_{Photograph Copyright Anneleen Lindsay for Capital Theatres, 2026}

We were honoured to be asked to take part in The King’s Theatre Access Panel ahead of its recent re-opening to the public on Friday 31 July 2026.

The Access Panel worked with Capital Theatres to advise on ways to make the new-look King’s Theatre accessible to audiences and staff both backstage and front of house. Accessibility is at the heart of the venue following its £41m refurbishment, with step-free access from street to seat, lift access to every level, upgraded seating including wheelchair spaces and seats with transfer arms, and accessible toilets including a public Changing Places space.

LHTC staff members Ruth McEwan & Becky Leach and Ensemble member Paul Harper recently attended an exclusive tour of the historic building ahead of its official re-opening. Ensemble member Kay Ann Jacobs was also heavily involved in the work of the Access Panel, attending meetings throughout the past year.

Some of our team also attended last week’s re-opening gala, featuring presentations and performances from organisations such as the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.

Scroll through our gallery of images below and start planning your first return visit to the King’s now – you can take a look at what’s coming up, including during this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, on the Capital Theatres website: https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/

Thank you to Capital Theatres, in particular Heritage Engagement Manager Abby Pendlebury, for inviting us to be a part of this truly momentous occasion!

Lung Ha Theatre Company are looking for an Administrator to join our small team. This is a brilliant opportunity to work with Scotland’s leading theatre company working with learning-disabled adults. It’s a varied and interesting role, with relationships playing a key part of the job.

The postholder will be a key point of contact for LHTC actors, families and support teams, helping to coordinate communication, rehearsals, auditions, productions, projects and access-related requirements. They will also support office management, scheduling, board administration, finance processes, fundraising administration, environmental reporting, website updates and general company communications. 

We are looking for someone with strong administrative experience, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, confidence using Microsoft Office and other digital tools, and a methodical approach with close attention to detail. 

Please note: This is an interim post for a fixed term of five months (to start as soon as possible)

To Apply: Please submit a CV and covering letter (no longer than two sides of A4), telling us who you are and about the relevant experience you have for the role, to Ruth McEwan, Executive Director: ruth.mcewan@lungha.com

Provide the names and contact details of two referees (one of whom should be your most recent employer). We will only contact referees on offer of employment.  

It would be helpful if you could also indicate when you submit your application where you found out about this job opportunity. 

Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Monday 27 July 2026 (Interviews are expected to be in early August) 

Should you have any questions, would like further information or to apply in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact Executive Director, Ruth McEwan: 

ruth.mcewan@lungha.com  / 0131 221 9568

Lung Ha Theatre Company is looking for a new Chair of its Board of Trustees. We’re seeking to find someone who can support us with delivering our ambitious plans and our work as Scotland’s leading theatre company for actors and theatre makers with a learning disability and autism. 

The Chair of the Board of Trustees provides strategic leadership to the organisation, ensuring effective governance and supporting the delivery of its artistic vision and charitable purpose. Working closely with the Board and senior staff, the Chair helps shape the organisation’s direction, safeguards its values, and promotes its role within the community and the wider arts sector in Scotland. 

To apply or to find out more, please email info@lungha.com with a CV and a cover letter detailing what interests you about the role, as well as any questions you may have. The deadline to apply is 12pm (noon) on Monday 5th October 2026.

Please note that we are open to this role being shared as a joint Chair either with another candidate or an existing Trustee. Please also let us know your preferred method of communication and any access requirements.

Recruitment Pack

We are delighted to introduce the newest addition to our team!

Eliza Gearty joined us last month in the brand-new role of Access and Creative Principles Toolkit Co-ordinator. Eliza has extensive experience delivering projects and advising organisations across the third sector, with a particular focus on access, inclusion, and participation in the arts. Alongside her work at Lung Ha, Eliza is a writer for page, stage and screen and loves storytelling in all its forms.

