Last Updated on January 14, 2026
London Theatre 2026: A Season of Change on the South Bank and Bankside
Exciting times lie ahead in the theatre world as the South Bank and Bankside’s powerhouse venues move into 2026 amid a wave of artistic change and renewed creative ambition. At the National Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham makes history as the first woman and first person of colour to lead the institution. Perhaps best known for championing unheard voices and for her transformative tenure at London’s Kiln Theatre, it comes as no surprise that there is a buzz amongst the theatre world as Rubasingham unveils her first full season on the South Bank.
Meanwhile, the Old Vic prepares to welcome Rupert Goold as its new Artistic Director in spring 2026. Goold, who led the Almeida Theatre for over a decade, succeeds Matthew Warchus after his remarkable 11-year tenure. His arrival coincides with the opening of the Old Vic’s new Backstage building and the appointment of Rebecca Frecknall as Associate Director, signalling a bold new chapter for the theatre.
The Young Vic, The Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe continue to guarantee that there is a wealth of great theatre shows to catch next year, ensuring that the South Bank and Bankside theatres offer one of the most dynamic and closely watched theatre hubs in the world.
South Bank and Bankside Theatres
National Theatre
Man and Boy – Dorfman Theatre
Not to be missed…Terence Rattigan’s tense drama of corruption, ambition, and fractured family bonds returns under the direction of Anthony Lau in his NT debut. Set in 1930s New York, the play follows the collapse of tycoon Gregor Antonescu (Ben Daniels) as he navigates professional ruin and personal betrayal, while his estranged son, Basil (Laurie Kynaston), observes, judges, and reacts. A sharp exploration of power, morality, and the emotional cost of reinvention, this production promises intensity, subtlety, and high-stakes drama.
30 January – 14 March 2026
The Authenticator – Dorfman Theatre
Directed by Miranda Cromwell, Winsome Pinnock’s gothic psychological thriller unfolds in a grand but troubled estate where artist Fenella Harford (Sylvestra Le Touzel) enlists academic Marva (Cherrelle Skeete) to verify newly discovered diaries. Alongside mentor Abi (Rakie Ayola), the characters confront unsettling secrets, moral ambiguity, and the darker side of ambition. A taut, suspenseful exploration of truth, perception, and obsession.
26 March – 9 May 2026
Summerfolk – Olivier Theatre
With a contemporary adaptation by Nina and Moses Raine, directed by Robert Hastie, Maxim Gorky’s sharp, socially aware drama looks sure to ignite. Summerfolk is set in 1905 Russia, in a privileged summer retreat which becomes a microcosm of denial and complacency as the political storm gathers. The play’s wit and tension reveal the human tendency to ignore upheaval until it arrives at one’s doorstep. Casting TBA.
6 March – 29 April 2026
Les Liaisons Dangereuses – Lyttelton Theatre
I really don’t want to miss this revival of Christopher Hampton’s celebrated adaptation of Laclos’ novel, directed by Marianne Elliott! In the salons of the super-rich, the Marquise de Merteuil (Lesley Manville) and Valmont (Aidan Turner) play a seductive and ruthless game of power, manipulation, and revenge, while Madame de Tourvel (Monica Barbaro) and Madame de Rosemond (Gabrielle Drake) navigate love, betrayal, and morality. It promises to be a sumptuous, high-stakes study of desire, cruelty, and human weakness.
21 March – 6 June 2026
Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Phone: +44 (0)20 7452 3000
The Old Vic
A Christmas Carol
It is no surprise that A Christmas Carol has returned for its 9th year to the Old Vic, as it is such a fantastic, atmospheric staging of Dickens’ festive classic. This year, Paul Hilton steps into the role of Scrooge. The production captures the warmth, humour, and moral heart of Dickens’ tale, bringing Victorian London vividly to life with evocative design, live music, and the spirit of redemption. In my experience, it’s the perfect production to lift everyone straight into the Christmas mood.
Until 10 January 2026
Arcadia
Fancy a witty, intelligent meditation on love, chaos, and the persistence of knowledge? Tom Stoppard’s time-hopping masterpiece intertwines past and present with exquisite precision in this major revival at the Old Vic. In this production, directed by Carrie Cracknell, expect rich character work, sparkling dialogue, and the elegant intellectual energy that makes Stoppard a timeless favourite. The production is a fitting memorial to one of our greatest playwrights. Casting TBA.
24 January – 21 March 2026
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Ken Kesey’s story of resistance, power, and institutional control, later adapted into the hugely successful film starring Jack Nicholson, gets a bold, visceral new staging under the direction of Clint Dyer. Aaron Pierre stars as McMurphy, bringing energy and defiance to the role, alongside Giles Terera as the measured and morally complex Harding. This one will be a searing examination of conformity, rebellion, and power.
