Take your seat for this unmissable drama of decadence, domination and a dizzying descent. 

The full cast has been announced for Make It Happen, an epic new satirical play by acclaimed playwright James Graham (Sherwood, Dear England). The bitingly funny new satire delves into the unchecked growth, spiralling greed and nail-biting hubris that brought the world’s economy to its knees. Make It Happen is the first major artwork to tell the story of Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS) role in the 2008 financial crash.  

Set in Edinburgh, Make It Happen sees legendary actor Brian Cox (Succession, Braveheart) return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade as Adam Smith, the ghost of fiscal past. This fictionalised satire features a mixture of characters and incidents inspired by real-life events, with others entirely imagined.

Sandy Grierson (Lockerbie, Shetland and Outlander) plays Fred Goodwin, former RBS CEO. Cox and Grierson are joined in this world premiere production by a large ensemble cast including Sandy Batchelor, Andy Clark, Maya Bassi Curtis, Callum Cuthbertson, Charlotte Delima, Hannah Donaldson, Kirsty Findlay, Lorraine Graham, Graham Mackay-Bruce, David Mara, Ann Louise Ross, Lawrence Smith, Declan Spaine and Gavin Jon Wright. The ensemble will play a range of other characters including Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister and Chancellor, Alistair Darling, former Chancellor, Maggie Darling, Alistair’s wife, Shriti Vadera, Laura Kuenssberg and key players at the Royal Bank of Scotland. They will be joined on stage by live musicians. 

Make It Happen opens the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival on Friday 1 August 2025 and runs until Saturday 9 August. 

Make It Happen is A National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and Dundee Rep Theatre co-production  

In association with Playful Productions and Neal Street Productions

Supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown 
Supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund through Creative Scotland