The Access and Creative Principles Toolkit is a resource for individuals and organisations with guidance on creating inclusive work environments for disabled and non-disabled people, drawn from over 40 years of experience in making theatre performances with learning disabled actors. It is a free-to-access resource for Scottish-based performance artists, practitioners and organisations, and is also available to purchase with discounts available for charities.

We look forward to working with Eliza on developing this exciting resource further, and we’re sure that you’ll join us in welcoming her to the team!

Project

Access and Creative Principles Toolkit

Read more

This role has been made possible thanks to funding from The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust.

www.rsmacdonald.com

_{Image © Peter Dibdin} . _{Wall Art: Wall Drawing No. 2 by Roger Elliot}

We are delighted to kick off our Big Give Arts For Impact campaign in style with the announcement of our next full Company production!

Building upon the acclaimed 2019 collaboration We Are All Just Little Creatures, Curious Seed and Lung Ha Theatre Company (in association with Lyra) join forces again to present The Table, a devised physical theatre performance.

The Table is a world we’ve built together, and now we have to figure out how we all live in it at once. A bold new intergenerational dance theatre production that asks who gets a seat at the table – and what unfolds once we’re there.

Who’s been invited and who got to make the invitations?

Blending movement, live music, text, and playful imagery, The Table offers a multi-layered performance experience that invites us to think about where we belong and how we show up for one another.

Woven through with unexpected interventions, The Table exists on the fragile edges of order and chaos, embracing both the joys and the challenges of being together – reminding us that connection can also be messy and unpredictable.

The Table features an ensemble of dancers, actors, and musicians from all three companies. It is directed by a fantastic trio of directors: Christine Devaney (Curious Seed), Maria Oller (Lung Ha Theatre Company) and Jo Timmins (Lyra), with the original concept developed by Christine Devaney.  

Original music will be composed and performed live on stage by David Paul Jones, with set & costume design by Karen Tennent and lighting by Emma Jones.

Performances will take place at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, from 18-20 June 2026. Tickets on sale now at the link below!

Dates & Times

Thursday 18th June, 7.30pm

Friday 19th June, 7.30pm

Saturday 20th June, 2.00pm

Saturday 20th June, 7.30pm

_{All performances will include integrated British Sign Language (BSL). A pre-recorded audio description will be available for performances on Friday 19 & Saturday 20 June. Show transcripts will also be available online and at the Traverse Theatre.}

I’m delighted to be collaborating with Lung Ha and Lyra again. It’s a privilege to share creative time and space with the many wonderful artists we’re bringing together for The Table

CHRISTINE DEVANEY, CURIOUS SEED

It’s a great joy and an exciting opportunity for Lung Ha Theatre Company to further develop our relationship with Curious Seed, Lyra and this brilliant creative team. Since our previous partnership in 2019, we have regularly come together to develop further ideas and the result is The Table. We are delighted to finally share this with an audience.

MARIA OLLER, LUNG HA Theatre Company

I’ve rarely seen the company find such a perfect fit between artists and material as they achieve in this lushly beautiful 70 minutes of dreamlike physical theatre.

Joyce McMillan, THe Scotsman (On We Are All Just Little Creatures in 2019)

BIG GIVE ARTS FOR IMPACT 2026

Today also marks the launch of our Arts For Impact 2026 campaign! For the next week, until Tuesday 24 March, we will be raising funds with the support of Big Give and Figurative Philanthropy for Arts and Culture. Thanks to their support, every donation made will be doubled until we reach our £1,500 target.

We need your help to make this possible. Please consider donating towards our campaign, where every pound donated will go directly towards supporting the upcoming production of The Table and our other exciting planned future activity.

Join in and help us to proudly make fabulous theatre!

_{Lung Ha Theatre Company is a registered charity (Scottish Charity Number: SC017635) and is funded by Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and with the support of a number of trusts and foundations.}

The Table

18 – 20 June 2026

A bold intergenerational dance theatre production that asks who gets a seat at the table – and what unfolds once we’re there.

