CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Traverse Theatre announces Summer 2020 Season

Traverse Theatre turns up the heat to present the Scottish return of the firecracker smash-hit Hot Brown Honey!

Traverse Theatre announces Summer 2020 Season

Article Source: Traverse Theatre
Last Updated: 5 March 2020 14:00

TRAVERSE THEATRE TURNS UP THE HEAT TO PRESENT THE SCOTTISH RETURN OF THE FIRECRACKER SMASH-HIT HOT BROWN HONEY

• Quiet Riot and Traverse Theatre Company present the only Scottish dates on the Hot Brown Honey 2020 tour

• Summer 2020 also includes six world premieres and three Scottish premieres

• £1 Tickets available on every performance of every production, for those receiving low income benefits or under the age of 25

• Tickets on sale now

Hot Brown Honey and Traverse Theatre Company

A fierce and exciting feature of our Summer 2020 season is the smash-hit Hot Brown Honey (3-6 Jun), presented by Quiet Riot and Traverse Theatre Company, returning to the capital for the first time since sell-outs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016, 2017 and 2018. This exclusive five performance run (four nights, plus matinee) will mark the only Scottish dates on its 2020 tour. Turning up the heat with their firecracker of a show, this posse of phenomenal women smash stereotypes as they celebrate our similarities and differences in an explosion of colour, culture and controversy. Set in a dazzling beehive and with striking lighting, music and costumes, it spins tradition on its head, going above and beyond to challenge boundaries and embrace resilience, taking in dance, poetry, comedy, circus, striptease, and song as it goes.

Do you fancy fighting the power and becoming part of the hive? Keep an eye on our website for how to get involved in a buzzworthy new project.

Elsewhere in the season, Traverse Theatre Company present the world premiere of Donny’s Brain (14 Apr-2 May), by acclaimed Scottish playwright Rona Munro (Iron, The Last Witch, The James Plays). A bittersweet tale about forgetting love and losing yourself, it delves deep into the convoluted and eternal mysteries of the human brain, following Donny and Emma’s painfully funny and emotional journey of recovery and rediscovery after Donny loses his last three years of memories, throwing into question all they thought they knew about love and loss. Directed by award-winning director Caitlin Skinner (Hope and Joy, Woke).

The ever-popular A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór (presented by Traverse Theatre) continues with Rose (14-18 Apr) by Lorna Martin; The Storm (21-25 Apr) by Owen Whitelaw; Exquisite Corpse (28 Apr-2 May) by Conor O’Loughlin – which was presented script-in-hand at the Traverse’s inaugural First Stages Festival of new talent in November 2019; Mary and Ada Set the World to Rights (5-9 May) by Jane Livingstone; The Silver Superheroes (11-16 May) by Morna Young; and Milkshake (18-23 May) by Rob Drummond. Ticket price includes a pie and a drink.

And if fresh new writing talent is your thing (which it really should be), join us for a night celebrating just that at the Traverse Young Writers’ Scratch Night (16 May). Each writer will have a short slot to try out an idea, developed over ten weeks with the support of playwrights James Ley, Isobel McArthur, Frances Poet, Hannah Lavery and Douglas Maxwell, and presented script-in-hand by professional actors and directors.

Following the launch of our new ticketing initiative last season, we are thrilled that £1 Tickets will be available across every performance of every production in our Summer 2020 season, available to those receiving low income benefits – including Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Carer’s Allowance – and those under the age of 25.

Further summer productions

May

We kick off the season with a comedic offering courtesy of Andrew Roach Ltd and Ingenious Fools, who present a one-night-only showing of award-winning comedian Juliette Burton’s Defined (7 May), in which – following a time of huge change – she looks at how we label and define ourselves and our lives. Later in the month, the same company also present Richard Stott’s Right Hand Man (21 May) – a laugh-out-loud, but also heart-wrenching stand-up show examining body image, mental health and a personal take on being disabled in an image-obsessed world.

Next up, Fledgling Theatre present the Scottish premiere of Neck or Nothing (13-15 May) by Christopher Neels (who also directs) and Callum Cameron. A surrealist comedy inspired by the 1980s cult documentary Project Grizzly, it follows one man’s spiral into obsession and isolation in the pursuit of a dream to create the most important technological advancement in history – a giant suit to fight bears!

World premiering as part of the 2020 Scottish Mental Health Awareness Festival (SMHAF), the semi-autobiographical Black Year (16 May) is creator and composer Craig Peebles’ living memorial to a beloved father. A brand new Scottish musical, it explores themes of grief, anxiety and depression through song, spoken word and live score for classical ensemble, following the journey of four otherwise unconnected strangers, unified by loss, to ask: do we ever really get over grief or do we simply get on with it?

