The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled its 2025/26 season, promising a bold and globally inspired programme of productions in Stratford-upon-Avon and beyond.
Joining the previously announced The Winter’s Tale, Measure for Measure and The BFG at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a new staging of Henry V, directed by Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey. The production reunites Harvey with Alfred Enoch, following their acclaimed collaboration on Pericles in 2024.
In the Swan Theatre, Olivier Award-winner Adrian Lester will take on the title role in Cyrano de Bergerac, directed by Simon Evans in a new version co-written with Debris Stevenson.
Josh Roche’s two-part adaptation of The Forsyte Saga returns after a successful 2024 run at Park Theatre, while Lynette Linton will direct the stage premiere of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a new musical based on William Kamkwamba’s memoir.
At The Other Place, Daniel Raggett directs Macbeth starring Sam Heughan in his RSC debut, alongside Olivier and Tony nominee Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth.
Whitney White brings All Is But Fantasy to Stratford for the first time, a gig-theatre experience reimagining Shakespeare’s characters with a live soundtrack of rock, pop, indie and gospel.
The RSC’s international presence also expands with the UK premiere of Born With Teeth at Wyndham’s Theatre, starring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel as Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Directed by Daniel Evans, the production runs from 13 August to 1 November 2025.
Kyoto, co-produced with Good Chance, Rachel Styne and Jessica Foung, transfers to Lincoln Center in New York this autumn, with Stephen Kunken reprising his role as Don Pearlman.
Lolita Chakrabarti’s adaptation of Hamnet embarks on a three-city US tour in spring 2026, visiting Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, and American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said:
“Since embarking on this journey together, our guiding principle as Co-Artistic Directors of the RSC has been to seek out bold and exciting works which deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us. From illuminating and daring classical productions to inventive and socially resonant new writing, this season is a celebration of globally inspired stories, thrillingly told by the most exciting theatre artists of today.
“From Malawi or Manhattan, through French fields, Scottish heaths, mythical lands and Giant country, our 2025/26 programme celebrates what we believe a 21st Century RSC can and should be: global in ambition and outlook, open and collaborative in nature and continuously redefining how Shakespeare and great storytelling can bring joy, connection and improve our understanding of one-another.
“We are delighted to welcome so many artists in their RSC debuts this season, including internationally renowned acting talents Adrian Lester, Sam Heughan and Lia Williams, playwrights Debris Stevenson, Richy Hughes, Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan, alongside the visionary theatre-makers of tomorrow, Lynette Linton, Simon Evans, Josh Roche and Whitney White to name a few.
“We also look forward to continuing and deepening relationships with some of our most recent collaborators, Alfie Enoch and Daniel Raggett who – alongside Emily Burns, returning to direct Measure for Measure this Autumn – played a central role in helping to shape our first season.
“As ever, our pioneering work with young people in schools and communities continues to transform lives both here in the UK and across the globe, whether that’s a first-encounter with Shakespeare’s King Lear performed in a school hall in Skegness or nurturing the next generation of backstage talent with Timon of Athens, part of our Next Generation Act programme made by and for young theatre makers from across the country.
“Meanwhile, our presence in London grows apace, with the announcement that Daniel will direct Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel in a new co-production of Born With Teeth, our seventh production to be presented in London in 2025 alone, with further details of our upcoming Barbican 2025 programme to be revealed in early July.
“And at a time when governments across the globe are trying to shut down borders, our commitment to building new international partnerships is stronger than ever with the news that Kyoto will make its US premiere at the Lincoln Center, New York this Autumn following its sell-out run @sohoplace earlier this year, the highest grossing play to be presented at the venue since it first opened in 2022.
“Wherever and however our audiences experience the RSC in 2025/26, we hope that they encounter work that is beautifully crafted, inspiring and always entertaining.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
