Hampstead Theatre reveals plans for 2026

Kicking off the New Year at Hampstead Theatre will be the World Premiere of Bird Grove, a play by Alexi Kaye Campbell (The Pride, Royal Court)that will be directed by Anna Ledwich, who returns to the theatre following her previous credit on The Billionaire Inside Your Head. Set in 1841, the witty and topical production will question how we can live alongside those we disagree with. Follow the untold story of one of England's greatest writers, Mary Ann Evans, in a poignant exploration of family and ties. It will run from 13 February - 21 March 2026.

Alongside this play in the Hampstead Downstairs will be Aaron Loeb's R.O.I (Return on Investment) from 6 March - 11 April 2026. Making his UK debut with this provocative, darkly funny and disturbingly plausible play, it follows acclaimed Off-Broadway productions of Ideation and Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party. It follows May Lee, a venture capitalist who is seeking her first unicorn, in the form of a start-up with a $1bn valuation. But then a hungry young entrepreneur, Willa McGovern, enters with an idea that could be life-changing, not just for May but for the entire human race. Chelsea Walker directs the show.

Following on from that will be Firewing, a striking new play about connection, artistry and control. The debut play by INSPIRE graduate David Pearson, will be directed by Alice Hamilton and run from 17 April - 23 May 2026.

In May, the European premiere of Joshua Harmon's We Had A World will play in the Hampstead Downstairs. Following his success with Bad Jews, which played three sold-out West End sessions, this play takes place in the 1980s. This deeply personal and searingly funny play brings to theatrical life his New York childhood, caught between his hilariously eccentric but indomitable grandmother and his mother. Catch it from 29 May - 4 July 2026.

Kicking off summer on the Main Stage from 19 June - 25 July will be SPRINGWOOD, the World Premiere of a new play by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson. Set in 1939, this play pulls back the curtain on a pivotal meeting between the President of the United States and the First Lady as they play host to the King and Queen of England. SPRINGWOOD will mark Stanley Tucci's London stage debut as director.

To conclude the season (so far) for Hampstead Theatre is the long-awaited London premiere of Kimberly Akimbo, which plays on the Main Stage from 28 August. Directed by Michael Longhurst, David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori's profoundly funny and heartwarming musical follows Kimberly Levaco, a 16-year-old who has a rare genetic condition that makes her age four times faster than her peers. The Tony Award-winning musical will be a hit during its limited run, from 28 August - 7 November.