Hampstead Theatre has revealed an exciting 2026 season, headlined by the European premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo and the London stage directing debut of Stanley Tucci.
Kimberly Akimbo, written by David Lindsay-Abaire with music by Jeanine Tesori, will run on Hampstead’s Main Stage from 28 August to 7 November. Directed by Michael Longhurst, the musical tells the story of Kimberly, a teenager with a rare genetic condition that causes her to age four times faster than normal. The show won five Tony Awards in 2023, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
Stanley Tucci will direct Springwood, a witty new play by Richard Nelson about a pivotal meeting in 1939 between King George VI and President Roosevelt. It runs from 19 June to 25 July.
The season also includes five world and European premieres. Alexi Kaye Campbell’s Bird Grove, exploring the untold story of George Eliot, opens on 13 February. Aaron Loeb’s R.O.I. (Return On Investment), a provocative look at ambition and ethics in tech, plays from 6 March. Firewing, the debut play by David Pearson, runs from 17 April, while Joshua Harmon’s We Had A World receives its European premiere from 29 May.
Hampstead Theatre’s Producer and Chief Executive, Greg Ripley-Duggan, said:
“It’s a privilege to be announcing our plans so far for 2026 – and we’ve more to come! These productions will start the year in classic Hampstead Theatre style – thrilling new plays, exciting debuts and, later in the year the European premiere of a Broadway hit musical. It’s a real joy to welcome David Lindsay-Abaire, Jeanine Tesori and Michael Longhurst back to Hampstead for Kimberly Akimbo and I’m really looking forward to introducing our audiences to a raft of new writers and some truly wonderful new plays by some familiar playwrights.”
Alongside these productions, Hampstead Theatre will continue its ENGAGE programme for adults at risk of loneliness and isolation, supported by Camden Council, and launch a new Young Friends scheme for under-30s.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
