- 20 years ago on 25 February, the National Theatre of Scotland staged its first production. Today, the Company launches a special project to celebrate 20 years of game-changing theatre.
- National Theatre of Scotland is issuing a nationwide call out for stories from the public, with one chosen in 2026 to be brought to theatrical life in 2027.
- Leading broadcaster and presenter Lorraine Kelly comes on board as a True Story Ambassador.
- Leading Scottish cultural figures take on roles as True Story Champions with Val McDermid, Greg McHugh, Shereen Nanjiani, Len Pennie and Irvine Welsh supporting the call-out to encourage the nation to participate.
In the Company’s 20th year and for the first time ever, Scotland’s National Theatre is inviting the public to share real-life stories that deserve to be told on Scotland’s stages; be they true stories rooted in history, place, or community, the personal and family narratives that have shaped lives, or authentic tales that resonate through humour, resilience, struggle, triumph or hope.
“Everyone’s got a story to tell. What’s yours?”
From a shortlist, one incredible story will be selected by public vote, and brought to life by a team of leading Scottish theatre artists, for public presentation in 2027.
The call out will be live until 13 May 2026 with a short list announced to the public in September 2026, with the winner announced in November 2026.
Full details on how to get involved here.
Twenty years of compelling real-life stories.
Over the last twenty years, the National Theatre of Scotland, has gained a world-wide reputation for turning compelling real life Scottish stories into unique new plays that have been shared with audiences, and earned plaudits on stages in Scotland and beyond.
The soldiers in the Black Watch regiment, deployed to Iraq, (Black Watch), the group of girls from Glasgow, who fought for their friend to be saved from deportation, (Glasgow Girls), the story of Adam who crossed borders and genders to find himself (Adam), the historical exploits of three Scottish medieval kings (The James Plays), or the story of Fred Goodwin and the rise of fall of RBS (Make it Happen); all these exceptional stories have captured the imaginations of audiences over the last 20 years.
The National Theatre of Scotland’s 20th birthday programme also includes Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit In which will bring the powerful story of the Lee Jean’s Factory workers to life in a new piece of touring gig theatre.
The Company is delighted to have the support of celebrated Scottish cultural figures to encourage the nation to participate.
Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director said :”It feels entirely fitting to mark the Company’s 20th birthday with a project that celebrates Scotland as a nation of storytellers. Real life stories have become part of the DNA of NTS; ordinary people living extraordinary lives, or indeed extraordinary events in history that have resonated across time.
“These stories and characters have captured the imaginations of artists and audiences throughout NTS’s history, and I can’t wait to listen to the great Scottish public and to find out their true stories and to then support the journey of one special story onto the stage, alongside a team of brilliant Scottish artists.”
Lorraine Kelly is joining the team as a True Story Ambassador, and she will be involved in the call out and judging process.
Lorraine is a Scottish television presenter, journalist and Sunday Times bestselling author, best known for her ITV show Lorraine. In 2024, she was awarded a BAFTA for her outstanding contribution to the television industry, marking four-decades of service to broadcasting. She has also been awarded an OBE and a CBE.
She has made special documentaries commemorating both the tragedies in Dunblane and Lockerbie. In addition to her eponymous show, she has also presented many other TV programmes including Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey, The Last Leg, Queens for the Night and Have I Got News For You?
She is also a best-selling novelist with her debut novel, The Island Swimmer, set in Orkney, published in 2024.
Lorraine Kelly, True Story ambassador said: “Ever since I started out as a teenage reporter on the East Kilbride News, and later as a presenter and author, I have been fascinated by real life stories.
“I am a naturally curious person, and I have had the privilege of listening to thousands of stories over the years, allowing me insight into the personal, the extraordinary and the sometimes, dramatic.
“I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for the National Theatre of Scotland’s True Story project and to support their call out to the great Scottish public to find a special story that will resonate with Scottish audiences.
“I can’t wait to sit with the True Story submissions later this year and immerse myself in what I imagine will be a treasure trove of compelling testimonies and exceptional stories.”
TRUE STORY CHAMPIONS
Five fabulous Scottish cultural figures have taken on the role of being True Story Champions, supporting the call out for true stories.
They are Val McDermid, crime author known for Karen Pirie and The Wire in the Blood; Greg McHugh, actor and writer who created and starred in Gary Tank Commander; Shereen Nanjiani, broadcaster for the BBC, and MBE for services to broadcast in Scotland; Len Pennie, poet, Scots language performer; and writer and Irvine Welsh, novelist, screenwriter and filmmaker known for Trainspotting, Filth and Porno.
Val McDermid, author, said: “We’re a nation of storytellers. Everybody’s got a story. You hear it at the bus stop, you hear it in the pub, you hear it everywhere you go. You’ve all got stories.
“We want to hear your stories. And that’s why the National Theatre of Scotland has started a campaign to gather your stories together to make new stories for the next generation and beyond.”
Greg McHugh, actor and writer, said: “They say that truth is stranger than fiction. The National Theatre of Scotland have taken this on board in a big way with their project True Story that involves the great Scottish public.
“They are choosing one brilliant true story to put on stage which I think is a great idea and a fabulously fun way to celebrate the Company’s 20th birthday.”
Shereen Nanjiani, broadcaster, said: “In my 40-year career as a news broadcaster I have reported on hundreds of Scotland’s stories, big and small.
“I was the first person of Asian heritage to become a TV newsreader in Scotland, and that’s made me acutely aware of the need to tell stories that reflect our country in all its rich diversity, and to hear from those whose voices often don’t get heard.
“I’m also passionate about the power of theatre to bring us together, to make us think, to move us, to make us laugh and cry.”
Len Pennie, poet, said: “I am a firm believer that every single person has a story that is worth telling and worth hearing.
“There’s nothing like a good story for making you feel happy, sad, scared – the full spectrum of human emotion!
“But even more special than that is sharing a story with somebody. It’s about connection, community, empathy, just knowing that you’re not alone.”
Irvine Welsh, author, said: “True stories inform everything. They inform our imagination or experience or creation of other stories or embellishment of stories or creation of fiction.
“So there’s the old saying that the truth is stranger than fiction, and generally it’s true. True stories are important because they’re the the bedrock of our creativity and our culture.”
Calling all Edinburgh storytellers & history lovers!
Entries open: 1 October 2025
Deadline: 31 December 2025
A financial prize of £200 will be awarded to the winning project, supported by the descendants of William Anderson’s family in Canada. A printed copy of the winning entry will be placed in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection at Central Library for reference.
