Tag: Strange Town

Theatre tackling knife crime returns to Edinburgh schools as Strange Town joins Knife Angel project

“Pupils voluntarily handed weapons in” – Council funds performances for local high schools

Leith-based charity Strange Town is taking its powerful knife-crime play BALISONG back into Edinburgh schools this autumn, as part of the Knife Angel project, with performances planned for pupils across 13 high schools.

The production, written by award-winning Scottish playwright Jennifer Adam and directed by Strange Town Artistic Director Steve Small, explores the consequences of carrying a knife through the story of a 15-year-old boy who brings a butterfly knife home after a school trip.

The tour comes at a time of growing concern about knife crime and youth violence in Edinburgh. Police Scotland figures show that crimes committed in a public place involving a knife rose by 29% between 2022/23 and 2024/25, from 178 offences to 250. 

Strange Town has seen first-hand the impact theatre can have in opening up difficult conversations with young people. When BALISONG previously toured schools, pupils voluntarily handed in weapons after seeing the production.

The play was originally commissioned by No Knives Better Lives and, between 2017 and 2019, toured schools in every local authority in Scotland. It has since been brought back to Edinburgh as part of Strange Town’s wider programme of high-quality theatre for young audiences.

The charity’s Touring Company has now delivered 62 free performances to more than 7,000 pupils across 25 Edinburgh schools, tackling issues including knife crime, consent, online bullying and climate anxiety.

Each performance is followed by teacher-led discussion, giving pupils the opportunity to reflect and talk openly about the issues raised.

Steve Small, Artistic Director and Joint Executive Director of Strange Town, said: “We know BALISONG works because we have seen what happens when young people encounter it. On our previous tour, pupils voluntarily handed in weapons. Teachers told us that the play opened up conversations they simply could not have started in the same way themselves.

“That is why we are so pleased to be taking BALISONG back into Edinburgh schools as part of the Knife Angel project. Theatre doesn’t lecture young people or tell them what to think. It allows them to see themselves, their friends and the consequences of choices in a different way, and then gives them the space to talk.

“We will be working with 13 high schools during this tour. At a time when concerns about knife crime and youth violence are so high, it is vital that we give young people opportunities to have these conversations before a crisis happens.

“We are incredibly grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council for supporting this project and helping us bring this work to young people. We also want people to understand that organisations like Strange Town cannot deliver this work without ongoing support.

“If you believe young people deserve access to ambitious, high-quality theatre that can genuinely make a difference, please come and see BALISONG at the Traverse and consider supporting the future of Strange Town.”

That impact has also been recognised by teachers working directly with pupils. Head of Drama at Drummond Community High School said: “As a drama teacher, I see firsthand the transformative power of live professional theatre in shaping young minds.

“It allows for meaningful discussion and reflection on themes that are current to the society they live in.”

Martin Hutchison – The City of Edinburgh Council said: “Tackling knife crime and youth violence requires a partnership approach, with prevention and early intervention at its heart. We are pleased to support the return of BALISONG to Edinburgh schools as part of the wider Knife Angel project.

“Creative approaches can provide young people with a safe and engaging way to explore difficult issues, challenge perceptions and have conversations that might otherwise be difficult to start.

“Reaching pupils across 13 high schools gives this project an important opportunity to engage young people directly and encourage positive choices.

“We are grateful to Strange Town for the important work they continue to do with young people across Edinburgh and look forward to seeing the impact of this project.”

The Edinburgh tour forms part of the wider Knife Angel project, which aims to bring communities together to raise awareness of the devastating impact of knife crime and encourage prevention and positive action.

Strange Town believes that high-quality theatre has a unique role to play in this work. By putting young people at the centre of a compelling story, BALISONG creates space for empathy, debate and reflection rather than simply presenting statistics or warnings.

The charity is also inviting members of the public to support the project by attending a special performance of BALISONG at the Traverse Theatre at 7pm on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September.

