Orange Tree Theatre announces 2026 season plans – with productions staged in a cathedral and gardens

Orange Tree Theatre has announced the first details of its 2026 season, which will expand beyond its Richmond venue to two new locations: Thomas’s College gardens for OT on the Hill and St John the Divine church for OT in the Church.

The theatre will continue its main house work during a year that also marks the start of a major redevelopment project, transforming its front of house and backstage areas.

In summer 2026, artistic director Tom Littler will direct Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing in repertory for OT on the Hill, a new outdoor venture staged in partnership with Guildford Shakespeare Company. Set across the summers of 1939 and 1945, the paired productions will link the two plays as companion pieces, with Love’s Labour’s Lost opening for previews on 31 July and Much Ado About Nothing on 1 August. The run continues until 22 August.

In autumn, OT in the Church will present Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot, with David Suchet starring as Thomas Becket. The production, directed by Littler and Francesca Ellis, will run at St John the Divine in Richmond from 12 October to 7 November before transferring to Theatre Royal Bath from 10 to 21 November.

Littler said today: “2026 will be a transformational year for the Orange Tree, as we redevelop our front of house and backstage spaces. Without Arts Council funding, we’ve already raised over 80% of our £4.5million target, and we can’t wait to create a theatre that’s open and accessible to everyone – a space where creativity, connection, and community can thrive.

“The Orange Tree will remain open for almost the whole year, and in 2026 we’ll produce more shows than ever before. In spring, we’ll announce details of two major new plays, a dazzling comedy, and our biggest ever community project. Today, we unveil some projects that take our work out into our beautiful neighbourhood, from the splendour of St John the Divine church to the idyllic gardens of Thomas’s College.”

The theatre’s outreach work will continue through “Primary Shakespeare”, presenting The Comedy of Errors to primary school pupils, and Shakespeare Up Close, which will bring Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet to secondary schools. The £15 under-30s scheme will remain in place throughout the year.

Looking ahead, Littler will direct Roger Allam and Freddie Fox (Slow Horses) in King Lear and Richard II, to be performed in repertory at the Orange Tree in spring 2027.

Priority booking for the 2026 outdoor and church productions opens today, with general booking available from 12pm on Wednesday 26 November.