What’s On Stage April 2026

Theatre highlights this December include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Directed by Clint Dyer
 at The Old Vic …

You can also catch Martina Laird’s Driftwood and The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind Directed by Lynette Linton and executive produced by Chiwetel Ejiofor.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Directed by Clint Dyer

Inside a psychiatric facility, Chief Bromden has been silent for years, confined and maligned by a system that labels, divides and forgets. But he has a story to tell. He’s just been waiting for someone to listen.

Enter Randle P. McMurphy, a gambler and provocateur whose defiance unsettles the ward and sparks something long dormant in Bromden and his fellow patients. Under the iron rule of Nurse Ratched, they have been stripped of their humanity. Now, McMurphy’s rebellion reminds the patients of their voices and what it means to be free.

Starring Aaron Pierre, Giles Terera, Samsom Ajewole, Kazeem Tosin Amore, Ene Frost, Jaz Hutchins, Shaquille Jack, Jason Pennycooke, Javone Prince, Mo Sesay, and Kedar Williams-Stirling.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest runs @ The Old Vic from Wednesday 1st April – Saturdsy 23rd May 2026

Small Island Directed by Matthew Xia

Four unforgettable characters bring this Windrush story to life: Hortense and Gilbert, determined Jamaican migrants in search of belonging and respect; Queenie, an Englishwoman who defies convention; and Bernard, her husband, struggling with change. Together, they discover love across culture, colour and class and the fragile hope of a shared future.

Spanning decades and continents, this brand-new production draws on the joyful rhythms of calypso and the harsh realities of post-war Britain to explore the emotional truth of our collective history, brought vividly to life through music, striking visuals and a compelling story you will never forget.

Cast Anna Crichlow, Daniel Ward, Mara Allen, Jordan Laviniere, Marcia Mantack, Rhys Stephenson, André Squire and Everal A Walsh.

Small Island runs @ Birmingham Rep from Thursday 2nd April – Saturday 18th April 2026

The Resistable Rise Of Arturo UI With Kadiff Kirwan, Amanda Wilkin & more

During the Great Depression, small-time crook Ui rises in Chicago’s underworld, using fear and ruthless deals to expand his influence. As his power spreads through markets, politics, and law, the city faces escalating corruption, violence, and a man driven by ambition.

With Kadiff Kirwan, Amanda Wilkin, Cameron Johnson, Samuel Nunes de Souza and Valerie Antwi.

The Resistable Rise Of Arturo UI runs @ Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon from Saturday 11th April – Saturday 30th May 2026

Driftwood By Martina Laird. Directed Justin Audibert.

‘dis is my home. My whole life. My history here. And de only future I go have is here.‘

As colonial Trinidad advances towards political independence, a downtown Port of Spain gentlemen’s club becomes entangled in a different kind of custody battle.

ALMA promises its guests a comfortable environment to relax and indulge. Owned by Englishman Mansion, it’s governed by Pearl and coveted by beguiling Ruby. Then Diamond drifts in. His impetuous deal with a corrupt US Marine imperils ALMA, and all their lives are collateral damage. One wrong move and everything could shatter.

Stars Martins Imhangbe, Ellen Thomas, Cat White and Shane David-Joseph.

Driftwood runs @ The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 17th April – Saturday 30th May 2026

Mass With Amari Bacchus and Rochelle Rose.

In a quiet room of an Episcopal church, two couples meet to have a conversation no parent should ever have to face.

As defences fall away and memories surface, they attempt to reach across a divide carved by violence.

With Amari Bacchus and Rochelle Rose.

Mass runs @ Donmar Warehouse from Saturday 18th April – Saturday 6th June 2026

Black Is The Color Of My Voice Written by Apphia Campbell

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.

Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.

Starring Raquel Jones.

Black Is The Color Of My Voice runs @ Leeds Playhouse from Friday 24th – Saturday 25th Apr 2026

Tender Directed by Mathew Xia. Writtenby Dave Harris.

‘Thank you for trusting us with your pleasure!’
The Dancing Bears strip club is failing. Ten covers on a Saturday night. One booking next week. The new club down the street are packing fifty women a night with their twelve-inch synchronised dicks.

When the boss’s daughter shows up, she realises they’re gonna need a bigger show.

Staring Dex lee and Kwami Odoom.

Tender runs @ Soho Theatre from Friday 24th April – Saturday 30th May 2026

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Director(s) Madeleine Kludje.

When a love-struck teenager is forced to marry a man, rather than the woman she loves, she has a few options: certain death, live a lie, move to a nunnery… or flee to a messy, neon party in an enchanted forest!

Beyond the city walls, boundaries blur, music pulsates, and love is celebrated. Inhibitions are unleashed and love potions spill into more re-couplings than an episode of Love Island.

This night on the tiles also features a feel-good soundtrack of pop music and original songs that will have you dancing in your seats: but maybe Sweet Dreams aren’t made of this…? The feisty fairies are locked in their own conflict; the seasons are pulled into climate chaos and the young lovers’ moonlit escape from reality loses its shine.

As relationships sour and temperatures soar, this romantic comedy might leave you thinking… what the Puck?!

Starring Isabel Adomakoh Young, Keiren Hamilton-Amos, Ellena Vincent.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs @ Birmingham Rep from Saturday 25th April – Sunday 24th May 2026

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind Directed by Lynette Linton

William wants to build a windmill. Nobody believes he can – not his father nor his friends. Hope feels out of reach where the land is thirsty but the rains don’t come. As drought closes in on his family’s farm and the village he loves, everyone prays for a miracle.

All William has to hand are some library books and scraps of old machinery. The rest must come from within. Will he defy expectations? Will the wind turn the sails of his invention, produce the gift of power, and give hope for tomorrow?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a bold and uplifting new musical telling the true story of William Kamkwamba.

Madeline Appiah, Lori Barker, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, Owen Chaponda, McCallam Connell, Eddie Elliott, Tad Hapaguti, Daniel Haswell, Shaka Kalokoh, Idriss Kargbo, Newtion Matthews, Sifiso Mazibuko, Choolwe Laina Muntanga, Alistair Nwachukwu, Tomi Ogbaro, Alex Okoampa, Yana Penrose and Helena Pipe.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind runs @ Soho Place from Wednesday 29th April – Saturday 18th July 2026

Burnt Up Love Composer Uchenna Ngwe.

After decades in jail, Mac is looking for the daughter he has never known.

But she is on a collision course with her ex-lover’s family after her explosive temper gets the better of her.

Her new lover JayJayJay is trying to stay out of trouble, but this is one family that’s addicted to chaos.

Redemption versus Rage, Family versus Freedom…

With Joanne Marie Mason.

Burnt Up Love runs @ Theatro Technis from Thursday 26th March – Saturday 18th April 2026

The Last Black Messiah By Emeka Agada. Directed by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller

Set in early 90s America, Black revolutionary leader and former Howard University professor, Dr. Oko awaits execution when he receives a surprise visit from his former student Asante, now a journalist.

As their reunion unfolds, history, past choices, and the weight of the country collide, igniting a confrontation that could change the legacy of Dr. Oko. This intense, thought-provoking story will leave you questioning everything you believe.

The Last Black Messiah runs @ Brockley Jack Studio Theatre from Tuesday 28th April – Saturday 16th May 2026