Theatre & Performance

10th – 22nd August 2026

 

 

 

 

 

This two-week course offers an intensive, dynamic introduction to contemporary British and Irish theatre and its global impact. Based in Edinburgh—Scotland’s stunning capital—the programme coincides with the world-renowned Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, giving students an unparalleled opportunity to experience theatre in one of the most vibrant cultural settings in the world.

The course combines academic study with practical engagement. Students attend lectures by leading scholars, participate in daily seminars exploring dramatic texts and interpretive strategies, and take part in hands-on workshops delivered by Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, the country’s only dedicated organisation for playwright development. In addition, students enjoy access to festival events, including performances and readings by acclaimed theatre practitioners.

The Theatre and Performance course includes:

  • Daily Seminars – Small-group discussions led by SUISS tutors, focusing on dramatic texts and approaches to interpretation.

  • Workshops – Interactive sessions with distinguished academics, theatre practitioners, and critics, blending theory and practice.

  • Lectures – Select Scottish Literature lectures to deepen critical understanding of dramatic texts within broader literary contexts.

  • Panel Discussion – A thought-provoking conversation with leading playwrights and directors, hosted as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.

  • Festival Performances – Admission to one private performance and two major shows at the International Festival and the Fringe, plus free time to explore additional performances independently.

Reading List

Students are strongly advised to read as many of the texts as possible before arriving in Edinburgh, as time is limited once the programme is underway. The seminars and lectures are pitched at a high level, and teaching staff are advised that all students will be familiar with the texts in advance.

Core texts for the Summer School, on which the tuition will be based, are listed below.

Essential primary reading/viewing (in alphabetical order): 

Jo Clifford, The Gospel According to Jesus Queen of Heaven (2016)*
Brian Friel, Translations (1980)
David Greig, The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart (2013)
Tankia Gupta, A Doll’s House (adapted by) (2021)
Kieran Hurley,  Mouthpiece (2018)
Nicola McCartney, Lifeboat (2020)
John McGrath, The Cheviot, The Stag, and the Black, Black Oil (1981)
Gregory Burke, Black Watch (2010)
Rona Munro, James IV: Queen of the Fight (2022)
May Sumbwanyambe, Enough of Him (2022)

Further primary reading/viewing:*

Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House (1879)
Sarah Kane, Blasted (1995)
Rona Munro, The James Plays (2016)
Edwin Morgan, Gilgamesh (2005)
debbie tucker green, hang (2015)

Further secondary reading:**
Vicky Angelaki (Ed.), Contemporary British Theatre: Breaking New Ground
Alain Badiou, Rhapsody for the Theatre
Christopher Balme, The Theatrical Public Sphere

Biet, Christian and Christophe Triau. What is Theatre? (Routledge, 2019)
Mark Brown, Modernism and Scottish Theatre since 1969: A Revolution on Stage
Mark Fortier, Theory/Theatre: An Introduction
John McGrath, A Good Night Out. Popular Theatre: Audience, Class and Form
Trish Reid, Theatre & Scotland
Simon Shepherd, Theatre, Body and Pleasure

*Available as PDF

**NB: Students are not required to purchase or read texts listed in ‘further reading/viewing’. However, if you are interested in complementary material, these texts will expand your knowledge and discussion of the essential reading list. All of the further reading is available to loan from the University of Edinburgh library or the SUISS library.

For more information on the course, see our Sample Theatre Performance Syllabus .