Tickets for the Traverse performance are available here: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/balisong 

The public can also help Strange Town continue its work with young people by making a donation to support future productions, school tours and accessible creative opportunities.

To support Strange Town: https://strangetown.org.uk 

Strange Town is a Leith-based charity that has spent more than 18 years creating accessible, high-quality theatre and creative opportunities for young people.

Its Touring Company works with professional emerging artists to create original productions specifically for young audiences, bringing theatre directly into schools and creating opportunities for pupils to engage with challenging issues in a safe and accessible environment.

The Balisong Theatre production is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and  Forth Ports, and is part of a wider programme of events whilst the Knife Angel Sculpture is in Edinburgh –  supported by Places for People Scotland and Police Scotland.

Strange Town: BALISONG

Strange Town Touring Company presents: BALISONG by Jennifer Adam

Touring to Edinburgh secondary schools, public performances at The Traverse Theatre, 25th & 26th Sept at 7pm

“The show deserves to be seen as many young people as possible” – Audience member reaction to HER

BALISONG is a story about Finlay Richards. A name the everyone at school knows. An average fifteen-year old boy who just wants to be seen. But you won’t see Finn. You won’t ever meet him.  

BALISONG is a play written for young adults which promotes positive and active citizenship among young people when they become aware of a pupil carrying a knife.  

Recommissioned three times, BALISONG has toured schools in every local authority in Scotland. It was nominated for the Partnership Award at the Herald Society Awards and the Collaboration Award at the Creative Edinburgh Awards in 2018.

This new production of BALISONG is part of the Knife Angel Project – raising awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and the impact of violence.

In addition to touring Edinburgh schools, BALISONG there will be two public performances on Fri 25th & Sat 26thSept at 7pm.

Listings information

Venue: The Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Theatre, EH1 2ED 

Date: Fri 25th & Sat 26th Sept 2026

Times: 7.00pm (40 mins)

Tickets Prices: £13.50 / £11.50

Ticket Link: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/balisong 
Age recommendations: 14+
FB: www.facebook.com/StrangeTown		Instagram: strangetowncohttp://www.strangetown.org.uk

Strange Town – Nominated for a 2023 CATS Award for best production for children and young people for STORM LANTERN

Out of the Blue: Youth Summer Camp

The summer holidays just got a whole lot more creative! 🎭

Drill Hall artists All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre and Strange Town are joining forces for a brand-new 5-day summer camp, and it’s going to be something special. ✨

Aerial skills, movement, storytelling, character work, theatre-making… and it all ends in a LIVE SHOW for friends and family! 🎭

🎭 Ages 12–18 | All levels welcome | No experience needed

📅 Monday 20th – Friday 24th July

⏲️ 10am – 4pm

📍The Out of the Blue Drill Hall

🎫 £200 | Subsidised places available

Give your teenager a summer they’ll never forget.

To find out more, just head over to our website.

https://outoftheblue.pulse.ly/micamjumax

Buy a Ticket. Back New Writing. Keep Arts Alive in Edinburgh

In times of crisis, access to the arts is not a luxury — it is essential. It gives young people a voice, builds resilience and offers joy and connection when the future feels uncertain. 

For over 18 years, Leith-based charity Strange Town has provided life-changing access to the arts for hundreds of young people across Edinburgh each year.

Through youth theatre groups, holiday programmes, film skills workshops, stage management experience, a Young Company and professional agency support, the organisation nurtures the next generation of Scotland’s creative talent — many of whom would not otherwise have access to these opportunities. 

Strange Town is committed to creating meaningful professional pathways for early-career artists — opportunities that are increasingly rare in today’s funding landscape. All artists and practitioners are paid fairly and supported throughout.

The charity also extends its impact beyond Edinburgh, enabling local performers to progress to stages in London’s West End and onto the small screen and major streaming platforms. 