Support Us

How you can support us in making The Table and our other future activity.

Double the difference!

We are delighted to announce that we are participating in Arts For Impact 2026! From 17-24 March, we will be raising funds with the support of Big Give and Figurative Philanthropy for Arts and Culture. Thanks to their support, every donation made will be doubled until we reach our £1,500 target. 

We need your help to make this possible. From midday on 17 March, we are asking you to donate towards our campaign where every pound donated will go directly towards supporting our latest productions.

Join in and help us to proudly make fabulous theatre – and keep an eye out for some exciting upcoming announcements…

Lung Ha Theatre Company is a registered charity. Scottish Charity Number: SC017635

_{Design © Heather Cumming}

BACKGROUND

In May 2025, Lung Ha Theatre Company launched the first edition of the Lung Ha Access and Creative Principles Toolkit – a resource for individuals and organisations with guidance on working with learning-disabled adults.

Drawn from over 40 years of experience in making theatre performances with learning disabled actors, and from research with members of our current ensemble, the toolkit aims to create inclusive work environments for disabled and non-disabled people, in creative and practical ways.

We use these principles, tools and methods to help us make fabulous, award-winning theatre, but we believe they can be used in many types of settings. For more information, please see our Toolkit page:

Project

Access and Creative Principles Toolkit

Read more

We are now looking for someone to work with us to roll out the toolkit more widely, and to embed this strand of work into how we share our expertise with the sector and wider communities.

Details: Part time (0.4 FTE), two-year fixed term post (April 2026 – March 2028)

Role purpose: To co-ordinate and deliver the Lung Ha Access and Creative Principles Toolkit as per the Lung Ha Theatre Company business and artistic activity plan.

Salary: £13,600 (£34,000 FTE) per annum

Location: Lung Ha office in central Edinburgh with occasional travel around Scotland, and a blended approach to office and home working.

Line Managed by: Executive Director

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a delivery plan in line with business needs and Lung Ha activity
  • The focus will be on identifying potential customers and partners for training and delivery opportunities
• Promote packages of delivery to relevant potential customers
• Identify resources required to help with promotion and delivery (i.e. publicity, materials, social media etc) and lead on the co-ordination thereof.
• Work with Artistic and Executive Directors to establish flexible packages to be delivered by relevant members of the Lung Ha Theatre Company team
• Manage budget (expenditure and income) and timelines appropriately
• Monitor KPIs (key performance indicators)
• Contribute to internal and funder specific reporting
• Represent LHTC at industry related events (i.e. FST members meeting)

DETAILED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS and Attributes

• Knowledge of delivering training packages
• Engaging new customer relationships, and maintaining existing ones
• Knowledge of Theatre/Performing Arts sector in the UK
• Working with Learning Disabled people
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Adaptable
• Good attention to detail with a commitment to producing high-quality work

HOW TO APPLY

Please email Executive Director, Ruth McEwan (ruth.mcewan@lungha.com), with your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience (this should be no longer than two pages). If you would prefer to submit in another format (i.e. short video or phone call) please let us know.

Deadline for applications is Monday 23rd February at 12 noon. We expect to hold interviews on Monday 2nd March.

Lung Ha Theatre Company is funded by Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and in partnership with a number of trusts and foundations. This role has been made possible by funding from The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust.

www.rsmacdonald.com

Today is Giving Tuesday and we hope you’ll consider supporting Lung Ha Theatre Company.

For over 40 years, we have been raising expectations of how learning-disabled people can proudly make fabulous theatre. Your support now sparks more creative opportunities and helps us make more award-winning productions. Help us make fabulous theatre in 2026 and provide more opportunities for learning-disabled adults to participate in the arts.

Whether little or large, every donation truly goes a long way. For example:

• £10 – makes it possible for an actor to attend a Tuesday evening ensemble session.
• £50 – provides a lead support worker for that session, making sure our participants are safe and supported.
• £100 – will help us rehearse for our public shared readings at the Traverse Theatre on 22-23 January 2026 (keep reading for an exclusive behind-the-scenes!)
• £1000 – covers our actors’ costs to take to the stage for those rehearsed readings.

