Theatre Peckham has kicked off its landmark 40th anniversary year with the successful launch of Peckham Fringe 2026. Running from May 2 to June 5, this year’s festival features over 30 shows curated by the local community, showcasing bold storytelling across theatre, dance, comedy, and spoken word. The event marks four decades since the organization’s founding in 1986 as New Peckham Varieties, a small project that has evolved into a vital cultural cornerstone of South London.
The festival opened to a buoyant reception, with nearly 400 attendees witnessing the premiere of WITNESS in the Main Theatre. Directed by Artistic Director Suzann McLean MBE, the stage adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s novel received critical acclaim for its "visceral and real" exploration of identity and social responsibility. Other early highlights include Kaci Kerwick’s Republic of Silence, an uncompromising look at Ireland’s mother and baby homes, and Mo Korede’s Our Father, which garnered four-star reviews for its raw depiction of faith and paternal legacy.
A particularly poignant milestone for the venue is the production of Hello My Name Is... by 16-year-old Marcos Byrne. A former Theatre Peckham Academy student and winner of the Royal Court Young Writer’s Award 2025, Byrne is the youngest writer ever featured in the Fringe. McLean noted that the festival’s mission remains focused on amplifying marginalized voices, stating, "This is where ambition, representation, and creative freedom collide."
The remaining program is equally expansive, featuring Georgia Johnston’s conspiracy thriller TRUTHERS, Joe Haddad’s semi-autobiographical PalesTEENian, and Barney Herrin’s The World Class Wrecking Crew. For the 2026 season, Theatre Peckham has also partnered with local pub Prince of Peckham, offering ticket-holders exclusive discounts throughout the run.
