Theatre
Our Town
The Welsh National Theatre’s debut production relocates Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic about everyday life in a fictional American town to Wales. This touring version stars Michael Sheen as the central character, the Stage Manager, with Russell T Davies serving as creative associate.
Swansea Grand Theatre, 16–31 January. Then touring.
A Grain of Sand
This one-woman show, performed by Sarah Agha, reflects on war from a child’s perspective, blending Palestinian folklore with real testimonies from children in Gaza today. Written by Elias Matar and produced by Good Chance, it was commissioned to open the 2024 London Palestine Film Festival.
Arcola Theatre, London, 21–31 January. Then touring.
My Brother’s a Genius
Playwright Debris Stevenson, whose work ranges from a grime musical at the Royal Court to co-writing credits on the RSC’s Cyrano de Bergerac, presents a new play about twin siblings living on a high-rise estate. It brings together her passions for grime, dance, and poetry.
Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield, 28 January–14 February.
Dracula
Cynthia Erivo swaps the role of Elphaba on screen for the iconic vampire Count in this “cine-theatre” reimagining of Bram Stoker’s novel. She will play all 23 characters in the gothic drama, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, who previously brought his one-woman version of The Picture of Dorian Gray to the West End. This production was first staged in Sydney.
Noël Coward Theatre, London, 4 February–30 May.
Broken Glass
Artistic director Nadia Fall’s inaugural Young Vic programme includes exciting new work like Alexander Zeldin’s Care, but first comes this rarely revived Arthur Miller play. Set in 1930s Brooklyn, it was written in response to the rise of European fascism, and its revival feels like a warning for today. It is directed by Jordan Fein, who brought the acclaimed reimagined Oklahoma! to the same theatre in 2022.
Young Vic, London, 21 February–18 April.
The Manningtree Witches
Ava Pickett won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for 1536, her sharp drama about three Tudor-era Essex women and the insidious nature of misogyny. That was one of the most striking debuts of 2025 and transfers to the West End this year. Meanwhile, Pickett has adapted AK Blakemore’s novel about 17th-century witch trials in Essex into a play exploring the history of silenced women.
Mercury Theatre, Colchester, 28 February–14 March.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Lesley Manville, who excels on both screen and stage, returns after a magnificent performance in Oedipus to play the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil in Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s novel about love, power, and deceit in 18th-century France. Directed by Marianne Elliott and co-starring Aidan Turner, it’s a seductive prospect.
National Theatre, London, 21 March–6 June.
Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In
Frances Poet’s play is inspired by the seven-month sit-in at the former Lee Jeans factory in Greenock in 1981. This National Theatre of Scotland and Tron co-production, about the power of collective action, features a live ’80s soundtrack and was partly developed with women who took part in the sit-in.
Tron, Glasgow, 24 April–9 May. Then touring.
Under the Shadow
Based on Babak Anvari’s Bafta-winning Persian-language horror film, this adaptation by Carmen Nasr follows a mother and daughter haunted by supernatural forces in 1980s Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war.The production stars Leila Farzad (known for Kaos and I Hate Suzie) and is directed by Nadia Latif, whose 2019 London staging of Fairview made waves.
Almeida theatre, London, 2 June–4 July
### The Cherry Orchard
Star power shines with Helen Hunt and Kenneth Branagh appearing in The Cherry Orchard at the Swan theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Their combined star wattage fuels this RSC revival of Anton Chekhov’s 1903 tragicomedy about the fading Russian aristocracy (Branagh will also play Prospero in The Tempest in Stratford earlier in the year). Directed by the RSC’s co-artistic director Tamara Harvey, this new version is written by Laura Wade.
Swan theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 10 July–29 August
### Dance
#### Michael Keegan-Dolan: Mám
Irish choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan and his Kerry-based company Teaċ Daṁsa have performed this spirited show worldwide, and it’s now happily touring England and Scotland. The piece invites audiences into a community where tradition and modernity collide and life is in full swing. It’s a wonderful blend of music and dance, featuring concertina player Cormac Begley.
Lowry, Salford, 3–4 February. Then touring
#### Northern Ballet: Gentleman Jack
This smart commission from Northern Ballet tells a Yorkshire story popularised by Sally Wainwright’s TV series—in fact, Wainwright is a consultant on this ballet about landowner, diarist, and lesbian Anne Lister. It’s choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who previously brought Frida Kahlo to life in ballet form and created a memorable version of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Leeds Grand theatre, 7–14 March. Then touring
#### Shechter II: In the Brain
A new piece from Hofesh Shechter for his junior company, Shechter II. The company selects a new lineup of young dancers every two years, with only eight chosen from 1,200 international auditions—always buzzing with energy. In the Brain is described as “part rave, part ritual,” in tune with Shechter’s trademark intense and immersive style.
