The Royal Court Theatre has announced the first part of its 2027 season, featuring six world premieres, a major Broadway transfer and a preview of plans extending into 2028.
The new programme will bring together some of theatre’s most celebrated artists, including Tobias Menzies, Jessie Buckley, Juliet Stevenson, Simon McBurney, V (formerly Eve Ensler), Phylicia Rashad and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
Royal Court Artistic Director David Byrne said: “Three years since I became Artistic Director of the Royal Court, and coming out of our 70th anniversary year, this is the most thrilling season we could imagine bringing together. I almost can’t believe it’s ours – but of course it is, because this extraordinary set of knotty, original, adventurous new plays couldn’t be truly at home anywhere else.”
Opening the season in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs is the European premiere of Purpose by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The acclaimed Broadway production transfers to London direct from New York with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and will be directed by Phylicia Rashad.
Internationally renowned company Complicité returns to the Royal Court with the world premiere of The Apology, written by and starring V. Directed by Simon McBurney and featuring Tobias Menzies alongside V herself, the production explores themes of sexual violence, justice and atonement, with set design by Es Devlin.
Ciara Elizabeth Smyth’s new domestic thriller The Briar Patch receives its world premiere in May 2027. Directed by David Byrne, the production stars Olivier Award-winner Juliet Stevenson and follows a woman whose search for answers threatens to unravel her life.
The season also includes Afterbirth, a new play by Royal Court Associate Playwright Nina Segal. The production, opening in January 2028, stars Oscar-winner Jessie Buckley and is directed by Maria Aberg.
The Jerwood Theatre Upstairs programme opens with We’re Gonna Kill Billy, the professional debut of Concord Theatricals Unpublished Playwright Award winner Alex Medland. Described as a comedic eco-thriller, the play will be directed by Aneesha Srinivasan and developed in partnership with ReStage and NT Green Store to explore more sustainable production practices.
Elsewhere, Georgie Dettmer and director Jess Edwards reunite for War Face, a new work created with serving and retired soldiers in collaboration with the Chelsea Pensioners. Benjamin Kuffuor’s George Devine Award-winning Working Men will also receive its world premiere as part of the season.
The Royal Court’s Young Playwrights Award Festival returns for its third year in July 2027, while the Open Submissions Festival will once again showcase emerging writers discovered through the theatre’s script submissions programme.
Executive Director Will Young said: “Beyond these new shows, we’re proud that the Royal Court’s role as a national institution is reflected this year in more opportunities than ever to engage audiences across the UK and around the world. Between now and next summer, Rhys Warrington’s Monument plays in Cardiff and Emteaz Hussain’s Expendable in Nottingham; Manfred Karge’s Man To Man tours to Edinburgh, Berlin and New York; Kimberly Belflower’s John Proctor Is The Villain has three months in the West End – and the live capture of Olivier and Tony Award-winner Giant by Mark Rosenblatt will hit 900 cinemas in its global release. Wherever you’re watching, we can’t wait to welcome you.”
To accompany the season announcement, the Royal Court has collaborated with British-Chilean artist Naomi in Blue on a new music video featuring performers from across the programme, including Jessie Buckley, Juliet Stevenson and Tobias Menzies. The video features Naomi’s single Who Knows from her debut album Is This Body Mine?
Tickets for all newly announced productions go on sale to supporters from 28 October 2026, with general public booking opening on 4 November 2026.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
