Battersea Arts Centre sets out its autumn plans including Chekhov spin-off and immersive horror show

Battersea Arts Centre has announced its autumn and winter 2026 programme.

The season includes the world premiere of Nina (6 to 24 October), a BAC production and the debut play by director Caroline Williams. Inspired by Chekhov’s The Seagull, the new work explores coercion, power and creative expression, and is co-directed by Williams and Deborah Pearson.

Also premiering is Room 13 (16 to 31 October), an immersive horror experience from the director behind Peaky Blinders: The Rise and Doctor Who: Time Fracture. The production draws on the history of the venue following the fire that damaged the building more than a decade ago.

For Halloween, Peut-Être Theatre brings The Dark (27 to 31 October), adapted from Lemony Snicket’s book for audiences aged four and above. The production follows Laszlo as he sets out to meet and befriend the dark. Gothic Opera also returns to the Grand Hall with the UK premiere of La Dame de Pique (29 October to 1 November), reimagining the opera in a dystopian setting.

Experimental theatre continues with the UK premiere of Good Sex (4 to 6 November), created by Dublin company Dead Centre and novelist Emilie Pine following its New York run. Each performance sees two performers, joined by an intimacy director, attempt to stage the play without having previously rehearsed together or read the script. Action Hero’s A Song and Dance (17 to 21 November) follows, described as an exploration of masking, performance and identity.

The venue will also host Unreal: A Festival of Magic and Performance (7 to 14 November), curated by Tom Cassani, Augusto Corrieri and Tim Bromage. The week-long event brings together artists from the UK and Europe working across magic and live performance.

The Christmas programme includes Dear Santa (28 November to 24 December), based on Rod Campbell’s children’s book and produced by Norwell Lapley Productions, aimed at audiences aged two and above. Santa’s Grotto returns from 4 to 24 December, while Festive Soft Play runs from 1 to 24 December, offering seasonal activities for children aged up to five.