Musicals and plays still to embark on tour in 2026

Tours, glorious tours! They’re out travelling the regions, and we’ve got lots more to get excited about.

These are all new tours yet to hit the road in 2026, so remember, there are still plenty of tours continuing their journeys, too. And if that wasn’t enough, there are also shows like Clueless that have confirmed they’ll be hitting the road, and we’re eagerly waiting for dates.

Without further ado, see what’s coming near you…

Please note, we have only included shows that started previews from the time after we scheduled this pre-Easter weekend!

Caroline: A New Musical

A cast of actor-musicians and a ’60s jukebox score will bring this new musical about pirate radio stations to life! Written by Vikki Stone and directed by Douglas Rintoul and Alex Thorpe, the piece will tour East Anglia.

Tour opens at New Wolsey Theatre in April

The Karate Kid – The Musical

Be one of the first to see this new musical in the UK! Four years after its world premiere in St Louis, the stage adaptation of the 1984 movie arrives first in London, widening the much-loved franchise! This new production is written by the original film’s writer, Robert Mark Kamen, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini.

Tour opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre in April

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Get yourself caught in the web of this rare staging of Kander and Ebb’s hit Broadway musical Kiss of the Spider Woman! Anna-Jane Casey stars as Aurora, with Fabian Soto Pacheco as Molina and George Blagden as Valentin in the first major revival since 1992, which will be staged in intimate settings across the country.

Tour opens at Curve, Leicester, in April

The Last Laugh

Imagine being in a dressing room with three of Britain’s best-known comedians – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse! Join them as they reflect on comedy, mortality and what it means to be funny in Paul Hendy’s play.

Tour opens at Malvern Theatres in April

Allegra

In Allegra, Maureen Lipman plays a woman whose irrepressible optimism leads her to burst into song in everyday situations, sometimes imagined and sometimes very real, disrupting the village where she lives. For it, she reunites with Quilter for the world premiere of his new comedy.

Tour opens at Theatre Royal Brighton in May

Annie

The sun will come out tomorrow, because Annie is back! Nikolai Foster’s much-loved revival will return, and with the production previously welcoming the likes of the late, great Paul O’Grady, Miranda Hart and Craig Revel Horwood in the role of Miss Hannigan, next to head down to Easy Street is La Voix!

Tour opens at New Wimbledon Theatre in May

Thespians

It’s about time Mischief forayed into musicals, and that time has finally arrived! Set in 534 BC, Jonathan Sayer‘s latest work sees Greece’s smallest island compete in a nationwide prayer competition led by a tyrant, where the losing team faces execution. Things take a turn when Thespis accidentally invents acting, sparking the world’s first play and the birth of theatre…

Tour opens at Mercury Theatre Colchester in May

Abigail’s Party

Tamzin Outhwaite will reprise her role of Beverly in Mike Leigh’s cult classic about a seemingly ordinary neighbourly gathering that spirals. Directed by Nadia Fall, the revival was first staged at Stratford East in 2024, where it received a favourable review from our WhatsOnStage critic.

Tour opens at Malvern Theatres in June

The Car Man

Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance thriller is touring for the first time in over ten years. Set in a 1960s garage diner, the dance piece is loosely based on Bizet’s popular opera Carmen and is inspired by vintage movie film noir classics.

Tour starts at Curve, Leicester, in June

Jersey Boys

“Walk Like a Man” right up to your local theatre and start “Beggin'” for a ticket to the new 20th anniversary tour of smash-hit jukebox musical Jersey Boys.

Tour opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre in June

9 to 5

What would Dolly do? Go on tour, of course! A new revival of 9 to 5 marks Landmark Theatres’ first in-house production to tour nationally. For those unfamiliar, it is based on the 1980 film and tells the story of three disgruntled office workers seeking revenge on their overbearing boss – all set to tunes by the legendary Dolly Parton!

Tour opens at Peterborough New Theatre in July

Burlesque

New musical Burlesque is heading out on a BIG tour while simultaneously playing a second season in London! Based on the much-loved film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, written and directed by Steven Antin, the story centres on Ali, who travels to New York in search of her mother and becomes immersed in an underground club scene.

Opens at New Victoria Theatre, Woking in July

Dog Man

Hold your a-paws! Dog Man will receive its European premiere in the form of a new tour. The story follows George and Harold, two friends who decide to turn their comic creation Dog Man into a musical. You can get a taste of what to expect from an animated film adaptation, which was released earlier this year.

Tour opens at Curve, Leicester in July – including an extended stop at the Southbank Centre

High Society

Cole Porter and Arthur Kopit’s High Society is receiving a glitzy revival to spend a summer at the Barbican! The story follows preparations for a society wedding that begin to unravel as past relationships resurface and an intrusive reporter arrives…  don’t forget to RSVP! Helen George will star.

Plays at the Barbican from May before the tour opens at Wycombe Swan in July

1984

George Orwell’s tale has been adaptated by Chris Hannan in co-production between the Citizens Theatre, Dundee Rep Theatre and The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh. The world premiere production will embark on a Scottish tour after headling the autumn season at the Citizens Theatre (home to the director Dominic Hill).