This March, the charity shines a spotlight on its Young Company (18–25), returning to Summerhall following previous sell-out runs with a newly commissioned production: 

Aphrodite Rogue

by Eleanor McMahon

Set in a near-future Edinburgh, Aphrodite Rogue follows four flatmates navigating heartbreak, climate dread and a flat that is quite literally falling apart. When one of them begins to suspect that something — or someone — is quietly sabotaging their lives, tensions rise in this sharp, timely comedy about love, uncertainty and the importance of trying again. 

  • TechCube0, Summerhall, EH9 1PL 
  • Friday 27th & Saturday 28th March 
  • 7.30pm (1 hour) 
  • £14 / £12 
  • Open to ages 14+ 

Tickets: https://strangetown.org.uk/styc-aphrodite-rogue-by-eleanor-mcmahon/

Enjoy an original, fun Christmas show and make a difference this festive season

Strange Town’s December Shows Are On Sale!

Strange Town’s December 2025 performances are the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. With seven shows across three days — Friday 12th to Sunday 14th December — at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, there’s something for everyone. Why not book a ticket and see for yourself?

In challenging times, access to creativity, connection and the arts is a necessity, not a luxury. Leith-based charity Strange Town works to ensure no young person misses out on the chance to get creative, offering free and subsidised opportunities to those who need them most.

Recently affected by the well-publicised funding cuts from the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB), Strange Town is working hard to sustain its vital support for young people.

Local people and businesses are encouraged to get involved — by buying a ticket to the show, joining ‘15 for 15’, Strange Town’s regular giving programme, or getting in touch to discuss other ways to help.

This support is crucial in securing the future of accessible arts opportunities, ensuring young people continue to benefit from high-quality creative experiences regardless of financial circumstance. Regular contributions also provide the stability needed during these uncertain times.

This December’s shows promise festive energy, fresh stories, lots of laughter and a brilliant showcase of young talent. Audiences can enjoy something new, feel festive, and know they are supporting a good cause — all at a family-friendly price.

Thank you to everyone who has donated already this year, it is much appreciated. 

Buy tickets now at https://strangetown.org.uk/december-2025-show-now-on-sale/

For fundraising enquiries or information about 15for15, contact:

fundraiser@strangetown.org.uk

Give the gift of creativity this winter — support young people, support local talent, and support a charity that gives everyone the chance to shine.

Strange Town presents HER – a play all parents should see

Leith-based charity Strange Town returns this October with their acclaimed play ‘HER’ a bold and urgent performance about consent, gender inequality, and the pressures young people face today.

Established in 2008 by Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, Strange Town has spent 17 years creating life-changing arts experiences for young people across Edinburgh.

Long before the groundbreaking series Adolescence hit screens, Strange Town was already producing daring, original theatre in schools, giving pupils their first-ever experience of live performance while opening conversations about difficult topics such as knife crime, mental health, and social pressures.

HER, written by Jennifer Adam and directed by Steve Small, follows HIM and HER, childhood friends who have grown apart by the age of 17.

Loosely reconnecting at high school, they confront the challenges of teenage life, gender inequality, and the truth about consent. Through bold, honest storytelling, the play asks: how can you be the change you want to see in the world when it feels like the world is working against you?

‘This is such an important play — all parents, grandparents, and really anyone who wants to understand the challenges young people face today needs to see it, urgently. Our young people are navigating a world that many older people are completely unaware of and unprepared for.

‘Watching this performance helped me start conversations at home that I wouldn’t have known how to begin, and I am incredibly grateful for that.” — Audience Member

Open to audiences aged 14+, HER runs for two nights: Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October at 7pm at the Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED

Times: 7pm (approx. 50 minutes)

Tickets: £15/£12/£10 https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/her-autumn-25

Strange Town has been hit by the well publicised funding cuts imposed by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), leaving the future of its Touring Company — which brings bold, original theatre into schools across the city — under threat.

The charity depends on fundraising to sustain accessible arts opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out.

Local people and businesses who want to help protect this vital work are encouraged to donate online or get in touch to explore other ways of support.   

https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/.

Strange Town presents ‘The Dark Up Close’

Established in 2008, Leith-based charity Strange Town was set up to ensure that everyone, no matter their experience or their background, gets the opportunity to access life-changing activities in the arts.  

