Theatre Shows
Akanana; Sweet Banana
by Dorine Mwesiga
For ages 12+
Tues 18 Nov 2025 at 19:00
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Akanana; Sweet Banana is a show all about Dorine’s life and where she comes from. She grew up between different cultures, meeting new people and learning how to fit in while staying true to herself. The performance mixes dance, music, video and storytelling to share her journey of discovering who she is and celebrating where she comes from.
Dorine’s background in street dance and Waacking (a funky, stylish dance style full of energy and attitude) is at the heart of the show. Some parts of the performance are even made up on the spot—so no two shows are ever the same!
Dorine was born in France, has Tanzanian roots, and now lives in Scotland. She speaks four languages and has taken this piece to festivals all over the world—from London to Paris, Edinburgh to Tanzania. Akanana; Sweet Banana started as a short 10-minute idea, but has now grown into a 35-minute show full of movement, rhythm and power.
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Beautiful Chaos 2.0 - Premier
by Pirita Tuisku and Thabo Mokolobate
For ages 12+
Sat 20 Sep 2025 at 14:00 and 18:30
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What happens when two artists from different backgrounds meet? Beautiful Chaos 2.0 highlights the beauty, vulnerability, and connection that arise when differences are embraced and celebrated.
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Blending dance, film, and spoken word, this unique performance explores the evolving friendship between two artists from different cultures, and the unexpected shifts in identity that come from learning each other’s stories.
Family Portrait
by Barrowland Ballet
For all ages
Mon 26 Jan 2026 at 17:00 and 18:00
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A video experience on four screens of incredible visuals and movement. Capturing the Artistic Director of Barrowland Ballet, Natasha Gilmore, and her three children as they explore family life together.
Filmed in the amazing outdoors of Scotland the children find rabbit skulls, talk with spiders, make war paint with berries and discover the fun of burying their mother in bark.
With lots of humour and honesty, the show shares what family is really like — helping each other, having fun, finding balance, sharing closeness, and most of all, love.​​​
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Lightning Ridge
by Catherine Wheels
For ages 8+
Mon 23 Feb 2026 at 18:00
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12 year-old Ashmol lives in the Australian outback with his mum, dad and his little sister Kellyanne and her two invisible friends Pobby and Dingan.
One day, Pobby and Dingan disappear. At first Ashmol is happy that the imaginary friends are out of his life, but Kellyanne becomes sick. The longer Pobby and Dingan are lost, the sicker Kellyanne becomes. Finally, Ashmol decides that there is only one thing to do: he must find Pobby and Dingan.
Lightning Ridge is a heart breaking and beautiful story about the possibility of dreams, about a community coming together, the preciousness of hope and how, sometimes, we have to believe in the impossible.
Winner of the CATS award for Best Performance for Young Children and Young People and Gill Robertson won the Outstanding Performance award
A Catherine Wheels show created by Gill Robertson, Shona Reppe, Daniel Padden and Rob Evans. Adapted from the book Pobby and Dingan by Ben Rice.
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Beautiful Chaos 2.0 - Premier
by Pirita Tuisku and Thabo Mokolobate
For ages 12+
Sat 20 Sep 2025 at 14:00 and 18:30
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What happens when two artists from different backgrounds meet? Beautiful Chaos 2.0 highlights the beauty, vulnerability, and connection that arise when differences are embraced and celebrated.
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Blending dance, film, and spoken word, this unique performance explores the evolving friendship between two artists from different cultures, and the unexpected shifts in identity that come from learning each other’s stories.
One of Two
by Jack Hunter and Independent Arts Projects
For ages 12+
Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 19:00
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One-man comedy-drama about two twins growing up with cerebral palsy: Bec (a wheelchair user) and Jack (who walks with a limp). Each twin had a very different experience navigating life and school.
Join Jack as he steps back in time, reliving squabbles with his old womb-mate Bec. All whilst battling against societal attitudes and his own emotional darkside: in the form of a well-known disabled Sith Lord.
In this true tale of twins growing up, their unique bond is tested as they steer through the trials and tribulations of childhood and school - honking at bullies and overthrowing the low expectations foisted upon them.
An inspiring* solo show with sketch and spoken word, that celebrates disability and diversity.
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*Inspiration not guaranteed.​​​​​
A Home for Hamish
by Just Us and Scottish Theatre Producers
For ages 4 - 7
Wed 1 Apr 2026 at 16:00
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A bright, fun, and interactive adventure for children aged 4-7 and their families.
In this playful story, dance and British Sign Language bring the journey to life. Two friends travel across Scotland, climb tall mountains, dance with jellyfish, and escape dragons — all on their exciting quest to find home.
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Past Shows
20-21 Mar: Float by Kerry Cleland and Starcatchers
26 - 29 May: When the World Turns by Oily Cart and Polygot (Imaginate)
31 May - 1 Jun: Great Big Tiny World by Oily Cart (Imaginate)
6 - 7 Jun: Bright & Wild 2025: Don't Go to the Woods by Jo Sharp and The Outline, Dream Maze by Jennifer Steele and Wednesday Performing Arts, Way Past My Bedtime by Sally Charlton and Thursday Performing Arts and Frankie and Max's Nighttime Adventure by Mischa Stevens and Youth Music
4 - 5 Sep: Laaaunch! by Dirliebane Theatre Company and Starcatchers
Programming
Lyra’s theatre is programmed by our teenage Young Curators – they make the choices and control the programming budget for Artspace. They programme professional shows for young audiences and their families living in the Greater Craigmillar community. They want the shows they programme to be “MOVING, EXCITING, FUNNY, INCLUSIVE, INTERACTIVE and REFLECTIVE of our COMMUNITY”. Lyra’s Young Curators enjoy a variety of different genres and styles with shows for different age groups that surprise and challenge them. The Young Curators have confirmed their programme and budget for 2025-26.
Sometimes we can present shows that come with their own funding - please bear in mind we don't charge for tickets at Lyra. Please contact Executive Producer James Preston (james@lyra.co.uk) with as much information as possible including a video link, technical specification, target age range.
Lyra makes and tours our own work by professional grown-ups for young audiences in communities of significant multiple deprivation. We also support Scottish artists and companies to produce, test and present work for young audiences at Artspace. Whilst we don’t directly commission work, we may be able to offer a combination of studio and/or theatre space, artistic, dramaturgical and producer advice. We aim to share our available resources and expertise for the benefit of our community and the wider children and young people’s arts sector. In return for Lyra’s support, we ask companies to connect with our audiences, previewing and/or premiering their work with our Young Artists and local community. Where Lyra’s Young Artists have been contributed to the development of a new work, we ask that they are appropriately credited – and, of course, they love being invited to a premiere!
Please be aware that Lyra runs its own busy engagement programme and the Young Artists already have a packed schedule. Artists and companies who would like to test ideas and/or run extra workshops with our participants will need to budget for additional staffing to recruit and organise new workshops and 'test/focus' groups. Lyra is always available to support this process and give guidance and advice. If you’d like to discuss a potential partnership, please contact Executive Producer James Preston (james@lyra.co.uk) in the first instance.