Tour opens at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow from August

Calendar Girls

Mark your calendars – the much-loved musical from Gary Barlow and Tim Firth returns in 2026 with a new production for a new tour! Bonus points if the tour adds a few stops in Yorkshire.

Tour starts at Theatre By The Lake in August

Heathers the Musical

There are “So Very” many tour stops in this new tour of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning musical! Whatcha waiting for?

Tour opens at Theatre Royal Windsor in August

Mrs Doubtfire

A tour is on the way, dears! Gabriel Vick will reprise his acclaimed role of Daniel Hillard in the musical comedy stage adaptation, and we can’t wait to find out who else joins the cast. See you there, poppets!

Tour opens at Birmingham Hippodrome in August

The Silence of the Lambs

Ewe don’t want to miss this world premiere play of one of the world’s most well-known psychological thrillers! Nikolai Foster’s on directorial duties for this one. Dare to see it?

Tour opens at Curve, Leicester, in August

Chariots of Fire

Mike Bartlett’s stage adaptation, based on the multi-award-winning film, is inspired by the true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams as they strive for glory in the 1924 Paris Olympics. It’ll be running across the country on its first-ever UK tour this year.

Tour opens at Theatre Royal Windsor in September

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The first revival of Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel will embark on a huge tour in 2026. A coming-of-age whodunnit, the story follows Christopher Boone, who is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is killed, he finds himself proving his innocence.

Tour opens at New Victoria Theatre, Woking, in September

Dirty Dancing

Are you ready to have the time of your life? Join Baby and Johnny for an unforgettable summer with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks.

Tour opens at Milton Keynes Theatre in September

The Haunting of Hill House

Another spooky show on the list! Set to receive its world premiere, the show is based on Shirley Jackson’s iconic novel, and adapted by Olivier and BAFTA Award-winner Stef Smith and directed by Martin Constantine. For those unfamiliar, the story follows a group investigating the mysteries of Hill House, where their research leads to unsettling events within the building.

Tour opens at Salisbury Playhouse in September

The Mousetrap

Agatha Christie’s classic play is marking a massive 75 years with a new tour! If you haven’t yet had the chance to see the West End’s longest-running show, then this is surely your chance to find out whodunnit.

Tour opens at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre in September

Paranormal Activity

Our critic called it “a hauntingly good stage adaptation,” when it made its first West End bow earlier this year, and now it’ll haunt the UK! The stage production is based on the film series first written and directed by Oren Peli, and follows James and Lou, who move from Chicago to London in an attempt to leave their past behind, only to find that they remain affected by unexplained events… There’s a Halloween stint in the Midlands!

Tour opens at Richmond Theatre in September

Sylvia

March, women, march! The Olivier-nominated musical production of Sylvia, from The Old Vic and ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company in association with Sadler’s Wells, will return, alongside Sharon Rose and Beverley Knight, who is confirmed to reprise her Olivier Award-winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst.

Tour opens at Curve, Leicester, in September

Wallace: A Musical

A William Wallace hip-hop musical takes aim at Scotland’s most familiar national myth, interrogating whether William Wallace should be remembered as a hero, a rebel or a story shaped by the centuries that followed him. Expect a hip-hop score that fuses rap, folk, pop and rock while keeping a distinctly Scottish voice.

Tour opens at Beacon Arts Centre in September

Back to the Future the Musical

Hop in your DeLorean, the WhatsOnStage Award-winning musical, Back to the Future, will be bidding farewell to the West End and flying out on its first-ever UK tour. Great Scott!

Tour opens at Bristol Hippodrome in October

Cats

Jellicle cats can, and Jellicle cats do go on tour! Drew McOnie will direct and choreograph Andrew Lloyd Webber’s landmark musical before it strays across the country.

Plays at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre before the tour opens at Theatre Royal Plymouth in October

The Hollow

Hercule Poirot is back with a new case as another Agatha Christie classic comes to the stage. This one sees the detective attempt a break at a country estate where a glamorous circle of guests gathers, before he’s drawn in.

Tour opens at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, in October

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Seán Aydon’s new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s story of eternal youth and beauty will tour the UK in time for spooky season. Aydon also directs in this new production from Tilted Wig in association with Watford Palace Theatre – not to be confused with the musical version touring at the same time…

Tour opens at Watford Palace Theatre in October

The Picture of Dorian Gray – A New Musical

Fancy a bit of music in your Dorian Gray? This new show, penned by Mark J Middlemiss, is said to be inspired by the dark, classic, sung-through musicals of the 1970s and 1980s and is set in two acts, twenty years apart. Christopher Twyford will take on the title role.

Tour opens at Darlington Hippodrome in October

Billy Elliot

The musical about the bairn who wants to do ballet will end the year with a bout of electricity!  With a book and lyrics by Lee Hall, a score by Elton John, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, this much-loved hit will also return to the West End. Considering all of these stars have previously played Billy, we can’t wait to see who’s next!

Tour opens at Sunderland Empire in November

Cinderella

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is hosting a 30th anniversary ball! Set in London during the Second World War, Cinderella reimagines the fairytale against the backdrop of the Blitz, with music by Sergei Prokofiev. The story follows a brief meeting between Cinderella and an RAF pilot, whose relationship unfolds amid air raids and wartime disruption.

Tour opens at Theatre Royal Plymouth in November