The Yard Theatre has announced its first full season in its newly rebuilt Hackney Wick venue, marking a major new chapter for the acclaimed London theatre.
Running from July 2026 to April 2027, the programme features six productions, including a starring return to the stage for Ian McKellen in Lear, a reimagining by Jay Miller and Simon Stephens, alongside a stage adaptation of Mrs Dalloway and a landmark revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf.
Originally opened in 2011 as a temporary warehouse theatre, The Yard has been rebuilt on the same site into a 220-seat venue designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects, more than doubling its size while prioritising sustainability and community engagement.
Founder and Artistic Director Jay Miller said: “In 2011 I opened The Yard as a DIY theatre that was supposed to be here for six months.
On The Yard’s 15th anniversary, I’ll open it again.
Same spirit, this time in a better, bigger theatre.
In the twelve months we’ve been closed, we’ve been playing with shows that pop. A debut play by Troy Hunter; toy dolls playing with Jackie Collins; a brilliant actor playing in ways he’s never played before. Virginia Woolf, Ntozake Shange, and the world’s worst band, all on the same stage in the same season.
They said it wouldn’t happen. It’s happening.
Deep breath in.”
The season opens with Philosophy of the World, the acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe hit by In Bed With My Brother, running from 14 to 25 July 2026.
This is followed by the London premiere of The World Is Full of Married Men, adapted by Malmö Stadsteater from Jackie Collins’ novel, presented using dolls as performers in an unconventional staging.
A 50th anniversary revival of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, directed by Diane Page with music by Jammz, runs from September to October.
Winter 2026 sees Ian McKellen return in Lear, a new reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy.
In January 2027, Troy Hunter premieres his debut play There’s Something About Adam Black, directed by Tatenda Shamiso, before the season concludes with Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, adapted by Holly Robinson and directed by Anna Himali Howard.
Architect Takero Shimazaki said: “The design journey of the new Yard Theatre has been the most unique and extraordinary experience in my career as an architect.”
He added: “We have not designed a building like this before. We are not sure if we ever can again. This building will be a genuine special homage to the pop, classical, messy, refined, surprising and generous being that is The Yard Theatre.”
Tickets for all productions will start from £10, with £5 tickets available on the door for under-27s through the theatre’s No Empty Seats scheme.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
