Fresh from being crowned Britain’s Best Theatre, we unveil an exciting programme for Spring 2027

What a year it’s been for the Citizens Theatre! Following our reopening in August 2025, after seven years away, we’re incredibly proud to have been crowned Great British Theatre 2026, alongside winning the Great Renovation Award. Now, we’re looking ahead to another exciting chapter, welcoming an extraordinary mix of artists, companies and performances to our transformed Glasgow home.

Our new programme brings together some of the most exciting names in Scottish and UK theatre, with major productions, new writing, contemporary performance, live music, comedy and shows for all ages. Alongside our own productions, we’re opening our doors to artists and companies who share our ambition to make the Citz a place for creativity, collaboration and unexpected discoveries.

One of the major highlights coming to our Main Theatre is a new production of Janice Galloway’s acclaimed The Trick Is to Keep Breathing, presented by National Theatre of Scotland from 19–29 May.

Adapted for the stage by Michael Boyd and directed by Caroline Hall, this contemporary Scottish classic tells the story of Joy, a woman navigating grief, identity and the search for a way forward. Three actors bring her complex inner world to life in a compelling mix of wit, grit and gallows humour.

It’s an exciting addition to our already-announced 2027 Main Theatre programme, which includes the 40th anniversary production of Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off, Dominic Hill’s take on Death of a Salesman, Olivier Award-winning Punch, and a major co-production of Guys and Dolls with Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Aberdeen Performing Arts, Eden Court Inverness and Dundee Rep Theatre.

Our Studio Theatre is also opening up exciting possibilities, giving artists the space to experiment, collaborate and share work in new ways.

From 26 January to 6 February, we’re delighted to welcome Vanishing Point for a winter residency celebrating creativity, artistic development and fresh thinking. Bringing together established and emerging artists from Scotland and beyond, the residency will feature performances, works in progress, readings, conversations and workshops.

The programme will bring together theatre, dance, live art, music and visual performance. It’s an opportunity to encounter work at different stages of development, discover new perspectives and be part of conversations about what theatre can be.

We’re also welcoming a brilliant line-up of visiting companies to our stages, each bringing something distinctive to the Citz.

On 26 and 27 February, Improbable and Good Chance present Lifegame, a unique blend of improvisation, chat show and theatre. Inspired by Keith Johnstone’s original concept, an audience member’s life is transformed live on stage into sketches, songs and scenes. These performances offer an early opportunity to experience the show as it develops ahead of a planned tour in 2027.

For younger audiences and their families, Exeter Northcott Theatre and Paddleboat Theatre Company bring Elves and the Shoemaker to our Studio Theatre on 6 March. Expect an inventive, interactive adventure filled with clowning, puppetry and a magical miniature world.

On 2 and 3 April, KT Producing presents DENIED! The Story of Tom Molineux, Black Champion Boxer. Inspired by real events, this remarkable story of Britain’s first Black heavyweight boxing champion is brought to life through beatboxing, live music, dance and poetry.

And from 18–22 May, Wonder Fools brings Same Team to the Citz. Co-created with women from Dundee Change Centre and Street Soccer Scotland, this fast-paced production follows five women preparing to represent Scotland at the world’s biggest street football tournament. With the theatre transformed into a football stadium, it’s a story of friendship, resilience and the power of playing for one another.

The Citz is becoming a home for an increasingly wide range of live performance, and our programme already on sale is a brilliant example of the variety audiences can discover here.

As part of Celtic Connections, we’re delighted to welcome an outstanding collection of musical talent, including Jill Jackson; Dallahan with Laura Cortese; McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle and Friends; Judy Collins; Sandy Denny: 80th Birthday Celebration; and All Together Now, a first-of-its-kind Celtic Connections residency bringing six folk musicians together to create new collaborations and reimagine existing work during five days of creative exploration at the festival.

Comedy also takes its place across the building, with Kim Blythe, Rosco McClelland, Mike Wozniak and Kiell Smith-Bynoe among those appearing at the Citz as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Newly announced today, Elaine C. Smith will also take to the Citz stage in Cathy, the hit comedy play from this year’s Edinburgh Festival programme as part of the comedy festival.

Whether you’re joining us for a major theatrical production, discovering a new artist, enjoying a night of live music or bringing the family along for an adventure, there’s something for everyone to experience at the Citz.

Being named Great British Theatre 2026 is an incredible honour, and one we’re delighted to share with everyone who has supported the theatre and helped make our return possible.

It’s been a remarkable period of recognition for the Citz. Alongside our Great British Theatre and Great Renovation awards, Dominic Hill received Best Director at the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland for Waiting for Godot. Beauty and the Beast also won Best Production for Children and Young People at the same awards, before going on to receive Best Show for Children & Young People at the UK Theatre Awards. We’ve also been recognised with the Heritage Champion award at Glasgow’s Inspiring City Awards and crowned Glasgow’s Favourite Business at the Glasgow Business Awards.

For us, though, the most exciting thing is seeing our building full of life again: welcoming audiences, supporting artists, creating ambitious work and making connections with our local community.