The National Theatre has unveiled an ambitious 2026 programming slate that signals a bold new era under Co-Chief Executives Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah. With a lineup featuring Hollywood heavyweights, international collaborations, and a renewed commitment to national touring, the season aims to expand the theatre’s reach from the South Bank to school halls across England and stages in New York.
Global Stars and Bold Reinterpretations
The season is headlined by major talent making their National Theatre debuts. Golden Globe-winner Sandra Oh stars in a contemporary, verse-adaptation of Molière’s The Misanthrope, directed by Rubasingham. Joining the fray is two-time Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett, who reunites with her Tár co-star Nina Hoss for Electra / Persona. Directed by Benedict Andrews, this world premiere fuses Sophocles’ Greek myth with Ingmar Bergman’s iconic film, featuring a score by Oscar-winner Hildur Guðnadóttir.
Adding to the adrenaline, Letitia Wright leads the newsroom thriller The Story, directed by Clint Dyer, while the global phenomenon War Horse returns "home" to the Olivier stage ahead of its 20th anniversary.
National and International Expansion
The NT is significantly ramping up its presence outside London:
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice: Starring Francesca Mills, this brand-new production will embark on a major nationwide tour immediately following its Dorfman run.
New York Transfers: To mark 60 years of US activity, Robert Hastie’s Hamlet and Alexander Zeldin’s The Other Place will transfer to Broadway and Brooklyn.
Schools Tour: A modern retelling of Bacchae will tour secondary schools across England, reaching over 10,000 students.
Commitment to Digital and New Writing
The 2026 season also introduces a "digital first" ambition, ensuring every production has a life beyond the stage via National Theatre at Home or NT Live cinema releases. New works from celebrated playwrights Helen Edmundson (Some Woman) and Tiago Rodrigues (Catarina and the Beauty of Killing Fascists) further cement the NT’s role as a powerhouse for both new writing and international exchange.
General sale for The Misanthrope, War Horse, and The Story begins at 10am GMT on Thursday, 12 February.