Donate now by clicking the link here or the button below. Alternatively, contact info@lungha.com to discuss how you can make a difference.

A Sneak Peek at our Rehearsed Readings coming to the Traverse, 22-23 January 2026

Lung Ha Touring Company is delighted to present rehearsed readings of short plays written by two Lung Ha Theatre Company Ensemble actors, taking place at the Traverse Theatre on 22-23 January 2026.

Tickets for A FISHY TALE IN ANSTRUTHER by Emma Clark and YUI’S UNIQUE ADVENTURE by Emma McCaffrey are on-sale now, and can be booked directly through the Traverse Theatre website at the button below:

And as a special Giving Tuesday treat, we’re delighted to share some behind-the-scenes snaps and video showing our actors hard at work preparing for next month’s readings!

Be a fly on the wall of our rehearsal room and take a look as our Ensemble members Gavin, Ian and Kiki share how they’re feeling to be involved in the performances:

HOw We Invest Your Support

Interested to know how we spend your money?

Productions

We produce new theatre which is accessible, disabled-led and bold now and for years to come.

Lung Ha Ensemble

We host regular workshops sessions with a participatory ensemble of 25 people in Edinburgh. Our Tuesday Sessions offer creative workshops, develop new productions and bring people together. They improve wellbeing, confidence and are also a lot of fun!

Projects

OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: We work with participants through our Lung Ha Across Scotland and Creative Development programmes, making theatre possible for learning-disabled adults throughout the country.

I really like rehearsing with Lung Ha where I get to practise and learn skills that make me more confident on stage and speaking in public. I felt anxious performing when I joined the ensemble but now I don’t.

ENSEMBLE Member

Ready to support? Make your donation online here.

Giving Tuesday is only 7 days away and we need you to get involved!

On Tuesday 2nd December, we are participating in Giving Tuesday. By getting involved, you’ll help us make fabulous theatre in 2026 and provide more opportunities for learning-disabled adults to participate in the arts.

Whether little or large, every donation truly goes a long way. For example:

• £10 – makes it possible for an actor to attend a Tuesday evening ensemble session.
• £50 – provides a lead support worker for that session, making sure our participants are safe and supported.
• £100 – will help us rehearse for our public shared readings at the Traverse Theatre in January 2026.
• £1000 – covers our actors’ costs to take to the stage for those rehearsed readings.

This Giving Tuesday, please consider supporting Lung Ha Theatre Company. For over 40 years, we have been raising expectations of how learning-disabled people can proudly make fabulous theatre. Your support now sparks more creative opportunities and helps us make more award-winning productions.

You can donate now or on Giving Tuesday by clicking the link here. Alternatively, contact info@lungha.com to discuss how you can make a difference.

Lung Ha Touring Company to Present Rehearsed Readings at the Traverse Theatre in January 2026

25 November 20252 December 2025

Lung Ha Touring Company is delighted to present rehearsed readings of short plays written by two of our Ensemble actors at the Traverse Theatre in January 2026.

Support Us

Read more about how you can support us to proudly make fabulous theatre.

Lung Ha Touring Company is delighted to present rehearsed readings of short plays written by two Lung Ha Theatre Company Ensemble actors, taking place at the Traverse Theatre in January 2026!

Lung Ha Touring Company is focused on actor training and making new, smaller scale plays. January’s rehearsed readings will showcase:

A FISHY TALE IN ANSTRUTHER

By Emma Clark

Outside Kurt’s beachside restaurant in Anstruther, two ladies defend their fish and chips from a couple of greedy seagulls. But all is not what it seems… Slapstick, mystery and even the odd song combine in a frenetic tale of strange recipes, budding romance and fishy redemption.    

