autumn programme – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

The Traverse’s Autumn 2024 season stages home-grown and international performances exploring issues of social justice.

Traverse 1 highlights include Enough of Him by May Sumbwanyambe, To Save The Sea by Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor and The Tailor of Inverness by Matthew Zajac.

Traverse 2 highlights include The Brenda Line by Harry Mould, Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz by Nathan Queeley-Dennis and Piece of Work by James Rowland.

A Play, A Pie & A Pint returns for a six-week run under the new leadership of Brian Logan.

Music at the Traverse programme continues to grow with fourteen acts confirmed and on sale.

As we prepare to dive into the joy and excitement of TravFest24, we wanted to take some time to look ahead to our Autumn season – as there’s no slowing down for us come September! Performances tackle social issues head on, see many of our valued partners return and bring big laughs to our stages in a season packed with captivating and compelling work.

Following on from the success of a sold-out run of Maggie & Me, the National Theatre of Scotland are back in October with the revival of May Sumbwanyambe’s Enough of Him which won the 2023 CATS Award for Best New Play. This co-production with Pitlochry Festival Theatre is an incisive and emotive new play based on the true story of Joseph Knight, directed by previous Traverse Artistic Director Orla O’Loughlin.

As well as Enough of Him, we are delighted to also welcome Pitlochry Festival Theatre with The Brenda Line by Harry Mould and directed by Ben Occhipinti. Based on the lesser-known history if the Samaritans in the 70s and 80s as well as the lived experience of Harry Mould’s mother, this is a story about women, love and listening.

Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company will highlight the urgency of the climate crisis with their latest musical, To Save The Sea by Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor. Inspired by a real-life 1995 protest, the makers of Battery Park and Crocodile Rock will bring this epic adventure story to the Traverse for three nights as part of their Scottish tour.

Also returning to the Traverse Dogstar Theatre’s The Tailor of Inverness by Matthew Zajac and directed by Ben Harrison, which presents an unforgettable and moving story of displacement and survival in war-torn Europe; particularly powerful in light of the current war in Ukraine.

Having received rave reviews during its run at the Paines Plough Roundabout during the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, NathanQueeley-Dennis brings Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz directed by Dermot Daly to Traverse 2 at the start of November. Ruckus, an award winning, compelling one-woman thriller by Jenna Fincken which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, explores the suppression and destruction caused by coercive control.

The first week of November sees two distinct new productions directed by Tessa Walker. In Traverse 1, Run, Rebel is an electrifying adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s acclaimed novel for audiences of 11+ combining physical theatre, mesmerising visuals and a talented ensemble cast, setting the stage for a transformative story of revolution, empowerment and courage. In Traverse 2, Bright Places by Rae Mainwaring is a darkly funny and deeply honest autobiographical story about growing up in the shadow of chronic illness.

We are also in for a treat with a handful of one-night delights this Autumn. Star of The Office (Australia), Felicity Ward returns with her new show I’m Exhausting for her first national tour in six years. Fresh from their appearance on BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK VS The World, Choriza May hits the road with their first ever solo theatre show extravaganza; The Choriza May Show. Award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams brings his chaotic, audience-led poetry event, Search Party,a unique interactive experience where the boundary between artist and audience blurs into a dynamic act of creation.

For audiences looking for something more experimental we are pleased to be welcoming back James Rowland with his new show Piece of Work which will feature his distinct mix of storytelling, comedy and music. Arán & Imby Manchán Magan will see the performer baking sourdough bread while offering insights into the wonders of the Irish language.

Our six-week run of A Play, A Pie & A Pint will return this Autumn with six new plays taking to our stages, as part of our first season collaborating with new Artistic Director Brian Logan.

Continuing on from the success of the inaugural season of Music At The Traverse we are delighted to be presenting in excess of fourteen gigs within our upcoming Autumn season. Including crowd-pleasers Espen Eriksen Trio and RANT as well as innovative newcomers Ryan Young and Amy Hollinrake, these one-nighters are sure to bring music to our ears and warmth to our souls as the nights get colder.

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Full programme and booking: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on

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LISTINGS

THE CHORIZA MAY SHOW

Our Rita in association With Phwoar

Traverse 1: Fri 13 SeptOn sale now: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/the-choriza-may-show-autumn-24

RUCKUS

by Jenna Fincken

Metal Rabbit Productions

Traverse 2: Tue 1 – Thu 3 OctOn sale now: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/ruckus-autumn-24