1 April – 23 May 2026
103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB
Telephone (Box Office / enquiries): 0344 871 7628
The Young Vic
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
At one of my favourite London theatres, I’m looking forward to seeing Rajiv Joseph’s dark comedy, which follows an atheist who finds himself wandering after death and forced to re-evaluate his life, alongside a fast-talking tiger roaming Baghdad. Amid the chaos of post-Saddam Iraq, American Marines Tom and Kev, and Iraqi translator Musa, confront questions of meaning, revenge, and forgiveness. Omar Elerian directs this European premiere, with a fantastic cast led by David Threlfall (Shameless) and Arinzé Kene (Misty), bringing surreal humour and profound insight to the stage.
2 December 2025 – 31 January 2026
Broken Glass
Another one to look out for is Arthur Miller’s seldom-seen 1938 drama, which returns under Jordan Fein’s direction. Set in Brooklyn, a Jewish couple confronts the rise of fascism in Europe and the personal crises it triggers, exploring fear, identity, and the way global events seep into private lives. A taut, intimate production of emotional intensity and moral depth. Casting TBA.
21 February – 18 April 2026
Care
Alexander Zeldin makes his Young Vic debut with a new play about loss, renewal, and human connection. Known for his intimate, socially grounded theatre, Zeldin presents a quietly powerful and deeply humane look at ordinary lives in extraordinary circumstances, capturing the rhythms, tensions, and tenderness of real human relationships. Casting TBA.
11 May – 11 July 2026
Sting
Nancy Medina directs Sophie Swithinbank’s provocative new play, which exposes the misogyny and complicity embedded in policing culture. A timely and urgent work, Sting examines the courage to speak out, the social mechanisms that protect wrongdoing, and the resilience of those challenging the status quo. Sharp, tense, and emotionally resonant. Casting TBA.
18 June – 18 July 2026
66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ
Telephone (Box Office): +44 (0)20 7922 2922
The Bridge Theatre
Into The Woods
For all those Sondheim fans, you won’t want to miss Sondheim and Lapine’s magical world, where fairy-tale characters collide, and wishes have consequences.
A baker and his wife venture into the woods to lift a witch’s curse, encountering humour, heart, and moral twists. Directed by Jordan Fein, Into The Woods stars Kate Fleetwood, Jamie Parker, and Katie Brayben, with set and costume design by Tony Award-winner Tom Scutt.
2 December 2025 – 18 April 2026
Ivanov
Chris Pine makes his London stage debut as the troubled Nikolai Ivanov in Simon Stone’s modern take on Chekhov. Amid marital strain and existential crises, Ivanov’s unravelling life mixes humour and tragedy in a gripping character study. Directed and written by Simon Stone, with set designer Lizzie Clachan, costume designer Mel Page, composition and sound by Stefan Gregory, lighting by Nick Schlieper, and casting director Jessica Ronane CDG.
14 July – 19 September 2026
3 Potters Fields Park, London SE1 2SG
Box Office / Enquiries Phone: 0333 320 0051 or 0333 320 0052
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
The Tempest – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Led by Tim Crouch, The Tempest promises a production shaped by his playful, inquisitive style, bringing a fresh clarity to one of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic plays. Known for blurring boundaries between performer and audience, Crouch approaches the story with a director’s curiosity and an actor’s intimacy, crafting a version of The Tempest that feels both newly imagined and deeply rooted in its themes of magic, control, and forgiveness. Under his direction, the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse becomes the perfect setting for a world where illusions flicker, power shifts, and Prospero’s island feels close enough to touch.
From 17 January – 12 April.
Much Ado About Nothing
A lively new staging of Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy, following the sharp-tongued clashes and reluctant romance of Beatrice and Benedick, alongside Claudio and Hero. Expect vibrant open-air energy, quick wit, mischief, music, and all the glorious messiness of love. Casting TBA.
Summer 2026
Julius Caesar
A bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s political tragedy exploring ambition, betrayal, and the high cost of power. Set amid rising unrest, the production interrogates rhetoric, populism, and the forces that shape, and fracture nations. Casting TBA.
Summer – Autumn 2026
The Comedy of Errors
A colourful, fast-paced revival of Shakespeare’s madcap tale of mistaken identity. Physical comedy, musicality, and emotional resonance collide as two sets of twins unleash havoc, reunions, and joyful chaos. Casting and dates TBA.
New Writing at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The candlelit season continues, championing contemporary voices with new plays and inventive reimaginings inspired by early modern forms. Expect intimate premieres, atmospheric storytelling, and bold experiments uniquely suited to the glow of candlelight. Casting TBA.
Throughout 2026
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Box Office / Enquiries Phone: +44 (0)20 7401 9919
Summary
Stepping back from the full 2026 lineup, what strikes me most is the sense of real momentum across Bankside. With new artistic leaders, fresh creative priorities, and an impressively varied season ahead, these theatres feel sharper, braver, and more attuned to the moment than they have in years. It’s a corner of London I return to often, and this upcoming year gives me plenty of reasons to keep doing so. If you’re planning your theatre diary, 2026 is shaping up to be a year you won’t want to miss.
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