Kiln Theatre has announced two major productions for its 2026 season, including the return of Manic Street Creature by Olivier Award-winner Maimuna Memon and the London premiere of Driftwood by Martina Laird, presented in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Manic Street Creature will run from 5 – 28 March 2026, with a press night on Tuesday 10 March at 7pm. This new production is presented by Kiln Theatre and Gary Beestone Associates.
Following that, Driftwood will run from 3 June – 4 July 2026, with its press night on Tuesday 9 June at 7pm. The production transfers to Kiln Theatre after its world premiere at the RSC’s The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Amit Sharma, Artistic Director and CEO of Kiln Theatre, said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be welcoming two extraordinary pieces of work to Kiln in 2026. Maimuna Memon’s award-winning Manic Street Creature is an electrifying piece of gig theatre and I’m so excited to be giving it a new life here in a major production with Gary Beestone Associates. Alongside this, I am delighted to continue our wonderful relationship with the RSC presenting the London premiere of Martina Laird’s powerful debut play, Driftwood. I cannot wait to share these shows with our audiences – prepare to be wowed!”
Manic Street Creature follows Ria, a singer-songwriter who moves from Lancashire to Camden to pursue her music career. As she records her debut album, the lines between music and memory begin to blur.
The production is directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, with design by Libby Watson and musical arrangements by Maimuna Memon. It is generously supported by Adam Kenwright.
Maimuna Memon, who also wrote the music, book and lyrics, won an Olivier Award in 2025 for her role in Natasha Pierre And The Great Comet Of 1812 at the Donmar Warehouse. She was previously nominated for Standing At The Sky’s Edge and received multiple awards for Manic Street Creature during its original run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Driftwood, written by award-winning actor and writer Martina Laird, is set in colonial Trinidad as the country approaches independence. The play explores identity, legacy, and power through the lens of a gentlemen’s club in Port of Spain.
The production is directed by Justin Audibert, with set and costume design by Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and casting by Matthew Dewsbury CDG.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
