National Theatre of Scotland has announced an exciting new season of work for the coming year

Including four world premieres, the return of two hit shows, back by popular demand, three productions at the Edinburgh Festivals and nine touring productions.

Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 25 January 2024 13:41

A year of world premieres, tours and work at all scales, on stages across Scotland, England and beyond, a programme of work for younger audiences, plus artist’s residencies, events, a touring exhibition and film and digital projects.

Touring to 45 venues across 28 locations in Scotland, England and Europe.

Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director said: “We are delighted to be offering audiences a packed theatrical programme in 2024 with, thrilling new productions alongside acclaimed shows that we have brought back by popular demand.

We are proud to honour icons and celebrate artists that help define and shape our cultural identity.

As Scotland’s National theatre company, who tour tirelessly throughout Scotland, we want to bring a sense of community togetherness, pride in our nation’s creativity and the chance to have a brilliant night out, for audiences, locally or indeed further afield.

We are acutely aware that we continue to live in challenging times. Global politics, the aftermath of the Covid years and the cost of living crisis all have ongoing impacts for the creative and cultural industries and the brilliant Scottish artists who create theatre with us.

National Theatre of Scotland has always held a lens up through which we can view ourselves, as a nation, as a society and never more so than in this programme.

Through the sharing of important stories, that tell us about ourselves, we explore our shared humanity. Climate activism, youthful protest, the enslaved Joseph Knight who made his bid for freedom, the great Billy Connolly, the Margaret Thatcher years, working class culture, teenage Cosplay, Country music, masculinity and the late great Beldina Odenyo all share the spotlight in our 2024 programme.

Young people hold a special place in our programme. We are committed to ensuring they are involved with the National Theatre of Scotland from Primary School onwards, through our productions with Theatre in Schools Scotland, our touring work to venues and through participation in projects with leading theatre-makers.

We thank our partners, our supporters and funders, the venues we are touring to, the artists, the crews and the freelancers who make our work, all those who participate and most importantly our audiences who energise us through their commitment and enthusiasm for the joy of theatre.”

NEW PRODUCTIONS:

THE FIFTH STEP, a thrilling and provocative new play written by David Ireland and directed by Finn den Hertog. The taut two-hander features Jack Lowden, returning to Scottish stages for the first time since his theatrical debut in Black Watch in 2010. The Fifth Step will preview at Dundee Rep Theatre before opening at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, for a week’s run as part of the 2024 Edinburgh International Festival and then end with a week’s run at The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow in August 2024.

JUNE CARTER CASH: THE WOMAN, HER MUSIC AND ME, a new play written and performed by Charlene Boyd sharing the story of one of country music’s most iconic voices: June Carter Cash, directed by the multi-award-winning Cora Bissett. June Carter Cash: The Woman, Her Music and Me opens at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ahead of a tour of Scottish cultural venues.

THANK U, NEXT, a new dance theatre piece exploring the contemporary culture of cosplay, created by leading radical performance collective 21Common working with teenagers across Scotland. They will produce four unique productions presented at schools in Glasgow, Cumbernauld, Grangemouth and Lochgelly, for a run of public performances in February and October 2024 and then again in March 2025. Each production will be directed by 21Commoners Lucy Gaizely and Gary Gardiner, and performed by a mixed group of professional performers, school pupils and young collaborators who were involved in the original development of the piece.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

MAGGIE & ME, is a bold and explosive new production based on Damian Barr’s award-winning and darkly witty memoir about growing up gay in Thatcher’s Britain, adapted by Damian Barr and James Ley, directed by Suba Das. Opening at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow, before touring to Inverness, Perth, Cumbernauld, Dundee, Northampton and Edinburgh in Spring 2024. Full creative team announced.

DEAR BILLY, a love letter to the Big Yin returns to Scottish stages after a successful tour of Scotland in 2023. Written and performed by Gary McNair, and directed by Joe Douglas, this critically acclaimed celebration of Billy Connolly will be heading to Aberdeen, Glasgow and Inverness before coming to the Assembly Rooms as part of the Assembly Festival programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

NEWLY ANNOUNCED - RETURN OF AN AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION

ENOUGH OF HIM, the incisive and emotive, award-winning and critically acclaimed play based on the true story of Joseph Knight returns to stages in 2024. Enough of Him, written by May Sumbwanyambe and directed by Orla O’Loughlin with Omar Austin reprising his role as Joseph, will open in Edinburgh in October 2024 before touring to Dundee, Aberdeen, Chichester and Coventry. A co-production with Pitlochry Festival Theatre

IN ASSOCIATION WITH PRODUCTIONS

AN ACCIDENT / A LIFE, an exciting new collaboration between Marc Brew and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. The semi-autobiographical piece has its world premiere at Holland Dance Festival in February 2024 before arriving in Glasgow for the UK premiere at Tramway in March 2024 ahead of further European international tour dates.

