Theatre and performance
Theatre and performance
Plan your next cultural experience. Check out Glasgow's amazing collection of historic and modern theatres as well as venues for live performances.
Historic Glasgow theatres
The King's Theatre
In the heart of the city centre is the historic King's Theatre. Opened in 1904, The King's shows the best of touring musicals, shows, spectacles and a popular annual pantomime. Check out the King's Theatre website.
Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal presents a wide range of productions. These include shows from resident companies Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. Opened in 1867, it is the oldest theatre in Glasgow and features a Victorian auditorium. Visit the Theatre Royal website to find out more.
The Pavilion
The Pavilion was the place to visit in the early 20th Century to see the leading stars of the music halls. Known for its variety shows and pantomimes, no matter the show, The Pavilion is always a fun night out. All you need to know is found at The Pavillion website.
Contemporary work at leading theatres
Tron Theatre
The Tron Theatre is an intimate theatre space, housed within the 16th Century Tron Kirk. Featuring everything from new writing to reinvented classics, there's a wide range of shows on offer. Then enjoy discussing the shows in a lovely cafe/bar afterwards. Visit The Tron's website to see what's on.
Citizen's Theatre
The Citizen's Theatre offers contemporary versions of classic plays and new Scottish drama. The theatre is undergoing extensive refurbishment and is currently closed to the public. You can follow its progress online. Visit the Citizen's Theatre website..
Tramway
Set in the southside in a former tram depot, this industrial space hosts cutting-edge visual art and performances. It is at Tramway that you'll find the most radical works staged in the city. It is also home to a beautiful outdoor space, The Hidden Gardens. Visit Tramway's website to find out more.
Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA)
The CCA is an arts hub in the city centre that hosts exhibitions, films, workshops, festivals and more. Expect one-of-a-kind performances within a beautiful building. Find out more at the CCA's website..
Neighbourhood theatres
Platform
Platform is an inclusive, arts-for-all organisation in the Easterhouse area. They programme a wide range of cutting edge performances, and their east end location is at the heart of what they do. Visit Platform's website.
Cottiers
Cottiers is a former church and now popular restaurant and wedding venue in the west end. Enjoy live music and traditional theatre performances in a stunning setting. Visit Cottiers' website.
Websters
Websters is a theatre, bar and playhouse in a converted church in the west end. They offer a great line-up of theatre, comedy, dance and more. Find out what's on at Websters' website.
Outdoor performance
Bard in the Botanics
The annual Bard in the Botanics takes place each June in the Botanic Gardens in the city's west end. Scotland’s premier Shakespeare company presents different plays by the Bard each year. Check out Bard In The Botanics website.
SURGE at Merchant City Festival
Physical theatre and circus performers take over the streets of the Merchant City at the end of July each year. The spectacular street theatre is always one of the highlights of the Merchant City Festival. Visit Surge Festival website for details.
Unique to Glasgow
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
For a truly unusual experience visit the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre. Shows bring to life hundreds of carved junk figures to haunting music and light. Find out more at the Sharmanka website..
Scottish Mask & Puppet Theatre
The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre is a centre of excellence for mask, mime, puppetry and physical theatre. You’ll find a performance most weekends. Check out the schedule at the Scottish Mask and Puppet Theatre's website..
A Play, A Pie and A Pint
A Play, A Pie and A Pint pioneers new-writing in the beautiful Oran Mor. Each year, 35 new plays showcase fresh UK talent. Find out what's on at A Play, A Pie and a Pint website..
Britannia Panopticon
The Britannia Panopticon is a must-see for all theatre and history lovers. It is the world's oldest surviving music hall. Many iconic stars have performed here over the years, such as Stan Laurel and Cary Grant. Expect everything from drag to comedy. Listings can be found at the Britannia Panopticon website.
Scotland's finest performers
Glasgow is home to 4 of Scotland's 5 national performing arts organisations plus many other leading companies:
- National Theatre of Scotland - The theatre without walls tour their work across the country and internationally. They have a base in the north of the city. Visit the National Theatre of Scotland's website.
- Scottish Opera – Scottish Opera is the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland. They are based at the Theatre Royal and also tour extensively. Check out Scottish Opera's website..
- Scottish Ballet - Also resident performers at the Theatre Royal. Scottish Ballet are known for their innovative performances, which they take to the world. Find out what's on at Scottish Ballet's website..
- Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) - Making their home at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the RSNO has been wowing audiences for over 125 years. Visit RSNO online.
- BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) - Based at City Halls, SSO perform nationwide, as well as maintaining a busy schedule of broadcasts. You can find out more at BBC SSO online..
- Scottish Ensemble - Adventurous string musicians, they tour their live shows throughout the country. Check out Scottish Ensemble's website.
Article last updated: January 2024
