Traverse Theatre

This theatre makes me feel cultured as $%&#. They should put that sentence on a t-​shirt and sell it as merch… I would buy that. But all high brow/​low brow t-​shirt genius aside, Traverse is a decent theatre in the heart of the city that placates my PASD — Post Art School Disorder.
You see, i’m a Fine Arts kid. One of the cheerfully idiotic few who wave their BFA proudly and wax poetic about Russian literature and experimental film at any opportunity. After four years immersed in the world of post secondary fine art education, I require frequent injections of artsy fartsy stuff to keep me balanced and my life long dream of becoming a world famous poet quietly ticking away in the background.
Sure, Usher Hall steps in to hoist this burden every so often, but when it comes to pretentious theatre that I unapologetically adore: Traverse wins.
The staff are lovely, the drinks are fairly priced, the steps in the theatre space have this «I could go down at any moment» grunge aspect to them and they always have an interesting mix of indie shows throughout the year. From children’s magic shows to dance to a one woman show retelling a complete novel in one act (nod to A Girl Is A Half Formed Thing) — you might not always love it, but it will always be something worth talking about.
Definitely keep an eye on this space in August for some the the Fringe festival’s most unusual work.

The Traverse has been a venerable institution in Edinburgh theatreland for many years. Way back in the mists of time, before the Edinburgh Fringe Festival grew into its current dinosaur-​size boots and was still stumbling around in kiddie shoes, the old Traverse Theatre Club that was hidden up a close off West Bow in the Grassmarket was the de facto ‘Fringe Club’ where everyone gathered late of an evening to catch up with fellow Fringe-​goers, watch a play, or just hang out in the exceedingly cramped bar hoping to absorb some of the hip theatrical vibrations that oozed from the gathered glitterati.
The new Traverse hasn’t quite managed to embody that same vibe, but in its place it has a fantastic main theatre space, which has tried hard to capture the feeling of the old Trav with its configuration of bench seating and a fairly ‘open’ stage arrangement. It’s a great space for experimental drama, which is the mainstay of the Traverse, but it doesn’t always work for some shows that require a more conventional ‘proscenium’ style approach.
They also have a smaller studio theatre, but I’ve only ever seen that used as a rehearsal space and have never seen a show there.
The only downside to the place is that everything is deep underground and if you are in there for more than a few hours you start to feel like a caveman and find yourself shielding your eyes and squinting furiously when you emerge back out into the daylight.
Still, it’s an exciting venue and the bar area is great — large and roomy, it serves pretty good nosh during the day and is a lively place at night before and after the show.
It’s roomy enough to be able to find a quiet corner for a group meeting during the day, and it has free Wi-​Fi and good coffee. It’s an oft-​overlooked refuge in this part of town but definitely worth checking out at any time of day.

Decent Edinburgh theatre which hosts indie/​some of the more unusual productions. Acoustics and sound good in the theatre.
This time I was visiting the bar for Scran Salon. Decent sized bar with some seating — the back area is cute with quirky booths.
Drink reasonably priced, didn’t try food this time so not sure what gluten free options are available.

I’m sure this isn’t my first visit to the Traverse Theatre, I’m sure I’ve been here when i was much younger but can’t remember it.
How could I forget about such a place/​venue? This venue is funky!
On this occasion I was visiting, it was for Scran Salon (foodie chat) and was treated to some of the little nibbles from the new menu — they were all very tasty (calamari, burger and crab ravioli).
The bar area is quirky and big enough for meet ups or socials, not sure what it’s like on an actual theatre night tho.

I respect the traverse theatre. Much like The Bush Theatre in London, they specialise in new writing which is often very edgy, exciting and thought provoking! If you are in Edinburgh and want to go to the theatre, I’d recommend The Traverse before any of the other theatres!