YUI’S UNIQUE ADVENTURE

By Emma McCaffrey

Yui loves telling stories… except for real ones where she is the main character. But everyone says those are the stories they prefer to hear (so long as they don’t interrupt). Based on the testimonies of autistic people gathered over a twenty-year period, Yui is an exploration of childhood, the fear of change, and living with an often-misunderstood condition. 

_{Yui contains themes of bullying, abuse, death and suicide.}

The readings will take place at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh on Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd January 2026, beginning at 7pm. Each performance will conclude with a short post-show Q&A.

Tickets are on-sale now and can be booked directly through the Traverse Theatre website below!

A Fishy Tale in Anstruther / Yui’s Unique Adventure

22 – 23 January 2026

Lung Ha Touring Company present rehearsed readings of short plays written by two of our Ensemble actors.

Lung Ha Touring Company

Lung Ha Touring Company provides further opportunities for performers to create and tour new and existing work, with bespoke and specialist actor training.

In honour of Trustees’ Week 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on the four new members to have joined the Lung Ha Board of Trustees throughout this past year:

Ali Forbes is a senior marketing and audience specialist with over 15 years’ experience working with world-leading cultural organisations and charities, including the National Theatre and the Royal Academy of Arts. Early in her career, Ali worked with Lung Ha at the Traverse Theatre and was inspired by their work. She is now delighted to support Lung Ha’s mission to champion learning-disabled artists and fabulous theatre.

David Greig is a playwright, screenwriter and theatre director whose original plays and adaptations have been performed widely in Scotland and around the world, including Midsummer, The Events, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Local Hero and The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.

Pooja Joshi is a seasoned financial auditor with a deep passion for the arts and a firm belief in the power of creative expression to inspire, connect and empower people. She was drawn to Lung Ha’s commitment to inclusive and accessible theatre and is delighted to contribute her expertise in a setting that celebrates creativity and community.

Wendy West has been involved with Lung Ha for many years, having previously worked for the Company in the areas of development and fundraising beginning in November 2018. Wendy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with arts and heritage organisations.

We are delighted to welcome Ali, David, Pooja and Wendy to the Board!

We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge those whose time on the Board has come to an end, with Ailsa McLean, Allan Ramsay and Elizabeth Newman stepping down over the last 12 months (including after a staggering 10+ years of service from Ailsa!)

We sincerely thank all of our Trustees, past and present, for their incredible support, expertise, commitment and enthusiasm; we simply couldn’t do it without you.

Actors, Staff, Support & Board Profiles

See All

Lung Ha Theatre Company is looking for new volunteers to join our fabulous support team, looking ahead to our next production.

Our volunteers support and encourage our learning disabled and autistic actors to work to the best of their abilities, while participating fully in workshops and rehearsals (including warm up exercises, movement and improvisations). There will be opportunities to support our actors onstage and backstage during performances, as well as providing support in the rehearsals leading up to the performances.

We are looking for new volunteers aged 18+ who are passionate about theatre and performance, who are open minded and willing to learn, and who will respect the rights and experience of our learning disabled actors. We are particularly keen to hear from new volunteers who are interested in supporting our actors on-stage and/or have daytime availability on weekdays throughout May/June 2026.

Some volunteers choose to undertake additional training to become a Lead Support Worker with us. If this is of interest, please let us know in your application. 

For more information, please go to: https://www.lungha.com/support-team/

Here’s just a sample of what members of Lung Ha Theatre Company’s Support Team have said about volunteering with us:

It’s been fun to do something very different to my day to day job, and to meet lots of great new people who are so warm and friendly. It’s just a lovely community to be part of. It has made me more confident and it’s something I always look forward to.

I enjoyed the level of professionalism across the whole company. The dedication, creativity and enthusiasm of each person involved was truly inspiring.

Working with Lung Ha puts a totally different perspective on life compared to your day job. It is meaningful and people are so committed the actors, volunteers, staff and drama leaders.

It is such an enriching, important part of the Scottish theatre scene and I’m glad to be a small part of it.

Support Team

More Info and How To Apply