The National Theatre of Scotland's production of "Black Watch." Image credit: Manuel Harlan.
[Black Watch is] one of the clearest artistic statements yet on the futility of war without ever falling back on the kneejerk liberalism favoured by those with less vision, imagination or creative drive…an astonishing artistic whirlwind that, despite its localised setting, is utterly international in its approach.
The Herald

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Black Watch

Black Watch

Journey into a zone of conflict with Black Watch: The National Theatre of Scotland triumphantly returns to the US in 2011 (after landmark US tours in 2007 and 2008) with a thunderous, thoughtful exploration of soldiers’ experiences during the current Iraq war.

Hurtling from a pool room in Scotland to an armored wagon in Iraq, Black Watch is based on interviews with former Scottish soldiers who served in Iraq. Viewed through the eyes of those on the ground, this powerful piece of theater tells the story of Scotland’s legendary 300 year-old Black Watch regiment, whose disbandment was announced in 2004 just before its 800-man battalion replaced some 4,000 US Marines in one of the bloodiest areas of Iraq.

Black Watch is a moving, visceral arts event that reveals what it means to be part of the War on Terror and what it means to make the journey home again.  

Black Watch plays an encore in 2011 with a major US tour – see the National Theatre of Scotland’s website for further details.
Black Watch returned to St. Ann's Warehouse in New York in Fall 2008 for a series of performances.
Black Watch had its US premiere in Los Angeles and New York in Fall 2007, followed by performances in Norfolk, Virginia in Spring 2008:

September 18 - October 14, 2007
UCLA Live
Los Angeles, CA

October 20 - November 11, 2007
St. Ann’s Warehouse
Brooklyn, NY

May 24 - June 1, 2008
Virginia Arts Festival
Norfolk, VA

January 26- February 6, 2011
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Washington, D.C.

During performances at UCLA Live and St. Ann's Warehouse in 2007 and at the Virginia Arts Festival in 2008, we partnered to host a spectacular slate of British Council Conversations: meaty, energetic public events with commentary and dialogue by high-profile figures from the military, media and the arts. Digging deep into Black Watch, we explored our attitudes towards war and the military, the “special relationship” between the US and Britain, and what role the arts can play in discussing divisive social issues.

We're keeping the conversation flowing in a co-publication with USC's Center on Public Diplomacy.

September 22, 2007: On Black Watch opening weekend we partnered with UCLA Live for an electric panel discussion event.
October 3, 2007: Three countries met in virtual space for an international academic conference.
October 7, 2007: Cultural relations and contemporary theater - explore more in our collaboration with USC's Center on Public Diplomacy.
October 25, 2007: A special panel discussion event at St. Ann's Warehouse.
May 29, 2008: Following the Memorial Day holiday we partnered with the Virginia Arts Festival for a new panel discussion event.
January 26, 2011: A unique panel discussion event at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC kicks off Black Watch's third American visit.

Visit What's On for more contemporary UK arts events in your backyard.

Watch a video trailer of Black Watch by the National Theatre of Scotland.

Check out a review of Black Watch by the Royal United Services Institute, a British organization that studies and researches naval and military science.
Learn more about the National Theatre of Scotland, the original production of Black Watch, and Scottish theater from medieval times to the present day.
Performing arts in Britain have an outstanding history of exploring hot-button political and social issues - take a look at some of The Guardian newspaper's archived articles on the art of political theater.

In 2007 we were pleased to partner with the Scottish Government to support the US premiere of Black Watch. The National Theatre of Scotland is represented internationally (excepting Europe) by Double M Arts & Events.

DCSIMG

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