Arcola Theatre has unveiled its 2026 Spring Season, running from January to June, with nine productions including six major in-house shows, four world premieres, and four London premieres.
The season opens with A Grain of Sand in Studio 1, a powerful one-woman performance blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from Gaza. Written and directed by Elias Matar, this intimate piece explores resilience and hope through a child’s eyes.
In Studio 2, Safe Haven by Chris Bowers offers a galvanising historical drama about Operation Safe Haven, the humanitarian intervention that saved countless Kurdish lives after the First Gulf War.
Dominic Dromgoole directs the first-ever stage adaptation of Barbara Pym’s Booker Prize-shortlisted novel Quartet in Autumn, adapted by Booker Prize-winning author Samantha Harvey. This poignant meditation on ageing and friendship will run from May to June.
Other highlights include Iphigenia, a striking reimagining of Euripides’ tragedy adapted and directed by Serdar Biliş, and Ken Ludwig’s romantic comedy Dear Jack, Dear Louise, directed by Simon Reade.
Returning after acclaim at Edinburgh Fringe are Bitch Boxer by Charlie Josephine and Monstering the Rocketman by Henry Naylor. Both solo performances tackle themes of prejudice and resilience.
The season also features Ukraine Unbroken, a cycle of five short plays conceived and directed by Nicolas Kent, celebrating the strength of a nation determined to remain free. Writers include David Edgar, David Greig, and Natalka Vorozhbit.
Closing the season is A Fine Idea by Christine Bacon, a theatrical response to Jason Hickel’s book The Divide, exploring global inequality and colonial legacies.
Arcola’s Artistic Director, Mehmet Ergen, said:
“This Spring, Arcola Theatre presents a season shaped by urgent global voices: a powerful expression of the resilience of marginalised communities. In a world increasingly marked by conflict and division, these stories speak to the courage, humanity, and compassion that persist amidst turbulent times.”
Arcola’s Executive Producer, Leyla Nazli, added:
“Arcola Theatre invites you into a season alive with theatrical variety. From international tales of war and exile, to voices confronting power from the margins, to homegrown stories reflecting on identity and belonging. These works capture the urgency of our times, while celebrating the humour, joy, and imagination that allow us to endure.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
