Dead poets' societies

If you like watching plays, but want to be more involved in making them, then Edinburgh has a highly respected student theatre scene which has seen critically acclaimed productions created and performed by the student population for nearly three decades – and they’re always looking for eager freshers to get involved.

The Bedlam Theatre is Edinburgh’s student theatre, run entirely for students, by students. Housed in the former North Free Church, which has been the home of the Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) since 1980, and puts on shows by touring companies throughout the year. But it’s best known for The Improverts (www.improverts.co.uk), who are, as the name suggests, a troupe that specialise in improvised comedy shows, based on suggestions from the audience (Think Whose Line Is It Anyway, except there’s no dodgy 90s fashion). Formed in 1989 by Canadian student, Toph Marshall, and originally called Theatresports, The Improverts are now something of an Edinburgh institution, and play every Friday night during the year, with several Fringe performances thrown in for good measure.

Glasgow has equally abundant opportunity for student thespians. Student Theatre at Glasgow (www.studenttheatreatglasgow.com) stages shows throughout the year; they start every new term with New Talent Nights to bring in keen recruits, and host two festivals during the year: STaG Nights, aimed at promoting the best of student theatre, and their New Works Festival, which celebrates the latest productions – the best of which are selected for presentation at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Ramshorn Theatre at Strathclyde University (www.strath.ac.uk/culture/ramshorn/index.html) is also worth looking into if you're an aspiring performer or writer. Having grown out of the university's theatre company, this Glasgow institution has long since woven itself into the fabric of the wider theatrical community, welcoming enthusiastic amateurs from all over Glasgow at the same time as producing recognised talent such as actress Siobahn Redmond and writer George Mackay Brown. As well as its regular programme, the Ramshorn hosts a New Playwrights Initiative and teaches affordable courses through its Film and Theatre Studio.

If you want to try something a little bit different, then Theatre Paradok (www.paradok.co.uk/shows.html), who describe themselves as ‘Edinburgh’s alternative theatre society’ could be for you. Formed in 2004, they specialise in experimental theatre that remains both accessible and understandable to everyone involved, or as they put it: ‘thought-provoking without being crap’. Based on a communal work ethic, the company put on one show every semester and let each member of the society contribute their thoughts and ideas to the production process. Like The Improverts, they are always looking for undiscovered talent, and their past productions of The Taming of the Shrew and Grimm Tales were received well by the public and critics alike. 

If you don’t see yourself as an active performer, director or techie, then the Traverse Theatre’s Young Writers’ Group is on hand to help experienced or new writers hone their craft. Open to anyone aged 18-25, the group meets fortnightly with professional playwright, Jules Horne, to learn about the different aspects of writing plays, whilst giving you the chance to discover and develop your own writing style. Membership can last up to two years, and can give you such perks as discounted tickets for shows at the Traverse and the opportunity to work with Traverse directors and actors for rehearsed readings or full-blown productions. Former members of the Young Writers group include the Traverse’s current Pearson Playwright, Sam Holcroft, whose latest play, While You Lie, forms part of the Traverse’s Fringe programme this year, and writers Morna Pearson and Davey Anderson. The group will start up once again later in the year, so keep checking www.traverse.co.uk/shows_youngwriters2 for more information.