SHŌ AND THE DEMONS OF THE DEEP, a timely new production for younger audiences aged 8 and over, from Independent Arts Projects (IAP) in association with National Theatre of Scotland. Shō and the Demons of the Deep is a visual adventure story about overcoming fear, climate crisis, and how the actions of one generation can affect the next, written by Zoë Bullock and directed by Shilpa T-Hyland, touring across Scotland in April and May 2024.

TERO BURU, a new play by the late, great Beldina Odenyo has been posthumously interpreted by Beldina’s sister, Leah McAleer and directed by Julia Taudevin. Beldina’s friends and collaborators have joined together with Leah to bring Beldina’s debut play to an audience. Tero Buru will be performed in Glasgow in autumn 2024, with full details of dates and venue to be announced.

PROTEST, Natalie Ibu’s acclaimed production of Hannah Lavery’s new play embarks on a new tour across the UK, following a successful tour in 2023. Presented by Fuel, Imaginate and Northern Stage in association with National Theatre of Scotland, the show takes a timely look at the right to protest from the perspective of three young girls. Opening in Edinburgh in January, then touring to Newcastle, London, Nottingham, Harrogate, Cambridge, Colchester, Coventry, Poole, Plymouth and Exeter until March 2024.

All 2024 productions will be produced to the Theatre Green Book intermediate standard with 75% of all materials having been pre-used.

Full details of the new programme can be found at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Renfrewshire News

Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives

A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.

Coffeeshop Tinderbox celebrates first anniversary at Braehead Shopping Centre with Golden Cup Giveaway

This Sunday, 8th December, sees the first anniversary of Tinderbox coffee shop at Braehead Shopping Centre, located in lower level food mall.

Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.

Double charity boost from Glasgow Clan

Ice hockey fans will get the chance to do their bit to help the less well-off by donating food items and toys at Glasgow Clan games this weekend.

Winners announced in Provost Christmas Card Competition

Three lucky Renfrewshire school children have had their artwork selected to be made into Christmas cards through the Provost’s Christmas Card competition.

Crowds take to Paisley High Street to Reclaim the Night

Hundreds of women and men took to the streets of Paisley to call for an end to violence against women and girls.

Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line

A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.

Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024

Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.

TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025

50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.

Johnstone lights up for Christmas 2024

Crowds turned out in Johnstone's Houstoun Square on Saturday to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on for 2024.

Winners of the Paisley First Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition are announced

The results are in for this year's Paisley's Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition!

Christmas in Paisley gets underway with a sleigh load of family fun on offer this winter

The countdown to Christmas is on as Paisley's ice-rink and funfair opened their doors last night to kick off a month-long programme of festive activity taking place across the town centre.

Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!

A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!

Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch

Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.

Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.

Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos

A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!

Final date added as 30,000 expected at biggest itison Drive In Movies Christmas

itison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.

Pension Credit drop in event to check eligibility being held in Paisley

People aged 66 and older are being encouraged to pop along to an event in Paisley to find out if they can get Pension Credit.

Clan fans rally to the charity cause

The Glasgow Clan's Purple Army of fans raised more than £11,000 for the charity that promotes awareness and opportunities to participate in ice sports.

Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland

A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.

Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland

To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.

Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas

Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.

IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month

IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.

Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season

Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.

Communities to Reclaim The Night as part of annual campaign

Renfrewshire residents are being encouraged to join the annual march to end domestic abuse, harassment and violence against women and young people.

Renfrew and Johnstone to light up for Christmas

Renfrew and Johnstone will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights in each town are due to be switched on in the coming weeks.

Scottish stars Skerryvore launch biggest show to date for 20th anniversary

Legendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.

Scottish pubs to help tackle loneliness this Christmas

17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.

Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues across Scotland

Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues in Scotland – including a very special Andrea Bocelli screening this weekend.

Gavin & Stacey star kickstarts initiative to support the elderly this Christmas

Supermarket teams up with national treasure Larry Lamb to reimagine its in-store cafes as 'Chatty Cafés' and help spark conversations this Christmas.

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley

National Theatre of Scotland has announced an exciting new season of work for the coming year

Including four world premieres, the return of two hit shows, back by popular demand, three productions at the Edinburgh Festivals and nine touring productions.

Sponsored Links

Latest Renfrewshire News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings