Titilola Dawudu, the newly appointed Artistic Director and CEO of HighTide, has announced her inaugural season, signaling a vibrant new chapter for the East of England’s premier writing-centered theatre company. The 2026 program places regional voices at the forefront, bridging the gap between community-led storytelling and major touring productions.
The season officially kicks off with a landmark collaboration. As the debut production of the East Anglian Touring Consortium (EATC), HighTide presents the world premiere of Caroline: A New Musical. Written by Olivier Award-winner Vikki Stone, the show tells a rebellious story of love and ambition set against the 1960s pirate radio revolution. Directed by Douglas Rintoul, the production opens on April 22 at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, before touring to Hornchurch, Peterborough, Colchester, and Bury St Edmunds.
In June, HighTide partners with Soho Theatre and JFR Productions for A to B, a Caribbean South London romcom by Tia-Renee Mullings. Later, in October, the company reunites with writer Kenny Emson for the world premiere of The Disappearing Man, an emotionally charged drama featuring live magic and family secrets, which will tour from Hornchurch to Blackpool, Guildford, and Peterborough.
Central to Dawudu’s vision is the launch of HT Studios, a reimagined writer development hub. By consolidating programs like the Jerwood HighTide Writers Group and Playwrights East, HighTide is creating a transparent pipeline for local talent to transition from early-stage ideas to professional commissions. The 2026 Jerwood cohort—including Kirsty Bushell and Saher Shah—will receive a year of paid development, culminating in a showcase in early 2027.
The season also expands into audio and community-led work. My Story: Lowestoft will premiere at the First Light Festival in June. Created in partnership with The Seagull Theatre, the project features audio works written and performed by local residents, celebrating the contemporary life of the town.
"My ambition is simple," says Dawudu. "To tell exciting, urgent stories in an uncertain climate—to back writers, take risks, and create work that feels alive to the world we’re living in."
