Traverse Theatre

About Traverse Theatre

The Traverse Theatre began life in 1963 as a theatre club in an abandoned brothel in Edinburgh's Lawnmarket. The theatre is so named because its first Artistic Director, Terry Lane, mistakenly believed that the staging arrangement is called 'traverse'. He later realised that it is 'transverse' but it was already too well known to change it.

In its first year of operation, a theatre conference was organised by director Jim Haynes, John Calder and Kenneth Tynan. Within three years of existence, the tiny theatre club had produced 110 productions, including 28 British premieres and 33 world premieres.

At the end of the 1960s, the Traverse moved to a larger space in Edinburgh's Grassmarket, with flexible seating configurations. The first performance in this venue was on 24 Aug 1969. In its early days the theatre included exhibition space for the visual arts, until 1966 when it was taken away to establish what became the Richard Demarco Gallery.

In 1992, the Traverse moved to its current location at Cambridge Street. A £3.3 million purpose-built two theatre space with bar café was created as part of the Saltire Court development on Castle Terrace. The theatre's first performance at this location was on 3 July 1992.

Upcoming Events at Traverse Theatre

Ulster American

20th February 2019 - 2nd March 2019

Following a sold-out world premiere run as part of Traverse Festival 2018, Ulster American returns to the Traverse for a strictly limited run.

Soundhouse: Mike Vass - Save His Calm

25th February 2019

Mike Vass, one of Scotland's foremost musicians, brings his remarkable new song cycle to Edinburgh for the first time and you can catch him at the Traverse Theatre on 25th February!

In Other Words

1st March 2019 - 2nd March 2019

This intimate, humorous and deeply moving love story explores the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and the transformative power of music in our lives.

Soundhouse: Leveret

3rd March 2019

Leveret, a unique collaboration between three of England's finest folk musicians, return to Traverse Bar Café on Sunday 3rd March.

Soundhouse: Swampfog

4th March 2019

Swampfog and friends present a 'Lundi Gras' party paying tribute to the New Orleans legends of R&B, soul and funk at Traverse Bar Café on Monday 4th March.

The Dark Carnival

6th March 2019 - 9th March 2019

A music and theatre spectacle, The Dark Carnival features sixteen performers and musicians telling the story of newcomers to the afterlife who discover that death is not actually the end.

The Funeral Director

7th March 2019 - 9th March 2019

English Touring Theatre & Papatango present the Scottish Premier of 'The Funeral Director' at Traverse Theatre from 7th - 9th March.

Soundhouse: Thunder & Rain

11th March 2019

Thunder and Rain fuse melodic elements of rock and pop with acoustic instrumentation, createding a very distinctive sound of their own. Catch them at the Traverse Cafe Bar 11th March.

Fat Blokes

15th March 2019 - 16th March 2019

Prepare yourself for a show about pent up aggression, riot grrrl and the hokey cokey. This is fat rebellion!

Soundhouse: Ross and Ali

18th March 2019

Catch Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, surely two of the most prolific young men around in Scottish music at the moment, at the Traverse Bar Café on Monday 18th March.

Velvet Petal

23rd March 2019

Scottish Dance Theatre returns to the Traverse with Fleur Darkin’s Velvet Petal, unveiling a fresh, new version never-before-seen here in Edinburgh.

Soundhouse: RANT

25th March 2019

The Soundhouse Organisation are delighted to welcome back RANT, four of Scotland’s finest fiddle players from the Shetlands and the Highlands, at the Traverse Bar Café on 25th March.

(Can This Be) Home

28th March 2019

(Can This Be) Home at the Traverse Theatre is half music gig, half spoken word examining the impact of Brexit, taking stock of where we are now. Can we ever feel at home again?

We Are All Just Little Creatures

28th March 2019 - 30th March 2019

Curious Seed and Lung Ha Theatre Company in association with Lyra a World Premier of 'We Are All Just Little Creatures' to the Traverse Theatre.

Soundhouse: Lizabett Russo

8th April 2019

Listen to singer-songwriter Lizabett Russo as she launches her 3rd album Penumbra with a night at The Traverse Bar Café on Monday 8th April along with special guest, Brave Little Note.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint: Chic Murray - A Funny Place for a Window

9th April 2019 - 13th April 2019

A popular feature of the Traverse programme, A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór returns with six new plays to light up your lunchtime and start with 'Chic Murray - A Funny Place for a Window'.

dressed.

11th April 2019 - 13th April 2019

Multi-award-winning ThisEgg present dressed. Told with a tender intimacy, it is a true story told by four women who have been friends since school.

Soundhouse: Brian Molley Quartet

15th April 2019

Performing music from their recent acclaimed release Colour and Movement, the Brian Molley Quartet blend contemporary jazz with influences from around the globe.

