Battersea Arts Centre has announced its 2026 spring season, revealing a wide ranging programme of new work, international collaborations and major building takeovers.
The season features the World Premiere of Second Trimester, created by performance artist Krishna Istha and their mother Geetha Shankar, directed by Milli Bhatia.
Running from 14 to 25 April, the piece explores multi generational pregnancy stories, loss, gender and inherited memories in an epic, cinematic staging.
A major building takeover arrives in the form of Swingers: The Art of Mini Golf, a playable art exhibition making its UK Premiere from 17 June to 26 July.
Featuring nine artist designed mini golf holes, contributors include Miranda July, Kaylene Whiskey, Delaine Le Bas and Saeborg.
The season also includes the UK Premieres of Monica by Pablo Lilienfeld and Federico Vladimir from 1 to 2 May, and Bunny by Daniel Kok and Luke George from 4 to 6 June as part of the Queer East Festival.
In addition, The Present is Not Enough by Silvia Calderoni and Ilenia Caleo runs on 26 and 27 March.
Two festivals are part of the programme.
Bloom returns from 8 to 16 May with five genre defying works developed at BAC.
Homegrown, curated by young producers, runs from 25 to 30 May.
Opening the season is A Public Address, co produced with Quarantine and running from 16 February to 14 March.
The takeover features four works including Why I Am and Why I Am Not, 12 Last Songs, The People of Lavender Hill and No Such Thing.
Creative Director Pelin Başaran says, “This season brings together bold, radical work that engages with the world as it is: complex, political, playful and alive. The programme speaks directly to communities and voices that are often marginalized, creating a season that is energising, provocative and unafraid to take risks. It invites audiences to consider what connects us, what we desire, and how we nurture one another in the imagining of alternative world. BAC is uniquely placed in London where you can encounter boundary pushing work year round, with artists who actively experiment with form and challenge norms. The strong international presence across the season signals what’s to come. It reflects our commitment to being a year round home for international work in the capital and lays the foundations for LIFT in the years ahead.”
Artistic Director and CEO Tarek Iskander adds, “BAC has always been a place where artists are trusted to take risks — with ideas, form and the questions they’re asking of the world. This season reflects that spirit, from work originated and developed here in our building on Lavender Hill, to artists from across the world coming through our doors. That belief in creative freedom goes hand in hand with our commitment to widening access with Pay What You Can tickets, so that ambitious, exceptional art and performance can be experienced by as many people as possible.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
