Scottish Theatre Highlights: September 2024

As Scotland's capital city recovers from the festival season, theatre doesn't stop in Edinburgh and farther afield. 

Following a Fringe run at ZOO Venues, Morag, You're a Long Time Deid embarks on a sweeping tour of Scotland, Ireland and England. The heartwarming, international musical kicked off its run at Perth Theatre and Concert Hall at the end of August, and it will hit eight locations. In Scotland, the show will tour to Greenock's Beacon Arts Centre (4 Sep), Byre Theatre in St. Andrews (6 Sep) and Catstrand in New Galloway (10 Sep).

Written and directed by Ingram Noble, Glasgow-centred comedy The Naked Neds tours to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Irvine and Kirkcaldy. The play follows a group of friends confronting the death of one of their own, and it highlights the importance of testicular self-examination. The play is about taking responsibility for your community's health "in a world where politicians' expenses seem to matter more than NHS waiting lists" (Glasgow Acting Academy, 6, 7 & 13 Sep; Augustine United Church, Edinburgh, 8 Sep; Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, 14 Sep; King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy, 15 Sep).

Harry Mould's new play, The Brenda Line, continues its run at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The play tells the story of a new Samaritans volunteer, who learns about what the support line does to handle obscene calls. Between 1972 and 1987, volunteers trained to handle these calls were called 'Brendas'. Mould's play is loosely based on events from their own mother's life, and is about "women, compassion and what it means to be listened to." (7, 12 & 18 Sep)

Findhorn Bay Festival runs an ambitious programme of art, music, theatre and more. The programme sports performances for all ages, including Eco Drama's The Forgotten Orchard, Moonbeam on a Cat's Ear and Unicorn Dance Party. The festival also hosts Graeme Leak's SAVED, Hebridean Treasure, Barrowland Ballet's Family Portrait and Vision Mechanics' The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski (20-29 Sep).

Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company takes Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor's new musical, To Save the Sea, on tour to twelve venues across Scotland. Opening at Glasgow's Tron Theatre, the sung-through musical tells the story of a group of Greenpeace activists who spend three weeks occupying Shell's Brent Spar oil store in the middle of the North Sea (25 Sep-2 Nov).