A Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh production
Sweat
02 - 16 May 2026
Event details
A powerful and deeply human portrait of America’s working class at the dawn of the 21st Century.
In a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, friendships are forged through sweat and laughter. For decades, Tracey and Cynthia have worked side by side, bound by shared history and hard-earned pride. But when whispers of layoffs grow louder, opportunity turns into betrayal. A community built on solidarity begins to splinter, as bitter resentments and unspoken racial divides rise to the surface.
Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a raw exploration of fractured industries, economic disparity, and the deep divisions that helped shape modern America. As Tracey and Cynthia’s sons, Jason and Chris, inherit the fallout of a broken system, their anger and desperation erupt. Gripping and profoundly resonant, Sweat is a story of loyalty, loss, and the unrelenting fight for survival in an unforgiving world.
Citizens Theatre - Main Theatre
02 - 16 May 2026
2 hours, 40 minutes (including interval)
£12 - £41.50
Fees
Booking fee: £1.50 per transaction
Find out more about our fees
Discounts
Individual and Joint Theatre Passes apply.
Access, Gorbals, Under 30s and Low Income passes apply.
Age recommendation
14+
Content note
Contains flashing lights, scenes of violence, racial and ableist slurs, and depictions of smoking.
Event details
A powerful and deeply human portrait of America’s working class at the dawn of the 21st Century.
In a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, friendships are forged through sweat and laughter. For decades, Tracey and Cynthia have worked side by side, bound by shared history and hard-earned pride. But when whispers of layoffs grow louder, opportunity turns into betrayal. A community built on solidarity begins to splinter, as bitter resentments and unspoken racial divides rise to the surface.
Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a raw exploration of fractured industries, economic disparity, and the deep divisions that helped shape modern America. As Tracey and Cynthia’s sons, Jason and Chris, inherit the fallout of a broken system, their anger and desperation erupt. Gripping and profoundly resonant, Sweat is a story of loyalty, loss, and the unrelenting fight for survival in an unforgiving world.
Citizens Theatre - Main Theatre
02 - 16 May 2026
2 hours, 40 minutes (including interval)
£12 - £41.50
Fees
Booking fee: £1.50 per transaction
Find out more about our fees
Discounts
Individual and Joint Theatre Passes apply.
Access, Gorbals, Under 30s and Low Income passes apply.
Age recommendation
14+
Content note
Contains flashing lights, scenes of violence, racial and ableist slurs, and depictions of smoking.
Creative Team
Director
Joanna Bowman
Designer
Francis O’Connor
Lighting Designer
Derek Anderson
Composer / Sound Designer
Patricia Panther
Video Designer and Programmer
Heather Scott
Fight Director
EmmaClaire Brightlyn
Dialect Coach
Aundrea Fudge
Movement Director
Jack Webb
Assistant Director
Laurie Bayley-Higgins
Casting Director
Annelie Powell CDG
Assistant Lighting Designer
Shona M’gadzah
Cast
Laura Cairns
Debbie Korley
Lewis MacDougall
Lucianne McEvoy
Rudolphe Mdlongwa
Christopher Middleton
Ako Mitchell
Manuel Pacific
Mark Theodore
Reviews
“A mighty rendering of an epic tragedy for our times”
The Herald
“blazingly vivid play”
The Scotsman
“extraordinary piece of theatre of the utmost quality for the people of Scotland”
Lisa in the Theatre
“masterpiece in contemporary political theatre”
Corr Blimey
“beautifully wrought scenes”
The Stage
“an exhilarating theatre experience”
Broadway World
“flawlessly constructed piece of drama”
Across the Arts
“Very current, very political.”
Whats on Stage
“Joanna Bowman’s searing, visceral, brilliantly cast production is frighteningly and sharply of the moment”
Sunday National
Go behind the scenes
Sweat production photos by Mihaela Bodlovic
In Rehearsals
Day one with rehearsals
Accessibility
Accessible Performances
BSL Interpreted
Friday 08 May
Audio Described and Captioned
Saturday 09 May
Auditorium Space
This show takes place in our Main Theatre.
We have 6 wheelchair user positions available in the stalls seating area. At Circle level, there is level access to Row C and 2 wheelchair user positions are available. At Upper Circle Level, there are 9 steps up and 4 steps down to the seating.
Hearing aid induction loops are available.
Venue Information
Level access is available from the street, through the Courtyard and into the Main Theatre. The Courtyard Lift provides access to each level of the auditorium, and the Close Lift provides access to the Circle level of the Main Theatre.
We have a small car park with four blue badge spaces within the car park.
You might also be interested in
Becoming a member
A Theatre Pass gives you priority booking, cheaper tickets and discounts in our new café and bar.
Pricing
Accessibility and affordability are values we care a lot about. We offer ticket prices for all pockets and reward early booking.
Plan your visit
A lot has changed since our doors were last open. Find out more about the building and what to expect from your theatre trip.