RSC Barbican season announced for 2025/26

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey have announced the Royal Shakespeare Company’s return to the Barbican with a spellbinding London season of two bittersweet plays: one magical adventure and one critically acclaimed Shakespeare transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon.

Director Jonathan Munby’s spectacular production of Wendy & Peter Pan will play the Barbican Theatre this autumn. This magical retelling of JM Barrie’s beloved classic is adapted by Ella Hickson, with set and costumes designed by Colin Richmond and featuring RSC Associate Artist Toby Stephens (Oslo, Hamlet) as the villainous Captain Hook. Further casting to be announced soon.

Joining Munby and Richmond on the production team are choreographer Lucy Hind, composer Shuhei Kamimura, sound designer Christopher Shutt, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, video designer Taiki Ueda, fight director Terry King, and casting director Annelie Powell CDG.

Prasanna Puwanarajah’s 5-star production of Twelfth Night, which features iconic designs from James Cotterill, will follow with Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who, New Amsterdam), Michael Grady-Hall (Venice Preserved, Imperium) and Samuel West (Slow Horses, All Creatures Great and Small) reprising their critically acclaimed roles as Olivia, Feste and Malvolio respectively. Further casting to be announced soon.

Joining Puwanarajah and Cotterill on the production team are lighting designers Bethany Gupwell and Zoe Spurr, composer Matt Maltese, sound designer George Dennis, movement director Polly Bennett, and casting director Matthew Dewsbury CDG.

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: “We’re so excited to be announcing our second Winter season at the Barbican, and to be bringing two brilliant productions to our London audiences.

“Ella Hickson’s darkly witty adaptation of Wendy & Peter Pan brings a fresh perspective to J.M Barrie’s classic novel, whilst still offering everything you would expect from the beloved story – from crooked captains to carnivorous crocodiles. The play was first performed with the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon a decade ago, and this new production, directed by Jonathan Munby, promises to bring even more joy and magic to the Barbican stage.

“The season continues with Prasanna Puwanarajah’s smash-hit version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. We are thrilled that Sam, Freema and Michael will return to reprise their critically acclaimed roles which delighted our audiences in Stratford last year. How fitting that the show will run over Twelfth Night, the moment when we all reflect on the celebrations we have enjoyed throughout the festive season.”

Wendy & Peter Pan and Twelfth Night will represent the RSC’s ninth and tenth productions to be presented in London in 2025.

Tickets for the London season go on general sale on 17 July here.