Neal Street News

We are thrilled to announce the World Premiere of Make It Happen, an epic new satirical play by acclaimed playwright James Graham, directed by Andrew Panton, Artistic Director of Dundee Rep Theatre. The first major artwork to tell the story of Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crash is a unique co-production between National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and Dundee Rep Theatre, in association with Playful Productions and Neal Street, and marks the return of Brian Cox to Scottish stages for the first time in a decade. 

The world premiere of Make It Happen opens the Edinburgh International Festival’s 2025 programme of theatre, music, opera, and dance. It runs for a week at the Festival Theatre from 1–9 August, with previews at the International Festival on 30 and 31 July and at Dundee Rep Theatre from late July

‍‘There is no such thing - as too big.’

Behold the rise, fall and fail of the biggest bank in the world – The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Helmed by Fred ”The Shred” Goodwin (Brian Cox), with his fervent belief in the wisdom of the ‘founder of modern capitalism’, Adam Smith, the once prudent RBS soon plummets, placing Scotland at the heart of the global financial crash of 2008.

Set in Edinburgh, Make It Happen sees legendary actor Brian Cox return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade as Adam Smith, the ghost of fiscal past. Written by James Graham (Sherwood, Dear England), hailed as one of the most influential and finger-on-the-pulse writers of our time, and directed by the award-winning Andrew Panton, this bitingly funny new satire delves into the unchecked growth, spiralling greed and nail-biting hubris that brought the world’s economy to its knees.

This fictionalised satire features a mixture of characters and incidents inspired by real-life events, with others entirely imagined. 

James Graham, writer, said

"Like many writers, an Edinburgh stage is the first place ever I dared put a full play in front of an audience. To be invited to join the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival programme this summer is an honour and a thrill. And to work with the National Theatre of Scotland, the Dundee Rep, and of course - Brian Cox, whom I’ve been desperate to write for for as long as I can remember. 

We still live in the long shadow of the 2008 financial crash and our inability to reset from that inheritance and its divisive legacies, so it feels right to be interrogating it artistically. But we hope to do so in a show full of music and story, larger-than-life characters, cheeky humour, and some ghosts from Scotland's centuries' long past thrown in as well..."

Andrew Panton, director, said

”It’s a personal honour and huge responsibility to tell what became a global story that started in the city close to where I grew up. Working with an exceptionally talented cast, creative and production teams, I’m excited to be directing this new play, bringing it to audiences at Dundee Rep Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival stages.”

Brian Cox, actor, said 

“I'm excited to be doing a play written by James Graham who is such a great writer. It's been a long time since I played in Scotland - it's good to be back.”

Previewing at Dundee Rep Theatre (late July); opening at Edinburgh International Festival, at the Festival Theatre, (previews Wed 30 & Thurs 31 July) Fri 1 August – Sat 9 August

Full cast to be announced.

‍

Tickets will go on sale for performances at Edinburgh International Festival on 27 March, with priority booking available.  

The Edinburgh International Festival’s full programme will be announced on 13 March 2025.