BRIAN COX Leads The Charge in MAKE IT HAPPEN

When was the last time the mere mention of a new play sparked this much buzz on the Scottish theatre scene? Well, it’s been a full decade since Brian Cox graced a Scottish stage, so it’s safe to say that his return is a major cause for celebration. And he won’t be coming alone. The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has just unveiled a diverse 2025 programme that looks poised to serve up a thrilling feast for theatre enthusiasts. There’s a heavyweight new piece by James Graham—aptly titled MAKE IT HAPPEN—that will see Cox embody none other than the spectral form of the 18th-century economist Adam Smith. Add in fresh homegrown productions, community projects, tours to rural towns, and even dance-theatre for teens, and you have a season that seems tailor-made to capture the national imagination.

A Satirical Deep-Dive Into Financial Turmoil

The centrepiece of the announcement is MAKE IT HAPPEN, a satirical exploration of the late 2000s financial crash focusing on the Royal Bank of Scotland’s demise. The show’s premise alone is enough to pique anyone’s curiosity, especially with James Graham behind the script. Graham has a knack for taking major historical or political flashpoints and turning them into gripping stage drama—his previous work such as This House and Ink have garnered strong critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.

Why stage a play about a banking collapse more than fifteen years after the event? Graham believes our society still grapples with the aftershocks of 2008, pointing to political and cultural divisions that remain unresolved: “We still live in the long shadow of the 2008 financial crash and our inability to reset from that inheritance and its divisive legacies,” he explains. If his past plays are any indication, this new piece won’t be some dry history lesson. Expect plenty of music, biting humour, and a dash of the unexpected—like that cameo from the “ghost of fiscal past” himself, Adam Smith.

Brian Cox’s Triumphant Return

For theatre fans, the other major news is that MAKE IT HAPPEN marks the homecoming of Brian Cox to the Scottish stage. The Dundee-born actor has, of course, been busy winning Golden Globes and enthralling audiences on both stage and screen for decades. Still, the lure of returning home seems to have been too strong to resist. This is, after all, where Cox began his training as a classical stage performer before forging an illustrious career spanning Shakespeare, Hollywood blockbusters, and even the world of prestige television. If you’ve been longing to see him deliver lines in his homeland once again, now’s your chance.

The play will preview at the Dundee Rep Theatre in late July, then move to the Festival Theatre in the midst of the Edinburgh International Festival from 30 July to 9 August 2025. It’s a fitting spotlight for a global star stepping into a role that personifies Scotland’s economic legacy, especially during the festival season when Edinburgh becomes an international hub of creativity.

James Graham Takes On Scotland

It might surprise some that James Graham, who’s often associated with Westminster politics and English cultural milestones, is taking a distinctly Scottish subject as his focal point. But in truth, Graham started cutting his teeth in places like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—he knows the city’s stages well. According to his own recollections, “like many writers, an Edinburgh stage is the first place ever I dared put a full play in front of an audience.” That personal history will likely add a unique flavour to MAKE IT HAPPEN, combining local resonance with Graham’s trademark wit and encyclopaedic approach to political scandal.

Moreover, the creative team is nothing if not all-star: set designer Anna Fleischle (known for her inventive work on projects such as Hangmen), costume co-designers Anna Fleischle and Angelica Rush, movement director Emily Jane Boyle, musical supervisor Martin Lowe, lighting designer Lizzie Powell, and sound designer Tingying Dong. Throw in video co-designers Lewis den Hertog and Anna Fleischle, and you’ve got a full-scale theatrical machine set to conjure the worlds of boardrooms, bank counters, and spectral apparitions.

Beyond The Bank: NTS’s Wider 2025 Programme

MAKE IT HAPPEN might be stealing the headlines, but it’s far from the only offering in NTS’s newly revealed line-up. The season includes two other major world premieres, each exploring a different dimension of contemporary Scottish life.

Martin O’Connor’s THROUGH THE SHORTBREAD TIN delves into Scottish language and tradition, performed largely in Scots but incorporating Gaelic songs. This unique blend of dialects and music underscores how Scotland’s cultural tapestry runs deep—and deserves to be heard in all its varied forms. Through tours in rural venues throughout April and May, O’Connor’s piece seems destined to bring spirited storytelling and local authenticity to regions often overshadowed by big-city events.

Then there’s Martin Green’s KELI, a tale of teenage life in a former mining town and featuring live brass band music. It opens at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in May before embarking on a wider tour of Scotland, offering a perfect mix of pathos and community spirit. Brass bands have long been associated with working-class heritage in many parts of the UK, so expect the show to carry a strong emotional punch grounded in real-life experiences.

The Fifth Step’s Transfer

For those keeping an eye on what’s happening beyond Scotland, there’s big news in London, too. David Ireland’s THE FIFTH STEP, starring Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman, is transferring to the West End for an 11-week run at @sohoplace from May to July. This is a direct reflection of the kind of talent that emerges from or resonates with NTS’s platforms. Ireland’s brutal honesty and biting humour have garnered widespread praise, and this transfer underlines the robust pipeline of Scottish-rooted theatre heading down to the capital.

