Traverse Theatre
We are the Traverse - champion of stories and storytellers. The stories we share are by anyone and for everyone.
About Traverse Theatre
| 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh West EH1 2ED | |
| 01312281404 | |
| Traverse Theatre Website | |
| Facebook information can be found here | |
| Follow traversetheatre on Instagram | |
Traverse 3 is our new online venue, which will be a permanent space alongside our physical stages of Traverse 1 and 2.
As Scotland’s new writing theatre, the Traverse Theatre is a dynamic centre for performance, experience and discovery. Enabling people across society to access and engage with theatre is our fundamental mission.
Our year-round programme bursts with new stories and live performances that challenge, inform and entertain. We empower artists and audiences to make sense of the world today, providing a safe space to question, learn, empathise and – crucially – encounter different people and experiences. Conversation and the coming together of groups are central to a democratic society, and we champion equal expression and understanding.
We commission, produce and programme for existing and future audiences to offer new and exciting experiences for everyone, and our partnerships with other theatre companies and festivals enable us to present a wide range of innovative performances.
The Traverse would not exist without our over-arching passion for talent development and embracing the unexplored. We work with the newest and rawest talent – with an emphasis on the Scottish-based – nurturing it to become the art, artists and performances that can be seen on our stages through a variety of creative learning and literary programmes.
The timely, powerful stories that start life on our stages have global impact, resulting in dozens of tours, productions and translations. We are critically acclaimed and recognised the world over for our originality and artistic risk, which we hope will create some of the most talked-about plays, productions, directors, writers and actors for years to come.
As a registered Scottish charity (SC002368), we depend on donations to keep our stage doors wide open, to work with schools and community groups, to produce ambitious theatre, to keep ticket prices affordable – and to do more and better for you at our theatre in Edinburgh, sparking creativity throughout the local community and across the globe. Find out how to support our work.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.
Upcoming Events at Traverse Theatre
Jakub Klimiuk Quintet
An accomplished London-based guitarist and composer, Jakub Klimiuk takes his quintet on tour with a brand new set of material, with a date at the Traverse Theatre on 12th January!
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Laura Jurd - Rites & Revelations
One of the most distinctive voices in jazz and improvised music, Laura Jurd's unique approach to the trumpet is celebrated in the work that she creates.
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Soundhouse: Foghorn Stringband
After a barnstorming performance at Edinburgh Tradfest in May 23, we’re delighted to welcome back the Foghorn Stringband on Sunday 1st February.
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Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern
Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern's guitar treatments of traditional music is unique, exploring the harmonic possibilities of these old, and sometimes not so old, tunes.
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Manipulate Festival: Coffee With Sugar?
Using thousands of coffee beans, flying candyfloss, biographical fragments, historical sources, video art and live music, ‘Coffee with Sugar?’ is a visually striking performance!
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Manipulate Festival: Size Matters
Blending puppetry, science, and surrealist theatre, Julia and Mamoru and their puppet doubles explore how time and perception shift with size.
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Manipulate Festival: Don Quixote (is a Very Big Book)
In his new one-man show, Dik Downey (Green Ginger, Pickled Image, Opposable Thumb) weaves together the crazed delusions of Don Quixote with his own struggle against reality.
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Manipulate Festival: The Wood Paths
Wood Paths is a celebration of humanity’s endless creativity and our desire to understand, to shape, and to find beauty in the mess.
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The Flames
A striking and innovative mix of film, music and performance to explore stories about life after fifty, presenting a fresh look at how we approach ageing.
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Head. Heart. Hand.
Head. Heart. Hand. is a powerful new play by Stef Smith, created to mark the 150th anniversary of the institution that is known today as Queen Margaret University (QMU).
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Quilici Tessa
Carlos Quilici and Martín Tessa perform an instrumental repertoire that includes works by the main composers of the genre as well as their own compositions.
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Soundhouse: Espen Erilsen Trio
The Espen Eriksen Trio is one of the most popular piano trios in Europe – not at least in UK and you can catch them at Traverse Theatre on 25th February!
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The Events
When Claire, a priest and choir leader, survives a mass shooting in her church, she embarks on a desperate search for answers that will ultimately bring her face to face with the attacker.
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A Play, A Pie and A Pint
A popular feature of the Traverse programme, A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór returns this Spring!
