New Scottish Theatre Scheme Backs Early Years Festive Shows

Capital Theatres, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Eden Court Highlands collaborate to support early years performance

Three of Scotland’s largest theatre organisations have announced a new commissioning initiative aimed at nurturing local artists and expanding access to high-quality festive work for children. Capital Theatres, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Eden Court Highlands have launched the Wee Ones Winter Commissions, a multi-year project that will produce three new small-scale productions for young audiences, touring between the partner venues from 2025 to 2027.

Inclusive theatre for young audiences across Scotland

Each production will be designed for children under seven, with a focus on accessibility and inclusion for children with additional support needs. According to the call-out, the work should be “festive-themed” and “specially tailored” to suit families and school groups. Productions selected will open in December 2025, and remounts are planned for 2026 and 2027 across The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, The Studio in Edinburgh, and Eden Court in Inverness.

“We are so thrilled to continue our journey of commissioning fantastic new work for our young audiences and their adults with the Wee Ones Winter Commissions… Collaborating with our friends at Eden Court and Aberdeen Performing Arts has been a real pleasure and this innovative model sits at the heart of our vision to support and develop the Scottish theatre sector.”

– Fiona Gibson – Chief Executive at Capital Theatres

A rare multi-year production model with sector support

The three-year model is unusual in its scope, providing selected artists and producers with a full package of production support, including commissioning fees, technical and front-of-house staffing, and a coordinated marketing campaign. In addition, funding is built in to cover the cost of remounting productions for the following years, an investment that acknowledges the sustainability challenges of early years and small-scale touring work.

Building on past success in early years theatre

The project builds on the success of earlier festive commissions launched by the same venues in 2021. That programme resulted in Barrowland Ballet’s utterly outstanding The Gift, which went on to win the 2023 CATS Award for Best Production for Children and Families, as well as the splendid Unicorn Christmas Party by Sarah Rose Graber and Ruxy Cantir, nominated in the same category in 2024. The programme also supported The Enormous Christmas Turnip by Ivor MacAskill and Rosana Cade.

In 2022, Barrowland Ballet and Capital Theatres co-produced The Unexpected Gift, a highly interactive and inclusive dance theatre work specifically created for children with complex needs. According to the organisers, the new commissions will continue this inclusive ethos.

“Aberdeen Performing Arts is thrilled to be continuing our commissioning partnership… These shows have since been seen by thousands of audience members across Scotland and received much love and acclaim.”

– Sharon Burgess – Chief Executive at Aberdeen Performing Arts

Applications open for artists to propose inclusive festive work

Expressions of interest are now open, with a deadline of 5 May 2024. Artists are asked to outline their concept, the team involved, and how the proposed show will be inclusive. Shortlisted applicants will receive a £250 contribution towards time spent developing the proposal. Final interviews will take place via Zoom on 29 May, and successful projects will be announced in early June.

“We were so impressed with the quality, diversity and audience impact of our previous collaborations that we can’t wait to see what the next three years will bring.”

– Rebecca Holt – Chief Executive at Eden Court

“Each production will be developed with access as a core consideration,” the organisers state, “creating specially tailored experiences for children with additional support needs.”

The Wee Ones Winter Commissions is supported by Creative Scotland.

A timely commitment to access and creative development

The Wee Ones Winter Commissions represent a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to sector development — offering artists time, resources and continuity, while ensuring Scotland’s youngest audiences aren’t left out of festive programming. As the creative industries continue to navigate structural pressures, initiatives like this offer a hopeful model for collaboration and inclusion.

Featured Image: Barrowland Ballet – The Gift – image by Andrew Perry