Scotland’s theatre scene reaches far beyond the big Edinburgh and Glasgow stages, with some of its most characterful work happening in venues rooted firmly in their own communities. Eden Court in Inverness, Pitlochry Festival Theatre in rural Perthshire, Dundee Rep, Perth Theatre, the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, Eastgate Theatre in Peebles, An Lanntair in Stornoway, Mull Theatre, The Gaiety in Ayr and Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock all show how rich and wide-ranging Scottish theatre can be outside the obvious city-centre names. These venues bring touring productions, new writing, comedy, music, family shows and local stories to audiences across the Highlands, islands, coast, countryside and smaller towns. They are not simply “regional alternatives”; they are the places where theatre feels close, immediate and woven into everyday life.
Grace says: Scottish theatre doesn’t mess about — one minute you’re in a grand old playhouse, the next you’re watching something brilliant near a loch and wondering if your coat is emotionally prepared.
Rather than listing every single event at Theatre Royal Glasgow, we’ve picked out a few highlights worth keeping an eye on — from major musicals and Scottish companies to thrillers, ballet and big-name touring productions.
The Karate Kid The Musical
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 30 June – Sat 4 July 2026
Wax on, wax off — but this time with songs. The much-loved coming-of-age film gets the musical theatre treatment, following Daniel LaRusso, Mr Miyagi and the kind of life lessons that make you want to stand dramatically in a headband.
The Silence of the Lambs
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Mon 24 – Sat 29 August 2026
A stage thriller with a title that already arrives carrying a very large suitcase of tension. If you like your theatre dark, psychological and not exactly cosy with a packet of Minstrels, this one should be on the radar.
Scottish Ballet – Emergence
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Thu 10 – Sat 12 September 2026
Scottish Ballet brings contemporary dance to the Theatre Royal with Emergence. A strong pick for anyone who wants something sleek, physical and a bit more atmospheric than a traditional musical night out.
Paranormal Activity
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 22 – Sat 26 September 2026
The horror phenomenon comes to the stage, which is marvellous news if you enjoy being frightened in public while pretending you are absolutely fine. One for audiences who like tension, atmosphere and the possibility of grabbing the armrest in a dignified panic.
SIX
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 29 September – Sat 3 October 2026
Henry VIII’s wives take back the microphone in this pop-powered musical that turns history into a concert-style celebration. Fast, fierce and full of attitude, SIX is ideal if you want your Tudor history with less dust and more bass.
Scottish Opera – Turandot
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Thu 22 October – Sat 7 November 2026
Scottish Opera brings Puccini’s grand, dramatic Turandot to Glasgow. Big voices, big stakes and proper opera spectacle — the sort of thing that makes you sit up a bit straighter and wonder if your coat is formal enough.
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 10 – Sat 14 November 2026
One of the great recent British musical success stories, Operation Mincemeat mixes wartime history, espionage and sharp comedy. It is clever, fast and gloriously odd — proof that musicals do not always need sequins when they have a really strange true story.
Matilda The Musical
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Wed 18 November – Sat 5 December 2026
Roald Dahl’s clever, book-loving heroine takes to the stage in Matilda The Musical. Expect mischief, imagination, revolting children, terrifying grown-ups and songs with enough bite to stop it becoming too sugary.
CATS
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 8 – Sun 27 December 2026
CATS returns with all the moonlight, mystery and feline theatricality you could possibly require. Whether you are a lifelong fan or simply curious about the musical where everyone commits fully to being a cat, this is a big festive-season title.
Scottish Ballet – Cinders!
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Wed 30 December 2026 – Sat 16 January 2027
Scottish Ballet’s Cinders! offers a ballet twist on the Cinderella story, making it a strong post-Christmas pick for audiences wanting something elegant, magical and a touch more graceful than the average January mood.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 9 – Sat 13 March 2027
A powerful stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel, following Christopher Boone as he investigates a mystery and navigates a world that does not always understand him. A good choice for anyone after theatre with heart, imagination and emotional punch.
Trainspotting The Musical
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Mon 15 – Sat 20 March 2027
Trainspotting gets the musical treatment, which already sounds like the sort of thing you need to see before forming an opinion loudly in a café. Expect a bold, Glasgow-ready night with grit, chaos and no shortage of talking points.
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Tue 13 – Sat 17 April 2027
Matthew Bourne brings his distinctive storytelling style to Cinderella, promising dance, drama and a fairytale with a twist. A strong pick for anyone who likes their ballet theatrical, cinematic and not too politely behaved.
Starlight Express
Theatre Royal Glasgow, Wed 16 June – Sat 3 July 2027
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s roller-skating musical rolls into Glasgow with trains, speed, spectacle and enough movement to make your knees nervous. A proper big-stage musical event and one of the major future dates in the Theatre Royal diary.