Theatre production brings Burns to life

Using the online Robert Burns Collection – the Trust’s recently digitised collection of manuscripts and artefacts – Clements will transform the poet’s letters, poems and personal items into a one-person performance depicting Burns’s life. With primary source material at his fingertips, Clements will explore the Bard’s real life, his brilliance and his contradictions, to showcase his role as a cultural icon while humanising his struggles and triumphs.

The production, directed by Olivier award-winner Cora Bissett, will premiere during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2025 at one of the Trust’s central Edinburgh properties. It will then be performed at some of our other places during the autumn. The Burns Project will then make its international debut in 2026 during a US tour, supported by the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, strengthening transatlantic ties and fostering a deeper appreciation for Scottish culture.

Michael Terwey, the Trust’s Director of Public Engagement & Research, said: ‘The Burns Project is an exciting pilot initiative for the Trust’s emerging arts programme, which aims to activate historical properties through creative collaborations. We have so many resources across our places that support the exploration of Scottish history, art and culture, so there are many more opportunities to create works of art based on our collection.’

As a maker of source-based documentary theatre, Clements has created and performed projects all over the world about everything from the mental health of a modern princess to the culpability of a fascist filmmaker. With the recent launch of our online Robert Burns Collection , Clements is undertaking a two-year collaboration to activate the archives, and welcome new stakeholders into our properties and collections.

James Clements said: ‘This initiative will breathe new life into Burns’s work, connecting it with contemporary themes of identity, equality and cultural heritage. I believe it will be more than a play – it will create an experience that reimagines Burns’s legacy for modern audiences. We aim to invite diverse audiences to experience Scotland’s heritage in an interactive, meaningful way.’

The Burns Project will run during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 2–9 August 2025 and tickets will be available on edfringe.com

The duration and scope of the project is dependent on funding. To discuss the opportunity to support the project, please contact fundraising@nts.org.uk

Initiatives like The Burns Project support the National Trust for Scotland’s vision to care for, protect and share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone, as outlined in our 10-year strategy, launched in 2022.