More New Works: From Lockerbie’s Bonds To NHS Nurses

One of the great strengths of the National Theatre of Scotland lies in its commitment to reflecting a broad spectrum of experiences. That promise continues with pieces like Frances Poet’s SMALL ACTS OF LOVE, a meditation on communal connections born out of the Lockerbie tragedy, and Uma Nada-Rajah’s BLACK HOLE SIGN, which probes the hardships and moral dilemmas faced by NHS nurses. By focusing on topics ranging from an infamous plane disaster to the day-to-day heroism within our health system, these new plays reveal the breadth and depth of modern Scottish storytelling. Each seeks to illuminate aspects of life that often remain hidden from mainstream narratives.

Young Audiences And Cutting-Edge Creations

It’s not all heavy drama and financial meltdown—NTS also has something special for younger audiences and those who love experimental performance. Vee Smith and Sadiq Ali team up for THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP OF FEATHER BOY AND TENTACLE GIRL, a visually inventive show that will tour Scotland and appear at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. Meanwhile, THANK U, NEXT is a dance-theatre project exploring the vibrant world of cosplay culture, set to tour high schools in February and March.

Why is this variety important? Because early engagement with theatre can spark a lifelong passion for the arts, and immersive, playful pieces often become a gateway for youngsters to discover creative self-expression. By going directly into schools, NTS narrows the gap between stage and audience, ensuring the cultural conversation includes the next generation.

Community At The Heart Of It All

The National Theatre of Scotland’s reputation also hinges on strong community engagement. Projects like CARING SCOTLAND, led by Nicola McCartney, collect narratives from care-experienced individuals, weaving them into meaningful stories. Shona Reppe and Alan Grieve’s TROLLEYDARITY transforms hospital spaces into imaginative installations, engaging both patients and staff in an unusual, uplifting experience. And then there’s the NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT, making its return to Sauchiehall Street with a variety show format that invites local talent to share the spotlight. Add to that a food-focused residency in Possil, and you have community-driven theatre in a very literal sense—people gathering to exchange art, stories, and a meal.

Digital Horizons

The pandemic era taught us the potential (and necessity) of digital theatre, and NTS is keeping that momentum. Films like KINAARA (EDGE), a short bilingual piece by Kal Sabir, are part of the digital strategy, as are ongoing online offerings of Hope Dickson Leach’s THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND HYDE and Hannah Lavery’s audio drama FINDING SEAGLASS. These works allow audiences who can’t physically attend performances to remain connected, which is especially valuable for rural communities or international fans.

With theatre increasingly crossing borders—occasionally making its way to Australian shores or US stages—the digital sphere can serve as an incubator for wider global recognition. Productions nurtured by NTS may not stop at Edinburgh or Glasgow; some could find second lives touring internationally or even transferring to major hubs like London’s West End or Sydney’s bustling theatre district.

A Spectral Look At The Scottish Stage

One of the most intriguing aspects of the 2025 programme is its willingness to incorporate the supernatural. MAKE IT HAPPEN enlists the ghost of Adam Smith as a literal character, bridging historical echoes with the present day. In a culture that loves to celebrate its past—think Robert Burns or the country’s enduring mythos around the Loch Ness monster—this comedic nod to the paranormal feels quintessentially Scottish. Yet it also underscores how the long-dormant figures of history can (and do) haunt modern decisions, especially in finance and politics. It’s a fresh lens through which to grapple with the idea that our past, whether personal or collective, isn’t just about nostalgia—it actively shapes our future.

Where Imagination Thrives

Taken as a whole, the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2025 slate highlights a nation in dialogue with its heritage, its communities, and its standing on the global stage. From the meltdown of a national bank to a ghostly economist, from Gaelic-infused performances to teenage journeys in mining towns, the programme encompasses tragedy, comedy, and everything in between.

For those who’ve been waiting patiently for Brian Cox to make a triumphant return, MAKE IT HAPPEN is set to be a major ticket—an unmissable coupling of star power and a top-tier playwright. But it’s also just one piece of a rich tapestry. With fresh projects for young people, committed community outreach, and even digital expansions, NTS ensures that Scottish theatre remains more than just a tourist draw at festival time. It’s a living, breathing entity, shaped by the stories of everyday people and fuelled by the creativity of world-class artists.

If you’re in Scotland (or thinking of travelling here next year), prepare yourself for a theatrical feast. Whether you fancy a satirical exposé of financial crisis, a deeply emotive reflection on community, or a whimsical children’s adventure, this 2025 lineup has you covered. Because in Scotland, the stage is never just a stage—it’s a national conversation, a global invitation, and sometimes, a portal for ghosts of the past to have one last word.

As the theatre world gears up for a season of bold debuts, star-studded returns, and ambitious storytelling, the message from the National Theatre of Scotland is clear: innovation and tradition aren’t mutually exclusive. They thrive together. Whether you’re captivated by the financial complexities of MAKE IT HAPPEN, drawn to heartfelt community projects like CARING SCOTLAND, or intrigued by the sparkle of children’s theatre, there’s a space for you in this ever-evolving cultural tapestry.

The ultimate takeaway? Theatre might be ephemeral—one night it’s there, the next it’s gone—but its echoes can linger in hearts and minds for years. And in 2025, those echoes are poised to ring out across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and beyond, leaving no corner of Scotland untouched. So set your calendar, book your tickets, and prepare for an extraordinary adventure that only live performance can offer. The show is about to begin.