The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled further details of its 2026/27 season, including a bold new staging of Othello led by three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke and the world premiere of Brock’s Mill directed by Rufus Norris.
Clarke will play the titular role in Monique Touko’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy, opening at the Swan Theatre in February 2027, described as a story of “shattered passion, revenge and psychological warfare”.
The season also includes the world stage premiere of The Bear and the Piano, based on David Litchfield’s bestselling children’s book and adapted by Toby Olié and Tom Brady, marking the RSC’s first commission for early years audiences.
Elsewhere, Stewart Pringle’s Brock’s Mill receives its debut at The Other Place, directed by Rufus Norris in his first production for the company, exploring memory and nostalgia through the life of a former animator.
Looking ahead, Blanche McIntyre’s acclaimed production of The Merry Wives of Windsor will tour across England in spring 2028, visiting regional venues from Blackpool to Newcastle as part of a major national engagement programme.
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “We want to ensure that as many people as possible feel welcome at the RSC through the stories we choose to tell and the artists who tell them, whether delivering high-quality arts experiences to first-time theatre theatregoers in Stratford, re-examining 400-year-old texts through an urgent new lens, touring world-class Shakespeare productions to communities across England, or welcoming our 13 millionth audience member to Matilda The Musical worldwide in the show’s 15th birthday year.”
They added: “This announcement brings together three very different plays, each of which explore the theme of transformation and how the stories we choose to tell ourselves can help shape the way we see the world and help us navigate our place within it.”
The company also confirmed new artistic appointments, with Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning composer Martin Lowe joining as Music Associate, and Paula Stephens appointed Head of Voice.
Directors Emily Burns and Ryan Day will join Elizabeth Freestone as Associate Directors, strengthening the company’s creative leadership.
Evans and Harvey said: “In seeking to create the best possible conditions at the RSC for artists to make work, we’re thrilled to be deepening our relationships with Directors Emily Burns and Elizabeth Freestone and Lighting Designer Ryan Day.”
They continued: “Each of these appointments reflect our commitment to working with the very best artists to deliver innovative and resonant productions which speak directly to the world today.”
The announcement builds on a wider programme that includes ongoing West End success for Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, which has now been seen by over 13 million people worldwide, alongside forthcoming productions and transfers across the UK.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
