Citizens Theatre Homecoming Festival
After years of transformation, the Citizens Theatre are throwing their doors open once more with Homecoming – a two-week celebration of creativity, community, and connection!
About Citizens Theatre Homecoming Festival
Image Credit: Alasdair Watson
This is more than a reopening. It’s a return to our roots, a tribute to our heritage, and the beginning of a bold new chapter.
From a joyful street procession to hands-on workshops, open days, and performances, Homecoming invites everyone to be part of the story. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are stepping inside for the first time, this is your theatre.
Kicking off the celebrations, Gorbals residents are invited to join a vibrant community procession, departing from The Barn at 12.30pm. Together, they’ll make their way to Gorbals Street, crossing the threshold of the Citizens Theatre to reawaken the building and usher in a bold new chapter.
Leading the procession are two specially crafted puppets – Comedy and Tragedy – inspired by two of the Greek goddess statues on top of our building, Melpomene (Tragedy) and Thalia (Comedy). These colourful, larger-than-life characters haven’t had anywhere to play while the Citizens Theatre was closed – but now, they’re finally making their way home. As they travel through some of the new housing that has emerged whilst they've been gone, they'll be joined by community performances and interactive moments, inviting everyone to take part in the story. The procession ends at the new Citizens Theatre, where alongside poetry and song, a co-created living heritage banner will be unveiled – a beautiful artwork made with neighbours and the wider community, celebrating the many voices, cultures, and stories that shape the theatre’s home.
Doors to the Citizens Theatre will then remain open for a full Open House weekend of free celebratory activities, giving the public their first chance in over seven years to step back inside this much-loved building. Everyone is invited to come in, explore, take part and enjoy the space - whether eager to get hands-on with creative workshops, excited to get a moment on the main stage, or simply want to soak up the atmosphere of this iconic venue.
Following the Open House weekend, celebrations continue. Between 28 August and 5 September, bookable activity includes First Look building tours, taster workshops and special events designed to welcome even more people into the newly reopened Citizens Theatre.
Key Dates – Citizens Theatre Homecoming Festival
Saturday 23 August
12.30pm - 2pm
Community Procession
Join the vibrant public celebration that reopens the Citizens Theatre! Starts 12.30pm from The Barn, led by giant puppets and local performers.
Saturday 23 - 2pm – 5pm
Sunday 24 August – 12.30pm - 5pm
Open House Weekend
Step inside the new Citizens Theatre for the first time in 7+ years. Free tours, workshops, pop-up performances and activities for all.
28 August – 5 September
Bookable Festival Events
Creative workshops, First Look tours and taster sessions continue across the building.
From 12 September
Main Stage Reopens
Small Acts of Love premieres. A powerful new play by Frances Poet, with music by Ricky Ross, telling the story of connection and compassion after the Lockerbie atrocity.
From 08 October
Studio Theatre Opens
Close by the Citizens Theatre Young Co
Making Your Mark by the Citizens Theatre Community Collective
Full details and booking: citz.co.uk
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