QMU welcomes audiences to new Stef Smith production at Traverse Theatre
Rising stars of stage and screen will dazzle audiences next February as they perform a new Stef Smith production at the Traverse Theatre, bringing Queen Margaret University’s 150-year story to life.
Drawing on QMU’s rich history, from its origins as a cookery school for women, through two world wars, student activism and a global pandemic, ‘Head. Heart. Hand.’ explores how generations of students responded to the challenges and changes of their times with resilience, passion and hope.
Created by award-winning playwright and QMU graduate, Stef Smith, the production will be performed by QMU final year Acting and Performance students at Scotland’s new writing theatre, the renowned Traverse Theatre, from 19–21 February 2026.
Stef Smith studied Drama and Theatre Arts at Queen Margaret University and won an Olivier Award for the show ‘RoadKill’ just a few years after graduating. Her plays include ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’, ‘Swallow’ and ‘Enough’; and her recent screen credits include ‘Float’, the BBC Scotland drama, which shines a light on the lives of LGBTQ+ teens living in rural communities and for which she won a BAFTA for Best Writer.
Stef said: “Coming back to QMU feels a little surreal. I can hardly believe how much time has passed since I graduated, yet in many ways it feels like no time at all! Much of Scotland’s theatre scene is built on new writing, so it’s vital that students gain experience working directly with a living playwright. I hope this opportunity gives them a real sense of the professional world they’re about to enter – it has been brilliant to see the next generation of students bringing such energy and creativity to the project.”
The development of Head. Heart. Hand. forms part of the QMU150 programme of activities marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the institution now known as Queen Margaret University. As part of QMU’s commitment to accessibility, the university will be offering 150 £1 tickets to its students for the Thursday afternoon dress rehearsal. These can be booked directly through QMU and are not available via the Traverse box office.
At its core, Head. Heart. Hand. is a story of perseverance, action, and the enduring belief in education as an act of hope. It promises to be a moving celebration of QMU’s legacy - and the students who shaped it.
Listings information
Performance dates: 19 Feb 7pm | 20 Feb 7pm | 21 Feb 2pm and 7pm
Venue: Traverse Theatre
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
About QMU
We are distinctive in our person-centred approach to education and teaching, and our commitment to shaping a better world. We treat our students as individuals and we aim to offer them the optimum balance of theoretical and practical learning. Renowned for immediately relevant research and innovation, we have widely recognised expertise in business, the creative industries, education, health and rehabilitation, and social sciences.
