Theatre503 announces first season for new artistic director – with a revival of Chewing Gum Dreams

Theatre503 has announced its first season programmed under new artistic director Anthony Simpson-Pike and executive director Emily Carewe.

The season marks a shift in the venue’s producing model, with more in-house productions than before. Supported by PW Productions, the programme also includes collaborations with companies such as Good Chance, Theatre Royal Plymouth and White Kite Collective. A new strand celebrating debut plays will launch with the first ever revival of Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum Dreams, directed by Simpson-Pike.

Speaking about the new season, Simpson-Pike said: “I am so excited to be launching my tenure at Theatre503 with a season of work that encapsulates the importance and power of debut voices. These works explore some of the biggest subjects of our day – from Donbas to Palestine – while reaching into every facet of what it means to be human.”

Carewe added: “This season, and the pilot of our new producing model, is a bold and ambitious commitment to shining a light on the vitality of debut work. We are hugely grateful to PW Productions, and all our producing and philanthropic partners across the season, for their support and belief in the future of new writing.”

The programme opens in February 2026 with Donbas by Olga Braga, winner of the 2025 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. Directed by Simpson-Pike, the production is presented in partnership with Good Chance and 45North.

In June 2026, Theatre503 will host the White Kite Collective’s week-long festival Tomorrow Will Be A Palestinian Day, showcasing new writing from Palestinian playwrights across historic Palestine and the diaspora.

Katie Ðỗ’s love you long time (already) follows in July, telling an intergenerational story about mothers, daughters and memory.

Simpson-Pike will also direct a new revival of Chewing Gum Dreams by Michaela Coel, running from September to October 2026, marking the launch of Theatre503’s new initiative to revive landmark debut plays.

In early 2027, Alistair Hall’s Boo! will premiere in co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, opening in January before transferring to Plymouth. The season concludes in March 2027 with kat by Nazareth Hassan, a story about identity, religion and transformation.