Three performing arts organisations launch unique opportunity to support Scottish theatre sector
Capital Theatres, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Eden Court Highlands have launched a unique opportunity to support Scottish theatremakers and create accessible new work for young audiences.
Article Source: Capital Theatres
Last Updated: 9 April 2025 15:12
Three of Scotland’s largest performing arts organisations – Capital Theatres, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Eden Court Highlands – have today launched a unique opportunity to support Scottish theatremakers and create accessible new work for young audiences. The multi-year Wee Ones Winter Commissions project will produce three small-scale festive productions to be performed across the country throughout the next three years.
This creative call-out is seeking festive-themed productions for children under seven, families and school groups. Each production will be developed with access as a core consideration, creating specially tailored experiences for children with additional support needs.
The chosen productions will open in December 2025 and be restaged in 2026 and 2027, giving each show a run at all three venues across three years: The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, The Studio in Edinburgh and Eden Court in Inverness.
This exciting collaboration plays a vital role in nurturing Scottish artistic talent by offering producers and writers all the support, resources and budget required to put on a show. This includes production and running costs, funding to remount the show in subsequent years, technical and front-of-house support and a full marketing campaign.
The Wee Ones Winter Commissions builds on the success of the Early Years Festive Commissions in 2021. Featured were Barrowland Ballet’s The Gift, which won the 2023 CATS Award for Best Production for Children and Families; Unicorn Christmas Party written and performed by Sarah Rose Graber and Ruxy Cantir and nominated for Best Production for Children and Young People in the 2024 CATS Awards; and The Enormous Christmas Turnip by Ivor MacAskill and Rosana Cade. In 2022, Barrowland Ballet and Capital Theatres co-produced The Unexpected Gift, a highly interactive and inclusive dance theatre show created for children with complex needs, inspired by The Gift.
Scottish theatremakers are invited to submit an expression of interest by 5 May outlining their artistic idea, details about the team involved and ways in which the production will be suitable for all children, including those with additional support needs. The commissioning team will select a shortlist of projects by 15 May. Applicants will then be asked to submit further details about their production, with a £250 contribution offered towards the time spent developing the proposal. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to discuss their proposals in a Zoom interview on 29 May and the selected projects will be announced in early June.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres said:
“We are so thrilled to continue our journey of commissioning fantastic new work for our young audiences and their adults with the Wee Ones Winter Commissions. With such a great canon of award-winning work resulting from the first round, we were delighted to witness the impact and sheer joy the four shows brought to all three theatres across Scotland. Collaborating with our friends at Eden Court and Aberdeen Performing Arts has been a real pleasure and this innovative model sits at the heart of our vision to support and develop the Scottish theatre sector. We are so looking forward to sharing some more extraordinary new festive productions with our audiences this festive period.”
Sharon Burgess, Chief Executive at Aberdeen Performing Arts said:
“Aberdeen Performing Arts is thrilled to be continuing our commissioning partnership with Capital Theatres and Eden Court after our hugely successful collaboration in 2021 which resulted in three fantastic new productions for young audiences. These shows have since been seen by thousands of audience members across Scotland and received much love and acclaim. We look forward to receiving the proposals for the three-year commissions and continuing our track record of adding a little bit more sparkle to our young audience’s festive celebrations.”
Rebecca Holt, Chief Executive at Eden Court said:
“Eden Court are delighted that we are able to continue building on the success of our collaboration with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres to bring three new pieces of performance to life for family audiences over the next three years. We were so impressed with the quality, diversity and audience impact of our previous collaborations that we can’t wait to see what the next three years will bring.”
The Wee Ones Winter Commissions project is supported by funding from Creative Scotland.
For further information or to apply for the Wee Ones Winter Commissions, visit:
Wee Ones Winter Commission - Call Out
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
World Surf League Big Wave Pros Make a Splash at Lost Shore Surf Resort
Scottish surfing prodigy Ben Larg and elite big wave surfer Andrew Cotton recently demonstrated their skills at Lost Shore Surf Resort.
READ MORE
Leftfield reopens with new look and menu
Leftfield - the Bruntsfield neighbourhood restaurant by restaurateur Rachel Chisholm and chef Phil White - has reopened its doors following a short period of refurbishment.
READ MORE
Cafe Calton to Open This June on Iconic Calton Hill
This June, Edinburgh will welcome Cafe Calton, a vibrant new day-to-evening venue perched atop the city’s iconic Calton Hill.
READ MORE
Heading Down Under: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo announces Australia and New Zealand Tours
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced they will be touring the Show The Heroes Who Made Us in Australia and New Zealand in 2026.
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh launches today
Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh, The List’s new publication featuring a treasure trove of dining recommendations, launched today, and is available for free from all good stockists across the capital city.
READ MORE
Legally Blonde The Musical comes to Edinburgh Playhouse
The Edinburgh Playhouse along with producers ROYO and Curve are delighted to announce a brand-new production of the West End and Broadway smash-hit musical comedy Legally Blonde The Musical.
READ MORE
New pub and restaurant to be the Darling of Edinburgh neighbourhood
The Edinburgh neighbourhood of Stockbridge is set to welcome a bustling new pub and restaurant to Hamilton Place at the end of May.
READ MORE
Free outdoor cinema returns to Edinburgh this June with blockbuster weekend
Edinburgh’s much-loved free outdoor movie weekend, Square Cinema, returns this June, bringing three days of big-screen entertainment to the heart of the city.
READ MORE
Mindroom launches Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion
Mindroom will launch ‘Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion’ with a free-to-attend online event on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 to 11.30am.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood Makes Waves with Art and first floating Sound Therapy in Scotland
The Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood is making waves with the launch of two fresh experiences, inviting guests and locals to enjoy a world of creativity, culture, and wellbeing.
READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK
IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MORE
Edinburgh and the Lothians Best takes home Prestigious Prizes at the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards
Top butchers and bakeries in Edinburgh and the Lothians’ have claimed a variety of much sought-after prizes at the prestigious 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces industry partnership with UNIFIED
Edinburgh International Film Festival and newly formed production outfit UNIFIED have today announced they are partnering on a special strand of events as part of the industry programme.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
Guide Dogs go for a walk on the wild side at Edinburgh Zoo
Two puppies in training to become guide dogs enjoyed a visit to Edinburgh Zoo as part of a new collaboration between Guide Dogs and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival Celebrates Record Breaking Youth Participation with 25 Years of Art of Listening Workshops
This year the Edinburgh International Festival’s flagship workshop Art of Listening celebrates 25 years of bringing live classical music to schoolchildren across Edinburgh.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
Rooftop vibes return to Edinburgh city centre
Skyline Sips, Edinburgh’s most exciting rooftop venue, is back for its third year at Level 5, St James Quarter.
READ MORE
A Landmark Year for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gives audiences an exclusive look behind the drawbridge of its landmark 75th Anniversary Show, The Heroes Who Made Us.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
May and June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Music to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in May and June!
READ MORE
Here & Now showcase returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Here & Now returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ith a brilliant programme of the best dance, installation, integrated performance, movement and theatre being created in England right now.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 to open with acclaimed SORRY, BABY by Eva Victor
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced Eva Victor’s acclaimed comedy-drama SORRY, BABY will open the Festival in August.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cold Town House in Edinburgh partners with Aperol to transform iconic rooftop bar
Cold Town House in the Grassmarket has teamed up with Italy’s iconic orange bittersweet aperitif, Aperol, to add some spritz to its city centre location from May until September.
READ MORE
Major new displays at National Galleries Scotland: Modern One this summer
Discover some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this Summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh from 12 July 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links