Karate Kid musical announces UK premiere tour – with dates and venues confirmed

Exclusive: The Karate Kid – The Musical will have its UK premiere next spring, opening at New Wimbledon Theatre on 28 April 2026.

The stage musical adapts the 1984 film starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, which became a global hit and led to multiple sequels, a remake, and the Netflix series Cobra Kai. The latest instalment in the franchise, Karate Kid: Legends, featuring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, was released earlier this year.

Reflecting on the project, writer Robert Mark Kamen said: “William Goldman said about Hollywood ‘No one knows anything.’ He was right. Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the original script for The Karate Kid, we would see these very same characters acting and singing on the British stage in a story that is as fresh and universally relevant as it was four decades ago.”

The Karate Kid – The Musical received its world premiere in St Louis in 2022.

The new production is written by Robert Mark Kamen, who penned the original 1984 film, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini. It is directed by Amon Miyamoto with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid. The creative team also includes scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, orchestrations by John Clancy, music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick, and wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman. It is produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, Kenny Wax and John Gore. Casting will be announced at a later date, while select stops will be on sale later today.

See the initial tour dates for the show.