James VI: First and Last
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Start date
September 24, 2027 7:30 pm
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End date
October 2, 2027
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Edinburgh Festival Theatre Events
13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
Rona Munro’s James VI: First and Last receives its world premiere at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, running from Friday 24 September to Saturday 2 October 2027. Directed by Rufus Norris, the production completes Munro’s cycle of plays about Scotland’s Stewart monarchs.
The play follows James VI of Scotland, who also became James I of England, during a reign shaped by religious tension, court politics and the union of the crowns.
Key Event Details
| Dates | 24 September–2 October 2027 |
| Times | Evenings 7.30pm; selected matinees 2.30pm |
| Location | Festival Theatre, Edinburgh |
| Price | Prices depend on performance and seat |
The final chapter of The James Plays
Munro’s earlier James Plays traced generations of Scotland’s royal family; this new standalone work closes the series with a monarch whose decisions shaped both Scotland and England. It is designed to work even if you have not seen the previous instalments.
The announced story examines the king’s personal relationships alongside the political pressures of his reign, including the women around him and the history of his relationships with men. Norris directs after a decade as artistic director of London’s National Theatre. Full casting was not confirmed when the production was announced and should not be assumed from images of earlier stagings.
Performance dates, access and tickets
Evening performances are scheduled for 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on selected dates. Capital Theatres lists an approximate running time of 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval, age guidance of 14+, and a warning about scenes of a sexual nature.
The theatre has announced a captioned performance on Thursday 30 September and audio description with BSL interpretation on Friday 1 October. An associated touch tour is also listed for 1 October. Check exact access arrangements with the box office.
Priority booking opened on 27 October 2026, with general booking scheduled from 11am on 3 November. The Edinburgh run precedes a Scottish tour to Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness and Aberdeen. The Festival Theatre is on Nicolson Street, a short walk south of the Royal Mile.
For current booking information and any programme changes, check the official event listing.