The Royal Court Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of Jack Nicholls’ debut play The Shitheads. Co-directed by Resident Director Aneesha Srinivasan and Artistic Director David Byrne, the production opens the theatre’s landmark 70th anniversary season in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs.
Running from Friday 6 February to Saturday 14 March 2026, with a press night on Thursday 12 February, The Shitheads explores Britain’s earliest inhabitants and the primal forces of love and violence. When strangers arrive at a secluded cave, domestic harmony shatters – and survival turns savage.
The cast features Peter Clements, Jonny Khan, Annabel Smith, Ami Tredrea, Scarlet Wilderink and Jacoba Williams.
The creative team includes Anna Reid (Designer), Finn Caldwell (Puppetry Design, Direction & Movement), Alex Fernandes (Lighting Designer), and Asaf Zohar (Composer and Sound Designer). Puppetry Co-Design & Fabrication is by Dulcie Best, with Nick Barnes responsible for Puppetry Fabrication. Casting is by Saffeya Shebli.
The Shitheads follows its performance as part of the Royal Court’s inaugural Open Submissions Festival and is produced in association with Brian and Dayne Lee – AF Creative Media – as part of their first-look deal. The production is supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a donor-advised fund held at Prism the Gift Fund.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
