Nessie Musical Premieres in Edinburgh 2025

A new Scottish musical is diving into the spotlight. Nessie, a family-oriented tale of friendship and Loch Ness lore, opens at The Studio in Edinburgh on 28 March before moving to Pitlochry Festival Theatre in July.

Caitlin Forbes stars as Mara, an 11-year-old budding marine biologist, alongside Eden Barrie as the legendary ‘Nessa’, with Alyson Orr, Louis Newman, and Keith Macpherson rounding out the cast. Capital Theatres and Pitlochry Festival Theatre are behind this world premiere, betting on a homegrown story to draw crowds. It’s a fresh take on a familiar myth, and tickets are already on sale.

A Loch-Side Adventure

Nessie follows Mara’s unexpected encounter with the fabled creature, sparking a narrative about bravery and connection. Shonagh Murray, the show’s composer and musical director, has penned the book, music, and lyrics, aiming to craft a tale for all ages. Puppets, designed and built by Ella Mackay, will bring Nessa and the loch’s inhabitants to life, operated by the cast under the guidance of puppetry coach Ross Mackay.

The production kicks off at Edinburgh’s The Studio from 28 March to 5 April, then heads to Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Studio from 9 July to 16 August. Director Beth Morton leads a creative team including designer Natalie Fern, lighting designer Peter Fennell, sound designer Pippa Murphy, and movement director Sasha Harrington. It’s a strong team, rich with excellent track records, so the signs are good.

Meet the Players

Caitlin Forbes, recently seen in The Stamping Ground at Eden Court and A Christmas Carol at Dundee Rep, takes on Mara. Eden Barrie, a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland alum with credits in Sweet Charity and Urinetown, plays Nessa. Orr, Newman, and Macpherson handle multiple roles adding their versatility to the ensemble. It’s a Scots-heavy lineup, rooted in the nation’s theatre talent pool, and fitting for a story told on the banks of Loch Ness!

A Boost for Scottish Creativity

This isn’t just a one-off. Nessie is the first full production from the Musicals Commissioning Hub, a joint effort by Capital Theatres and Pitlochry Festival Theatre launched in 2021. The initiative aims to support Scottish writers and musicians, born out of lockdown’s lean times for the arts. Fiona Gibson, Capital Theatres’ chief executive, said the goal was to nurture local talent and give them a platform.

“It has been such an exciting process to support Shonagh Murray’s creative journey with Nessie from an initial idea…We can’t wait to share Shonagh’s beautiful show with audiences of all ages when Nessie swims into The Studio later this month” she noted.

Pitlochry’s newest artistic director, Alan Cumming, sees it as a chance to spotlight Scottish icons. “I want…to celebrate great Scottish women, and who’s more iconic than Nessie?” he said. Together these two vital Scottish institutions are hoping to blend a classic legend with a new voice, targeting families and hardened theatregoers alike.

“It has been such an exciting process to support Shonagh Murray’s creative journey with Nessie from an initial idea…We can’t wait to share Shonagh’s beautiful show with audiences of all ages when Nessie swims into The Studio later this month.”

Fiona Gibson – CEO Capital Theatres

Why Now?

The arts took a hit during the pandemic, and projects like this signal a push to rebuild. The Hub’s focus is practical: get Scottish stories on stage, support emerging artists, and fill a gap left by a possibly temporary shortfall in theatrical imports. It’s now or maybe never!

**Fiona Gibson and former Pitlochry chief Elizabeth Newman**

Nessie fits that mould—an original work, not a recycled hit, designed to resonate with kids and parents. Whether it will land with audiences remains to be seen, but the intent is clear and we wish them clear skies and a calm loch.

“I want…to celebrate great Scottish women, and who’s more iconic than Nessie?”

Alan Cumming – Artistic Director – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

The Bigger Picture

Theatre’s a tough gig in 2025—costs are up, and budgets are tight. Yet Nessie represents a welcome risk: a local story, a modest scale, and a family audience in mind. Capital Theatres has a track record of inclusivity—think its dementia-friendly work, which nabbed a UK Theatre Award in 2023—while Pitlochry champions rural arts access. Together, they’re testing whether a Scottish musical can swim in today’s waters. My guess is it’ll be like a duck (or a dinosaur) to water.

For now, Edinburgh gets first dibs, with Pitlochry extending the run through summer. The puppets, the score, the cast—the stage is set. If it works, it could help pave the way for even more homegrown productions. Until then, Mara and Nessa are the ones to watch, bringing a bit of musical myth and magic to Scotland’s theatres.