After a lengthy period of closure, the Traverse Theatre is pleased to announce a varied programme of outdoor, in person and online events for its upcoming Festival 2021. In a celebration of Edinburgh and its vibrant community, they are presenting the results of creative journeys taken in collaboration with artists as scripts move from first draft to full production.
The first live audience show since March 2020 will be the world premiere of Frances Poet’s Still -a story of life, love and loss that takes place in familiar Edinburgh locations. A timeous monologue from Michael John O’Neill about the fragility of peace in Northern Ireland, This is Paradise, will also be performed in-person for a limited Traverse 1 run while Silverknowes Beach will be the dramatic outdoor stage for the first time with in-person open air performances of Disaster Plan’s evocative MOVE by Julia Taudevin.
Traverse 3, the theatre’s online space, will present on demand versions of all in-person shows following their live performances, including the return of SHEDINBURGH; a digital production of Fishamble’s On Blueberry Hill by Sebastian Barry and the world premiere of We’ll Meet in Moscow – an audio play written in response to Russian courts banning Moscow Pride celebrations.
TravFest21 spotlights writers at different stages of their careers, and invites those who might not yet consider themselves as creatives to ignite their imaginations with the Summer 21 edition of our First Stages Festival of creative development readings and workshops.
The Traverse is committed to continuing this blended model of events as the nation moves beyond lockdown. Along with all events being sold on a Pay What You Can basis, and availability of £1 tickets across the programme for those under 25 or in receipt of government benefits, they plan to continue to both maintain and improve the inclusivity and accessibility of their work and stories. There is guaranteed full refunds for bookers of in-person events.
Traverse Executive Producer, Linda Crooks, said, “Announcing the first shows of the Traverse Festival 2021 today is a moment worthy of celebration – of artists, compelling stories, our incredibly supportive audiences, and our unique and vibrant Edinburgh community. Our Festival programme aims to be a love letter to Edinburgh, and its spirit of resilience is embodied within the culture of the Traverse Festival. In Still, Walk This Play and MOVE, audiences have the chance to rediscover and reconnect with their city, both indoors and out, and shows including This is Paradise, We’ll Meet in Moscow, and On Blueberry Hill take us to very different worlds, shining a light on some of the most urgent and important issues facing us today We meet the world in Edinburgh and we take Edinburgh to the world. We’re committed to discovering new voices, sharing our passion for creativity, and giving you a first look at shows soon to be on our stages in the Summer 21 edition of our First Stages Festival. And we’re thrilled to be able to present our full programme in our digital venue, Traverse 3, for the very first time, capturing our in-person shows and making them available for audiences near and far, who may be unable to attend the live performances. The Traverse is here to entertain, challenge, comfort and welcome audiences, no matter where they are.”
The Traverse Festival 2021 runs from Tuesday 3rd – Sunday 30th August for in person/outdoor and from Tuesday 3rd August – mid-September for online events.
Full details, along with their Covid 19 safety measures, are available on the Traverse website with new information being announced in the coming weeks.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 