Traverse Theatre

About Traverse Theatre

	10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh West EH1 2ED
	01312281404
	Traverse Theatre Website
	Follow traversetheatre on Twitter
	Facebook information can be found here

Listed Under Attractions - Live Music Venues Attractions - Theatres

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Emil and the Detectives

27th May 2019 - 29th May 2019

This highly designed and satisfying tale breaks ground for the independent-children-versus-devious-adults story genre, as young Emil enlists the help of streewise kids to defeat an evil thief.

Super Human Heroes

27th May 2019 - 1st June 2019

Who will save Captain Sunshine, if he cannot save himself? Super Human Heroes is a comic and musical dance with darkness for 8 to 13 year olds.

The Invisible Man

30th May 2019 - 2nd June 2019

Mixing ingenious tricks and anarchic theatre, this unpredictable and quirky show is brimming with fun and exciting magic.

Soundhouse: Mezcla

3rd June 2019

Mezcla is a world/jazz fusion ensemble currently making waves throughout the UK and you can catch them at Traverse Bar Café on Monday 3rd June!

Drone

4th June 2019 - 5th June 2019

A live jam of sound, visuals and poetry, telling the true story of a military drone’s life and fears. The Drone is part weapons system, part office worker, part tense background hum.

Alice in Wonderland

6th June 2019 - 8th June 2019

Follow Alice on her strange journey through Wonderland with the Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, the frantically late White Rabbit as Blue Raincoat Theatre Company presents Alice in Wonderland!

549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War

6th June 2019 - 8th June 2019

549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War is the true story of four miners who, 80 years ago, travelled from the streets of Prestonpans to the valleys of Spain to join the International Brigade.

Soundhouse: Daoirí Farrell

9th June 2019

The Soundhouse Organisation is delighted to present Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoirí (‘Derry’) Farrell to Traverse Bar Café on Sunday 9th June!

Soundhouse: Martin and Eliza Carthy

10th June 2019

The good Doctor Martin Carthy and his twice Mercury nominated daughter Eliza Carthy, join forces to perform songs from their first duo album ever at Traverse Bar Café on 10th June.

Little Boxes | Stolen Futures

14th June 2019 - 15th June 2019

Catch two shows presented by Strange Town 'Little Boxes' and 'Stolen Futures' at the Traverse Theatre on 14th & 15th June!

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