Founded by local Directors Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, the organisation has expanded across the last 15 years and now reaches 2,000 local young people every year through youth theatre classes, holiday programmes, a touring company and agency support for young actors helping to develop the careers of some of Scotland’s best-known local talent including Tallulah Greive and Lewis Gribben.

Across all the charity’s activities, Strange Town creates high quality work that is daring and entertaining, tackling subjects of importance to young people’s lives, such as consent, knife crime and climate change anxiety.

The organisation tours local schools with educational performances that spark discussion, debate and often provides local young people with their first experience of a theatrical performance.  

This week the charity’s Young Company (18-25) returns to the Scottish Storytelling Centre after their sold out shows there last year.  ‘The Dark Up Close’ by local writer Jack MacGregor has been specially commissioned for Strange Town’s Young Company.  

Open to everyone age 12+ the play will run for two nights Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March.  

‘Two teenagers digging graves, an island full of conscripts and puffins, the guns are silent on the eve of World War III.

‘These are scenes from a near future Britain, a country in crisis, with national service reinstated for all young people. The old world is dying, and the new world has been delayed indefinitely.’ 

Venue: The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR

Times: 7.30pm (1 hour)

Tickets Prices: £12 / £10

Ticket Link: https://scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:5893/

Arts activities enrich lives, but organisations such as Strange Town are seriously under-funded, and the future is uncertain. Strange Town relies on its fundraising activities to deliver fully accessible activities for local young people.  

Funders include the Backstage Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Cordis Trust, Crerar Trust and others.  

The charity also runs the 15for15 fundraising initiative where local people can donate monthly to support their life-changing work.  

More details here https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/

Strange Town marks 15th anniversary with three-night run of acclaimed show HER

Established in 2008, Leith-based charity Strange Town uses theatre and the arts as a creative catalyst to nurture talent and increase access to opportunities for all children and young people, whatever their background or experience.  

Founded by local Directors Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, together they set up Strange Town with a mission to increase access to life-enriching experiences in the arts for everyone, offering accessible activities, a range of bursaries and financial assistance for young actors who are at an early stage in their careers but often find the financial outlays prohibitive to launching their careers. 

The organisation has expanded across the last 15 years and now reaches over 2,000 local young people every year. Activities include youth theatre classes, holiday programmes, a touring company and agency support for young actors.  

The charity has helped develop the careers of some of the Capital’s best-known local talent including Tallulah Greive and Lewis Gribben.

Strange Town proudly creates work of the highest quality that is both daring and entertaining, tackling subjects of importance to young people’s lives, such as consent, climate change anxiety and knife crime, vitally involving and commissioning emerging writers.  

The charity will mark the finale of their fifteenth year with a special three-night run of their acclaimed play ‘HER’, written by award-winning playwright Jennifer Adam.  

Initially touring secondary schools across the city, HER is an important play about the damaging effects of gender inequality, the truth about consent and asks; “how can you be the change you want to see in the world when you feel like the world is fighting against you?”  

Steve Small, co-Founder of Strange Town, said: “We are so proud of the activities and support we have delivered across the last fifteen years.

“Edinburgh is well-known as an epicentre for creative talent and opportunity; we have just had one of the busiest ever Fringe festivals where our city comes alive with performance and celebration of the arts, yet for many young people living here all year round these opportunities just do not exist.  

  “Arts organisations are struggling to sustain their support.  We are seriously under-funded in this country and without programmes like ours, young people, especially those from socio-economically deprived backgrounds would be unable to benefit from the life-enriching experiences of participating in youth theatre.  

“When young people join Strange Town, they are given the opportunity to connect with others in-person, to have fun, build key life skills, grow in confidence and feel a sense of belonging.  Many would never contemplate a career in the arts without our support.  

“Our touring company productions are carefully created to engage to spark discussion and debate around difficult subject matter.  We are delighted that we’ve been given the opportunity to revive ‘HER’ this October and encourage all local people, theatre-goers and those keen to learn more about us, to come to a show and help support our work across the next 15-years.” 