Rounding off May is The Spinners (21 & 22 May), presented by Glasgow producing duo Raw Material, returning to Scotland after a sell-out European premiere at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018. An exhilarating ride into myth and imagination from renowned Scottish director Al Seed and award-winning Australian choreographer and dancer Lina Limosani, it plunges audiences into the story of the Fates of Greek mythology.

June

Following their sell-out show last season, Tandem Writing Collective playwrights Jennifer Adam, Amy Hawes and Mhairi Quinn return to the Traverse with their new show And Then What...? (3 Jun). Building on the success of their recent short play ‘taster’ nights, they will present a mixture of new shorts alongside the first of three pieces now developed into a full length play. Performed script-in-hand by multi-talented actors and directors.

Arriving in town for its Scottish premiere, Scene Change Productions and Greenwich Theatre (in association with Norel Productions) present the bittersweet comedy One Jewish Boy (5 & 6 Jun), by Stephen Laughton – a tender two-hander telling the story of Jesse, who has never been able to shake off the vicious attack that brought Alexandra into his life. The love they share is real, pure and absolute, but what happens when you factor in politics and rising prejudices?

Another Scottish premiere, Fifth Word and Nottingham Playhouse present James Fritz’s LAVA (10-12 Jun) – a funny, tender, necessary story about human connection in the face of the inexplicable; in this case a young man rendered mute after unthinkable disaster. Recently announced casting includes Kacey Ainsworth (of Eastenders fame), Dan Parr, Fred Fergus and Safiyya Ingar.

Returning Traverse favourites Strange Town present a world premiere double bill over two nights – Beneath the Surface and Caravan Crush (12 &13 Jun). The former, written by James Beagon, is about five friends looking to alleviate summer holiday boredom by exploring a nearby cave, but now something is following them... The latter, by Catherine Exposito, is a dark comedy about growing up with a criminal record, as four youngsters – in the twilight between childhood and adulthood – roam free in a Scottish caravan park. Both writers are alumni of the Traverse Young Writers scheme, and we are delighted to welcome them back to present these productions.

July

Offering up a pick’n’mix of five new short plays from a variety of playwrights, In Motion Theatre present Write Lines (2 July) – a selection of plays inspired by a newspaper or media headline – the culmination of workshop development with playwright and producer, Lisa Nicoll.

Rounding off the season as a whole is the world premiere of Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble’s Once You See The Smoke (10 & 11 Jul), a new touring production taking on the greatest challenge of our time – climate change – and how young people can, and are, fighting back, for their future and yours.

Plus, returning for 2020 is a special extended Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (20-31 May), showcasing some of the world’s best theatre and dance for young audiences and offering children a theatrical experience like no other (full programme revealed on 24 Mar). While Soundhouse has exciting news – the Traverse will now be the official nightly hub for its Edinburgh Tradfest 2020 (2-11 May), before returning to the usual Soundhouse calendar of acclaimed weekly gigs in the Traverse Bar Café (various dates, 18 May-15 Jun).

Tickets on sale now: 0131 228 1404 and online at www.traverse.co.uk
More information on £1 Tickets.


Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
MNB
Open Pass Scotland

Latest Edinburgh News

GreenFox Energy powers up Party at the Palace with first solar festival stage in Scotland

GreenFox Energy powers up Party at the Palace with first solar festival stage in Scotland

Party at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.

READ MORE
Gilded Balloon announce a star studded line up for special 40th anniversary shows

Gilded Balloon announce a star studded line up for special 40th anniversary shows

Gilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Festival Footprint

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Festival Footprint

Ahead of its programme launch on 2 July, EIFF venues will include Filmhouse, Cameo Cinema, Vue Omni and a new pop-up screen at National Galleries Scotland: National.

READ MORE
New dining chapter begins at Edinburgh restaurant inspired by famous author

New dining chapter begins at Edinburgh restaurant inspired by famous author

One of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has started a new dining chapter at its famous Castle Street venue.

READ MORE
Garner Hotels Debuts in Scotland with the Opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh in Haymarket

Garner Hotels Debuts in Scotland with the Opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh in Haymarket

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announces the opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh - Haymarket, a 195-room flagship hotel bringing a fresh energy to the city’s West End.

READ MORE
Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Pupils from local Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird’s thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun.

READ MORE
Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Edinburgh started to unwrap its annual Christmas present, with the announcement of this year’s festive celebration dates and a first hint of what to expect this year.

READ MORE
Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS Hospital with Live Performance

Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS Hospital with Live Performance

Edinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed alongside guitarist Plínio Fernandes as part of a series of NHS Festival Sessions.

READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
How funkiest charity shop in Edinburgh is helping homeless

How funkiest charity shop in Edinburgh is helping homeless

The Bothy Boutique in central Edinburgh is the retail arm of The Breakfast Bothy, a small grassroots charity supporting people in the community who are experiencing homelessness.

READ MORE
Five star campsite near Edinburgh named best in Scotland

Five star campsite near Edinburgh named best in Scotland

Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site at Musselburgh was named Camping Site of the Year in the 2025 Scottish Hospitality Awards.

READ MORE
Fringe Happening at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Fringe Happening at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

With the Fringe Festival right on the doorstep, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is once again hosting a fantastic array of shows and activities!

READ MORE
Newtongrange Primary School ends academic year on a high with prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award

Newtongrange Primary School ends academic year on a high with prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award

Pupils at Newtongrange Primary School have even more reason to celebrate the end of a successful academic year, having just been awarded the UNICEF UK Gold Award.

READ MORE
First Look inside newly refurbished Filmhouse cinema

First Look inside newly refurbished Filmhouse cinema

Edinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse has today revealed images of its new screens and spaces ahead of its public reopening tomorrow Friday 27 June.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
Widest ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings in 50 years to be staged in Edinburgh

Widest ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings in 50 years to be staged in Edinburgh

Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Titian will be among 45 Italian Renaissance drawings going on display in Scotland for the first time this October.

READ MORE
Inspiring climate action through the Edinburgh Climate Festival

Inspiring climate action through the Edinburgh Climate Festival

Edinburgh Climate Festival returns on 28th June. A free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities.

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
Pret gets ready for Pride with free glow up and goodies

Pret gets ready for Pride with free glow up and goodies

This weekend, in celebration of Edinburgh Pride, Pret A Manger is turning up the sparkle with an in-shop glow-up station!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Fist Look: Inside new Cafe Calton which offers stunning Panoramic views of Edinburgh

Fist Look: Inside new Cafe Calton which offers stunning Panoramic views of Edinburgh

Cafe Calton, located at the top of Calton Hill and offering panoramic views of Edinburgh, has opened in Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Casting announced for the new production of Miss Saigon at Edinburgh Playhouse

Casting announced for the new production of Miss Saigon at Edinburgh Playhouse

Michael Harrison, in association with Cameron Mackintosh, is delighted to announce the full casting for a major UK and Ireland tour of MISS SAIGON, including a run at Edinburgh Playhouse.

READ MORE
Scottish Legend Dougie MacLean to Lead Opening Weekend Big Singalong at the Edinburgh International Festival

Scottish Legend Dougie MacLean to Lead Opening Weekend Big Singalong at the Edinburgh International Festival

A lineup of world-class musicians at the forefront of their fields are today added to the Edinburgh International Festival programme.

READ MORE
East Lothian community revives woodland ecosystem with help from Loganair GreenSkies fund

East Lothian community revives woodland ecosystem with help from Loganair GreenSkies fund

A community-owned woodland in East Lothian is undergoing a remarkable transformation thanks to a grassroots replanting project supported by Loganair’s GreenSkies Community Fund.

READ MORE
Duck & Waffle Edinburgh Celebrates Pride Week in Support of LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Duck & Waffle Edinburgh Celebrates Pride Week in Support of LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Duck & Waffle Edinburgh is proud to announce its vibrant celebration of Edinburgh Pride, honouring the city's LGBTQIA+ community.

READ MORE
Free Surf Lessons for Kids at Lost Shore Surf Resort this July

Free Surf Lessons for Kids at Lost Shore Surf Resort this July

Lost Shore Surf Resort, Scotland’s most exciting new holiday destination, is making waves for families this summer - with free surf lessons and sessions for kids throughout July.

READ MORE
EIFF to present World Premiere of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab Short Films

EIFF to present World Premiere of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab Short Films

Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced that the six short films created as part of the inaugural NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres this year.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
Link
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
MNB
Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
Link
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Grand Cafe Ceilidh
Come along for our Ceilidh Night at The Grand Cafe every Saturday from 10pm until late throughout the summer!
Kids Brunch Klub
Join us at Brewhemia on Sundays in August as we transform into the Kids Brunch Klub playground – a magical club where kids (and their grown-ups) dive into new adventures!
Monday Makes
This summer, join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse every Monday in the Great Gallery to make your very own trinket box to take home.
Kids Go FREE at Hopetoun House this Summer!
BIG NEWS! This July and August, children aged 15 and under can explore Hopetoun House and Grounds absolutely FREE with a paying adult.
Peruvian Cooking with Mercedes
Join Mercedes for a culinary journey through Peru as she teaches you how to make a traditional lamb stew and a delicious sweet tamale dessert on Saturday 16th August!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall