HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN

The Edinburgh Playhouse and Waverley Care are pleased to announce a new collaboration, HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN, an arts initiative to share stories of those living with HIV.

Article Source: Edinburgh Playhouse
Last Updated: 6 October 2025 15:00

Part of the charitable mission of Waverley Care is to reduce the stigma and raise awareness around HIV. This project, which will be delivered by Edinburgh Playhouse Creative Learning has received £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to help achieve this aim and best serve these communities.

HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN will be a creative writing intensive of weekly workshops led by a dedicated creative writing associate artist for a diverse group of 30 participants aged 18 years and older who are living with HIV. With accessibility and inclusion in mind, this programme will be free for those selected and will culminate in a showcase on the Playhouse stage of their collectively created script.

Our partnership will focus on how people living with HIV can “live well”, and to tell these stories as a celebration of life. No one should face isolation, and the main purpose of this project is to empower those living with HIV to live full and healthy lives.

Christopher Ward, National Operations Manager of Waverley Care, shares,

“Waverley Care is thrilled to partner with Edinburgh Playhouse Creative Learning to launch HIV ALOUD: RAISE THE CURTAIN – a programme of weekly creative writing workshops led by an associate artist. The project will culminate in a script performed by professional actors on the Playhouse main stage.

The Edinburgh Playhouse sits at the top of Leith Walk, in Edinburgh’s ‘pink triangle’, a historic centre of LGBTQI+ life in Scotland’s capital. While the city still carries the unspoken trauma of the AIDS epidemic, HIV ALOUD is for anyone whose life is affected by HIV today. With the venue’s Creative Learning team rooted in the local community and its deep understanding of the area’s history, the Playhouse is the ideal home for the project.

This pioneering initiative will empower people living with HIV to creatively express themselves, challenge stigma, raise awareness, and celebrate what it means to live well with HIV today.”

As part of the educational initiative, all Edinburgh Playhouse staff will undertake HIV awareness training including a short history of HIV in Edinburgh. Gordon Millar, Theatre Director of the Edinburgh Playhouse, comments,

“We are thrilled to work in partnership with Waverley Care to deliver this life-affirming creative work. This investment into our community wouldn’t have been possible without the support of The National Lottery Community Fund, and so we thank them for funding the amplification of truly vital stories to be told from those living with HIV today. We are proud to have worked with Waverley Care in our venue as a Playhouse Charity Partner collecting bucket donations within the theatre and this is another opportunity, and a special one at that, to give back to our community in collaboration with this impactful organisation.”

We are currently seeking to commission a creative writer who is living with or has lived experience of HIV to work alongside Edinburgh Playhouse and Waverley Care to deliver this project. This artist will have experience working in community settings and will work in collaboration with the partnership to consult participants about the best way to serve their needs and to ensure their authentic stories are heard. The application for this contract role can be found here.

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

Latest Edinburgh News

Capital Theatres aims to share festive magic and wonder with a line up for everyone

Capital Theatres celebrates the festive season with entertainment for all ages, including enchanting magical family shows, world-class dance and a specially crafted Christmas Care Home Tour.

Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK

Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper

Edinburgh brewery presents ultimate Christmas tipple for craft beer lovers

Christmas has come early for Scotland's beer fans following the release of a limited-edition craft ale from a leading Edinburgh microbrewery.

Meet Festive Film Favourites at Fort Kinnaird in December

Christmas is already in full swing at Fort Kinnaird, and the festivities are set to get even more magical as a line-up of much-loved characters visit the centre for the first time this December.

Edinburgh bar to raise Cash For Kids after Christmas nutcracker theft

Copper Blossom on George Street Edinburgh has launched a new festive cocktail in aid of a children’s charity following the theft of its eight-foot Christmas nutcracker statue.

Embrace the spirit of Christmas on International Volunteer Day

Christmas is a time for giving, and what better opportunity to discover new ways to give back to your community than on Friday 5th December, International Volunteer Day.

WIN! An Edinburgh Christmas Experience for 4

Heard the news? OMNi is inviting everyone to get into the festive spirit with an exclusive Christmas Prize Draw.

Dynamic Earth calls for support as Big Give Match Funding opens

Dynamic Earth has launched its 2025 Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign to boost STEM access for young people.

Ring in Hogmanay with darts, dancing, and bottomless pizza

If your New Year's resolution is to have more fun, start early at Flight Club!

Aldi colleague awarded medal from the King after fundraising efforts

An Aldi colleague based in Bathgate has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of her incredible fundraising efforts, helping to raise almost £50,000 for local charities.

Fort Kinnaird joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas

New research has revealed one in two people (56 per cent) living in Edinburgh have experienced feelings of loneliness at Christmas.

Celebrate South Asian cinema this December with a selection of releases at Vue

There’s plenty for fans of South Asian cinema to enjoy at Vue this December, with a number of titles heading to the big screen.

Santas little helpers, assemble

Santa Paws, in partnership with Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, is calling out for the city’s dogs to take part in an attempt to break the world record for the most dogs in Christmas jumpers.

The Entertainer opens brand new store in Edinburgh

Britain’s toy shop, The Entertainer, has officially opened a brand-new store at The Gyle Shopping Centre.

Brighten up the nights with the magical Winter Windows

Winter Windows are back at Edinburgh’s Christmas! An arts competition for Edinburgh schoolchildren of all ages, it is an annual showcase of their creativity and skills.

Edinburgh residents encouraged to nominate a charity to receive a festive financial boost

Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards is giving away £120,000 as part of its annual 12 Days of Giving Christmas campaign and nominations are now open.

Volunteer Centre East Lothian reopens just in time for the season of goodwill

The team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) have thrown open their doors after an extensive renovation and are welcoming back local residents, volunteers and community groups.

Newtongrange Primary School pupils reap the benefits of outdoor learning with a newly extended playground

Pupils at a Midlothian school have given their resounding approval to their newly extended playground, which includes access to green space and trim trail equipment.

Fort Kinnaird crowns winner of competition to design labels for homegrown honey

Nine-year-old Elodie from Niddrie Mill Primary School has been named the winner of a recent competition launched by Fort Kinnaird to design a label for the honey produced by its resident beehives.

Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.

Edinburghs Hogmanay reveals International Partnership & Artist Exchange Programme with Basque Country

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay today reveals the full line-up for its much-loved First Footin’ programme on New Year’s Day, with a landmark international collaboration led by Valtos topping the bill.

The Main Course: Serving Up a Slice of Italy in the Heart of Gullane this Christmas

Planning a Christmas lunch with colleagues, a family gathering or a relaxed night out with friends? The Main Course offers comfort, warmth and a menu that brings people back year after year.

Hamish Hawk commission comes to life with Edinburgh International Book Festival first ever record release

Edinburgh International Book Festival today announces that Life in a Scotch Sitting-room, Vol. 0, a limited-edition LP by Scottish indie songwriter Hamish Hawk, will be released on 5th December.

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh unveils New Years Eve event and festive offering

This festive season, SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh is elevating its celebrations with two unforgettable experiences that perfectly capture the spirit of the season.

Vault City launches festive, Quaffable Treats, beer box inspired by Christmas chocolate tins

An Edinburgh brewery has created the 'perfect gift' for beer lovers this Christmas, inspired by the chocolates people hunt for first in the tin.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers headline free weekend of celebrations with Christmas ceilidh and market

The Ross Bandstand sparked festivities on Sunday with its opening Light Night Concert, and now has a jam-packed Scottish weekend in store of free events in honour of St Andrew's Day.

Somewhere by Nico Launches Festive Cocktail Experience

This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!

Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year

Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.

Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.