STORIES from across the centuries and from across the globe feature in the RSC new season in Stratford.
Joining previously announced productions of The Winter’s Tale, Measure for Measure and The BFG in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, is a new production of Henry V, reuniting RSC co-artistic director Tamara Harvey with Alfred Enoch following their collaboration on Pericles in 2024.
In the neighbouring Swan Theatre, Olivier Award-winning Adrian Lester takes the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac in a new version by Simon and Debris Stevenson.
The Swan will also see Josh Roche revive his acclaimed two-part production of The Forsyte Saga with original cast members Fiona Hampton, Joseph Millson and Flora Spencer-Longhurst reprising their roles as Irene, Soames and Fleur.
In The Other Place, Daniel Raggett returns to direct Sam Heughan and Olivier and Tony award-nominated Lia Williams in Macbeth.
Tony award-nominated director, writer, composer and actor Whitney White brings her take on Shakespeare’s iconic characters to The Other Place in All Is But Fantasy – four stories staged across two gig-theatre performances set against a live soundtrack of rock, pop, indie and gospel.
Lynette Linton directs the world stage premiere of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – a new musical based on the memoir by William Kamkwamba with book and lyrics by Richy Hughes and music and lyrics by Tim Sutton.
Next Generation present a collaborative new version of Shakespeare and Middleton’s morality fable, Timon of Athens, part of the RSC’s Next Generation talent development programme for young theatre makers from across England.
RSC co-artistic directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: “Since embarking on this journey together, our guiding principle as co-artistic directors of the RSC has been to seek out bold and exciting works which deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us. From illuminating and daring classical productions to inventive and socially resonant new writing, this season is a celebration of globally inspired stories, thrillingly told by the most exciting theatre artists of today.
“From Malawi or Manhattan, through French fields, Scottish heaths, mythical lands and Giant country, our 2025/26 programme celebrates what we believe a 21st Century RSC can and should be – global in ambition and outlook, open and collaborative in nature and continuously redefining how Shakespeare and great storytelling can bring joy, connection and improve our understanding of one-another.”
Visit rsc.org.uk for further information.