The Traverse is Edinburgh’s only truly modern professional theatre. While other theatres have had refurbs over the last few decades (and the Kings is having one as I write) this is a new theatre. This is also reflected in the productions. They are fresh new writing, sometimes so fresh they are unfinished but more often highly original and attracting a broader range of people to the theatre.
Of course the Traverse does well during the Fringe and scoops many awards. Even at the Fringe though this theatre doesn’t just go for easy hits there are some misses too with the emphasis on new work.
Not all the theatre occurs in the two theatres, my favourite recent Traverse production took place in a bar on Broughton Street — Barflies in the Barony was a wonderful example of site specific theatre. The Traverse making theatre feel fresh again.

The Traverse has quite captured my heart. I’ve not been there during the year, I’m afraid (not being a permanent resident of Edinburgh, sob) but during festival season the Traverse can be trusted to put on the most impressive array of shows, most of which are amazing. Granted, I’m a ‘theatre person’ so my opinion is probably a bit biased, but I’m usually very impressed by the offerings at the Traverse. Even if I don’t like a show, it’s never all bad — there’s something good to each show, whether it’s the writing, the acting, or the technical aspects.
The Traverse focuses on new Scottish playwrights, although during the festival many international companies come through as well. It probably hosts the largest concentration of Fringe First winners of all the venues, and each show is on a highly professional level. As for the venue itself, there are two theatres — a bigger, traditional space and a smaller black box theatre, and there’s not a bad seat in either house. There’s a coffee shop upstairs and a bar downstairs, and one can usually hobnob with the actors in the bar after a given show, which makes theatre that much more accessible. As far as quality goes, the Traverse is hands-​down my favorite venue in Edinburgh.

Almost certainly my favourite theatre outside London. Not only is this a pleasant place to hang out, it attracts all the best new material on the circuit and is a haven of culture and great coffee during the Edinburgh Festival. I’ve spotted kinds of famous luvvie types here, so it’s also a fun place to hang out if you enjoy rubbing shoulders with the stars.
I’ve seen some terrific plays here and can’t wait to be back later on in the summer.

In my opinion, the Traverse is one of the most exciting performance venues in the city, simply because what it puts on is always fresh and experimental. With a commitment to promoting new writing in Scotland, this theatre is the place to come if you’re prepared to take a risk on something different, rather than stick with old and familiar favourites. I recently came here to see a show that was part of a festival of puppetry, and was blown away by the ingenuity of the performers.
In a modern building near the Usher Hall and the Lyceum, the Traverse has found a place in Edinburgh’s miniature theatre district, and the space has a contemporary aesthetic that is in keeping with the kind of innovative plays it puts on.

This theatre is much less noisy than the popular Playhouse, and it’s only now the festival period is coming up I found out it existed!
Traverse Theatre’s not too far off from Lothian Road and has several shows on this year. It describes itself as a «writing theatre»; I really have no idea what this means, even after googling it. I do know the place is a whole 47 years old, and puts on a lot of contemporary style plays. From a glance at the programme, you’ll see some comedy, as well as some extremely odd title; enter «Flesh and Blood, and Fish and Fowl». There’s also a Traverse Bar in the building.
Throughout the year you can buy tickets from their box office on a Sunday, if something’s on, but I have a feeling the festival period will be quiteeeee packed with back to back plays.

The Traverse is one of the freshest theatres not only in Scotland but in the UK as a whole. It has focused on presenting new writing and its directors boldly experiment with different forms of theatre. Since last year the Traverse is expanding and changing its image with putting emphasis on contemporary dance shows and also offering dance balls in the bar on the first floor next to the box office. Not all of the shows, however, are of good quality. It is obviously the policy of the theatre to open for wider audiences through variety.

I’d have liked to have given the traverse another star, but the staff in the theatre bar were SO bloody miserable (particularly the tall ginger chap who was quite rude to me and a bunch of friends) that they’re being pegged down from 4 to 3.
The food is tasty and reasonably priced, the bar has a pretty good selection of beers wines and lots of spirits. The whiskey was pretty pricey, a friend suspects tourist trapping with that.
I ate at the restraunt upstairs in may last year and i remeber it being pretty tasty (didn’t catch a view of the bill) and would probably meet with the 4 stars downstairs would have gotten.

