The National Theatre of Scotland has unveiled its 2026 programme, celebrating two decades of groundbreaking theatre with a year-long season of world premieres, major tours, musicals, gig theatre, and socially engaged projects.
The season features three world premieres, five national tours, and a host of productions that reflect the company’s commitment to telling urgent, real-life stories and showcasing Scottish talent.
Among the highlights is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, adapted by David Harrower from Muriel Spark’s iconic novel. Directed by Vicky Featherstone and starring Gayle Rankin, the production marks Rankin’s return to Scottish stages and will tour Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Pitlochry in autumn 2026.
Also premiering is Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In, a gig theatre piece by Frances Poet, directed by Jemima Levick. Based on the legendary 1981 occupation of the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock, the production will tour extensively across Scotland from April to June 2026.
Musical theatre fans can look forward to The High Life, a new stage adaptation of the cult BBC sitcom created by Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson. Featuring all four original cast members, the musical will tour from March to May 2026.
Returning by popular demand is Through the Shortbread Tin, written and performed by Martin O’Connor. This poetic and playful exploration of Scottish identity will appear at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring historic sites in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland.
The season also includes Caring Scotland, a major creative response to testimony from the Care Experienced community, featuring the touring installation One Hundred Voices, the photographic exhibition Ten Portraits, and an audio archive hosted by the National Library of Scotland.
A new rapid response theatre project led by Hannah Lavery and Cora Bissett will offer artists and communities a platform to creatively resist and reflect on the challenges of our times.
The South Asian Project continues with a new playwrights’ programme and a South Asian Scratch Night at the Citizens Theatre, curated by Niloo-Far Khan and Kal Sabir.
Schools across Scotland will benefit from TiSS at 10, a free programme of Theatre in Schools Scotland performances, reaching over 13,000 pupils between August 2026 and June 2027.
Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director and Joint CEO of National Theatre of Scotland, said:
“I am delighted to share our special 20th birthday season, which celebrates all that makes us a unique national theatre. The year encapsulates what National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) does best, with our special without walls model; a truly national theatre.
We are touring widely across Scotland in 2026, taking work to wherever audiences are to be found.
We are a National Theatre that has never played by the rules. This means we can present work in castles and hospitals, in community centres and schools as well as on the largest stages in Scotland.
We passionately believe in the power of theatre and its place in the cultural heart of the nation.
We are so proud to deliver a programme that wrestles with the issues of our times, brings real stories to theatrical life and embodies the narrative of a nation – its past, present and future.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
