The Traverse theatre has announced the first shows of their 2023 programme, including the return of Manipulate with two UK premieres Anthropoda and Love Beyond (Act of Remembrance); National Theatre of Scotland’s Dear Billy by Traverse Associate Artist Gary McNair; Family Tree by Mojisola Adebayo from Actors Touring Company; Love the Sinner from Vanishing Point and performance poet Imogen Stirling and surrogate productions’ acclaimed staging of Édouard Louis’ novel, Who Killed My Father. Add to this the return of award-winning TravFest 19 smash-hit How Not to Drown from ThickSkin and Traverse Theatre Company, with support from Theatre Royal Stratford East, and you have a packed and varied programme to anticipate.
Also featured throughout the season are the Traverse’s current Breakthrough Writers In Residence cohort, showcasing the pieces they have been developing with mentorship from the Traverse’s Artistic Team, as they approach production-ready scripts. Over the next five months, audiences will get the chance to experience pieces from Lydia Sabatini, Eliza Gearty, Liam Moffat, Beth Westbrook and Fatima Jawara, a group identified by the Traverse as among the UK’s most promising new dramatic voices.
Further shows and events in the Spring 2023 season and beyond, including a new season of A Play, A Pie and A Pint productions, will be announced in the new year, including details of a range of Traverse Theatre Company projects and events celebrating the Traverse’s 60th anniversary year.
Before 2023 events kick off, the Traverse and Edinburgh Performing Arts Development (EPAD) are inviting those from across the performance sector to a series of free co-working mornings in the Traverse Bar throughout December. Artists are invited to connect with one another, as well as the Traverse team, and enjoy a warm space. Registrations of interest for these sessions can be made on the Traverse website.
Traverse Theatre Executive Producer, Linda Crooks said “We are very excited to start 2023 by welcoming such a wide range of innovative companies to the Traverse, with many more to be announced in the new year, including some extremely exciting expansions of well-loved Traverse projects. Though we are all operating under the most difficult of circumstances, it is bolstering to see how much brilliant and meaningful work is still being produced, and how much it is valued by audiences. As we move into one of the most challenging periods in the Traverse’s history, we are incredibly grateful for the support and the collaboration of the artists, companies and individuals who share our determination to deliver hope, connection and life enhancing emotional experiences – and particularly to our loyal audiences, without whom we would not still be here. We hope that we can offer you the solace, entertainment and excitement you so deserve, now more than ever.”
The popular music event Soundhouse continues its residency in the Traverse Bar and there is the bonus of £1 tickets available for those under 25 and in receipt of low income government benefits.
Full programme and booking details are available at: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 