Kiln Theatre announces two new shows for 2026

Kiln Theatre has revealed two new shows for the venue’s 2026 season.

Olivier Award winner Maimuna Memon’s Manic Street Creature will return in a new production, running from 5 to 28 March, directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward and designed by Libby Watson.

Featuring music, lyrics, book and musical arrangement by Memon, the gig theatre piece follows the journey of a singer-songwriter from Lancashire to London, recording her debut album with her band, while experiencing the highs and lows of a first love.

It was previously seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022 and at Southwark Playhouse Borough in autumn 2023.

From 3 June to 4 July, the Kiln will host the London premiere of the RSC production of Driftwood by Martina Laird, following its world premiere at the RSC’s The Other Place (17 April to 30 May).

The play is set in the Caribbean during the 1950s, exploring themes of self-determination and the search for family and belonging.

It will be directed by Justin Audibert, with set and costumes by Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and casting by Matthew Dewsbury.

Amit Sharma, artistic director and CEO of Kiln Theatre, commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be welcoming two extraordinary pieces of work to Kiln in 2026. Maimuna Memon’s award-winning Manic Street Creature is an electrifying piece of gig theatre and I’m so excited to be giving it a new life here in a major production with Gary Beestone Associates. Alongside this, I am delighted to continue our wonderful relationship with the RSC, presenting the London premiere of Martina Laird’s powerful debut play, Driftwood. I cannot wait to share these shows with our audiences – prepare to be wowed!”

The previously announced production of Seagulls (12 February to 21 March) is no longer scheduled to run.