National Theatre announces full programme for 2026 including Cate Blanchett
The National Theatre has confirmed its full programme for 2026, with new productions, world premieres and international transfers planned across the year. The line-up includes major new plays, returning favourites and high-profile stage debuts.
Details have been announced for productions across the Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman theatres, alongside touring, international work and expanded digital releases.
New productions confirmed for the Dorfman Theatre
The Dorfman Theatre will host several productions throughout 2026. Francesca Mills will star in a new production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright, directed by Robert Hastie. The production opens in December before embarking on a nationwide UK tour.
In September, Tiago Rodrigues will make his National Theatre debut with the UK premiere of Catarina and the Beauty of Killing Fascists. The production will be performed in Portuguese with English surtitles and will run for a limited one-week engagement.
The theatre will also stage the world premiere of Some Woman, marking Helen Edmundson’s first original play since Queen Anne. Later in the year, Carmen Nasr’s Samira, directed by Emily Burns, will also premiere.
International transfers planned for New York
As part of its international programme, the National Theatre will transfer two productions to New York in 2026.
Robert Hastie’s production of Hamlet will play at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, while Alexander Zeldin’s The Other Place will run at The Shed.
The transfers coincide with preparations to mark 60 years since the National Theatre first presented work in the United States.
Major casting announcements for 2026
Several high-profile casting announcements have also been confirmed.
Sandra Oh will make her National Theatre debut in a new adaptation of The Misanthrope by Molière, directed by Indhu Rubasingham.
In August, Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss will reunite on stage following their previous film collaboration, appearing together in Electra / Persona.
Letitia Wright will lead the cast of Tracey Scott Wilson’s newsroom drama The Story, directed by Clint Dyer. The production will begin previews on the Olivier stage in August, with further casting and performance dates now announced.
War Horse to return ahead of anniversary year
War Horse will return to the National Theatre in 2026, ahead of the production’s 20th anniversary in 2027. Further details on the revival have been confirmed by the organisation.
Digital projects and wider initiatives
The National Theatre will continue to expand its digital output in 2026, with the aim for each production to have a life beyond the stage through National Theatre at Home or National Theatre Live cinema screenings.
Additional projects include a schools tour of Bacchae, adapted by Nima Taleghani, and the Connections Festival, which will take place at the Lowry in Salford.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets for The Misanthrope, War Horse and The Story will go on general sale on Thursday 12 February.
