Dundee Rep Stripped Festival 2026 to showcase new work including Timex musical

Matt Anderson, Katya Searle, Niamh O'Loughlin, Alex Medland, Hayley Scott, Elife Picket Theatre, Eve Nicol, Ryan Hay, Milly Sweeney and Kiki Oladapo were all shortlisted for their work. (Picture: Alistair More / Dundee Rep Theatre)

Dundee Rep Theatre is set to host the return of its Rep Stripped Festival this month, bringing with it an ambitious showcase of new work from across Scotland’s creative scene.

The 2026 edition promises a mix of theatre, music, dance and spoken word, all presented in an intimate, stripped-back setting designed to give audiences early access to ideas still in development.

At the heart of this year’s festival is a programme that explores themes of feminism, family, power and social history, told through fresh perspectives and emerging voices.

For the first time, dance has been introduced into the line-up, marking a special moment as Scottish Dance Theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The festival is split across two programmes, A and B, with audiences encouraged to attend both to experience the full range of ten performances.

Programme A

Programme A offers a diverse and often provocative selection of work that leans into contemporary themes and conversations, blending humour, movement and music with powerful storytelling.

Fans

Fans, written by Matt Anderson, explores modern relationships through the lens of online adult content. What begins as a polite conversation between two couples quickly escalates into a debate around ethics, money and fidelity in the digital age.

A Peg or Two

A Peg or Two is a sharp and unfiltered monologue that blends stand-up comedy with theatre. It follows Adrianna as she navigates conflicting feelings towards her manager, offering a humorous yet uncomfortable look at gender politics, desire and contradiction.

Woman Above Water

Woman Above Water is a dance-poem that explores memory, voice and survival through movement and text. Drawing on myth and personal experience, the piece reflects on what happens when long-silenced emotions finally rise to the surface.

Juney McCloud and the Zombie Apocalypse

Juney McCloud and the Zombie Apocalypse brings a darker, more surreal tone to the programme. The play follows an anxious young woman grappling with grief, isolation and the fear of a collapsing world, blending humour with emotional depth.

Modern Woman

Modern Woman is a new musical centred on Scottish pioneer Elsie Inglis. Moving across timelines, it explores identity, love and resilience, combining historical narrative with contemporary musical storytelling.

Programme B

Programme B continues that momentum while placing a strong emphasis on social reflection and Dundee-rooted storytelling, alongside bold new theatrical forms.

Mither/Daughter

Mither/Daughter is a spoken word theatre piece rooted in Dundee. It explores the relationship between a mother and daughter through poetry, music and performance, tackling themes of class, stigma and intergenerational experience.

MASTERS

MASTERS is an intense monodrama that unfolds during a late-night conversation in a gallery basement. It examines accountability, loyalty and the complexities of navigating serious allegations in creative spaces.

SCAB

SCAB stands out as one of the festival’s most powerful pieces, a new musical inspired by the Timex strikes in Dundee. It follows a young mother forced to balance her political beliefs with the need to provide for her family, revisiting a defining moment in the city’s history.

Manual/Automatic

Manual/Automatic is a real-time journey between two sisters on their way to A&E. The play explores neurodiversity, shared childhood experiences and the emotional realities of being there for someone in crisis.

Route

Route is a hip-hop theatre work that reimagines migration and identity through a reversal of historical narratives. Through movement and choreography, it explores conflict, understanding and the possibility of cultural connection.

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Taking place across four nights, the Rep Stripped Festival offers audiences a rare chance to witness the early stages of creative work that could go on to larger productions.

With tickets available for individual nights or both programmes, the festival continues to position Dundee Rep as a vital platform for new talent, while staying rooted in stories that resonate both locally and beyond.