Brixton House has announced the return of its biennial Housemates Festival, with its largest programme to date running from 1 to 19 September 2026.
Now in its fourth edition, the festival will present seven new productions from playwrights Danny Bailey, Alejandra Chamorro Cuevas, Max Hyner, Lara Grace Ilori, Abir Mohammad, Razak Osman and Ariana Xeno.
Drawing on Black British, Latinx, Queer and South Asian perspectives, the works explore subjects including women’s healthcare, queer faith, politics, race, loneliness and contemporary survival, while remaining rooted in the histories and communities of South London.
The 2026 line-up includes SUGA by Max Hyner, a surreal and comic critique of late-stage capitalism; Tube Chronicles by Razak Osman, an autobiographical solo show set against the backdrop of the London Underground; and We Can’t Be Friends by Abir Mohammad, which follows two queer Muslim characters searching for connection and belonging.
Danny Bailey’s Pressure explores three generations of a Brixton family through periods of political uprising, while Alejandra Chamorro Cuevas’s dark comedy Goodbye makes its London debut. Set in the city’s first assisted suicide clinic, the play stars Samuel Anderson and examines what happens when dying with dignity becomes unexpectedly complicated.
Also featured are Lara Grace Ilori’s Runner Girl, a spoken word-infused journey of self-discovery through a young Yoruba woman’s relationship with her mind and body, and Ariana Xeno’s Stomach, inspired by research into women’s experiences of healthcare and the gender health gap.
This year’s festival comes alongside a significant expansion of Brixton House’s artist development programme after submissions for Housemates Festival tripled. Alongside the productions, audiences can take part in open mic nights, readings, collaborative events and industry conversations designed to support artists at every stage of their careers.
Camille Koosyial, Brixton House and Housemates Producer, said: “Growing up in South London, I didn’t often see stories or career pathways that reflected people like me, so Housemates feels incredibly important. It’s about creating space for artists to tell bold, original stories without having to fit traditional industry expectations. Brixton House’s commitment to artists and community gives us the freedom to champion new voices, remove barriers and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. My favourite thing about the festival is its sense of possibility, you never know where the next brilliant artist or story will come from.”
Ruth Hawkins, Brixton House Executive Creative Producer, said: “Access to the time, space, resources and professional networks that creatives rely on to develop isn’t always available. Housemates Festival responds to this opportunity gap. We create a vital pipeline for artists to test ambitious ideas, develop their practice, connect with the industry and build meaningful relationships with audiences. We strive to grow and expand our investment in these voices, year on year, helping to shape a more representative and relevant creative sector.”
Since launching in 2022, Housemates has staged 24 productions and welcomed more than 7,000 audience members. The 2026 festival attracted more than 200 submissions and continues Brixton House’s commitment to nurturing emerging artists whose work may otherwise struggle to find support through traditional industry routes.
The programme also strengthens relationships with returning artists. Danny Bailey previously curated Uprising Festival and contributed to The Futurists exhibition for Windrush 2026, while Lara Grace Ilori returns as a writer-performer after appearing in a previous Housemates production. Former Brixton House front-of-house team member Lucie Lutte will also present A Space For Us All, a new event giving writers and emerging actors opportunities to develop fresh work.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
