We attended TravFest 2026’s opening ceremony on the 13th of May and spoke with many of the creatives occupying the Trav this Fringe, and it is easy to see how & why the Trav continues to maintain its status as an Edinburgh home for new writing.
The evening presented three flagship world-premiere productions and the exciting writers behind them, each sharing words and sentiments on their pieces, their peers and the festival at large. CEO and Executive Producer of Traverse Theatre, Linda Crooks, opened the evening with some delightful words on the importance of new writing and platforming female voices, while giving each production the attention it deserves. While we did not have a chance to talk with Crooks, it is clear to see the passion behind the festival, and it is equal parts riveting and reassuring to hear a voice so enthusiastic about the future of new works.
We did, however, speak with each writer who spoke after Crooks, as well as a handful of other exciting creatives at the festival. First, we spoke with Eilidh Loan, writer of Cathy, a play that follows a sharp‑tongued widow in the wake of her husband’s death. Loan’s approach is a very touching one. While she spoke, Loan referred to her first play, Moorcroft, as an anchor of inspiration for Cathy, talking about its reception in her community and its ability to instill in her father “pride for a life that he was never proud of”. In conversation with Loan, this same sense of working-class pride sprang from every sentiment, Cathy in many ways being an homage to her Grandmother. Just as Moorcroft centralised young working-class lads inspired by real events and offered her local community a chance to “get our sons back for an hour”, we are anticipating Cathy to offer a similar mixture of community pride, wit and a great deal of heart.
Then, we spoke with Morna Young about her show After Party. Another dark but heart felt flagship production, After Party unfolds as family secrets and champagne collide around a difficult and unparalleled decision. When talking with Young, her sentiments that this is “not just a play about death, but a play about life” told us everything we needed to know. Young is an incredibly passionate and heartfelt writer. And her words on the state of new writing, that while new writing is considered a risk we cannot culturally grow, stating “we do not grow without risk”, make it undoubtedly clear what a sincere creative she is. With a longform script developed through Playwright Studio Scotland and co-production backing from Paines Plough and The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, After Party is sure to be a blast.
Finally, we spoke with Zinnie Harris, whose new show Supposing offers Harris not only a “return to the Trav, but also a return to new work”. Supposing is a greatly intriguing show, with a delightful central concept surrounding a curse-blessing rooted deeply in the Greek myth of Cassandra. In conversation, it was clear how much of an inspiration this myth is to Harris, and, given Harris’ successful renditions and adaptations of Duchess of Malfi and Macbeth, this sort of conceptual anchoring and reframing of the stories we know is exactly Harris’ ballpark.
We also spoke with Malaika Kegode, writer of Badgers, who, like Harris, also heavily roots her work in folklore and myth.Badgers is a contemporary folk tale about a dying mother, a podcast and a tale-cum-rumour of people turning into badgers. A throughline of death and folklore emerged from the writers this evening, and it was delightful talking to Kegode about the stories we culturally hold onto and how folk stories offer “foundational stories we keep returning to”.
The consensus in the room was a great deal of excitement and anticipation for the work. Each creative we spoke to was brimming with excitement and pride. Other exciting productions packed into the festival include For Dolores, Bog Witch and much more. In this way, TravFest continues to champion new writing and in 2026 is boosting female voices more than ever.
Running from Friday 31 July to Sunday 30 August, TravFest 2026 returns to the Traverse Theatre to bring together work by emerging, mid‑career and internationally acclaimed playwrights. Tickets here.