Podcasts

Theatre faces to look out for in 2026

Who’ll make a big splash in 2026?

Alex Wood

Alex Wood

Sarah Crompton

Sarah Crompton

| Nationwide |

26 December 2025

Theatre faces 2026
Sharon Rose, Self Esteem and artwork for Sweetmeats, penned by Karim Khan, © Craig Sugden, Jono White, Courtney Phillip

Welcome to this Boxing Day episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast!

With 2026 fast approaching, we thought we’d run through some of the names we expect might make a splash – from directors, to writers, to stage stars – there are some very exciting people making very exciting theatre across the new year. We touch on a trendy new production of a David Hare classic, the return of the fist-pumping musical Sylvia and the indomitable rise of playwright Ava Pickett.

Chief critic Crompton and editor-in-chief Alex Wood host a weekly series on all things theatrical. News, views, frank exchanges and lists offer an unmissable guide to what’s happening on stage (and in film and on television) now, in the past and in future.

The podcast can be listened to on various streaming platforms – including Apple Podcasts and Audible. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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