What Girls Are Made Of

16th April 2019 - 20th April 2019

Performed with a live band, 'What Girls Are Made Of' is the true story of Cora Bissets's journey, celebrating life’s euphoric highs and epic shitstorms.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint: Lion Lion

16th April 2019 - 20th April 2019

Lion Lion, by Sue Glover and produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór, comes to the Traverse Theatre in April.

Soundhouse: Furrow Collective

22nd April 2019

The Furrow Collective has been in demand as a touring band, gigging throughout Europe and performing BBC live sessions and you can catch them at the Traverse Bar Café on 22nd April.

Locker Room Talk

23rd April 2019 - 24th April 2019

Following overwhelming response from previous runs at the Traverse Festival, Locker Room Talk returns to continue a conversation about misogyny and masculinity on 23rd & 24th April.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint: The Mack

23rd April 2019 - 27th April 2019

Ninety years after his own demise, Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s internationally acclaimed masterpiece lies in ruins. Should we save the Mack or just let it go?

PASS Out 2019

25th April 2019

Edinburgh College’s Performing Arts Studio Scotland returns to Traverse with their unique take on showcase performances for graduate actors.

What a Voice: Kathleen MacInnes, Fiona Hunter and Kaela Rowan

27th April 2019

An exclusive show put together just for Tradfest, What A Voice celebrates the female tradition-bearers who have been inspiring musicians and delighting audiences down the years.

Soundhouse: Baltic Crossing

28th April 2019

Hailing from the UK, Finland and Denmark, Baltic Crossing bring you fiery Scandinavian fiddles, bubbling Northumbrian pipes and a driving guitar and double bass rhythm section.

Soundhouse: May Erlewine

29th April 2019

On her home patch, May Erlewine has become known as Michigan's Songbird, and The Soundhouse Organisation is delighted to welcome her to the Traverse Bar Café on Monday 29th April.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint: Casablanca -The Gin Joint Cut

30th April 2019 - 4th May 2019

Casablanca - The Gin Joint Cut is a lovingly disrespectful homage to one of the classic films of all time that will have you raise a Bogart style eyebrow and shed a Bergman-like tear.

Donny’s Brain

3rd May 2019 - 4th May 2019

Funny and moving in equal measure, Donny’s Brain raises fascinating questions about the essence of love, human nature and our sense of self.

Soundhouse: John Reishman and the Jaybirds

5th May 2019

Grammy winning bandleader John Reischman, a mandolinist of the highest calibre, is leader of this bluegrass and folk band and it's a rare opportunity to see the Jaybirds on this side of the Atlantic.

Soundhouse: The Fretless

6th May 2019

Don't miss multi-Juno award-winning Canadian supergroup The Fretless when they return to the Traverse Bar Café on Monday 6th May.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint: The Origins of Ivor Punch

7th May 2019 - 11th May 2019

Based on the Edinburgh International First Book Award-winning novel The Letters of Ivor Punch by musician and author Colin MacIntyre, it explores mythology and how it washes up against faith.

Keep on Walking Federico

9th May 2019 - 11th May 2019

Mark Lockyer is an extraordinary writer/performer and brings his new show 'Keep on Walking Federico' to the Traverse Theatre in May.

Soundhouse: The Cremation of Sam McGee

13th May 2019

The Cremation of Sam McGee is a chilling, enthralling and entertaining multi media work, whose music opens a window of deeper themes of friendship, promises made, and eventual rebirth.

Electrolyte

14th May 2019

Wildcard Theatre’s multi award-winning gig theatre show combines spoken word and original music to powerfully explore mental health for a contemporary audience.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint: Toy Plastic Chicken

14th May 2019 - 18th May 2019

Produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór and based on a true story, Toy Plastic Chicken is a violent comedic exploration of degradation and revolt.

Harbour

16th May 2019

Lyceum Original Sixty in association with The Luminate Festival presents Harbour, a community challenged by change in the place they know to be home.

Shine

16th May 2019 - 18th May 2019

Actor, rapper, singer and Live Theatre Associate Artist Kema Sikazwe makes his powerful stage debut mixing a bittersweet coming-of-age story with an electrifying live soundtrack and heartfelt words.

Traverse Young Writers’ Scratch Night

18th May 2019

Join us for a night celebrating the freshest new writing talent, at the Traverse Young Writers’ Scratch Night on Saturday 18th May.

Soundhouse: The Poozies

20th May 2019

Expect exhilarating sets of original tunes and an eclectic mix of songs, all innovatively arranged with a great sense of fun when the Poozies play Traverse Bar Café on Monday 20th May.

Double bill: RITUALIA and The Circle

24th May 2019 - 25th May 2019

A new double bill from Scottish Dance Theatre: RITUALIA by Colette Sadler and a new commission, The Circle, by world renowned Emanuel Gat, promise an evening of exquisite, cutting-edge dance.

TWA

24th May 2019 - 25th May 2019

Blending theatrical storytelling with digital and live performance, TWA exemplifies the way that women have been silenced over the years, and found hope in creative resistance.

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