Traverse Theatre

About Traverse Theatre

The Traverse Theatre began life in 1963 as a theatre club in an abandoned brothel in Edinburgh's Lawnmarket. The theatre is so named because its first Artistic Director, Terry Lane, mistakenly believed that the staging arrangement is called 'traverse'. He later realised that it is 'transverse' but it was already too well known to change it.

In its first year of operation, a theatre conference was organised by director Jim Haynes, John Calder and Kenneth Tynan. Within three years of existence, the tiny theatre club had produced 110 productions, including 28 British premieres and 33 world premieres.

At the end of the 1960s, the Traverse moved to a larger space in Edinburgh's Grassmarket, with flexible seating configurations. The first performance in this venue was on 24 Aug 1969. In its early days the theatre included exhibition space for the visual arts, until 1966 when it was taken away to establish what became the Richard Demarco Gallery.

In 1992, the Traverse moved to its current location at Cambridge Street. A £3.3 million purpose-built two theatre space with bar café was created as part of the Saltire Court development on Castle Terrace. The theatre's first performance at this location was on 3 July 1992.

Upcoming Events at Traverse Theatre

Spinback

8th July 2018

Groove to the golden sounds of the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond at Spinback, a fun new shakedown at the Traverse Bar.

Like It Or Trump It

15th July 2018

You are invited to an evening of cabaret in response to the POTUS' UK visit, including live music, spoken word, poetry and dance at the Traverse Bar Café.

Ulster American

28th July 2018 - 26th August 2018

A confrontational and brutally funny new play by David Ireland (Cyprus Avenue), exploring abuses of power, the confusion of cultural identity and the silencing of the female voice.

Mark Thomas - Check Up: Our NHS at 70

29th July 2018 - 26th August 2018

Comedian Mark Thomas uses his own demise to explore the state of the NHS and what the future might hold for all of us.

Meek

31st July 2018 - 26th August 2018

Presented by Headlong in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Meek is a tale which reflects on our own fraught times.

CLASS

2nd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

A parent-teacher meeting goes very wrong in CLASS – a new play about learning difficulties: in school, in life, wherever.

The Greatest Play in the History of the World...

2nd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

Starring Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Broadchurch), The Greatest Play... is squashed full of exquisite observation and heartbreaking beauty.

Coriolanus Vanishes

2nd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

Coriolanus Vanishes is a contemporary tragedy exploring how childhood memories can besiege adult relationships.

On the Exhale

2nd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

Martín Zimmerman’s play is a compulsive and visceral examination of American gun violence and directed by double Fringe First award-winner Christopher Haydon.

Underground Railroad Game

2nd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

Soho Theatre presents... Underground Railroad Game, an R-rated, kaleidoscopic and fearless comedy, at Traverse Theatre in August.

What Girls Are Made Of

3rd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

Performed with a live band, 'What Girls Are Made Of' is the true story of Cora Bissets's journey, celebrating life’s euphoric highs and epic shitstorms.

User Not Found

3rd August 2018 - 26th August 2018

It’s the moment of your death. There’s a magic button. Do you delete your entire online legacy? Or do you keep it – and leave the choice for someone else?

TalkFest 2018

6th August 2018

Join Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and Made in Scotland to explore what stimulates the artists behind this year’s Edinburgh Festivals.

Theatre Uncut: Women on Power

6th August 2018

Join the Theatre Uncut team as they present their brand new collection of plays, The Power Plays, written by some of the UK’s most dynamic female voices, at the Traverse Theatre!

Nigel Slater’s Toast

7th August 2018 - 26th August 2018

A tale of love, loss...and toast. NigelSlater's TOAST tells his childhood through the tastes and smells he grew up with.

In Conversation at the Traverse: Live Podcast Events

13th August 2018

A unique opportunity to join two celebrated artists, as they talk about their lives, work and what it means to create theatre today.

TalkFest 2018

13th August 2018

Join Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and Made in Scotland to explore what stimulates the artists behind this year’s Edinburgh Festivals.

Theatre Uncut: Women on Power

13th August 2018

Join the Theatre Uncut team as they present their brand new collection of plays, The Power Plays, written by some of the UK’s most dynamic female voices, at the Traverse Theatre!

In Conversation at the Traverse: Live Podcast Events

20th August 2018

A unique opportunity to join two celebrated artists, as they talk about their lives, work and what it means to create theatre today.

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