Stratford East announces shows for Lisa Spirling’s first season as artistic director

Lisa Spirling has announced her inaugural season as artistic director and joint CEO of Stratford East, joining newly appointed executive director Hanna Streeter and associate artistic director Jade Lewis in leading the historic east London venue into its 140th year.

The programme notably features 3,500 tickets across the season available for £10. It begins with the UK premiere of Here There Are Blueberries (31 January to 28 February 2026), written by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and multiple award-winner in the US, the play explores the discovery of a Nazi-era photo album at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. The production is a co-production with Tectonic Theater Project, directed by Kaufman.

Nancy Medina brings her celebrated Bristol Old Vic staging of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy (26 March to 25 April 2026), following its Black British Theatre Award-winning run last year. The coming-of-age drama, interwoven with gospel music, follows a young Black queer man navigating identity, faith and friendship at a boys’ prep school.

Later in 2026, Spirling will make her Stratford East directorial debut with Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy, a new play by Ava Pickett interrogating the myths and consequences of Helen’s return from war. Dates are to be confirmed, while you can listen to our recent interview with Pickett here.

Alongside these major productions, Stratford East will present Mama Goose, this year’s pantomime by Vikki Stone and Tonderai Munyevu (21 November 2025 to 3 January 2026), and a host of one-night events including Ed Gamble (7 November 2025), Stand with Palestinians: Messages from Gaza (8 November 2025), A Merry Old Variety Night (4 December 2025), Bring the Laughter (8 December 2025), Shoot From the Hip (18 December 2025) and Bob Marley tribute show Legend (9 May 2026).

Community and youth work remains central to the venue’s plans, with the Stratford East Young Company staging a new production under Lilac Yosiphon, the continuation of the Young Techs training scheme, and the launch of Newham Neighbours, an initiative to bring local residents into the theatre through free tickets and events.

Public booking for the season opens on Friday 3 October.

Read an interview with Spirling and Streeter here.