15 Stage Premieres Still To Come in 2026

Unveiling some of the most hotly anticipated world premieres, opening in London and regional venues across the UK.

In a world where long-running musicals dominate the theatre scene, audiences that take a risk on new pieces of writing can be invaluable. It fosters new voices and diverse perspectives, providing exposure on contemporary issues that the classics cannot. It also strengthens the creative economy, giving emerging artists the chance to bring their statements to the stage.

In this lineup I have curated a list of plays and musicals, never before seen on the world stage before 2026. And you could be the first to see history in the making...

Bank Of Dave: The Musical (2nd - 30th May)

This feel-good show tells the true-ish story of Dave Fishwick: Burnley born and bred, and no ordinary man. A self-made millionaire, Dave spent years helping local people and small businesses when hard-nosed banks turned them away. Frustrated by the system, he has an idea… set up his own bank and put the profits straight back into his community.

Directed by Nikolai Foster, with book by Rob Madge and music by Pippa Cleary.

Playing The Lowry, Salford and Curve Theatre, Leicester: https://bankofdavemusical.com/

Jesse North Is Broken (11th - 14th May)

Jesse is 25, from Hull. A carer on minimum wage, keeping the elderly alive while trying to live her own messy, chaotic life. Told over one night, we follow her from care shift to the dance floor, from the late-night kebab to an early morning call-out as she battles the system that undervalues her and the city that shapes her, all while her ADHD-fuelled thoughts and anxious mind crave order in the chaos.

Presented by the John Godber Company, and performed by Martha Godber.

Playing exclusively at York Theatre Royal: https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/jesse-north-is-broken/

Dark Of The Moon (18th May - 8th Aug)

Inspired by the classic American play, this atmospheric production tells a powerful story of love, prejudice and the supernatural, set between a rural Appalachian town and the mysterious Smoky Mountains. With a thrilling score that blends country, bluegrass and rock, the musical follows the forbidden romance between John, a curious witch-boy, and Barbara Allen, a human girl.

Directed by Georgie Rankcom. Based on Howard D Richardson and William Berney's play.

Playing at the Charing Cross Theatre: https://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/dark-of-the-moon

Atlantis (6th Jun - 15th Aug)

The sea is getting closer. A town is told they will be Britain’s first climate refugees. A family gather to tell a story as old as time. While Bryn battles to save his home from the waves, Gwen and her grandchildren take to the streets to save the whole planet. It’s time for a new story. This award-winning Welsh play is tender, urgent and darkly funny.

Written by Emily White, directed by Guy Jones.

A Theatr Clwyd and Chichester Festival Theatre co-production: https://www.theatrclwyd.com/event/atlantis & https://www.cft.org.uk/events/atlantis

Inexperience (13th Jun - 4th Jul)

Iris is Robin’s opposite: impulsive, passionate, always chasing the next cause or connection. When they were students, she made Robin a daring promise: they could only ever touch once. Just once, in their entire lives—in an attempt to preserve a spark that usually fades. Now, decades later, that one perfect touch may finally be within reach. But can a single moment live up to a lifetime of anticipation?

Written by Douglas Maxwell, and directed by Sally Reid.

Playing exclusively at Pitlochry Festival Theatre (Studio): https://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/whats-on/inexperience/

The Guilty (20th Jun - 15th Aug)

Troubled police officer Joe, stuck on the night shift, takes a desperate 999 call from Emily. As he scrambles to decode fragmented clues from a woman in danger, a real-time thriller unfolds. In a night filled with unsettling twists, Joe has a mounting sense that nothing is quite as it seems. Based on the films Den Skyldige (Danish) and The Guilty (Hollywood).

Directed by Punchdrunk's Felix Barrett, written by Chloë Moss and starring Russell Tovey.

Playing at the Donmar Warehouse: https://www.donmarwarehouse.com/events/the-guilty/

L Donmar Warehouse's new season, featuring Ilford Boy: https://www.donmarwarehouse.com/whats-on/

The Market Deeping Model Railway Club (6th - 25th July)

The club’s chances of victory at the Annual Show have been ripped apart by vandals, and the group must rally to piece their miniature world back together. When their story goes global, help floods in from unexpected sources – including fellow enthusiast Sir Rod Stewart. But what lies ahead for Chairman Graham and his fellow enthusiasts?

Based on a true story, written by Nottingham playwright William Ivory.

