Hampstead Theatre unveils 2027 season shows

Hampstead Theatre has announced its programme for the first part of 2027, featuring four world premieres and a revival of Michael Frayn’s Democracy.

The programme opens on the main stage with the world premiere of Alexis Zegerman’s Portrait of a Man, directed by Anna Ledwich, running from 11 February to 20 March. Inspired by the encounter between artist Elaine de Kooning and President John F Kennedy, the play explores the process of creating an official portrait of the president in 1962.

Michael Frayn’s Democracy will receive its first major London revival from 26 March to 1 May, directed by Jeremy Sams. Set in West Germany in 1969, the play follows Chancellor Willy Brandt and his personal assistant Günter Guillaume, who is also spying on him for the East German intelligence service. The production marks Sams’ Hampstead Theatre debut.

In Hampstead Downstairs, Josh Azouz’s The Rabbi, The Wife & The Prick will receive its world premiere from 26 February to 3 April. Directed by Hannah Hauer-King and presented by MMXX, the dark comedy follows Rene, who has obtained a civil divorce but still needs her former husband to sign a traditional Jewish divorce document, known as a Get.

Also Downstairs, Isabella Waldron’s It Never Rains in Kennebunkport runs from 9 April to 15 May. Directed by Hampstead Theatre associate director Alice Hamilton, the play follows teenager Sadie, who becomes convinced that former US President George W Bush is her father and sets out to attract his attention by raising money for a September 11 memorial garden in Devon. Waldron is a recent graduate of Hampstead’s Inspire programme.

Chloë Lawrence-Taylor returns to Hampstead following her 2025 play Personal Values with the world premiere of Driftweed, directed by Júlia Levai. Running from 4 June to 10 July, the play is set in a British coastal town where a group of residents face the threat of rising sea levels and the demolition of their homes.

Hampstead Theatre producer and chief executive Greg Ripley-Duggan said: “With these five thrilling plays we bring together some of the most exciting writers in theatre today, both familiar and new to Hampstead’s audiences. The season gives us the opportunity to support writers at every stage of their career – a titan of British theatre to established writers and those just beginning to make their mark. Each production is, in its own way, a perfect fit for our stages and together they offer an exceptional programme of compelling stories. Come and join us.”

Further programming and casting will be announced.

Priority booking for Patrons opens on 12 November, followed by Friends Plus on 13 November, Friends on 16 November and Young Friends on 18 November. Public booking opens on 19 November at 10.30am.