Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell will reunite to co-direct a major new production of West Side Story as the National Theatre unveils a 2027 season featuring eight world premieres, classic revivals and a new musical built around the songs of Joan Armatrading.
The National Theatre has announced its 2027 programme, led by a major revival of West Side Story alongside eight world premieres, new British musicals, immersive theatre and a return to repertory performance.
The acclaimed Broadway classic West Side Story will return in a new production co-directed by Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell, reuniting after their award-winning revival of Death of a Salesman. The production will feature Jerome Robbins’ original choreography, reproduced and adapted by Julio Monge, artistic collaborator and consultant on Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film adaptation.
Also announced is Glorious Madness, a new British musical featuring the songs of Grammy and Brit Award-winning artist Joan Armatrading. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the production features a book by Iman Qureshi and is co-produced with KPPL Productions.
Among the world premieres is James Graham’s Major, directed by Jeremy Herrin and examining John Major’s rise to Prime Minister following Margaret Thatcher. National Theatre Director Indhu Rubasingham will also reunite with writer Moira Buffini for The Great Indaba, a new play exploring the role South Africa played in advancing the Good Friday Agreement.
Other new works include Samira by Carmen Nasr, directed by Emily Burns and starring May Calamawy, Joshua McGuire and Sirine Saba; The Adeyemis – A Family Saga by Oladipo Agboluaje, directed by Lucian Msamati and featuring Uzo Aduba in her National Theatre debut; and Mr Loverman, Natasha Gordon’s adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s novel, directed by Paulette Randall.
The programme also features a number of high-profile revivals. Michael Grandage will direct Emma Corrin, Arty Froushan and Harriet Walter in Tennessee Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer, while Emilia Clarke will make her National Theatre debut in Richard Eyre’s new production of David Hare’s Plenty.
Rep theatre returns to the Lyttelton with Paul Mescal leading both Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, directed by Rebecca Frecknall, and Tom Murphy’s A Whistle in the Dark, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin. Casting announced includes Monica Dolan, Tracy Letts, Ciarán Hinds and Aisling Loftus.
The National Theatre will also mark the 50th anniversary of its South Bank home with Ghostlight, a new immersive production from Punchdrunk, conceived and directed by Felix Barrett and curated by Lucy Kirkwood.
Beyond its London stages, the National Theatre will expand its touring and digital reach. Ballet Shoes will embark on a major UK tour, while The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and The Last Wild will travel to venues across England. National Theatre at Home will add more than 25 new titles during the year, and National Theatre Learning is expected to reach 1.5 million young people across the UK.
Announcing the season, Indhu Rubasingham said: “Next year’s programme brings together a remarkable range of work that looks across the last century to explore the perspectives, cultures and conflicts that continue to shape our world. Some of these stories are unfamiliar, some are rediscovered, and others are boldly reimagined for the times we are living in.”
She continued: “With twentieth century classics, eight new plays and global stories, we are proud to continue our work of bringing the National Theatre to the world, and the world to the National Theatre.”
Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, added: “Our 2027 programme reflects a scale, ambition and reach that places us at the heart of the UK’s thriving cultural ecosystem. At a time when original storytelling has never felt more important, we’re investing in new writing, championing bold artistic voices and sharing the magic of theatre with audiences, wherever they are.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
