National theatre of Scotland unveils its 2020 season

The National Theatre of Scotland has announced its 2020 season of work, which features a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s The Enemy by Kieran Hurley and performances in more than 50 locations.

Based on Ibsen’s play, Hurley’s An Enemy of the People will be directed by Finn den Hertog, opening at Clydebank Town Hall. The show will then tour to civic spaces and town halls across Scotland.

Liz Lochhead’s Scottish adaptation of Medea will return to the 2020 Edinburgh International Festival, staring Adura Onashile in the title role. Lochhead’s interpretation of the Greek tragedy was previously performed at the festival in August this year. Former RSC artistic director Michael Boyd will direct the show, which runs at the Hub.

In celebration of Black History Month, May Sumbwanyambe and Justin Audibert’s Enough of Him opens at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The play, which tells the story of Joseph Knight, will also tour to Perth Theatre and the Traverse Theatre in November.

The season also features returning productions, including John McGrath’s The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black Black Oil which will embark on a tour of Scotland, after opening at Glasgow Pavilion Theatre.

Acting artistic director of National Theatre Scotland Caroline Newall said: “We believe that theatre matters now more than ever. We take great pride and reassurance in looking to a nation of artists who can reflect the times in which we are living back at us, and help us imagine new possibilities for society.

“We remain committed to the people, places and passions that are unique to Scotland and enable us as a nation to celebrate the diversity and strength of our culture, despite the wider uncertainties we face.”

Our 2020 programme features a line-up of heroic and sometimes villainous characters, real and imagined, through whose eyes we can view Scotland’s complex past and present. We celebrate the unique talent of Scotland’s artists and their ability to use new and ancient myths and stories to comment on our future.”

Season at a glance:

The Enemy by Kieran Hurley
Directed by Finn den Hertog
April 25 to May 9
Opening at Clydebank Town Hall, touring to various locations

Ferry Tales by Isobel McArthur
Directed by Lu Kemp
April 7 to 24
On selected ferry routes from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, Ullapool to Stornoway, Oban to Craignure

The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil by John McGrath
Touring from April 30 to June 2020
Opening at the Pavilion Theatre

Medea adapted by Liz Lochhead
Directed by Michael Boyd
The Hub, throughout August for Edinburgh International Festival

Hamlet adapted by Stewart Laing
September exact dates to reconfirmed
Tron Theatre

Enough of Him by May Sumbwanyambe
Directed by Justin Audibert
October 16 to November 18
Various locations