If you can get over the vertigo-​inducing stairs down to your seat in the audience, this is a great little venue. As the other reviews point out, the Traverse is the place to look for new, innovative plays. This is not the venue for west end musicals! The bar downstairs has a chilled-​out atmosphere with loads of seating and the staff are always friendly. I really miss not working in one of the offices upstairs at Saltire Court and not having to leave the building to reach the bar!

Was recently in the Traverse, for the first time in years, to watch «a play, a pie and a pint». This concept has been running for years in oran Mor in Glasgow, and is now finally showing in Edinburgh as well.
Everything about it was really well done. Lovely drinks, lovely pies, great play and all done and dusted in just under an hour!
I’m looking forward to the next «a play, a pie and a pint» season and the Noisy Nights they are now running as well, which sound quite interesting.
EDIT: 30 July 2010
Made the mistake of ordering spicy salsa nachos in the café bar last night.
A bowl rammed full of cardboardy nachos, a piece of bland melted cheese on one nacho and a ladleful of a slightly powdery tasting, cold, spicy salsa does not a bowl of nachos make!!! There was also 2 small dishes of soured cream and guacamole, which both tasted of nothing.
Come on Traverse! There was once a time when your nachos were famed across town. What happened?

The Traverse Theatre has been producing innovative drama since for over 40 years. The theatre used to be located in the Grassmarket but moved to its present location several years ago.
Traverse produces its own plays as well as hosting the works of touring companies. It is one of the principal venues in the Edinburgh Festival. The bar and restaurant are both good.
A recent innovation April 2009 was to have a play a pie and a pint for £10. Great Value feed for the soul and body.

I have not actually been into the Theatre but do regularly eat in the Traverse Theatre Bar — it has a rally nice range of food, the prices are fairly reasonable. The food is hot and fresh and does not take too long to come.
There are lovely little booths which you can sit in if you want to be a little romantic, alternatively there are normal tables and chairs or some comfy chairs to lounge on with a coffee or cup of tea.
The staff are friendly and helpful and the place is airy and spacious. There is a nice selection of drinks at the bar, along with coffee and teas.

As the Traverse is Scotland’s new writing theatre it’s probably the best place in Edinburgh to catch that latest contemporary, fresh, homegrown talent. Tickets are usually affordably priced and almost always value for money as, from my experience, shows are of a consistently high standard. Theatre aside, the venue also boasts a suave yet laid back bar and restaurant area. While the bar can get pretty busy at times, the staff are always on the ball and food usually arrives about five minutes after you order. If you’re stuck for what to order try the nachos! Definitely in the running for Edinburgh’s best nachos!
Drawing in a relaxed, down to earth clientele (unlike the Royal Lyceum a couple of doors down the road!) the Traverse never fails to impress or entertain.

The Traverse is primarily a theatre, specialising in new writing. They produce their own plays as well as showing work by visiting companies. The stuff shown at the Traverse is (usually) interesting and innovative and they have a varied programme of theatre, dance, playreadings etc. A good place to see something different!
The Traverse bar is not just a theatre bar selling wine in plastic cups! They have a big selection of wines and beers and attract drinkers from all over Edinburgh (not just audience members!). The bar has a funky, laid back atmosphere with art work by local, up and coming artists gracing the walls. The food menu isnt great, but they do sell burgers and chips until 11pm so it makes up for the lack of interesting food available at dinner time. The service is sometimes a bit scatty but somehow it all seems to add to the charm of the place. The bar also plays host to occasional pub quizzes and live music events which is great!
The Traverse Theatre is a great place to catch a show (two different theatre spaces so usually lots of choice!), and a great, friendly bar with a good selection of drinks. Fab!

This is a slightly pricy place to eat but the views from the restaurant are great and it is after all a theatre café/​bar. The menu is varied and interesting and the service is friendly and professional

The Traverse Theatre bar is a really good bar in itself and not just for theatre goers. The food is excellent with a contemporary feel to it and it’s not expensive. There is a nice ‘arty’ feel to the place and a very relaxed, laid back atmosphere, it’s also very spacious which makes it a good place for a large group of friends to meet. The staff are really friendly and always seem like they’re enjoying themselves.