Rupert Goold has unveiled the first four productions of his inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Old Vic, featuring high-profile revivals, new writing, and landmark musical theatre.
The season opens in January 2027 with Damian Lewis starring in Shakespeare's Henry V, directed by Goold. Running from 26 January to 27 March (press night 9 February), the provocative new staging marks Lewis’s Old Vic debut in the title role.
In April, Milly Alcock (Supergirl, House of the Dragon) stars in Julie, a contemporary adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Adapted and directed by Old Vic Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall, the production arrives from its world premiere at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA), running from 10 April to 29 May (press night 20 April).
From June, Goold directs Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Tony Award-winning musical Assassins. Running from 15 June to 21 August (press night 1 July), the satire assembles historical figures who attempted to assassinate U.S. presidents.
The initial lineup concludes in August with Arinzé Kene starring in Kohlhaas, a one-man show adapted from Heinrich von Kleist’s novella by Marco Baliani and Remo Rostagno. Translated and directed by Omar Elerian (Misty), the Brighton Festival co-production runs from 27 August to 4 September (press night 31 August).
"I hope my Old Vic will be able to draw on this theatre’s storied legacy of sensational acting in groundbreaking and accessible productions," said Rupert Goold. "Building on the fine work of Matthew Warchus, I hope this new era may find its inspiration from that marriage of tradition and contemporary daring that has characterised its glorious past."
The venue also announced an artistic partnership with ITA, a new directors initiative in the Greene Studio, and Old Vic New Rush, offering £20 front-row preview tickets for under-30s.
Photo credit: Nadav Kander