Playing exclusively at Nottingham Playhouse: https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/the-market-deeping-model-railway-club/

Hit Machine (8th July - 15th Aug)

An emotionally charged collision between two estranged brothers, whose reunion spirals into a wild fight over family, memory and who gets to control the narrative of their shared past. The only way to tell the truth is to turn it into a song, one final collaboration. Hit Machine is an explosive play about brotherhood, male violence, creative theft and the cost of turning pain into art.

Written by Jonathan Caren, starring Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin.

Playing exclusively at Soho Theatre (Dean Street): https://sohotheatre.com/events/hit-machine/

Trainspotting: The Musical (15th July - 5th Sep)

Cult heroes of youth culture; Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy, and Kelly are back, alongside an ensemble cast and a live band. Featuring some of the electrifying tracks from the film that defined a generation. This is more than nostalgia amplified, it’s a genre-defying new musical that speaks to our contemporary malaise of defiance in the face of an uncertain future. CHOOSE LIFE.

Written by Irvine Welsh, developed by Caroline Jay Ranger.

Playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket: https://trainspottingthemusical.co.uk/

Death Note: The Musical (30th Jul - 12th Sep)

When brilliant student Light Yagami discovers a notebook with the power over life and death, his quest to reshape the world sparks a relentless battle of wits with the elusive detective L, where every name carries consequences. Following successful concert presentations, be the first to see the world premiere of this legendary manga musical.

Based on Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata's manga. Score by Frank Wildhorn, and book by Ivan Menchell.

Playing exclusively at the Barbican Centre: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/death-note-the-musical

The Silence Of The Lambs (from 1st Aug)

The iconic psychological thriller. When FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview the psychiatrist and infamous murderer Hannibal Lecter, it’s hoped his brilliant mind will help catch sadistic new serial killer, Buffalo Bill. Another girl is missing, and time is running out. But Dr Lecter has questions of his own, and now Clarice must decide: keep a safe distance, or let Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ into her head?

Directed by Nikolai Foster, based on the novel by Thomas Harris. Starring John Partridge.

Playing at Curve Theatre, Leicester ahead of a major UK Tour: https://silenceofthelambsplay.com/

Bloodsport: After Helen Of Troy (3rd Sep - 3rd Oct)

Years after she walked out on her family, Helen has returned home after a war fought in her name. Her husband celebrates, her childhood friend Cee does not. Over the course of this first fragile night of peace time, wounds reopen, loyalties fracture and the true cost of a woman’s choice to leave her life is made clear. 'GIVE IT BACK OR I'LL TAKE IT BACK'.

Directed by Lisa Spirling, written by Ava Pickett (1536, Almeida Theatre).

Playing exclusively at Stratford East: https://www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/bloodsport-after-helen-of-troy

Thelma & Louise (3rd Sep - 24th Oct)

"I guess I went a little crazy, huh?". On a whim, Louise (Rachel Tucker) invites her best friend Thelma (Amy Lennox) for a spontaneous weekend getaway. After an ill-fated encounter with a stranger at a roadside honkytonk, their lifelong friendship is forged into something dangerous and unbreakable. They set out on a last-chance adventure in a world where every card is stacked against them.

Directed by Trip Cullman, with music and lyrics by Neko Case.

Playing at the Young Vic: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/thelma-louise

L The Young Vic's new season, including Eurotrash and debbie tucker green's dissent: https://www.youngvic.org/

Murder Before Evensong (25th Sep - 14th Nov)

Set against the rhythms of church life, Murder Before Evensong is a gripping new stage adaptation of Rev. Richard Coles’ bestselling mystery. As the bodies mount and the past refuses to stay buried, Daniel must hold his fractured community together… and uncover the killer in their midst. Every pew holds a secret, and anyone could be guilty of murder.

Based on Reverend Richard Coles' novel, adapted by Paul Hart and Shaun McKenna.

Playing at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury: https://www.watermill.org.uk/events/evensong

The Afronauts (14th Nov - 19th Dec)

Zambia, 1964: the space race has a new contender. As the world’s great powers set their sights on the moon, a schoolteacher gathers a group of misfit dreamers and trains them for lift-off. The true-ish story of the Zambian Space Program, and a nation’s defiant dream to reach for the stars. 'As long as a man can dream, he can push the limits of what’s possible'.

Written by Sky Arts Award-winning playwright Ryan Calais Cameron.

Playing exclusively at the Royal Court Theatre: https://royalcourttheatre.com/events/afronauts/

L The Royal Court's new season, including Blood of my Blood: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/