David Walliams musical and new Howard Brenton play in Nuffield 2018 season

Samuel Hodges, director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, has announced the new season for 2018 with highlights including a musical adaptation of David Walliams' Billionaire Boy and a new revival of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire.

The season launches with the world premiere of Howard Brenton's The Shadow Factory (7 February to 3 March). Set in Southampton, home to the Spitfire during the Battle of Britain until the Luftwaffe destroys the local factory.

This is followed by a new revival of A Streetcar Named Desire (23 to 31 March and 5 to 16 June). A co-production with Theatr Clwyd and English Touring Theatre, it will be directed by the winner of this year's Sir Peter Hall Director Award, Chelsea Walker.

SS Mendi Dancing the Death follows from 29 June to 14 July. Adapted by Gbolahan Obisesan, the new piece tells of an untold tragedy from World War One, that took place off the coast of Southampton.

A new comedy based on Aristophanes' Assemblywomen runs from 8 to 29 September. Directed by Blanche McIntyre, Women in Power will feature music, dance, poetry and comedy written by a company of female voices.

As previously announced, The Musketeers star Tom Burke will lead the cast of Don Carlos, which opens at Exeter Northcott before touring to Southampton (23 October to 3 November).

Completing the season is the first ever stage adaptation of David Walliams‘ bestselling novel, Billionaire Boy (19 November to 6 January). Directed by Luke Sheppard (In The Heights), the show will have music by pop writer Miranda Cooper.

Hodges will also direct a workshop musical adaptation of cult film Son of Rambow at The Other Palace in May. The theatre will also launch a new dance programme which will welcome the Hofesh Shechter Company, and a new show by NST’s new resident dance company, ZoieLogic.

Further to the season announcement, NST has announced two new associates – Olivier Award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie, and poet and playwright Inua Ellams.

On the announcement, Hodges said today: "This season marks a seismic change for NST and for the city of Southampton’s cultural life. It is a season which champions new work, in the knowledge that theatre can respond most urgently to the world we live in today.

"A season which looks back to ancient Greece, to 16th century Spain, to both World Wars, and even to 1980s Reading in order to talk about what’s important today. It asks questions about historical whitewashing, about consent, about community, and about faith. It’s going to be a big year."