Citizens Theatre announces first stage production for its reopening in 2025

The Citizens Theatre announces Small Acts of Love as the show which will reopen the theatre in 2025.

Article Source: Citizens Theatre
Last Updated: 18 December 2024 11:34

Image Credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Small Acts of Love is a major new work about the bonds of friendship forged between the people of Lockerbie and the American relatives in the wake of the Pan Am 103 atrocity in December 1988.

Commissioned by the Citizens Theatre’s Artistic Director Dominic Hill, this new theatrical and musical collaboration between playwright Frances Poet and composer Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue) is set to be the first production audiences can look forward to seeing when the Citizens Theatre reopens its iconic Gorbals home. Presented in association with the National Theatre of Scotland, it will premiere in September 2025.

Spanning thirty-six years, the piece tells the story of how two communities from the Scottish borders and New York State were forced together in destruction. But through a series of small acts of kindness, found friendship and love.

The project has been painstakingly researched and contains representations of real people built from an extensive series of interviews with families and individuals who were directly affected by the Lockerbie bombing, both in Scotland and the USA.

A cast of 14 actor-singers and a five-piece roots band will bring the profound stories of these two communities to life.

The production is set to open the first season of on-stage work at the Citizens Theatre following the highly anticipated completion of redevelopment works on the building. The company originally moved out of its historic home in the Gorbals in June 2018, as work began on the first major redevelopment of the Category B listed building since it began life as a working theatre in 1878.

In the years since, the Citizens Theatre has continued to present productions across Glasgow and Scotland in venues, car parks and community centres. Its participation programme has never stopped, including a recent 8 month residency in the Gorbals primary schools. Now the company is preparing to return to its home venue as building works enter their final phase. In Spring 2025, a full programme announcement of shows beginning from autumn 2025 is set to be revealed, alongside information on a reopening festival in August 2025.

Frances Poet, playwright, said: “I don’t think I have written anything before where I have felt such a weight of responsibility to tell people’s stories with authenticity, sensitivity and care. The people of Lockerbie poured their trauma into acts of kindness, received with grace and courage by the relatives. This is not a piece about the horrific act of violence on that night in December 1988. It’s about the 36 years since. It’s about the generosity and resilience humans are capable of. I can’t wait to see these inspiring and profound stories brought to life on the Citizens Theatre stage next year.”

Dominic Hill, Artistic Director, Citizens Theatre said: “This is a big, ambitious production about love and friendship in the face of the most extraordinary adversity. We think it is a story we know, but the play and songs reveal how the people of Lockerbie and the American relatives forged something beautiful from the tragedy of their ordeal. At the Citz, being part of a community is at the heart of what we do. So it feels right that our first production on stage should showcase that humanity and heart. It’s been wonderful to develop this commission into a full production and I can’t wait to see it on the main stage of the new Citizens Theatre when we reopen in 2025. This is a very exciting moment to be able to announce our first show and look forward to welcoming audiences back next year.”

Ricky Ross, composer, said: “I have been passionate about this project from the moment Frances and I first sat down to talk about the idea over four years ago. It has been a fascinating and incredibly moving experience and I have loved composing the songs and music that interweave with the text. The Citz is my local theatre. I’m delighted to be part of its opening season, and to be able to tell this poignant and heartwarming story on that stage.”

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.

Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850

More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.

ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green

Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.

77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups

The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.

Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes

Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations

Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!

Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.

Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup

Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.

Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio

Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.

New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden

Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025

From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.

Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail

Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!

KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End

The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026

The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!

Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow

The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Tesla Cybertruck lands at Silverburn... come and see the future

Glasgow EV enthusiasts are in for a treat this week as the famous Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at Silverburn, Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Glasgow Film Festival reveals first titles for 2026

Scotland's biggest film festival has confirmed its highly anticipated Retrospective Programme, which gives audiences the chance to catch classic films back on the big screen for free.

Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.

Flight Club Launches BRAND NEW Game Inspired by a Party Classic

This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.

SEC Glasgow at 40: Four decades of creating incredible

For four decades the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has stood at the centre of Scotland’s cultural life, attracting world-class shows, artists, major events and conferences to Glasgow.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Glasgow Taxis Cup returns for its 21st year in 2026

Now in its twenty-first year, Glasgow Taxis Cup, will see more than 700 student athletes from Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde, and Glasgow universities competing across 17+ sports in 21+ events!