Two decades since staging its first production, the National Theatre of Scotland is celebrating a remarkable artistic journey by launching an ambitious new initiative. The True Story project invites the public across Scotland to share their real-life stories, with one selected to be transformed into a theatrical production in 2027.
Founded on 25 February 2006, the NTS has established itself as a transformative force in Scottish culture, taking bold theatre beyond traditional venues into communities across the nation. The anniversary marks not just longevity but evolution. The theatre has consistently challenged conventions about who theatre is for and where it should happen.
The call for stories runs until 13 May 2026, with a shortlist announced to the public in September and a winner selected in November. This approach democratises the creative process, giving ordinary Scots a voice in shaping the national theatre future. Several leading cultural figures support the initiative as True Story Champions, including Val McDermid, Greg McHugh, Irvine Welsh, and broadcaster Lorraine Kelly.
For 2026, the NTS programme includes The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, adapted from Muriel Spark novel by David Harrower and directed by Vicky Featherstone, and Stand and Deliver about the Lee Jeans factory workers. These productions, combined with the True Story project, demonstrate the theatre commitment to telling Scottish stories that matter.
Twenty years in, the National Theatre of Scotland remains true to its founding principle: theatre belongs to everyone. The question now is whether the next chapter will be as bold as the first.