Hi, I’m Johnny McKnight

I’m an award-winning writer, director, performer and educator.

My work spans theatre, film, television, opera and pantomime, with a focus on vibrant storytelling, new writing, and life-affirming work for diverse audiences.

WORK WITH ME

McKnight named Number 6 in The List Cultural Top 100

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The High Life - currently on tour throughout Scotland

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Applications open for St Andrews MA in Playwriting & Screenwriting course

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My Romantic History by DC Jackson touring Summer 2026

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Wiping My Mother's Arse by Iain Heggie opening in Pitlochry Autumn 2026

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The Snaw Queen - coming this Christmas to Tron Theatre

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Beauty & The Beast - coming to Macrobert Arts Centre Christmas 2026

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McKnight named Number 6 in The List Cultural Top 100 ✳︎ The High Life - currently on tour throughout Scotland ✳︎ Applications open for St Andrews MA in Playwriting & Screenwriting course ✳︎ My Romantic History by DC Jackson touring Summer 2026 ✳︎ Wiping My Mother's Arse by Iain Heggie opening in Pitlochry Autumn 2026 ✳︎ The Snaw Queen - coming this Christmas to Tron Theatre ✳︎ Beauty & The Beast - coming to Macrobert Arts Centre Christmas 2026 ✳︎

  • "Anyone who has experienced a Johnny McKnight pantomime will be aware he is a master of the genre and has the ability to switch between genuinely touching and hysterically funny in a heartbeat"

    Broadway World on RAPUNZEL
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  • "He knows how to write the sort of drama that will have you squirming in your seat at the truth and suspense of it all"

    All Edinburgh Theatre on A PERFECT STROKE
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  • "McKnight is a force of nature"

    The Skinny on SHE’S BEHIND YOU
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  • "A sharp, brilliant and beautifully constructed workplace comedy about some of the key dilemmas of the age... as breathlessly quick-witted as it is hard-hitting and significant"

    The Scotsman on THE JOKE
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  • “Few writers create working class theatre with such an ear for the cadences of its language, a generosity of spirit, and its limitations and problems than the unstoppable force of nature, Johnny McKnight."

    The List

  • "Dagger sharp, astute, poignant and often very funny"

    The Reviews Hub on NO LOVE SONGS
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  • "Pitch perfect... dazzles with its skill, delighting with its wit, and frightens us with its moral intelligence"

    The Scotsman on RADIANT VERMIN
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  • "This gender-bending, system-offending panto screams joy from the top of its lungs... very likely the funniest thing on stage in Scotland this year"

    Braw Theatre on PETER PANTO AND THE INCREDIBLE STINKERBELL
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  • "Truly incredible... gritty, hilarious and at times very moving... very, very funny... destined for bigger things"

    Broadway Baby on MEET ME AT THE KNOB
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  • "Impeccable.... a rare treat"

    The Stage on WIZARD OF OZ
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  • "A shatteringly powerful piece... deeply disturbing, deeply moving and deeply challenging"

    Scotsgay Arts on RUBBLE
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  • "The most fiercely powerful solo performance on a New York stage"

    New York Post on PROMISES PROMISES

Highlights

  • The High Life by Forbes Masson, Alan Cumming & Johnny McKnight

    The cult classic TV show is back and flying higher than ever! National Theatre of Scotland & Dundee Rep Theatre.

    Currently on tour throughout Scotland.

  • She's Behind You by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by John Tiffany.
    Traverse & National Theatre of Scotland.

    Winner of SCOTSMAN FRINGE FIRST FOR BEST NEW WRITING & 2025 BESTIES AWARD.

  • Radiant Vermin by Philip Ridley

    Directed by Johnny McKnight.

    Nominated for BEST PRODUCTION, BEST ENSEMBLE, BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT & BEST DESIGN (Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland).

  • River City

    Winner Royal Television Society BEST DRAMA.
    Written by Johnny McKnight. Directed by Ryan Graham.

    Nominated for Royal Television Society BEST WRITER.

  • Aladdin by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by Johnny McKnight.

    Award for Achievement in Inclusive Practice, UK Pantomime Awards.

  • Promises Promises by Douglas Maxwell

    Directed by Johnny McKnight.

    Nominated Drama Desk Awards: Best Performance.
    New York Times Critics Choice.

  • Peter Panto & The Incredible Stinkerbell by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by Johnny McKnight.
    Tron Theatre.

    Nominated for Best Pantomime (under 500 seats) UK Pantomime Awards.

  • No Love Songs by Johnny McKnight, Laura Wilde & Kyle Falconer

    Directed by Andrew Panton.

    Shortlisted for Mental Health Foundation Fringe Award & Bright Spark Award.

  • A Perfect Stroke by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by Amanda Gaughan.
    A Play, Pie & Pint.

    Nominated for BEST NEW PLAY
    Critics Awards for Theatre Scotland.

  • 101 Dalmatians - Book by Johnny McKnight

    London & UK National tour.
    Originally a Regents Park production.

  • Hamish Macbeth

    Hamish Macbeth

    In development with Free@LastTV.

  • The Joke by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by Jemima Levick.

    Nominated for BEST NEW PLAY
    Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland.

  • Wendy Hoose by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by Johnny McKnight & Robert Softley Gale.

    WINNER Euan’s Guide ACCESSIBLE SHOW.
    Nominated CATS BEST TECHNICAL PRODUCTION.

  • Aganeza Scrooge by Johnny McKnight

    Directed by Sally Reid.

    Winner of Best Pantomime (under 500 seats), UK Pantomime Awards.

Current Collaborations

Tron Theatre

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Synchronicity Pictures

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BBC Studios

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Macrobert Arts Centre

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Dundee Rep Theatre

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National Theatre of Scotland

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St Andrews University

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Fable Pictures

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Tron Theatre 〰️ Synchronicity Pictures 〰️ BBC Studios 〰️ Macrobert Arts Centre 〰️ Dundee Rep Theatre 〰️ National Theatre of Scotland 〰️ St Andrews University 〰️ Fable Pictures 〰️

Current Work

  • The High Life

    Written by Forbes Masson, Alan Cumming & Johnny McKnight.
    Touring Scotland 2026.

  • My Romantic History by DC Jackson

    Directed by Johnny McKnight.
    Tron Theatre June 2026.

  • River City: The Finale

    Written by Johnny McKnight.
    The end of Scotland’s long running soap.
    Airing Winter 2026.

  • The Snaw Queen

    Written, Directed & Performed by Johnny McKnight.
    Tron Theatre Nov-Dec 2026.

  • Beauty & The Beast

    Written by Johnny McKnight.
    Macrobert Arts Centre, Xmas 2026.

  • Theatre Productions

    Over 60 professional productions.

  • TV & Film

    Over 50 hours of broadcast work.

  • Educator

    Educator

    Worked with participants across all levels and abilities: from pre-school to seniors.