RSC unveils 2025/26 season shows

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced its 2025/26 season, programmed by co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey.

At the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Harvey will direct Henry V, reuniting with Alfred Enoch to tackle the the company’s first Shakespeare history play under the co-ADs. Find out more about the production here.

In the Swan Theatre from 27 September to 15 November, Simon Evans will direct Adrian Lester in Cyrano de Bergerac, in a new version co-written with Debris Stevenson. Also on the creative team are set and costume designer Grace Smart, composer Alex Baranowski, sound designer Donato Wharton and casting director Matthew Dewsbury, with further creative team to be announced.

Also in the Swan, Josh Roche brings back his two-part production of The Forsyte Saga, with the show first seen at the Park Theatre last year. Casting and creatives have also been revealed.

In 2026, Lynette Linton will direct the company’s first new musical – which we’ve covered in detail here.

At The Other Place, Daniel Raggett returns to direct a starry new production of Macbeth (find out who’s involved in a dedicated story), while award-winning American director, actor, and musician Whitney White will present All Is But Fantasy, a two-part series exploring Shakespeare’s characters through a gig-theatre format, with performances focused on Lady Macbeth, Emilia, Juliet and Richard III. All Is But Fantasy will also feature cast member Charlie Thurston with further casting to be announced. It will play from 21 January to 21 February. The creative team includes sound designer Tony Gayle, dramaturg Réjane Collard -Walker and casting directors Charlotte Sutton and Christopher Worrall.

The RSC will also continue its Next Generation initiative with a version of Timon of Athens created by young artists from across England. The First Encounters with Shakespeare tour will present King Lear in 79 performances across 24 towns and cities throughout autumn 2025.

Internationally, the company will bring its co-production of Kyoto to New York later this year, as revealed yesterday evening. Hamnet, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Erica Whyman, will tour the United States in spring 2026, with dates at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, and American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

In London, Born With Teeth will play at Wyndham’s Theatre from 13 August to 1 November. Directed by Evans, the production stars Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel as Marlowe and Shakespeare, and is co-produced with Playful Productions and Elizabeth Williams. We’ve covered that production here.

For today’s newly revealed shows, member booking begins next week and public booking later this month.