The new productions will continue Co-Chief Executives Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah’s vision to offer the widest access to high-quality theatre in the world into the New Year.
Artwork for National Theatre's 2026 season provided by theatre.
The National Theatre has revealed some of its productions for 2026!
Kicking things off in January will be Man and Boy, which will mark Anthony Lau's National Theatre debut. Lau will deliver a sharp, contemporary edge to Terence Rattigan's tale of paternity and corruption to the Dorfman Theatre.
Set in 1930s New York City, Man and Boy fizzes with Jazz, Broadway, and the Great Depression. Casting for Man and Boy includes Ben Daniels (The Normal Heart) and Laurie Kynaston (Long Day's Journey Into Night) playing father and son. Further casting and the creative team have been announced, which you can read about here.
Man and Boy plays in the Dorfman Theatre from 30 January to 14 March 2026.
Later in the Spring will be The Authenticator, a gripping gothic psychological thriller which will play in the Dorfman Theatre from March. The production will reunite award-winning writer Winsome Pinnock (Leave Taking) with director Miranda Cromwell (Death of a Salesman) following their acclaimed production, Rockets and Blue Lights.
Casting for The Authenticator has been revealed, which you can read here.
It will play from 26 March to 9 May 2026.
Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie will stage Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s topical new version of Maxim Gorky’s biting and satirical play Summerfolk in the Olivier Theatre.
Originally written in 1904, Summerfolk was often seen as a counterpart to Chekhov's work. Set in early-20th century Russia, it follows the elite as they retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne, and start affairs. As they become entangled in romantic relationships and idle conversations, underneath is a growing fear of change.
Director Robert Hastie is joined by set and costume designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composer Nicola T. Chang, associate set designer Joseph Bisat Marshall, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG, and staff director Lilac Yosiphon.
Cast for Summerfolk is to be announced, with the production running from 6 March to 29 April 2026.
Hastie's new production of Hamlet, which is currently playing at the Lyttelton Theatre, will transfer to BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) in New York, America's oldest performing arts centre in 2026 as well.
In the Lyttleton Theatre, Marianne Elliott (Angels in America) will return to the National for the first time in nine years to direct a major revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Audiences can experience a striking new production of Christopher Hampton’s(The Father) celebrated adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel from 21 March. Les Liaisons Dangereuses shares a thrilling game of love, lies and social warfare.
Information on the cast and creatives for Les Liaisons Dangereuses can be found here.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses will play in the Lyttelton Theatre from 21 March to 6 June 2026.