The Riley, Leeds, 10 May. Then touring
#### Dada Masilo’s Hamlet
The acclaimed South African choreographer, who died in 2024 at age 39, is celebrated with the UK premiere of her final work—a reinvention of Shakespeare’s tragedy that centers Ophelia. Masilo explored themes of power, misogyny, and descent into madness, using her unique fusion of classical ballet and African dance.
Sadler’s Wells, London, 25–26 May
#### This Is Rambert
This year marks the centenary of Britain’s oldest dance company, founded by Marie Rambert. Current artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer has avoided nostalgic celebrations, instead staging an evening of ultra-contemporary dance in bite-sized pieces, featuring Dutch choreographer Emma Evelein and French collective (La)Horde.
Sadler’s Wells, London, 10–13 June. Then touring
### Comedy
#### Bridget Christie: Jacket Potato Pizza
Though she’s gained more attention recently for her TV work—most notably Channel 4’s menopause comedy The Change—stand-up is Bridget Christie’s true home, and she remains one of its most exciting, sharp, and delightfully absurd voices. Expectations are high for her 14th solo show, her first in five years.
Corn Exchange, Stamford, 14 January. Then touring
#### John Kearns: Tilting at Windmills
His last show, Varnishing Days, was a career best, propelling the oddball yet classic comic John Kearns from Taskmaster fame into stand-up biography.G League. Since then, he has partnered with Adam Riches in the novelty crooner parody act Ball & Boe—but in this new show, he returns to solo standup. Not to be missed.
The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 11 February. Then touring.
James Acaster
He has taken a winding path to get here, from nearly making it big at the Edinburgh Fringe, to a trilogy of brilliant and eccentric Netflix specials, and a chart-topping food podcast. But James Acaster is now undeniably one of our most beloved, authentic, and exciting standups—so the promise of a new tour in 2026 is already something to savor.
Clapham Grand, London, 4 March. Then touring.
Phil Wang: Uh Oh
Phil Wang … biggest ever tour.
After making his movie debut in Wonka, one wonders if Phil Wang walked off set with a golden ticket in his pocket: he has the standup career of someone who’s won life’s lottery, with a new, largest-ever tour just announced following a previous globe-trotting, Netflix-featured hit show. This latest offering promises more wit and wisdom from the self-described “only cool millennial left.”
Barbican, York, 11 September. Then touring.
Flo & Joan: With Feeling
The Dempsey sisters’ last show, One Man Musical, was an instant classic, a musical theatre parody that gloriously mocked (and celebrated?) Andrew Lloyd Webber. Now Rosie and Nicola return to the spotlight with another set of the quirky, deadpan comedy songs that made their (stage) names.
Gala Theatre, Durham, 19 September. Then touring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the exciting 2026 theatre dance and comedy announcements
General Beginner Questions
Q I saw a headline about Cynthia Erivo as Dracula Is this a movie or a play
A Its a major new stage play set to premiere in Londons West End in 2026 Its a theatrical production not a film
Q What does Gentleman Jack takes on ballet mean Who is Gentleman Jack
A Gentleman Jack refers to the acclaimed actress Suranne Jones who starred in the TV series of the same name She is making her ballet debut not as a dancer but as the narrator and creative collaborator on a new ballet production
Q Phil Wang is doing a megatour What does that mean
A A megatour is a largescale comedy tour across many cities and venues often spanning an entire country or multiple countries It means hell be performing his new standup show in dozens of locations throughout 2026
Q Where can I find dates and tickets for these events
A Official dates and ticket links are not fully released yet Your best bet is to
1 Sign up for newsletters from major theatres and comedy ticket sites
2 Follow the artists on their official social media accounts for the first announcements
Advanced Specific Questions
Q Whats the creative vision behind casting Cynthia Erivo a woman as Count Dracula
A The production is reimagining the classic vampire story focusing on themes of power immortality and otherness Casting a woman in the role aims to explore new dimensions of the characters seduction strength and loneliness moving beyond the traditional male portrayal
Q Is the Gentleman Jack ballet related to the historical figure Anne Lister or the TV show
A The ballet is directly inspired by the life of
