8 Best New Theatre Openings in August 2026

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 29 July, 2026, 14:15

We're midway through the year and there's still plenty of great theatre to see in London. This August, there's a lot of new theatre show openings that we're excited for, from the returns of old favourites like Hairspray and The Comedy About Spies to the chance to see a big star like Cate Blanchett in Electra/Persona.

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Summary

Beloved favourites like The Comedy About Spies and Hairspray are returning to the stage.
Lose yourself in a comedy with a twist like Abigail's Party or Kimberly Akimbo.
Enjoy the sunshine of open-air theatre with As You Like It.

The Comedy About Spies at the Adelphi Theatre

the comedy about spies west end cast Image provided by production

The beloved Olivier-nominated comedy from the creators of The Play That Goes Wrong is back in the West End! Prepare for a whirlwind of misunderstandings, miscommunication, and mistaken identity in this action-packed comedy thriller set in 1960s London, where CIA and KGB agent chase down a rogue British agent who's stolen plans for a top-secret weapon and unwittingly clash with actors auditioning for the role of James Bond.

Opens 1 August

The Comedy About Spies Tickets

Abigail's Party at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Poster for Abigail's Party Image provided by production

Mike Leigh's ferocious black comedy of suburban life, social class, materialism and sexual tension is a comedy of manners that satirises the new British middle class that emerged in the 1970s, but feels every bit as funny today. In Essex in 1977, queen of the suburbs Beverly throws a party that quickly turns to chaos as awkward small talk gives way to inappropriate flirtations and marital disputes. Starring EastEnders' Tamzin Outhwaite alongside Kevin Bishop, Nadia Falls' revival of this classic comedy is packed with razor-sharp wit and clever commentary.

Opens 12 August

Abigail's Party Tickets

As You Like It at the Globe Theatre

Image provided by production

Step into the Globe's highly anticipated 2026 summer season with a classic Shakespearean comedy, in which young lovers Rosalind and Orlando navigate romance while hiding out in the Forest of Arden. Featuring mistaken identity, disguises, and live music, Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine team up to bring this light-hearted and euphoric story of love, lust, and revelry to life in the gorgeous open-air Globe Theatre.

Opens 14 August

As You Like It Tickets

Electra/Persona at the National Theatre

Electra/Persona Image provided by production

Cate Blanchett stars in this thrilling production that blends ancient myth and modern psychology, fusing Sophocles's Electra with Ingmar Bergman's Persona. An actress suddenly falls silent during a performance of Electra and what follows is an unsettling, intense encounter between two women. Directed by Benedict Andrews, this bold new play explores grief, identity and performance.

Opens 19 August

Electra/Persona Tickets

The Story at the National Theatre

The Story - National Theatre Image provided by production

Black Panther star Letitia Wright will star in the UK premiere of Tracey Scott-Wilson's The Story, a smart and slick newsroom drama about an ambitious young reporter's investigation of a murder of a white teacher in a black neighbourhood. Clint Dyer (Othello, Death of England) directs this thrilling mystery play about the elusive nature of the truth, which offers a raw look at the relationship between race and media.

Opens 27 August

The Story Tickets

Holy Fool at Park Theatre

Poster for Holy Fool Image provided by production

Holy Fool is a tense, darkly witty exploration of the absurdity of tyranny, the bravery of resistance and the triumph of the human spirit. Witness the story of Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the greatest musical figures of the 20th century, as he quietly resists the tyrannical rule of Stalin's regime through the power of his music.

Opens 27 August

Holy Fool Tickets

Kimberly Akimbo at Hampstead Theatre

Kimberly Akimbo Image provided by production

David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori's Tony Award-winning new and original musical tells the story of Kimberly, whose rare disease causes her to age at four times the normal rate. This funny, heartwarming story of a teenage girl who looks like a seventy-year-old woman has delighted and enchanted Broadway audiences with its unique story and unforgettable soundtrack, and now it's transferring to London. Don't miss this quirky coming of age story with a twist.

Opens 28 August

Kimberly Akimbo Tickets

Hairspray at New Wimbledon Theatre

Artwork of Hairspray tour Image provided by production

The iconic, award-winning musical returns with the uplifting and upbeat story of Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of being a dancer, featuring beloved hit songs like Welcome to the 60s and Good Morning Baltimore. Neil Hurst returns to the role of the formidable Edna Turnblad in this delightful touring production of Hairspray, a story that's been charming audiences since the original film first released in 1988.

Opens 31 August

Hairspray Tickets

There are plenty of shows closing, changing, or losing cast members this year - find out what we're saying goodbye to with our feature on Last Chance to See in 2026. If you need more help deciding what show to watch next, check out our 5 Reasons to Watch Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and our breakdown of the differences between popular historical musicals Hamilton and SIX.