Citizens Theatre announce new autumn season

Citizens Theatre have announced their autumn season with highlights including an adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting and a new production of the eighteenth-century comedy The Rivals.

Trainspotting returns to the Glaswegian theatre 22 years since it was first staged. Gareth Nicholls directs Harry Gibson's adaptation of Welsh's iconic work which depicts the drug culture of 1980s Edinburgh. The revival coincides with the current filming of the sequel to Danny Boyle's successful film adaptation and will run at the theatre from 14 September to 8 October.

Dundee Rep's successful 2015 production of John McGrath's The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil will then run from 18 to 22 October. McGrath's political play which explores Scotland's history will be directed by Joe Douglas and plays at the theatre as part of its Scottish tour.

From November, Citizens' artistic director Dominic Hill will direct a Citizens Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse production of The Rivals. Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan in 1775, the play offers a glimpse into the high society of eighteenth-century Bath in a plot partly inspired by Sheridan's own life. The production opens at Bristol Old Vic as part of their 250th anniversary before touring to Liverpool and then Glasgow.

Commenting on the production, Hill said: "I want to capture that wonderful theatrical exuberance that was synonymous with Citizens Theatre Company shows in the past and this witty comedy will be a really entertaining night out for audiences."

Elsewhere in the season, Glasgow Girls return to the theatre following a fresh run at the Edinburgh Fringe (from August), a large-scale community production inspired by the local legend of the Gorbals Vampire will run in October and Hansel & Gretel will feature over the festive period (6 December to 7 January).

Hill said: "Irvine Welsh’s raw, uncompromising work still packs a punch today and it seems to be the perfect time to revisit it. Gareth Nicholls' thoughtful and considered productions of Into That Darkness, Vanya and Blackbird have resonated with Citz audiences and I’m looking forward to seeing his take on this infamous work…

"Rounding off the season, I will be directing Stuart Paterson's Hansel and Gretel. A firm family favourite, it offers a traditional storytelling experience with a few twists to offer a festive alternative to pantomime for Glasgow families this Christmas."