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Class Act Edinburgh Showcase 2026
The Traverse is delighted to be presenting the Class Act Edinburgh Showcase 2026 on 4th & 5th March!
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Soundhouse: Martin Taylor
Multi-award-winning guitarist Martin Taylor is recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Don't miss him at the Traverse Theatre on 9th March!
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A Grain of Sand
A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza.
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Saint Joan
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.
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Hannah James & Toby Kuhn
If you’re looking for warmth, honesty and musical excellence, look no further than this evening with Hannah James & Toby Kuhn at the Traverse Theatre!
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Kendal Mountain Tour 2026
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of adventure as the Kendal Mountain Tour 2026 comes to the Traverse Theatre on Tuesday 24th March!
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PASS: Roll With it
Roll With It is a new coming of age comedy exploring friendship, identity, found family, and most importantly, dragon-slaying.
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PASS: Cyrana
A bold reimagining of a classic tale, Cyrana tells of the fight to be heard — and the courage to stand tall when the world tries to silence you.
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The Light House
Tender, funny and defiantly hopeful, The Light House is a real-life love story about holding on to each other, even in the darkest times. It’s a love letter to life.
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Game of Crones
Funny, feral, and gloriously unapologetic, Game of Crones is a riotous celebration of women in their prime - warriors who will not go gentle into bingo night.
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The Horsenecks
The two multi-instrumentalists bring together their backgrounds in Old Time, early Bluegrass, Gospel and Country music to deliver a sound that is both timeless and fiercely alive.
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What I’m Here For
What I’m Here For is a fast-moving fusion of new European writing and visual imagination, which explores the tragi-comic collateral of hospitals and human choices.
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Holly Clarke
Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. Catch her at the Traverse Theatre on Sunday 19th April!
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Jack Docherty in The Chief - No Apologies
Jack Docherty, BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad, The Chief, and Absolutely, comes to the Traverse Theatre after packed-out Fringe runs in 2024 & 2025!
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Sylvain Cossette Quintet – Second Cycle
Experience an unforgettable evening of jazz with the Sylvain Cossette Quintet, a Canadian ensemble that blends elegance, creativity, and pure energy.
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Shotgunned
Equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking, Matt Anderson's Shotgunned is a relatable and intimate piece of theatre about how the people we lose can shape who we become.
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Leila Navabi: Relay
Relay is a bold, joyful punk-musical one-person show about making a queer family on your own terms, written and performed by award-nominated comedian, writer and composer Leila Navabi.
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Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-in
Played out to a live 80's soundtrack, this is the true story of the gallus Greenock girls who fought a battle against injustice that thrust them onto the world stage.
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All Theatres listings in Edinburgh
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Kings Theatre Edinburgh
The King's Theatre is a treasured piece of Edinburgh history and a bustling home to popular stage entertainment, staging quality touring drama, kids' shows and Scotland's No.1 panto!
READ MORE
Just the Tonic Comedy Club
Boasting the finest names on the circuit, a top-notch night of comedy is always guaranteed.
READ MORE
The Pleasance Edinburgh
Pleasance Edinburgh opened as part of the 1985 Festival Fringe with two theatres facing onto a deserted courtyard-come-car-park at an unfashionable eastern...
READ MORE
Innerleithen Memorial Hall
Pictuesque hall set in its own gardens with a rear balcony and excellent facilities for concerts, shows, dances, weddings, sales, meetings etc.
READ MORE
The Queens Hall Edinburgh
The Queen's Hall is a 900-capacity music venue, situated on Clerk Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally built in 1823 as Hope Park Chapel.
READ MORE
Penicuik Town Hall
Performance & event venue in Penicuik.
READ MORE
Reconnect Howden Park
West Lothian's most exciting venue for arts, music, theatre, comedy, dance, exhibitions, classes and food.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Situated at the heart of Scotland's elegant and historic capital city, the EICC is one of the world's outstanding venues for conferences, conventions and exhibitions.
READ MORE
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a seasonal programme of live storytelling and theatre, music, workshops and festivals.
READ MORE
Assembly Roxy
Assembly Roxy is the year round home of Assembly Festival and Assembly Theatre, situated in the heart of the Old Town in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Assembly Rooms
The Assembly Rooms are one of Edinburgh City Centre's largest and most impressive multi-purpose unique event spaces, perfect for any occasion from conferences, dinners and performances to exhibitions!
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