The very word "Traverse", meaning to travel or move across, has been for 50 years, an extremely apt name for the legendary Edinburgh Theatre. It links the “in the round” stage design at its original James Court space, with an artistic policy which from the outset was (and still is), to cross and extend the boundaries of cutting edge contemporary drama.
Founded in January 1963, the pioneering creators of the Traverse Theatre Club, Terry Lane, Richard Demarco and Jim Haynes, had a vision to continue the spirit of the Festival Fringe, premiering British and international plays, year round.
The phenomenal success of the Traverse Theatre can be seen in the extraordinary list of plays, writers, actors and directors, highlighting fresh, new writing talent - Becket, Pinter, Karge, McGrath, Byrne, Lochhead - with performances from Allen Ginsberg, Lindsay Kemp, Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltraine, Robert Carlyle, Tilda Swinton and Alan Cumming.
A challenge of course to be experimental in an era of conventionality regarding sexuality and language: at a meeting in 1971, the artistic director, Michael Rudman, persuaded the Edinburgh Corporation to increase the Traverse grant but refused to give any assurances on the 'decency' of future productions.
As a Traverse club member in the late 1970s and 80s in the Grassmarket theatre, I recall so vividly the excitement of first nights, intimate performances, innovative Polish drama, as well as the buzz of conversation in the bar. This heyday established the Traverse as a pivotal, inspiring influence in British theatre.
In recent years, the voices of outstanding young playwrights have been nurtured at the Traverse – David Harrower, Rona Munro, David Greig, Nicola McCartney, Gregory Burke, Caroline Horton – resulting in London transfers, international tours and Fringe First awards.
Under the 14th Artistic Director, Orla O’Loughlin, the 50th anniversary Fringe programme, “Fifty Years of New”, boasts four World Premieres and five UK premieres: new commissions from David Harrower with his one- woman play, Ciara, starring Blythe Duff, and a musical drama, I’m With the Band by Tim Price.
The prolific David Greig stages his new play, The Events, with a thrilling storyline about obsession and forgiveness. South African politics too from a partnership between the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Market Theatre of Johannesburg, in Cadre, by Omphile Molusi.
From the Abbey Theatre, Dublin comes Owen McCafferty’s tale about violence in Belfast, while also from Ireland, a true life account of a family tragedy, related through emotional memories by a mother and son.
Presented by the Gate theatre, Notting Hill, the topical subject of women’s place in war is tackled through the experience of a female Fighter Pilot in Grounded by George Brant. Music and poetry combine in Kate Tempest’s lyrical performance piece, Brand New Ancients, about survival in our urban landscape today.
To focus on the theatre’s strong contribution to finding talent, fifty new writers have written a 500 word play. These will be staged over two nights, 30 and 31 August. Elsewhere in the programme, are Readings from four European playwrights, and a series of talks on the wider perspective of theatre, politics, gender and science and art.
The line up of plays each summer has been described as the “Backbone of the Fringe programme” due to its legacy for theatrical excellence, so pick up a gold and pink "Fifty Years of New" brochure today.
From comedy to cutting edge, controversial drama, from 9am Breakfast Plays to performances at 9pm, start and end your day at the Traverse. Late night, the Traverse Bar is also the place to be!
Traverse Theatre Fringe Festival, 29 July to 25 August, 2013