Her – Fri 3 February 2022 – Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh (© photographer Andy Catlin www.andycatlin.com)

Strange Town’s Touring Company will perform ‘HER’ at the Tech Cube in Summerhall for three-nights only Tues 8th – Thurs 10th October.  

Open to everyone age 14+, ticket can be purchased on the Summerhall website.  All proceeds go towards the charity’s vital work with young people living across Edinburgh. 

Strange Town presents Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten

120 young people from Edinburgh create multi-artform production

Strange Town, one of Scotland’s leading theatre companies for young people, is delighted to announce that their large scale multi-artform project – theatre, movement, spoken word, film, sound – ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’, will culminate in a live promenade performance and video installation event at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 June.

Despite the challenges of Covid-19 restrictions throughout the five-month project, Strange Town’s most ambitious production to date has involved more than 120 of Edinburgh’s young people (aged 8 -18), with support from the company’s emerging playwrights (aged 18-25) and directors; and guided and mentored by industry professionals.

Using the stimulus, ‘Can Young People Change the World?’, ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’ has been created by, and will be performed by, members of the eight Strange Town Youth Theatre Groups from across the city.  

The members of Strange Town Youth Theatre responded to the stimulus with work addressing a range of topics including isolation, technology, identity, generational division, Black Lives Matter, climate change, ideal society/world, protest, kindness, having your voice heard and Covid-19.

In order to maximise the opportunities audiences will have to experience the live performance and video installation, the 60-minute promenade event will be presented to 20 socially distanced audience members three times a night in three separate spaces. 

The whole audience will come together to experience a live performance from just six actors before being split into two separate groups to watch film and listen to audio material. 

Additionally, a site specific eight-minute video will be projected on a wall next to the St. Andrew, Ukrainian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Pochaev, on Dalmeny Street, which will include a specially choreographed movement piece.  This will also be be a ticketed event for socially distanced audiences. 

On 26 and 27 June there will be an opportunity to pay to view a film of the live event together with a variety of additional video, audio and written material developed by the groups.

Funded by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development Programme, through the National Lottery, ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’ has been developed flexibly in response to the ever-changing situation caused by the pandemic.  

The eight groups have met for weekly online digital drama workshops and face-to-face creative sessions, where possible, to explore the question and to create, write, film and record material.  The groups have also worked together with members of the new Strange Town Young Writers Group who have both developed the work the groups have devised and written their own additional scenes.

As well as theatre, choreography and movement has played a big part in the project.  70 young people from the company got involved in a professionally choreographed movement piece, reflecting on the stimulus.  This involved Zoom rehearsals and everybody recording their final performance on their mobile phones.

Rehearsals for the live performance are now underway with a drastically reduced number of actors working to strict guidelines, while video and sound design and editing is nearing completion

The Creative Scotland funding has also enabled Strange Town to employ a full technical team and additional production staff that include film editors, projection mappers, sound designers, a choreographer and production designer.

Steve Small, co-creative director of Strange Town and producer of ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’, said: “The Gen Z project is a testament to the hard work put in by everybody involved in the company.

“Despite the challenges and difficulties of the pandemic, watching the enthusiasm, skill and pride with which the production team has undertaken this task and having seen how the young people have adapted and risen to the challenge, as well as the range and quality of the work they’ve produced, it’s impossible not to feel massively encouraged. Despite the dark days of the lockdown restrictions, we hope better days are coming. People will always find a way to be creative.  

“Thanks to the funding from Creative Scotland, Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’s mix of indoor and outdoor and digital work means that everyone will be able to enjoy it wherever they are. We hope it will create some much-needed hope and enjoyment for 2021.”

Danger of knife crime drama to tour Scottish schools

This unique theatre performance, ‘Balisong’, designed for schools by young performers, empowers young people to stand up, speak out and get help if a friend or classmate is carrying a knife. Continue reading Danger of knife crime drama to tour Scottish schools