The Singer (play)

The Singer
Official poster of the 2026 Fringe production
Original languageBSL
English
Written byCora Bissett
Premiere
Date9 August 2026 (2026-08-09)
PlaceTraverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Directed byCora Bissett

The Singer is a play based on the 2023 short film by Cora Bissett and Jamie Rea, adapted further for the stage by Cora Bissett. Featuring music and lyrics by Katie Tunstall it began previews at the Dundee Repertory Theatre in July 2026, before receiving its world premiere at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Set in Glasgow it follows a deaf drummer, who meets a busker and forms an unlikely creative partnership. Performed in the style of gig theatre, The Singer features British Sign Language, spoken English and captioning.

Background

in 2018, Cora Bissett first met Northern Irish deaf actor Jamie Rea at a BA Performance in British Sign Language (BSL) event, where he performed in BSL along to a song. During the COVID-19 pandemic they collaborated on a short film, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2023. The film followed Joe a deaf musician, who meets busker Andy and forms a unique creative partnership.

In November 2025, it was announced the film was being adapted into a play and would preview at the Dundee Repertory Theatre in 2026. The following day it was revealed that it would receive its world premiere in Edinburgh at the Traverse Theatre.

The play is written and directed by Cora Bissett, with dramaturgy by David Greig and music and lyrics by Katie Tunstall. It features musical direction by Michael John McCarthy, sound design by Garry Boyle, design by Jenny Booth and lighting by Emma Jones. The integral captioning is by Daniel Hughes and BSL direction by Benedetta Zanetti.

Whilst writing the music and lyrics Tunstall was able to draw on her own experiences. She was a busker in Glasgow and suffers from Tinnitus and is deaf in her left ear. Her brother is profoundly deaf.

The Singer features themes of inclusivity, ableism and identity.

Production

In July 2026, The Singer began previews at the Dundee Repertory Theatre. On 9 August 2026, it transferred to the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, where as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, it received its world premiere performance. The cast includes writer Jamie Rea as Joe, Dylan Wood as Andy, with Hannah Jarrett-Scott and Petre Dobre as oracles.

Following its run at the Fringe The Singer will embark on a short Scottish tour to The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, and the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, before returning to the Dundee Repertory Theatre.

A typical performance runs for one hour and twenty five minutes.

Cast and characters

Character Short Film World Premiere
2023 2026
Joe Jamie Rea Jamie Rea
Andy Jack Stewart Dylan Wood
Oracle and other characters N/A Hannah Jarrett-Scott
Petre Dobre

Awards

The play won an Edinburgh Fringe First Award.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "KT Tunstall returns to the Fringe 30 years on with ground-breaking musical". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 "KT Tunstall reveals plans for Scottish 'gig theatre' show". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Edinburgh Fringe 2026: New musicals to see at the festival". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "The Singer". edfringe.com. Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "The Singer". dundeerep.co.uk. Dundee Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "The Singer: KT Tunstall and Cora Bissett on the personal stories behind their new musical". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 2 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "The Singer British Council". filmsandfestivals.britishcouncil.org. British Council. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Singer". aberdeenperformingarts.com. Aberdeen Performing Arts. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "The Singer". corabissett.co.uk. Cora Bissett. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "KT Tunstall gig-theatre show to run at Dundee Rep". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "The Singer to Make World Premiere at Traverse Festival". traverse.co.uk. Traverse Theatre. 21 November 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Singer Traverse Theatre". traverse.co.uk. Traverse Theatre. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "KT Tunstall behind new Edinburgh Fringe show about deaf singer". thenational.scot. The National. 9 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "The Singer review – a sensational new show from Cora Bissett and KT Tunstall". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "K Tunstall On Hearing Loss and the Joy of Writing Music for Stage Show the Singer". sundaypost.com. The Sunday Post. 2 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  16. 1 2 "The Singer". timeout.com. Time Out. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "The Singer Traverse 1". corrblimey.uk. Corr Blimey. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Fringe review: The Singer, Traverse Theatre, Four stars". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Edinburgh 2026 Review The Singer". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "New KT Tunstall musical announced in Dundee Rep season". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "The Singer Freesheet" (PDF). dundeerep.co.uk. Dundee Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Cast set for The Singer, with tunes by KT Tunstall". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 25 June 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "The Singer". dundeerep.co.uk. Dundee Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Scotsman Fringe First awards: our first winners of 2026 revealed". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 14 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.