Royal Exchange Theatre announces 2026 season
The Royal Exchange Theatre’s Artistic Director, Selina Cartmell, has launched her new vision with a celebratory programme of seven ambitious productions for 2026. Entitled ‘A Homecoming’ - the 50th anniversary season launches the next chapter of the theatre, inviting artistic alumni to return ‘home’ to share stories that resonate and celebrate the unique connection between artists and audiences in its distinctive, democratic in-the-round arena.
Two World Premieres, two musicals and three reimagined classics shape Cartmell’s anniversary programme, and includes returning artists and friends such as Sir Tom Courtenay, Jim Cartwright, Shobna Gulati, Matthew Dunster and David Threlfall, plus new creative collaborators Johnny Vegas, Lucy Beaumont and debut writer Tolu Okanlawon.
The season at Royal Exchange Theatre will kick off with Jim Cartwright’s ROAD, starring Johnny Vegas, Lucy Beaumont and Shobna Gulati, with a special appearance on film by Sir Tom Courtenay, his 17th time performing at the Exchange since its opening in 1976. It will play from 13 February - 14 March.
Following on from that will be the first major revival of Noel Coward’s Private Lives, the 14th production of his work at the Royal Exchange. It will run from 27 March - 2 May 2026.
In May, the World Premiere of Even These Things will play. Directed by James Macdonald and written by the multi award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey, this new play is an epic story of Manchester and Ireland which comes to the stage 30 years after an IRA bomb devastated the heart of the city.
In the summer, the regional premiere of Fun Home will take place. Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel, Music by Jeanine Tesori & Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron and directed by Sarah Frankcom, Fun Home is an exhilarating, heartbreaking and Tony Award-winning musical about coming out and coming of age. It’ll play from 3 July - 1 August.
Director Matthew Dunster (A Child of Science, Bristol Old Vic) and actor David Threlfall (The Enfield Haunting, Ambassadors Theatre) return to the Exchange in an emotionally charged reimagining of William Shakespeare's masterwork King Lear in October.
A new production of Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning masterpiece, A Little Night Music, directed by Selina Cartmell. The musical is a breathtaking classic and life-affirming fairytale for adults, which will run in December.
And looking ahead to 2027, the 2025 Bruntwood Prize winning Shooters by Tolu Okanlawon will receive its World Premiere in February!
For further information about this season and to book your tickets, visit the Royal Exchange Theatre website.
