is a fully-realised musical created on the spot from audience suggestions. The cast take ideas for settings, genres, musical styles and the show title and weave it into ingenious storylines with hilarious characters. From Lin Manuel Miranda to Stephen Sondheim, whether it’s set in a primary school, Ancient Egypt, or a mattress shop – if the audience thinks it, The Showstoppers can turn it into a hit musical. The majority of the cast also have much acclaim with founder member Ruth Bratt being part of the famous Comedy Store Players, the longest running impro show in the country; Pippa Evans being a regular on BBC Radio 4, has toured with I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and wrote ‘Now That's What I Call A Musical!’ (that’s currently on UK tour). The pilot of Hopping, a new comedy from Lucy Trodd and Susan Harrison, aired on BBC Radio 4 and Matt Cavendish appeared on this year’s Royal Variety Performance with Mischief Theatre's ‘A Comedy About Spies’. Co-founder Adam Meggido directed the West End and Broadway hit show Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The incredibly talented West End star Miracle Chance (Roald Dahl’s The Witches at the National Theatre, Veronica Sawyer in Heathers at The Other Palace) has just joined the cast. The Showstoppers also regularly run improvisation workshops and courses for beginners and professionals and have a successful podcast - The Showstopper! Podcast, with recent guests including Zizi Strallen, Rufus Hound and Reuben Kaye. The Showstoppers have performed created more than 1,000 brand new musicals since they were formed in 2008 but they don’t stop working hard at their craft – they have to learn to improvise in the style of every hit show that comes to town, and they always encourage audiences to challenge them and keep them on their toes. As a result, they continue fill theatres, delight audiences and win awards. In 2024 they were in the Top 10 best reviewed shows of entire Edinburgh Fringe – for the second year running - no mean feat in their 15th year selling out the Pleasance Grand once more!