What's new
Playwright Rona Munro is bringing her long-running Stewart dynasty saga to a close with a final installment titled James VI: First and Last. Scheduled for the autumn of 2027, the stage production will tour Scotland during September and October. Director Rufus Norris, who recently concluded a ten-year tenure leading the National Theatre of Great Britain, will helm the project. Norris, who directed a production of Death of a Salesman at the Zorlu Performing Arts Centre in Istanbul prior to relocating to Fife in 2025, joins the project with backing from the Creative Scotland Touring Fund.
About the series
The historical drama cycle began over a decade ago when the original trilogy debuted at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2014. Rather than focusing on traditional Anglo-centric history, the sequence explores internal Scottish statecraft, sovereignty, and political feuds. Later additions to the epic chronicle include 2022's James IV: Queen of the Fight and 2024's James V: Katherine. Although the original trilogy was co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, independent producers Margaret-Anne O’Donnell and Gill Garrity of Raw Material, along with Capital Theatres, have driven the project to keep the cycle alive on Scottish stages.
What to expect
The finale examines the complex reign of James VI as he navigates intense religious turmoil in an effort to unite the crowns of Scotland and England. The drama will explore sixteenth-century court politics and psychological leadership struggles while offering contemporary resonance. Following the cycle's established tradition of challenging male-centric history, the story will also highlight the compelling, complicated women surrounding James VI.
Full casting details and specific venue tour dates are not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Source: turkish historical drama - BingNews · Published October 20, 2026 · Photo by Matthieu Oger on Unsplash