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First stage production of our 2025 reopening announced
As we prepare to reopen our doors in 2025, we are thrilled to announce that Small Acts of Love will be our first main stage production.
This major new work, commissioned by the Citizens Theatre and written by playwright Frances Poet and composer Ricky Ross, will premiere in September 2025.
Small Acts of Love is a moving play about the bonds of friendship forged between the people of Lockerbie and the American relatives in the wake of the Pan Am 103 atrocity in December 1988.
Spanning thirty-six years, the piece tells the story of how two communities from the Scottish borders and New York State built a lasting connection through friendship, compassion and and small acts of kindness.
This is a big, ambitious production about love and friendship in the face of the most extraordinary adversity. At the Citz, being part of a community is at the heart of what we do. It feels right that our first production on stage should showcase that humanity and heart. It’s been wonderful to develop this commission into a full production and I can’t wait to see it on the main stage of the new Citizens Theatre when we reopen in 2025. This is a very exciting moment to be able to announce our first show and look forward to welcoming audiences back next year.”
Dominic Hill, Artistic Director.
The project has been painstakingly researched by Frances Poet and contains representations of real people built from an extensive series of interviews with families and individuals who were directly affected by the tragedy.
Even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound and lasting impact. Simple gestures – such as returning a cherished keepsake or placing flowers on a grave – can be deeply heroic. “You never know how these small actions will resonate,” Dominic Hill said, noting that such moments help people come together and bond. The play highlights the enduring power of compassion and the human capacity for goodness, offering a timely reminder that in today’s world, even the smallest acts of humanity can make a meaningful difference.
“I don’t think I have written anything before where I have felt such a weight of responsibility to tell people’s stories with authenticity, sensitivity and care. The people of Lockerbie poured their trauma into acts of kindness, received with grace and courage by the relatives. This is not a piece about the horrific act of violence on that night in December 1988. It’s about the 36 years since. It’s about the generosity and resilience humans are capable of. I can’t wait to see these inspiring and profound stories brought to life on the Citizens Theatre stage next year.”
Frances Poet, Writer.
Ricky Ross has woven music throughout the play, and he believes it is a vital tool for healing. He explains that in Scottish culture, music plays a key role in bringing people together, helping them express joy, sorrow, and reflection. “Music helps, music heals,” he says, emphasising how songs can unite communities, especially in times of need.
The songs will be performed by a large ensemble cast of 14 in a choral style alongside a five-piece roots band, which will bring out the themes of working together and emotional connection. Ross compares the process of creating the play to making an album, where music and lyrics flow together to tell a story.
“I have been passionate about this project from the moment Frances and I first sat down to talk about the idea over four years ago. It has been a fascinating and incredibly moving experience, and I have loved composing the songs and music that interweave with the text. The Citz is my local theatre. I’m delighted to be part of its opening season, and to be able to tell this poignant and heartwarming story on that stage.”
Ricky Ross, Composer.
Small Acts of Love is a play rooted in history but deeply connected to the present. Not only does it explore themes of grief and connection, but it also reflects the importance of community and the impact of collective compassion.
As the Citizens Theatre prepares to reopen after a period of closure, the choice to open with this play underscores the importance of storytelling that connects people and fosters understanding.
We are excited about finally sharing this powerful story with audiences when we reopen in 2025.
This ambitious and heartfelt production is presented in association with the National Theatre of Scotland, supported by The Hunter Foundation and was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme.
Full season details and ticket information will be announced in early 2025.