The List

Traverse Theatre

The Traverse has been a key player in British theatre for 50 years as Scotland's long-standing home of new writing, although it's increasingly taking an interest in emerging writers. It's here that audiences got their first taste of playwrights such as Gregory Burke, Liz Lochhead and John Byrne, names now widely known to theatregoers. Part of the cluster of buildings forming the Lothian Road arts quarter, the theatre is in the basement of an office block next door to the Usher Hall. Beyond the large and popular bar and café are two performance spaces. Traverse 1 accommodates up to 350 people – although it feels much bigger – while Traverse 2, with seating for 100, recalls the company’s intimate former theatre in the Grassmarket. Specialising in UK and world premieres, the Traverse also has a busy line-up of visiting companies and hosts everything from children's theatre to puppetry and experimental music. Behind the scenes, it puts in a lot of work with up-and coming playwrights and runs a programme of workshops, classes, readings and discussions. It is one of the liveliest venues on the Edinburgh Fringe.

What's On @ Traverse Theatre

Felicity Ward: I'm Exhausting!

Felicity Ward: I'm Exhausting!

18 Sept 2025 - 27 Sept 2025

Felicity Ward, star of The Office (Australia), embarks on her first national tour in six years. In a two-hour laugh-out-loud extravaganza, Felicity Ward delves into uncharted territory - motherhood, from pregnancy to post-natal depression, touching on themes of identity, sexuality, and the inevitable changes life brings. Ward's performance draws from her personal experiences, delivering a rollercoaster of laughter and insight. Her comedic journey covers everything from the joys and challenges of parenthood to the quirks of everyday life, with topics ranging from transition lenses to fingering. As a seasoned performer, Ward's credits include appearances on Wakefield, BBC’s Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Stand Up Sketch Show, and her own Amazon Prime stand-up comedy special. She's also been featured on popular podcasts like The Guilty Feminist, The News Quiz, and The Now Show. Ward's talent has earned her critical acclaim, with nominations for Best Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018, Best International Show at the New Zealand Comedy Festival in 2016, and Best Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2012. Reviewers have praised Ward's energetic and engaging stage presence, describing her performances as a whirlwind of laughter and entertainment. With a repertoire of solid jokes and boundless energy, Ward keeps audiences laughing and engaged from start to finish.
Jonny & The Baptists: Dance Like It Never Happened
Jonny and Paddy and back on the road again! Bringing their brand new show 'Dance Like it Never Happened' on tour. And they've missed you all! So what is this new hilarious show about? Grief. Its about Grief. In 2019, we lost another election, our place in Europe and, worst of all, a dearly beloved friend. We are no strangers to grief, but it hurt. Then in 2020, we all lost the world as we knew it. Our decades-long system of "dealing with emotions" (ignore them, drink heavily and make jokes) finally broke. We finally broke. In their most honest and personal show yet, Jonny & The Baptists learn to accept and engage with their grief, telling the story of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance through their trademark blend of silly, joyful songs, deadpan stand-up and riotous storytelling. Finding meaning, humour and beauty in the hardest part of life. So come and see us, have a laugh and maybe a cry - but definitely a laugh.
Leveret

Leveret

28 Sept 2025 - 28 Sept 2025

Leveret features three of England's finest folk musicians in an exciting new collaboration. Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron are each regarded as masters of their instrument and are involved in numerous collaborations with a huge range of artists. Together their performances combine consummate musicianship, compelling delivery, and captivating spontaneity.
Oran

Oran

8 Oct 2025 - 15 Nov 2025

Written by Owen Sutcliffe 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. Should he arrive there, Hades might grant him the chance to lead his friend home...but at what cost? 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. Originally staged in Edinburgh Fringe 2024 for a sold-out run in partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Pleasance Theatre. “An electronic one-man tour de force” The Arts Dispatch “A complete immersive experience” - Sinners Review For ages 14+ Strong language and flashing lights There is no interval for this performance Supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund
Ryan Young

Ryan Young

17 Oct 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

Ryan Young brings new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music, receiving international praise for his spell-binding interpretations on the fiddle. His debut album was recorded with four time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis (who has worked with the likes of Bela Fleck and Yo Yo Ma) and launched at Feakle Traditional Music Festival in County Clare, accompanied by renowned guitarist, Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes; The Gloaming). Ryan was nominated for Album Of The Year at the 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards; Live Act Of The Year at the 2023 Awards, and Musician Of The Year at the 2022 Awards. Ryan brings new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way. He sings through the fiddle and his playing is often described as poetry without words. Ryan’s music is brimming with fresh melodic ideas, an uplifting rhythmic drive and a great depth of dynamics and precision. His sound is very distinctive and takes the listener on an emotional and adventurous journey in any performance. He holds both a first class honours and a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, was twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, and twice a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of The Year. He was awarded ‘Up And Coming Artist Of The Year’ at the Scots Trad Awards in, nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and awarded Folking.com‘s Musician Of The Year title. Ryan Young was also the only UK artist selected to perform at the prestigious World Music conference, WOMEX, in 2019.
Night Waking

Night Waking

1 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025

An Tobar and Mull Theatre presents the world premiere of Night Waking by Shireen Mula, adapted from the novel by Sarah Moss and directed by Rebecca Atkinson-Lord. A remote Scottish island. A sleep-deprived mother. A grave you were never meant to find. Anna Bennett should be writing a book. Instead, she's counting the minutes of lost sleep, peeling a toddler off her leg, and Googling Victorian infanticide at 3 a.m. Her ornithologist husband is out studying puffins, oblivious. Her sons are running feral. And when she and her eldest uncover something in the garden something small, something wrapped in wool, it becomes clear that history isn't just a thing she studies. It's here. Underfoot. And it wont rest quietly. Night Waking is a sharp, strange, and darkly funny exploration of motherhood, colonialism, and the ghosts we inherit. As Anna ricochets between present-day exhaustion, historical letters, and a past that wont stay buried, she is forced to confront what it means to nurture, to protect, and to fail. Adapted from Sarah Moss's novel by Shireen Mula, this one-woman play is a feat of acting virtuosity, a fragmented, fevered journey through sleepless nights, long-lost voices, and the things that wont stay hidden.
Scottish Opera: Opera Highlights

Scottish Opera: Opera Highlights

2 Oct 2025 - 22 Nov 2025

Water cooler moments, scheming co-workers and the leaving do that some would like to forget. Opera Highlights is heading back to the office with a brand new show, transforming familiar situations - forbidden crushes and awkward workplace conversations - onto the stage. Think music paired with the whir of the photocopier, as you'll hear a range of operas, building a story of all-too-familiar office politics! We're taking opera out of the opera house and into halls across Scotland in an intimate, immediate and surprisingly relatable production, with four singers forming the cast of four colleagues navigating workplace dynamics. For teens to grandparents, opera buffs to complete newcomers, book now to experience the more extraordinary office party this Autumn.

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